Clarcor (CLC) 10-Q 21 Mar 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 17, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CLARCOR INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000020740	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--11-29	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	1-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	50,417,472

Consolidated_Condensed_Stateme

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales	$312,685	$256,271
Cost of sales	216,098	174,785
Gross profit	96,587	81,486
Selling and administrative expenses	65,321	47,671
Operating profit	31,266	33,815
Other income (expense):	'	'
Interest expense	-400	-150
Interest income	107	139
Other, net	3,971	0
Total other income (expense)	3,678	-11
Earnings before income taxes	34,944	33,804
Provision for income taxes	10,603	10,276
Net earnings	24,341	23,528
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	-20	-66
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$24,321	$23,462
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.47
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.47
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic (in shares)	50,463,714	49,834,701
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	50,924,445	50,409,464
Dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$0.17	$0.14

Consolidated_Condensed_Stateme1

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Net earnings	$24,341	$23,528
Other comprehensive income:	'	'
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability adjustments	664	1,321
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability adjustments tax amounts	-267	-510
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability adjustments, net of tax	397	811
Translation adjustments	4,325	-2,225
Translation adjustments tax amounts	0	0
Translation adjustments, net of tax	4,325	-2,225
Comprehensive earnings	29,063	22,114
Comprehensive earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	29,035	22,031
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests [Member]	'	'
Other comprehensive income:	'	'
Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	-51	-62
Redeemable noncontrolling interests [Member]	'	'
Other comprehensive income:	'	'
Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	$23	($21)

Consolidated_Condensed_Balance

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$76,430	$411,562
Restricted cash	750	763
Accounts receivable, less allowance for losses of $10,556 and $9,183, respectively	259,186	224,829
Inventories	272,543	218,786
Deferred income taxes	26,480	25,313
Income taxes receivable	0	1,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,358	9,868
Total current assets	649,747	892,121
Property, plant and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $344,760 and $332,787 respectively	245,223	208,953
Goodwill	316,294	241,299
Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	223,457	89,881
Other noncurrent assets	15,293	16,589
Total assets	1,450,014	1,448,843
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	231	50,223
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	197,766	157,538
Income taxes payable	5,749	0
Total current liabilities	203,746	207,761
Long-term debt, less current portion	96,385	116,413
Long-term pension and postretirement healthcare benefits liabilities	19,775	19,792
Deferred income taxes	64,574	64,415
Other long-term liabilities	7,345	5,753
Total liabilities	391,825	414,134
Contingencies (Note 11)	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,813	1,836
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Capital stock	50,417	50,371
Capital in excess of par value	25,393	22,278
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-25,100	-29,814
Retained earnings	1,004,756	989,013
Total CLARCOR Inc. equity	1,055,466	1,031,848
Noncontrolling interests	910	1,025
Total shareholders' equity	1,056,376	1,032,873
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$1,450,014	$1,448,843

Consolidated_Condensed_Balance1

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for losses	$10,556	$9,183
Accumulated depreciation	$344,760	$332,787

Consolidated_Condensed_Stateme2

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net earnings	$24,341	$23,528
Depreciation	7,292	6,581
Amortization	3,282	1,500
Other noncash items	917	24
Net gain on disposition of assets	-36	-276
Bargain purchase gain	-2,815	0
Stock-based compensation expense	1,515	1,146
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	-262	-1,731
Deferred income taxes	1,348	8,424
Change in assets and liabilities	-17,134	-32,748
Net cash provided by operating activities	18,448	6,448
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Restricted cash	277	76
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-262,741	0
Additions to plant assets	-14,352	-8,644
Proceeds from disposition of plant assets	94	25
Investment in affiliates	-473	-223
Net cash used in investing activities	-277,195	-8,766
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Cash dividends paid	-8,577	-6,725
Net payments on multicurrency revolving credit facility	-50,000	0
Payments on term loan facility	-20,000	0
Payments on long-term debt, including business acquisition-related seller financing	-56	-2,336
Sale of capital stock under stock option and employee purchase plans	1,525	3,628
Payments for repurchase of common stock	0	-5,964
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	262	1,731
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	-166	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-77,012	-9,666
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	627	-248
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-335,132	-12,232
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	411,562	185,496
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	76,430	173,264
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest	324	78
Income taxes, net of refunds	$4,233	$5,742

Consolidated_Condensed_Financi

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements	'
	CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	Basis of Presentation
	CLARCOR Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “CLARCOR”) is a global provider of filtration products, filtration systems and services, and consumer and industrial packaging products. As discussed further in Note 13, the Company has three reportable segments: Engine/Mobile Filtration, Industrial/Environmental Filtration and Packaging. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries that were more than 50% owned and controlled as of each respective reporting period presented. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	The Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings, the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Earnings and the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the periods ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013 and the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of March 1, 2014 have been prepared by the Company without audit.  The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements have been prepared on the same basis as those in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”).  The November 30, 2013 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet data was derived from the Company’s year-end audited Consolidated Financial Statements as presented in the 2013 Form 10-K but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP").  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made.  The results of operations for the period ended March 1, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.  The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the 2013 Form 10-K.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
	Highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased and that are readily saleable are considered to be cash and cash equivalents.  Restricted cash represents funds held in escrow and cash balances held by German banks as collateral for certain guarantees of overseas subsidiaries.  Restricted cash classified as current corresponds to funds held in escrow that will be used within one year or guarantees that expire within one year.  The Company also has $1,644 and $1,896 of noncurrent restricted cash recorded in Other noncurrent assets as of March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively, corresponding to guarantees and escrow agreements that expire longer than one year from the dates of the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market primarily determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method of inventory costing, which approximates current cost. Inventories are summarized as follows:
		March 1,				November 30,
		2014				2013
	Raw materials	$	102,638			$	80,741
	Work in process	41,961				34,402
	Finished products	127,944				103,643
	Inventories	$	272,543			$	218,786
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for three months ended March 1, 2014 are as follows:
		Pension Benefits				Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments		Total
	Balance at November 30, 2013, net of tax	$	(29,878	)		$	64	$	(29,814	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications and tax	(54		)		4,317		4,263
	Tax benefit	22				—		22
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(32		)		4,317		4,285
	Reclassifications, before tax	718			(a)	—		718
	Tax expense	(289		)		—		(289		)
	Reclassifications, net of tax	429				—		429
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	397				4,317		4,714
	Balance at March 1, 2014, net of tax	$	(29,481	)		$	4,381	$	(25,100	)
	___________
	(a) Includes amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost (see Note 9) that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to selling and administrative expenses.
	New Accounting Guidance
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") updated the disclosure requirements for accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). The updated guidance requires companies to disclose amounts reclassified out of AOCI by component. The updated guidance does not affect how net income or other comprehensive income are calculated or presented. The adoption of this guidance on December 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional information, refer to the "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)" section of Note 1 above.
	Revisions to Previously Issued Financial Statements
	The Company revised its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 2, 2013 to properly reflect payments made for business acquisition-related seller financing amounts. The revision resulted in a decrease in the previously reported caption "Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired," a cash outflow from investing activities, of approximately $2,281 and an increase in the caption "Payments on long-term debt, including business acquisition-related seller financing," a cash outflow from financing activities, of approximately $2,281. This revision is not material to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 2, 2013 and has no impact on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings or Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings.

Business_Acquisitions_and_Inve

Business Acquisitions and Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Acquisitions and Investments	'
	BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS
	Business Acquisitions
	CLARCOR Industrial Air
	On December 16, 2013, the Company acquired the Air Filtration business of General Electric Company’s (“GE”) Power and Water division through the acquisition of certain assets and the assumption of certain liabilities, as well as the acquisition of the stock of a subsidiary of GE. The business, which now operates as “CLARCOR Industrial Air,” was acquired to significantly increase the Company's presence in air inlet filtration products for natural gas turbines and to expand the Company’s product offerings, technologies and customer base in industrial air filtration. CLARCOR Industrial Air employs approximately 700 people and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, with manufacturing operations in Missouri and the U.K. Its results are included as part of the Company’s Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment from the date of acquisition. The purchase price paid was approximately $257,706 in cash (cash to GE of $261,152, net of $3,446 cash acquired), which the Company funded with cash on hand, a $100,000 term loan and $50,000 of cash borrowed under the Company’s revolving credit agreement.
	CLARCOR Industrial Air operates primarily in three markets -- gas turbine filtration, industrial air filtration, and specialty membranes. In gas turbine filtration, the business designs and manufactures high performance inlet filter houses and replacement filter elements for gas turbines used in a wide range of applications, including on-shore power generation plants, on-shore and off-shore oil and gas platforms and pipelines, distributed power generation and commercial and military marine applications. In industrial air filtration, CLARCOR Industrial Air designs and manufactures high performance filter elements for use in a variety of industries, sold to a wide range of customers under various trade names. The specialty membrane business designs and manufactures high performance membranes for apparel and microfiltration.
	A preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was made based on available information and incorporating management’s best estimates. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction were recorded at their estimated acquisition date fair values, while transaction costs associated with the acquisition were expensed as incurred. The Company is currently in the process of finalizing the valuations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The actual allocation of the final purchase price and the resulting effect on income from operations may differ from the unaudited pro forma amounts included herein. The Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation during fiscal 2014.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition of CLARCOR Industrial Air:
	Accounts receivable		$	30,171
	Inventories		41,959
	Other current assets		1,059
	Plant assets		22,784
	Goodwill		72,697
	Intangible assets		133,020
		Total assets acquired	301,690
	Total liabilities		43,984
		Net assets acquired	$	257,706
	The Company believes the CLARCOR Industrial Air business provides it with a strong platform in the gas turbine filtration market from which to grow, both with respect to first-fit applications as well as the aftermarket, and a broad line of products, in-depth customer knowledge and service capabilities with which to grow in various industrial air filtration markets. Goodwill of $72,697 recorded in connection with the CLARCOR Industrial Air acquisition, which is deductible for tax purposes, represents the estimated value of such future opportunities. A summary of the intangible assets acquired, weighted-average useful lives and amortization methods is shown in the following table:
		Estimated			Weighted average	Amortization
	Identifiable intangible assets	Value			Useful life	Method
	Trade names	$	35,100		Indefinite	Not amortized
	Customer relationships	77,300			13 years	Straight-line
	Developed technology	19,900			13 years	Straight-line
	GE Transitional Trademark License	50			Less than 1 Year	Accelerated
	Backlog	670			Less than 1 Year	Accelerated
		$	133,020
	Net sales and operating loss for CLARCOR Industrial Air subsequent to the date it was acquired by the Company for the three months ended March 1, 2014 were $45,378 and $1,048, respectively.
	The following unaudited pro-forma information presents the combined results of operations of CLARCOR and CLARCOR Industrial Air as if the acquisition had been completed on December 2, 2012, the beginning of fiscal 2013. The pro forma information is presented for information purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition and related borrowings had taken place at the beginning of fiscal 2013. The pro forma information combines the historical results of CLARCOR with the historical results of CLARCOR Industrial Air for that period.
	Prior to the acquisition, the business now operated as CLARCOR Industrial Air was a wholly-owned business of GE’s Power and Water division, and as such was not a stand-alone entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the historical operating results of CLARCOR Industrial Air may not be indicative of the results that might have been achieved, historically or in the future, if CLARCOR Industrial Air had been a stand-alone entity.
	The unaudited pro forma results for the three-month periods ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013 include amortization charges for acquired intangible assets, and adjustments to depreciation expense, interest expense, transaction costs incurred (including approximately $3.6 million of transaction costs which have been pushed back to the period ended March 2, 2013 for pro forma presentation), adjustments to cost of sales to reflect the estimated fair values of inventory at the acquisition date, other income and related tax effects. These pro forma amounts are based on a preliminary allocation of the purchase price to estimates of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The pro forma amounts include the Company’s preliminary determination of purchase accounting adjustments based on available information and certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable.
		Three Months Ended					Three Months Ended
		1-Mar-14					2-Mar-13
		As reported			Pro forma		As reported		Pro forma
	Net sales	$	312,685		$	328,112	$	256,271	$	307,335
	Operating profit	31,266			39,020		33,815		26,761
	Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR	24,321			30,085		23,462		18,157
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.48		$	0.59	$	0.47	$	0.36
	Bekaert Business
	On December 3, 2013, the Company acquired from NV Bekaert SA 100% of the outstanding shares of Bekaert Advanced Filtration SA (Belgium), 100% of the outstanding shares of PT Bekaert Advanced Filtration (Indonesia) and certain other assets in India, China and the U.S. (collectively, the “Bekaert Business”). The purchase price was approximately $7,297 in cash (net of cash acquired), which the Company paid with cash on hand.
	The Bekaert Business has approximately 170 employees, and manufacturing facilities located in Belgium and Indonesia, as well as sales personnel in North and South America. The business is engaged in the manufacture and supply of engineered metal filters and systems used primarily in the polymer and plastics industry. The Bekaert Business was acquired to expand the Company’s technical capabilities, improve the Company's product offerings and help the Company continue to grow in Europe and in Asia. The business has been merged into the Company’s Purolator Advanced Filtration Group, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina. Its results are included as part of the Company’s Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment from the date of acquisition.
	A preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was made based on available information and incorporating management’s best estimates. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction were recorded at their estimated acquisition date fair values, while transaction costs associated with the acquisition were expensed as incurred. Acquired finite-lived intangible assets of $2,057 were recorded in connection with the purchase. The $2,815 excess of the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the purchase price was recorded as a bargain purchase gain and is included in “Other, net” income in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. Prior to recording this gain, the Company reassessed its identification of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including the use of independent valuation experts to assist the Company in appraising the personal property, real property and intangible assets acquired. The Company believes there were several factors that contributed to this transaction resulting in a bargain purchase gain, including the business falling outside of NV Bekaert SA’s core activities and historical losses incurred by the business.
	The Company is currently in the process of finalizing the valuations of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The actual allocation of the final purchase price and the resulting effect on income from operations may differ from the unaudited pro forma amounts included herein. The Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation during fiscal 2014.
	Net sales and operating loss for the Bekaert business subsequent to the date it was acquired by the Company for the three-months ended March 1, 2014 were $2,777 and $251, respectively.
	Modular
	On May 9, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the shares in Modular Engineering Company Pty Ltd. ("Modular") for $7,875. An initial payment of $5,237 was made at closing with the remaining purchase price to be paid in two installments on the first and second anniversaries of the original closing date. The first installment of $1,530 was made on May 8, 2013 and the second installment is expected to be paid in May 2014.
	Investments
	The Company owns 30% of BioProcessH2O LLC (“BPH”), a Rhode Island-based manufacturer of industrial waste water and water reuse filtration systems.  During the three months ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the Company did not make any additional investments. The Company has $21 accrued which has not yet been funded and is included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets at both March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013. The investment, with a carrying amount of $3,065 and $3,125, at March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively, included in Other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, is being accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  The carrying amount is adjusted each period to recognize the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of BPH, included in Other, net in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings, based on the percentage of ownership, as well as the receipt of any dividends.  During the three months ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the Company did not receive any dividends from BPH.
	The Company also owns 15.65% of BioProcess Algae LLC (“Algae”), a Delaware-based company developing technology to grow and harvest algae which can be used to consume carbon dioxide and also be used as a renewable energy source.  During the three months ended March 1, 2014, the Company invested an additional $473 into Algae. The investment, with a carrying amount of $2,677 and $2,204 at March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively, included in Other noncurrent assets, is being accounted for under the cost method of accounting.  Under the cost method, the Company recognizes dividends as income when received and reviews the cost basis of the investment for impairment if factors indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred.  During the three months ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the Company did not receive any dividends from Algae.

Incentive_Plans_and_StockBased

Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation	'
	INCENTIVE PLANS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	On March 23, 2009, the shareholders of CLARCOR approved the 2009 Incentive Plan, which replaced the 2004 Incentive Plan.  The 2009 Incentive Plan allows the Company to grant stock options, restricted stock unit awards, restricted stock, performance awards and other awards to officers, directors and key employees of up to 3,800,000 shares during a ten-year period that ends in December 2019.  Upon share option exercise or restricted stock unit award conversion, the Company issues new shares unless treasury shares are available.  The key provisions of the Company’s stock-based incentive plans are described in Note M of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2013 Form 10-K.
	Stock Options
	Nonqualified stock options are granted at exercise prices equal to the market price of CLARCOR common stock at the date of grant, which is the date the Company’s Board of Directors approves the grant and the participants receive it.  The Company’s Board of Directors determines the vesting requirements for stock options at the time of grant and may accelerate vesting.  In general, options granted to key employees vest 25% per year beginning at the end of the first year; therefore, they become fully exercisable at the end of four years.  Vesting may be accelerated in the event of retirement, disability or death of a participant or change in control of the Company.  Options granted to non-employee directors vest immediately.  All options expire ten years from the date of grant unless otherwise terminated. Beginning in 2013, stock-based compensation for the Company's Board of Directors is in the form of a grant of shares of stock, rather than stock options.
	The following table summarizes information related to stock options and stock option exercises during the three months ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013.
				Three Months Ended
				March 1,				March 2,
				2014				2013
	Pre-tax compensation expense			$	1,111			$	887
	Deferred tax benefits			(395		)		(316		)
	Excess tax benefits associated with tax deductions over the amount of compensation expense recognized in the consolidated condensed financial statements			161				1,742
	Fair value of stock options on date of grant			4,554				3,836
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised			758				5,286
	Cash received upon exercise of stock options			1,242				3,325
	Addition to capital in excess of par value due to exercise of stock options			1,363				3,926
	The following table summarizes activity for the three months ended March 1, 2014 with respect to stock options granted by the Company and includes options granted under the 1994 Incentive Plan, the 2004 Incentive Plan and the 2009 Incentive Plan.
		Options Granted		Weighted
		Under Incentive		Average
		Plans		Exercise Price
	Outstanding at beginning of year	2,208,314		$	40.76
	Granted	441,450		$	61.57
	Exercised	-33,416		$	37.17
	Surrendered	-775		$	22.8
	Outstanding at end of period	2,615,573		$	44.32
	Exercisable at end of period	1,671,929		$	39.15
	At March 1, 2014, there was $8,838 of unrecognized compensation cost related to option awards which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.94 years.
	The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable options at March 1, 2014.
			Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise		Number		Weighted				Intrinsic Value		Weighted	Number	Weighted		Intrinsic Value		Weighted
	Prices				Average						Average		Average				Average
					Exercise						Remaining Life		Exercise				Remaining Life
					Price						in Years		Price				in Years
	$25.31 - $28.79		150,600		$	26.92			$	4,670	2.25	150,600	$	26.92	$	4,671	2.25
	$31.96 - $38.06		712,332		$	33.83			17,167		4.26	712,082	$	33.83	17,161		4.26
	$40.73 - $55.01		1,311,191		$	46.21			15,367		7.92	809,247	$	46.11	9,562		7.61
	$61.57		441,450		$	61.57			—		9.79	0	$	—	—		0
			2,615,573		$	44.32			$	37,204	6.91	1,671,929	$	39.15	$	31,394	5.7
	The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions by grant year.
			Three Months Ended
			March 1,				March 2,
			2014				2013
	Weighted average fair value per option at the date of grant for options granted		$	11.53			$	9.96
	Risk-free interest rate		1.55		%		1.19		%
	Expected dividend yield		1.1		%		1.19		%
	Expected volatility factor		21.4		%		25.81		%
	Expected option term in years		5				5.4
	The expected option term in years selected for options granted during each period presented represents the period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding based on historical data of option holder exercise and termination behavior.  Expected volatilities are based upon historical volatility of the Company’s monthly stock closing prices over a period equal to the expected life of each option grant.  The risk-free interest rate is selected based on yields from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term approximately equal to the expected term of the options being valued.  Expected dividend yield is based on the estimated dividend yield determined on the date of issuance.
	Restricted Stock Unit Awards
	The Company’s restricted stock unit awards are considered nonvested share awards.  The restricted stock unit awards require no payment from the employee.  Compensation cost is recorded based on the market price of the stock on the grant date and is recorded equally over the vesting period of four years.  During the vesting period, officers and key employees receive compensation equal to the amount of dividends declared on common shares they would have been entitled to receive had the shares been issued.  Upon vesting, employees may elect to defer receipt of their shares.  There were 16,986 and 14,760 vested and deferred shares at March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively.
	The following table summarizes information related to restricted stock unit awards during the three months ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013.
				Three Months Ended
				March 1,				March 2,
				2014				2013
	Pre-tax compensation expense			$	404			$	259
	Deferred tax benefits			(144		)		(92		)
	Excess tax (expense) benefits associated with tax deductions under the amount of compensation expense recognized in the consolidated condensed financial statements			101				96
	Fair value of restricted stock unit awards on date of grant			1,466				1,068
	Fair value of restricted stock unit awards vested			765				621
	The following table summarizes activity for the three months ended March 1, 2014 with respect to the restricted stock unit awards.
		Units		Weighted
				Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of year	48,044		$	45.18
Granted	23,808		$	61.57
Vested	-17,685		$	43.27
Nonvested at end of period	54,167		$	53.01
As of March 1, 2014, there was $2,239 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock unit awards which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.90 years.

Noncontrolling_Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling Interests	'
	NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
	Noncontrolling interests changed as follows during the three months ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013:
		Three Months Ended
		1-Mar-14						2-Mar-13
		Redeemable			Non-Redeemable			Redeemable		Non-Redeemable
	Noncontrolling interests at beginning of period	$	1,836		$	1,025		$	1,754	$	986
	Noncontrolling interests earnings (loss)	(41		)	61			15		51
	Foreign currency translation	18			(10		)	6		11
	Dividend	—			(166		)	—		—
	Noncontrolling interests at end of period	$	1,813		$	910		$	1,775	$	1,048
	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
	In March 2007, the Company acquired an 80% ownership share in Sinfa SA (“SINFA”), a manufacturer of automotive and heavy-duty engine filters based in Casablanca, Morocco.  As part of the purchase agreement, the Company and the noncontrolling owners each have an option to require the purchase of the remaining 20% ownership shares by the Company after December 31, 2012 which would result in SINFA becoming a wholly owned subsidiary.  As of March 1, 2014, neither the Company nor the noncontrolling owners have exercised the purchase option. The remaining 20% of SINFA owned by the noncontrolling owners has been reported as Redeemable noncontrolling interests and classified as mezzanine equity in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.  The Redeemable noncontrolling interests is reflected at its carrying value, which is greater than its estimated redemption price. The Redeemable noncontrolling interests will be accreted to the redemption price, through equity, at the point at which the redemption becomes probable.  The Company has not recorded any accretion to date.

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	'
	GOODWILL AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	All goodwill is stated on a gross basis, as the Company has not recorded any impairment charges against goodwill. The following table reconciles the activity for goodwill by segment for the three months ended March 1, 2014.
		Engine/Mobile			Industrial/			Packaging		Total
		Filtration			Environmental
					Filtration
	Goodwill at beginning of year	$	21,868		$	219,431		$	—	$	241,299
	Acquisition	—			72,697			—		72,697
	Currency translation adjustments	186			2,112			—		2,298
	Goodwill at end of period	$	22,054		$	294,240		$	—	$	316,294
	The following table summarizes acquired intangibles by segment. Other acquired intangibles include parts manufacturer regulatory approvals, developed technology, patents and non-compete agreements.
		Engine/Mobile			Industrial/			Packaging		Total
		Filtration			Environmental
					Filtration
	March 1, 2014
	Indefinite Lived Intangibles:
	Trademarks - indefinite lived	$	603		$	77,410		$	—	$	78,013
	Finite Lived Intangibles:
	Trademarks, gross - finite lived	$	309		$	488		$	—	$	797
	Accumulated amortization	(108		)	(332		)	—		(440		)
	Trademarks, net - finite lived	$	201		$	156		$	—	$	357
	Customer relationships, gross	$	4,311		$	125,389		$	—	$	129,700
	Accumulated amortization	(1,913		)	(22,252		)	—		(24,165		)
	Customer relationships, net	$	2,398		$	103,137		$	—	$	105,535
	Other acquired intangibles, gross	$	243		$	61,255		$	—	$	61,498
	Accumulated amortization	(243		)	(21,703		)	—		(21,946		)
	Other acquired intangibles, net	$	—		$	39,552		$	—	$	39,552
	Total finite lived intangible assets, net	$	2,599		$	142,845		$	—	$	145,444
	Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	$	3,202		$	220,255		$	—	$	223,457
	The following table summarizes estimated amortization expense.
	Fiscal year 2014	$	13,625
	Fiscal year 2015	13,165
	Fiscal year 2016	13,032
	Fiscal year 2017	12,794
	Fiscal year 2018	12,131

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value as discussed throughout the notes to its quarterly and annual financial statements. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability, an exit price, in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Fair value measurements are categorized in a hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques.  Observable inputs are the highest level and reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs are the lowest level and reflect internally developed market assumptions.  The Company classifies fair value measurements by the following hierarchy:
	•	Level 1 – Quoted active market prices for identical assets
	•	Level 2 – Significant other observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar (but not identical) instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets which are not active and model determined valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets
	•	Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs, such as model determined valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable
	Assets or liabilities that have recurring fair value measurements are shown below:
		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	March 1, 2014
	Restricted trust, included in Other noncurrent assets
	Mutual fund investments - equities	$	544	$	544	$	—	$	—
	Mutual fund investments - bonds	395		395		—		—
	Cash and equivalents	30		30		—		—
	Total restricted trust	$	969	$	969	$	—	$	—
		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	November 30, 2013
	Restricted trust, included in Other noncurrent assets
	Mutual fund investments - equities	$	593	$	593	$	—	$	—
	Mutual fund investments - bonds	400		400		—		—
	Cash and equivalents	31		31		—		—
	Total restricted trust	$	1,024	$	1,024	$	—	$	—
	There were no changes in the fair value determination methods or significant assumptions used in those methods during the three months ended March 1, 2014.  There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 1, 2014. The Company's policy is to recognize transfers on the actual date of transfer. The restricted trust, which is used to fund certain payments for the Company’s U.S. combined nonqualified pension plans, consists of actively traded equity and bond funds.
	The Company is liable for a contingent earn-out established in connection with the acquisition of TransWeb on December 29, 2010. This earn-out, which is payable to one of the former owners of TransWeb, had an acquisition-date estimated fair value of $1,018, which was recorded as an other long-term liability at that time.  The contingent liability for the earn-out payment will continue to be accounted for and measured at fair value until the contingency is settled during fiscal year 2016.  The fair value measurement of the contingent earn-out payment is based primarily on projected 2014 and 2015 TransWeb adjusted earnings, which represent significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. The contingent consideration payment is revalued to its current fair value at each reporting date.  Any increase or decrease in the fair value, as a result of changes in significant inputs such as the discount rate, the discount period or other factors used in the calculation, is recognized in Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings in the period the estimated fair value changes. The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model with a discount rate of 13.2%. The fair value of the TransWeb contingent earn-out payment was $0 at March 1, 2014 and $0 at November 30, 2013, based on the projected adjusted earnings of TransWeb.
	Fair Values of Financial Instruments
	The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, which are cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, the restricted trust and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximated the carrying values of those financial instruments at both March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013.  An expected present value technique is used to estimate the fair value of long-term debt, using a model that discounts future principal and interest payments at interest rates available to the Company at the end of the period for similar debt of the same maturity.  Long-term debt had a fair value estimate of $95,943 and $166,288 at March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively. The Company's fair value estimate of its long-term debt represents a Level 2 measurement as it is based on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt with similar remaining maturities.  The carrying value for the long-term debt at March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013 is $96,616 and $166,636, respectively.

Accounts_Payable_Accrued_Liabi

Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Guarantees	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Guarantees	'
	ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND GUARANTEES
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013 were as follows:
		March 1,			November 30,
		2014			2013
	Accounts payable	$	107,738		$	79,164
	Accrued salaries, wages and commissions	9,344			14,908
	Pension and postretirement healthcare benefits liabilities	216			278
	Compensated absences	8,331			8,600
	Accrued insurance liabilities	8,272			7,599
	Customer deposits	20,420			16,081
	Other accrued liabilities	43,445			30,908
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	197,766		$	157,538
	The Company has letters of credit totaling $29,538 and $28,541 as of March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively, issued to various government agencies, primarily related to industrial revenue bonds, and to insurance companies and other commercial entities in support of its obligations. The Company believes that no payments will be required resulting from these obligations.
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company also provides routine indemnifications and other guarantees whose terms range in duration and are often not explicitly defined. The Company does not believe these will have a material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.
	Warranties
	Warranties are recorded as a liability on the balance sheet and as charges to current expense for estimated normal warranty costs and, if applicable, for specific performance issues known to exist on products already sold. The expenses estimated to be incurred are provided at the time of sale and adjusted as needed, based primarily upon experience. Changes in the Company’s warranty accrual, which is included in Other accrued liabilities, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 1,			March 2,
		2014			2013
	Warranty accrual at beginning of period	$	1,599		$	1,533
	Warranty accrual added through business acquisitions	10,677			—
	Accruals for warranties issued during the period	28			182
	Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties	44			27
	Settlements made during the period	(664		)	(178		)
	Other adjustments, including currency translation	(6		)	(6		)
	Warranty accrual at end of period	$	11,678		$	1,558
	Warranty accruals added through business acquisitions in the first quarter of 2014 relate primarily to the CLARCOR Industrial Air business, whose sales agreements, particularly for air intake filtration systems for heavy-duty gas turbine applications, include product warranties customary for such types of products. Warranty accruals for this business are established for specifically identified warranty issues known to exist on products already sold, and on a non-specific basis based primarily on past experience.
	Restructuring and other charges
	In the first quarter of 2014 the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $1,315, $1,186 of which is included in Cost of sales and $129 of which is included in Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Earnings, related to the planned closure of one of its HVAC air filtration manufacturing facilities -- which is included in its Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment -- and the involuntary separation of certain employees at its air filtration headquarters, to better align manufacturing capacity and workforce levels with the business's growth strategy and to support of our continual focus on cost reductions and productivity improvements. The charge consisted of approximately $863 related to the impairment of long-lived assets and leasehold improvements and approximately $452 related to severance and employee termination costs, which severance and employee termination costs are included in accrued liabilities as of March 1, 2014.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	LONG-TERM DEBT
	On April 5, 2012, the Company entered into a five-year multicurrency revolving credit agreement which included a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a group of financial institutions. Under the Credit Facility, the Company may borrow up to $150,000 which includes a $10,000 swing line sub-facility, as well as an accordion feature that allows the Company to increase the Credit Facility by a total of up to $100,000, subject to securing additional commitments from existing lenders or new lending institutions. On November 22, 2013, the Company entered into a credit agreement amendment to include a $100,000 term loan facility (the "Term Loan Facility"), whose maturity date will be the same as the maturity date of the Credit Facility. At the Company's election, loans made under the Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility bear interest at either (1) a defined base rate, which varies with the highest of the defined prime rate, the federal funds rate, or a specified margin over the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or (2) LIBOR plus an applicable margin. Swing line loans bear interest at the defined base rate plus an applicable margin. Commitment fees and letter of credit fees are also payable under the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility are unsecured, but are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's material domestic subsidiaries. The credit agreement also contains certain covenants customary to such agreements, including covenants that place limits on our ability to incur additional debt, require us to maintain levels of interest coverage, and restrict certain changes in ownership, as well as customary events of default. At March 1, 2014, there was $80,000 outstanding on the Term Loan Facility with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 0.91% and there were no borrowings outstanding outstanding on the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility includes a $50,000 letter of credit sub-facility, against which $16,012 in letters of credit had been issued at both March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	'
	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS
	The Company provides various retirement benefits, including defined benefit plans and postretirement healthcare plans covering certain current and retired employees in the U.S. and abroad.  Components of net periodic benefit cost (income) and Company contributions for these plans were as follows:
				Three Months Ended
				March 1,			March 2,
				2014			2013
	Pension Benefits:
	Components of net periodic benefit cost (income):
	Service cost			$	498		$	622
	Interest cost			1,931			1,730
	Expected return on plan assets			(2,831		)	(2,699		)
	Settlement cost			—			—
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Prior service cost			(3		)	(3		)
	Net actuarial loss			721			1,516
	Net periodic benefit cost			$	316		$	1,166
	Cash contributions			$	65		$	14,942
	Postretirement Healthcare Benefits:
	Components of net periodic benefit cost (income):
	Interest cost			$	2		$	2
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Prior service cost			(31		)	(31		)
	Net actuarial gain			(37		)	(37		)
	Net periodic benefit income			$	(66	)	$	(66	)
	Cash contributions			$	16		$	18
	The Company’s policy is to contribute to its qualified U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans at least the minimum amount required by applicable laws and regulations, to contribute to the U.S. combined nonqualified plans when required for benefit payments, and to contribute to the postretirement healthcare benefit plan an amount equal to the benefit payments.  The Company, from time to time, makes voluntary contributions in excess of the minimum amount required as economic conditions warrant. The Company expects to contribute up to the following amounts to its various plans to pay benefits during 2014:
	U.S. Qualified Plans	$	—
	U.S. Combined Nonqualified Plans	216
	Non-U.S. Plan	409
	Postretirement Healthcare Benefit Plan	62
	Total expected contributions	$	687
	During the three months ended March 1, 2014, the Company contributed $81 to its various plans. In addition to the plan assets related to its qualified plans, the Company has also funded $969 and $1,024 at March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively, into a restricted trust for its U.S. combined nonqualified plans (see Note 6).  This trust is included in Other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, including positions which impact only the timing of tax benefits.
		Three Months Ended
		March 1,		March 2,
		2014		2013
	Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	2,155	$	2,209
	Additions for current period tax positions	79		133
	Reductions for prior period tax positions	—		(159		)
	Reductions for lapse of statue of limitations / settlements	—		—
	Changes in interest and penalties	33		104
	Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period	$	2,267	$	2,287
	At March 1, 2014, the amount of unrecognized tax benefit, that would impact the effective tax rate if recognized, was $1,427.  At March 1, 2014, the Company had $244 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties.
	The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by $163 over the next twelve months as a result of expected settlements with taxing authorities. Due to the various jurisdictions in which the Company files tax returns and the uncertainty regarding the timing of settlements, it is possible that there could be other significant changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months; however, the amount cannot be estimated.
	The Company is regularly audited by federal, state and foreign tax authorities.  The Internal Revenue Service has completed its audits of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns through fiscal year 2009.  With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by state or foreign tax jurisdictions for years prior to 2008.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	CONTINGENCIES
	Legal Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company is subject to lawsuits, investigations and disputes (some of which involve substantial claimed amounts) arising out of the conduct of its business, including matters relating to commercial transactions, product liability, intellectual property and other matters.  Items included in these other matters are discussed below.  The Company believes recorded reserves in its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable outcomes of the items discussed below.  Any recorded liabilities were not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operation or liquidity and the Company does not currently believe that any pending claims or litigation, including those identified below, will materially affect its financial position, results of operation or liquidity.
	TransWeb/3M
	On May 21, 2010, 3M Company and 3M Innovative Properties (“3M”) brought a lawsuit against TransWeb, LLC ("TransWeb") in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleging that certain TransWeb products infringe multiple claims of certain 3M patents. Shortly after receiving service of process in this litigation, TransWeb filed its own complaint against 3M in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, seeking a declaratory judgment that the asserted patents are invalid and that the products in question do not infringe. 3M withdrew its Minnesota action, and the parties are currently litigating the matter in New Jersey.
	The litigation in question was filed and underway before the Company acquired TransWeb in December 2010, but the Company assumed the risk of this litigation as a result of the acquisition. On June 3, 2011, TransWeb filed a Second Amended Complaint against 3M, (i) seeking declaratory judgment that the asserted 3M patents are invalid, the TransWeb products in question do not infringe, and the 3M patents are unenforceable due to inequitable conduct by 3M in obtaining the patents, (ii) alleging patent infringement by 3M of a patent held by TransWeb, and (iii) alleging antitrust violations by 3M in connection with certain upstream and downstream markets for fluorinated polymeric filtration media under theories of Walker Process fraud and sham litigation. TransWeb later dropped its patent infringement allegations against 3M, but continued to allege and pursue its inequitable conduct and antitrust claims. Prior to trial, 3M voluntarily dismissed with prejudice the majority of the patent claims 3M had originally brought against TransWeb, but continued to allege infringement by TransWeb of two claims of one of the patents in suit.
	A jury trial commenced on November 13, 2012. After 10 days of testimony and deliberation, on November 30, 2012, a six-member jury unanimously found that (i) TransWeb does not infringe the asserted claims of the 3M patent in suit, (ii) the asserted claims of the patent in suit are invalid as being obvious, (iii) 3M violated the antitrust laws in trying to enforce patents obtained through fraud on the United States Patent Office (i.e., Walker Process fraud), (iv) TransWeb is entitled to recoup lost profits of approximately $34 plus its attorneys' fees as damages, and (v) 3M did not engage in "sham" litigation. The jury also rendered a unanimous advisory verdict, which is not binding on the court, that 3M's asserted patents were obtained through inequitable conduct, and thus unenforceable.
	Following the trial, on December 12, 2012, the court ordered a third party Special Master to conduct a review to quantify and qualify TransWeb's attorneys' fees that may be awarded as damages, including those subject to potential trebling under the antitrust laws, and to make a recommendation to the court in this regard. Following eight months of hearings and submissions by the parties, on September 24, 2013, the Special Master recommended to the court that TransWeb be entitled to approximately $26,147. 3M has moved the court to reject this recommendation, and TransWeb has moved the court to accept it.
	The court has not yet decided whether to accept the jury's verdict on inequitable conduct or the Special Master's recommendation as to damages and has not yet issued a final judgment in the case, pending (i) resolution of various post-trial motions made by 3M to set aside the jury verdicts adverse to 3M, and (ii) resolution of the issue of the Special Master's recommendation. Following the issuance of a final judgment from the court, the parties will each have an automatic right of appeal to the Federal Circuit. If the court issues a judgment in TransWeb's favor by affirming the actual and advisory jury verdicts, the Company anticipates that 3M will appeal.
	The Company acquired TransWeb on December 29, 2010.  The $30,017 base purchase price included a $17,000 liability due to the former owners of TransWeb, which payment could be reduced dollar-for-dollar for qualifying costs incurred by the Company in connection with the 3M litigation. Since the acquisition date, the Company has expensed legal costs in connection with the 3M litigation and simultaneously recorded the recovery of such costs from the former owners through a reduction of the liability due to the former owners and a corresponding reduction in legal expense. Qualifying costs incurred by the Company have exceeded $17,000 and, as such, no further payments are due to the former owners of TransWeb. The Company does not anticipate incurring any liability in connection with the litigation, due to the fact that, among other factors, as noted above the Special Master has recommended to the court that TransWeb be entitled to approximately $26,147. The Company does anticipate incurring additional litigation related expenses due to the significant post-trial activities and anticipated appeal referenced above. The Company does not accrue for such expenses, but recognizes them as they are incurred.
	Other
	Additionally, the Company is party to various proceedings relating to environmental issues.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and/or other responsible state agencies have designated the Company as a potentially responsible party, along with other companies, in remedial activities for the cleanup of waste sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“the federal Superfund statute”).  Although it is not certain what future environmental claims, if any, may be asserted, the Company currently believes that its potential liability for known environmental matters is not material.  However, environmental and related remediation costs are difficult to quantify for a number of reasons, including the number of parties involved, the difficulty in determining the nature and extent of the contamination at issue, the length of time remediation may require, the complexity of the environmental regulation and the continuing advancement of remediation technology.  Applicable federal law may impose joint and several liability on each potentially responsible party for the cleanup.
	In addition to the matters cited above, the Company is involved in legal actions arising in the normal course of business.  The Company records provisions with respect to identified claims or lawsuits when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Claims and lawsuits are reviewed quarterly and provisions are taken or adjusted to reflect the status of a particular matter. No such provisions have been taken in respect of the legal proceedings referred to above.
	Other Contingencies
	In the event of a change in control of the Company, termination benefits are likely to be required for certain executive officers and other employees.

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_R

Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE AND STOCK REPURCHASE ACTIVITY
	The Company calculates basic earnings per share by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the impact of outstanding stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based arrangements.  The FASB has issued guidance requiring unvested share-based payment awards containing nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) be considered participating securities and included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.  The Company’s unvested restricted stock unit awards discussed in Note 3 qualify as participating securities under this guidance.  However, the unvested restricted stock unit awards do not materially impact the calculation of basic or diluted earnings per share; therefore, the Company does not present the two-class method computation.  The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators utilized in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.
		Three Months Ended
		March 1,		March 2,
		2014		2013
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic	50,463,714		49,834,701
	Dilutive effect of stock-based arrangements	460,731		574,763
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted	50,924,445		50,409,464
	Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$	24,321	$	23,462
	Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic	$	0.48	$	0.47
	Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted	$	0.48	$	0.47
	The following table provides additional information regarding the calculation of earnings per share and stock repurchase activity.
		Three Months Ended
		March 1,		March 2,
		2014		2013
	Number of antidilutive options with exercise prices greater than the average market price excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share	441,450		498,038
	Common stock repurchased and retired pursuant to the Company's stock repurchase program	$	—	$	5,964
	Number of shares repurchased and retired pursuant to the Company's stock repurchase program	—		122,000
	At March 1, 2014, there remained $241,282 authorized for future purchases under the Company’s $250,000 stock repurchase program that was approved by the Company's Board of Directors on June 25, 2013.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company operates in three principal product segments: Engine/Mobile Filtration, Industrial/Environmental Filtration and Packaging. Net sales represent sales to unaffiliated customers as reported in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings.  Intersegment sales were not material.  Unallocated amounts consist of interest expense, interest income and other non-operating income and expense items.  Assets are those assets used in each business segment.  Corporate assets consist of cash, deferred income taxes, corporate facility and equipment and various other assets that are not specific to an operating segment.  The Company operates as a consolidated entity, including cooperation between segments, cost allocating and sharing of certain assets.  As such, the Company makes no representation, that if operated on a standalone basis, these segments would report net sales, operating profit and other financial data reflected below.
	Segment information is summarized as follows:
				Three Months Ended
				March 1,				March 2,
				2014				2013
	Net sales:
	Engine/Mobile Filtration			$	122,497			$	117,675
	Industrial/Environmental Filtration			174,863				122,626
	Packaging			15,325				15,970
				$	312,685			$	256,271
	Operating profit:
	Engine/Mobile Filtration			$	22,874			$	23,449
	Industrial/Environmental Filtration			8,146				9,678
	Packaging			246				688
				31,266				33,815
	Other income (expense), net			3,678				(11		)
	Earnings before income taxes			$	34,944			$	33,804
		March 1,				November 30,
		2014				2013
	Identifiable assets:
	Engine/Mobile Filtration	$	357,950			$	397,545
	Industrial/Environmental Filtration	1,033,373				715,759
	Packaging	37,747				41,030
	Corporate	20,944				294,509
		$	1,450,014			$	1,448,843

Consolidated_Condensed_Financi1

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation, Policy	'
	Basis of Presentation
	CLARCOR Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “CLARCOR”) is a global provider of filtration products, filtration systems and services, and consumer and industrial packaging products. As discussed further in Note 13, the Company has three reportable segments: Engine/Mobile Filtration, Industrial/Environmental Filtration and Packaging. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries that were more than 50% owned and controlled as of each respective reporting period presented. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	The Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings, the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Earnings and the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the periods ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013 and the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of March 1, 2014 have been prepared by the Company without audit.  The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements have been prepared on the same basis as those in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”).  The November 30, 2013 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet data was derived from the Company’s year-end audited Consolidated Financial Statements as presented in the 2013 Form 10-K but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP").  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made.  The results of operations for the period ended March 1, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.  The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the 2013 Form 10-K.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Policy	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
	Highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased and that are readily saleable are considered to be cash and cash equivalents.  Restricted cash represents funds held in escrow and cash balances held by German banks as collateral for certain guarantees of overseas subsidiaries.  Restricted cash classified as current corresponds to funds held in escrow that will be used within one year or guarantees that expire within one year.
Inventories, Policy	'
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market primarily determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method of inventory costing, which approximates current cost.
New Accounting Guidance, Policy	'
	New Accounting Guidance
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") updated the disclosure requirements for accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). The updated guidance requires companies to disclose amounts reclassified out of AOCI by component. The updated guidance does not affect how net income or other comprehensive income are calculated or presented. The adoption of this guidance on December 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional information, refer to the "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)" section of Note 1 above.
	Revisions to Previously Issued Financial Statements
	The Company revised its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 2, 2013 to properly reflect payments made for business acquisition-related seller financing amounts. The revision resulted in a decrease in the previously reported caption "Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired," a cash outflow from investing activities, of approximately $2,281 and an increase in the caption "Payments on long-term debt, including business acquisition-related seller financing," a cash outflow from financing activities, of approximately $2,281. This revision is not material to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 2, 2013 and has no impact on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings or Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings.

Consolidated_Condensed_Financi2

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of inventory	'
	Inventories are summarized as follows:
		March 1,				November 30,
		2014				2013
	Raw materials	$	102,638			$	80,741
	Work in process	41,961				34,402
	Finished products	127,944				103,643
	Inventories	$	272,543			$	218,786
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for three months ended March 1, 2014 are as follows:
		Pension Benefits				Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments		Total
	Balance at November 30, 2013, net of tax	$	(29,878	)		$	64	$	(29,814	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications and tax	(54		)		4,317		4,263
	Tax benefit	22				—		22
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(32		)		4,317		4,285
	Reclassifications, before tax	718			(a)	—		718
	Tax expense	(289		)		—		(289		)
	Reclassifications, net of tax	429				—		429
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	397				4,317		4,714
	Balance at March 1, 2014, net of tax	$	(29,481	)		$	4,381	$	(25,100	)

Business_Acquisitions_and_Inve1

Business Acquisitions and Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Summary of estimated fair values of assets and liabilities assumed during acquisition	'
	The following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition of CLARCOR Industrial Air:
	Accounts receivable		$	30,171
	Inventories		41,959
	Other current assets		1,059
	Plant assets		22,784
	Goodwill		72,697
	Intangible assets		133,020
		Total assets acquired	301,690
	Total liabilities		43,984
		Net assets acquired	$	257,706
Schedule of intangible assets acquired	'
	A summary of the intangible assets acquired, weighted-average useful lives and amortization methods is shown in the following table:
		Estimated			Weighted average	Amortization
	Identifiable intangible assets	Value			Useful life	Method
	Trade names	$	35,100		Indefinite	Not amortized
	Customer relationships	77,300			13 years	Straight-line
	Developed technology	19,900			13 years	Straight-line
	GE Transitional Trademark License	50			Less than 1 Year	Accelerated
	Backlog	670			Less than 1 Year	Accelerated
		$	133,020
Schedule of pro forma information	'
		Three Months Ended					Three Months Ended
		1-Mar-14					2-Mar-13
		As reported			Pro forma		As reported		Pro forma
	Net sales	$	312,685		$	328,112	$	256,271	$	307,335
	Operating profit	31,266			39,020		33,815		26,761
	Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR	24,321			30,085		23,462		18,157
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.48		$	0.59	$	0.47	$	0.36

Incentive_Plans_and_StockBased1

Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of share-based compensation costs	'
	The following table summarizes information related to stock options and stock option exercises during the three months ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013.
				Three Months Ended
				March 1,				March 2,
				2014				2013
	Pre-tax compensation expense			$	1,111			$	887
	Deferred tax benefits			(395		)		(316		)
	Excess tax benefits associated with tax deductions over the amount of compensation expense recognized in the consolidated condensed financial statements			161				1,742
	Fair value of stock options on date of grant			4,554				3,836
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised			758				5,286
	Cash received upon exercise of stock options			1,242				3,325
	Addition to capital in excess of par value due to exercise of stock options			1,363				3,926
	The following table summarizes information related to restricted stock unit awards during the three months ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013.
				Three Months Ended
				March 1,				March 2,
				2014				2013
	Pre-tax compensation expense			$	404			$	259
	Deferred tax benefits			(144		)		(92		)
	Excess tax (expense) benefits associated with tax deductions under the amount of compensation expense recognized in the consolidated condensed financial statements			101				96
	Fair value of restricted stock unit awards on date of grant			1,466				1,068
	Fair value of restricted stock unit awards vested			765				621
Schedule of nonqualified stock option activity	'
	The following table summarizes activity for the three months ended March 1, 2014 with respect to stock options granted by the Company and includes options granted under the 1994 Incentive Plan, the 2004 Incentive Plan and the 2009 Incentive Plan.
		Options Granted		Weighted
		Under Incentive		Average
		Plans		Exercise Price
	Outstanding at beginning of year	2,208,314		$	40.76
	Granted	441,450		$	61.57
	Exercised	-33,416		$	37.17
	Surrendered	-775		$	22.8
	Outstanding at end of period	2,615,573		$	44.32
	Exercisable at end of period	1,671,929		$	39.15
Schedule of outstanding and exercisable options by exercise price	'
	The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable options at March 1, 2014.
			Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise		Number		Weighted				Intrinsic Value		Weighted	Number	Weighted		Intrinsic Value		Weighted
	Prices				Average						Average		Average				Average
					Exercise						Remaining Life		Exercise				Remaining Life
					Price						in Years		Price				in Years
	$25.31 - $28.79		150,600		$	26.92			$	4,670	2.25	150,600	$	26.92	$	4,671	2.25
	$31.96 - $38.06		712,332		$	33.83			17,167		4.26	712,082	$	33.83	17,161		4.26
	$40.73 - $55.01		1,311,191		$	46.21			15,367		7.92	809,247	$	46.11	9,562		7.61
	$61.57		441,450		$	61.57			—		9.79	0	$	—	—		0
			2,615,573		$	44.32			$	37,204	6.91	1,671,929	$	39.15	$	31,394	5.7
Schedule of Black-Scholes option pricing model on options granted	'
	The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions by grant year.
			Three Months Ended
			March 1,				March 2,
			2014				2013
	Weighted average fair value per option at the date of grant for options granted		$	11.53			$	9.96
	Risk-free interest rate		1.55		%		1.19		%
	Expected dividend yield		1.1		%		1.19		%
	Expected volatility factor		21.4		%		25.81		%
	Expected option term in years		5				5.4
Schedule of restricted stock unit awards	'
	The following table summarizes activity for the three months ended March 1, 2014 with respect to the restricted stock unit awards.
		Units		Weighted
				Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Nonvested at beginning of year	48,044		$	45.18
	Granted	23,808		$	61.57
	Vested	-17,685		$	43.27
	Nonvested at end of period	54,167		$	53.01

Noncontrolling_Interests_Table

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Schedule of non-controlling interests	'
		Three Months Ended
		1-Mar-14						2-Mar-13
		Redeemable			Non-Redeemable			Redeemable		Non-Redeemable
	Noncontrolling interests at beginning of period	$	1,836		$	1,025		$	1,754	$	986
	Noncontrolling interests earnings (loss)	(41		)	61			15		51
	Foreign currency translation	18			(10		)	6		11
	Dividend	—			(166		)	—		—
	Noncontrolling interests at end of period	$	1,813		$	910		$	1,775	$	1,048

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib1

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of goodwill	'
	The following table reconciles the activity for goodwill by segment for the three months ended March 1, 2014.
		Engine/Mobile			Industrial/			Packaging		Total
		Filtration			Environmental
					Filtration
	Goodwill at beginning of year	$	21,868		$	219,431		$	—	$	241,299
	Acquisition	—			72,697			—		72,697
	Currency translation adjustments	186			2,112			—		2,298
	Goodwill at end of period	$	22,054		$	294,240		$	—	$	316,294
Schedule of intangible assets by segment	'
	The following table summarizes acquired intangibles by segment. Other acquired intangibles include parts manufacturer regulatory approvals, developed technology, patents and non-compete agreements.
		Engine/Mobile			Industrial/			Packaging		Total
		Filtration			Environmental
					Filtration
	March 1, 2014
	Indefinite Lived Intangibles:
	Trademarks - indefinite lived	$	603		$	77,410		$	—	$	78,013
	Finite Lived Intangibles:
	Trademarks, gross - finite lived	$	309		$	488		$	—	$	797
	Accumulated amortization	(108		)	(332		)	—		(440		)
	Trademarks, net - finite lived	$	201		$	156		$	—	$	357
	Customer relationships, gross	$	4,311		$	125,389		$	—	$	129,700
	Accumulated amortization	(1,913		)	(22,252		)	—		(24,165		)
	Customer relationships, net	$	2,398		$	103,137		$	—	$	105,535
	Other acquired intangibles, gross	$	243		$	61,255		$	—	$	61,498
	Accumulated amortization	(243		)	(21,703		)	—		(21,946		)
	Other acquired intangibles, net	$	—		$	39,552		$	—	$	39,552
	Total finite lived intangible assets, net	$	2,599		$	142,845		$	—	$	145,444
	Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	$	3,202		$	220,255		$	—	$	223,457
Schedule of expected amortization expense	'
	The following table summarizes estimated amortization expense.
	Fiscal year 2014	$	13,625
	Fiscal year 2015	13,165
	Fiscal year 2016	13,032
	Fiscal year 2017	12,794
	Fiscal year 2018	12,131

Fair_Value_MeasurementsTables

Fair Value Measurements(Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of asset or liabilities that have a recurring fair value measurement	'
	Assets or liabilities that have recurring fair value measurements are shown below:
		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	March 1, 2014
	Restricted trust, included in Other noncurrent assets
	Mutual fund investments - equities	$	544	$	544	$	—	$	—
	Mutual fund investments - bonds	395		395		—		—
	Cash and equivalents	30		30		—		—
	Total restricted trust	$	969	$	969	$	—	$	—
		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	November 30, 2013
	Restricted trust, included in Other noncurrent assets
	Mutual fund investments - equities	$	593	$	593	$	—	$	—
	Mutual fund investments - bonds	400		400		—		—
	Cash and equivalents	31		31		—		—
	Total restricted trust	$	1,024	$	1,024	$	—	$	—

Accounts_Payable_Accrued_Liabi1

Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Guarantees (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accounts payable and accrued liabilities	'
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2013 were as follows:
		March 1,			November 30,
		2014			2013
	Accounts payable	$	107,738		$	79,164
	Accrued salaries, wages and commissions	9,344			14,908
	Pension and postretirement healthcare benefits liabilities	216			278
	Compensated absences	8,331			8,600
	Accrued insurance liabilities	8,272			7,599
	Customer deposits	20,420			16,081
	Other accrued liabilities	43,445			30,908
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	197,766		$	157,538
Schedule of product warranty liability	'
	Changes in the Company’s warranty accrual, which is included in Other accrued liabilities, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 1,			March 2,
		2014			2013
	Warranty accrual at beginning of period	$	1,599		$	1,533
	Warranty accrual added through business acquisitions	10,677			—
	Accruals for warranties issued during the period	28			182
	Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties	44			27
	Settlements made during the period	(664		)	(178		)
	Other adjustments, including currency translation	(6		)	(6		)
	Warranty accrual at end of period	$	11,678		$	1,558
Schedule of restructuring charges	'
	The charge consisted of approximately $863 related to the impairment of long-lived assets and leasehold improvements and approximately $452 related to severance and employee termination costs, which severance and employee termination costs are included in accrued liabilities as of March 1, 2014.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of components of net periodic benefit costs (income) and company contributions	'
	Components of net periodic benefit cost (income) and Company contributions for these plans were as follows:
				Three Months Ended
				March 1,			March 2,
				2014			2013
	Pension Benefits:
	Components of net periodic benefit cost (income):
	Service cost			$	498		$	622
	Interest cost			1,931			1,730
	Expected return on plan assets			(2,831		)	(2,699		)
	Settlement cost			—			—
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Prior service cost			(3		)	(3		)
	Net actuarial loss			721			1,516
	Net periodic benefit cost			$	316		$	1,166
	Cash contributions			$	65		$	14,942
	Postretirement Healthcare Benefits:
	Components of net periodic benefit cost (income):
	Interest cost			$	2		$	2
	Amortization of unrecognized:
	Prior service cost			(31		)	(31		)
	Net actuarial gain			(37		)	(37		)
	Net periodic benefit income			$	(66	)	$	(66	)
	Cash contributions			$	16		$	18
Schedule of expected contributions in benefit plans	'
	The Company expects to contribute up to the following amounts to its various plans to pay benefits during 2014:
	U.S. Qualified Plans	$	—
	U.S. Combined Nonqualified Plans	216
	Non-U.S. Plan	409
	Postretirement Healthcare Benefit Plan	62
	Total expected contributions	$	687

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of income tax contingencies	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, including positions which impact only the timing of tax benefits.
		Three Months Ended
		March 1,		March 2,
		2014		2013
	Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	2,155	$	2,209
	Additions for current period tax positions	79		133
	Reductions for prior period tax positions	—		(159		)
	Reductions for lapse of statue of limitations / settlements	—		—
	Changes in interest and penalties	33		104
	Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period	$	2,267	$	2,287

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_R1

Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of weighted average number of shares	'
	The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators utilized in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.
		Three Months Ended
		March 1,		March 2,
		2014		2013
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic	50,463,714		49,834,701
	Dilutive effect of stock-based arrangements	460,731		574,763
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted	50,924,445		50,409,464
	Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$	24,321	$	23,462
	Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic	$	0.48	$	0.47
	Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted	$	0.48	$	0.47
Schedule of additional information used in the calculation of earnings per share	'
	The following table provides additional information regarding the calculation of earnings per share and stock repurchase activity.
		Three Months Ended
		March 1,		March 2,
		2014		2013
	Number of antidilutive options with exercise prices greater than the average market price excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share	441,450		498,038
	Common stock repurchased and retired pursuant to the Company's stock repurchase program	$	—	$	5,964
	Number of shares repurchased and retired pursuant to the Company's stock repurchase program	—		122,000

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of segment information	'
	Segment information is summarized as follows:
				Three Months Ended
				March 1,				March 2,
				2014				2013
	Net sales:
	Engine/Mobile Filtration			$	122,497			$	117,675
	Industrial/Environmental Filtration			174,863				122,626
	Packaging			15,325				15,970
				$	312,685			$	256,271
	Operating profit:
	Engine/Mobile Filtration			$	22,874			$	23,449
	Industrial/Environmental Filtration			8,146				9,678
	Packaging			246				688
				31,266				33,815
	Other income (expense), net			3,678				(11		)
	Earnings before income taxes			$	34,944			$	33,804
		March 1,				November 30,
		2014				2013
	Identifiable assets:
	Engine/Mobile Filtration	$	357,950			$	397,545
	Industrial/Environmental Filtration	1,033,373				715,759
	Packaging	37,747				41,030
	Corporate	20,944				294,509
		$	1,450,014			$	1,448,843

Consolidated_Condensed_Financi3

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$102,638	$80,741
Work in process	41,961	34,402
Finished products	127,944	103,643
Inventories	$272,543	$218,786

Consolidated_Condensed_Financi4

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - AOCI (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at November 30, 2013, net of tax	($29,814)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications and tax	4,263
Tax benefit	22
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	4,285
Reclassifications, before tax	718
Tax expense	-289
Reclassifications, net of tax	429
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	4,714
Balance at March 1, 2014, net of tax	-25,100
Pension Benefits [Member]	'
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at November 30, 2013, net of tax	-29,878
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications and tax	-54
Tax benefit	22
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	-32
Reclassifications, before tax	718	[1]
Tax expense	-289
Reclassifications, net of tax	429
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	397
Balance at March 1, 2014, net of tax	-29,481
Foreign Currency Translation adjustment [Member]	'
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at November 30, 2013, net of tax	64
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications and tax	4,317
Tax benefit	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	4,317
Reclassifications, before tax	0
Tax expense	0
Reclassifications, net of tax	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	4,317
Balance at March 1, 2014, net of tax	$4,381
[1]	Includes amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost (see Note 9) that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to selling and administrative expenses.

Consolidated_Condensed_Financi5

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013
	reportable_segment
Consolidated Condensed Financial Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	3	'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	($277,195)	($8,766)	'
Net cash used in financing activities	-77,012	-9,666	'
Restricted cash, noncurrent	1,644	'	1,896
Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'
Consolidated Condensed Financial Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	'	2,281	'
Net cash used in financing activities	'	$2,281	'

Business_Acquisitions_and_Inve2

Business Acquisitions and Investments - Narrative (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 01, 2014

Mar. 02, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 16, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Mar. 02, 2013

Dec. 03, 2013

Dec. 03, 2013

Dec. 03, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

8-May-13

9-May-12

9-May-12

Dec. 16, 2013

Dec. 16, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member]

Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member]

Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member]

Bekaert Advanced Filtration SA - Belgium [Member]

Bekaert Advanced Filtration SA - Indonesia [Member]

Bekaert Business [Member]

Bekaert Business [Member]

Modular [Member]

Modular [Member]

Modular [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Equity Method Investee [Member]

Equity Method Investee [Member]

Cost-method Investments [Member]

Cost-method Investments [Member]

employee

employee

Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member]

Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

$45,378,000

'

'

'

'

$2,777,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of employees in acquired business

'

'

'

700

'

'

'

'

170

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net assets acquired

'

'

'

257,706,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net assets acquired

262,741,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,297,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross payments made to acquire business

'

'

'

261,152,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,530,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash acquired from acquisition

'

'

'

3,446,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, face amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit, amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

316,294,000

'

241,299,000

72,697,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating profit (loss)

'

'

'

'

-1,048,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Transaction costs

'

'

'

'

'

3,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of outstanding shares acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price excluding cash acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,875,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquired finite-lived intangible assets

'

'

'

133,020,000

'

'

'

'

2,057,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bargain purchase gain

-2,815,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross profit

96,587,000

81,486,000

'

'

31,266,000

33,815,000

'

'

'

-251,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial payment made at acquisition date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,237,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30.00%

'

'

'

Additional investment made, amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

473,000

'

Investment-related liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,000

21,000

'

'

Equity method investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,065,000

3,125,000

'

'

Cost method investment, ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.65%

'

Cost method investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,677,000

$2,204,000

Business_Acquisitions_and_Inve3

Business Acquisitions and Investments - Assets and Liabilities Acquired (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 16, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	'	'	$30,171
Inventories	'	'	41,959
Other current assets	'	'	1,059
Plant assets	'	'	22,784
Goodwill	316,294	241,299	72,697
Intangible assets	'	'	133,020
Total assets acquired	'	'	301,690
Total liabilities	'	'	43,984
Net assets acquired	'	'	$257,706

Business_Acquisitions_and_Inve4

Business Acquisitions and Investments - Acquired Intangibles (Details) (Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 16, 2013
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated value	$133,020
Trade names [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated value	35,100
Amortization method	'Not amortized
Customer relationships [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated value	77,300
Weighted average Useful life	'13 years
Amortization method	'Straight-line
Developed technology [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated value	19,900
Weighted average Useful life	'13 years
Amortization method	'Straight-line
Trademarks [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated value	50
Amortization method	'Accelerated
Backlog [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated value	$670
Amortization method	'Accelerated

Business_Acquisitions_and_Inve5

Business Acquisitions and Investments - Pro Forma (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	$312,685	$256,271
Gross profit	96,587	81,486
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	24,321	23,462
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.47
Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	312,685	256,271
Pro forma, net sales	328,112	307,335
Gross profit	31,266	33,815
Pro forma, gross profit	39,020	26,761
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	24,321	23,462
Pro forma, net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$30,085	$18,157
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.47
Pro forma, diluted earnings per share(in dollars per share)	$0.59	$0.36

Incentive_Plans_and_StockBased2

Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Details 1) (Employee and Non-Employee Stock Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Employee and Non-Employee Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Pre-tax compensation expense	$1,111	$887
Deferred tax benefits	-395	-316
Excess tax benefits associated with tax deductions over the amount of compensation expense recognized in the consolidated condensed financial statements	161	1,742
Fair value of stock options on date of grant	4,554	3,836
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	758	5,286
Cash received upon exercise of stock options	1,242	3,325
Addition to capital in excess of par value due to exercise of stock options	$1,363	$3,926
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average fair value per option at the date of grant for options granted	$11.53	$9.96
Risk-free interest rate	1.55%	1.19%
Expected dividend yield	1.10%	1.19%
Expected volatility factor	21.40%	25.81%
Expected option term in years	'5 years 0 months 0 days	'5 years 4 months 24 days

Incentive_Plans_and_StockBased3

Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Stock Option Activity in Shares [Abstract]	'
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	2,615,573
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	1,671,929
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Outstanding End of Period (in dollars per share)	$44.32
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$39.15
Employee and Non-Employee Stock Options [Member]	'
Stock Option Activity in Shares [Abstract]	'
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	2,208,314
Granted (in shares)	441,450
Exercised (in shares)	-33,416
Surrendered (in shares)	-775
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	2,615,573
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	1,671,929
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Outstanding Beginning of Year (in dollars per share)	$40.76
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Granted (in dollars per share)	$61.57
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Exercised (in dollars per share)	$37.17
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Surrendered (in dollars per share)	$22.80
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Outstanding End of Period (in dollars per share)	$44.32
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$39.15

Incentive_Plans_and_StockBased4

Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Options Outstanding - Number (in shares)	2,615,573
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$44.32
Options Outstanding - Intrinsic Value	$37,204
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'6 years 10 months 28 days
Options Exercisable - Number (in shares)	1,671,929
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$39.15
Options Exercisable - Intrinsic Value	31,394
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'5 years 8 months 12 days
$25.31 - $28.79 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Options Outstanding - Number (in shares)	150,600
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$26.92
Options Outstanding - Intrinsic Value	4,670
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'2 years 3 months 0 days
Options Exercisable - Number (in shares)	150,600
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$26.92
Options Exercisable - Intrinsic Value	4,671
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'2 years 3 months 0 days
$31.96 - $38.06 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Options Outstanding - Number (in shares)	712,332
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$33.83
Options Outstanding - Intrinsic Value	17,167
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'4 years 3 months 2 days
Options Exercisable - Number (in shares)	712,082
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$33.83
Options Exercisable - Intrinsic Value	17,161
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'4 years 3 months 4 days
$40.73 - $55.01 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Options Outstanding - Number (in shares)	1,311,191
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$46.21
Options Outstanding - Intrinsic Value	15,367
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'7 years 11 months 2 days
Options Exercisable - Number (in shares)	809,247
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$46.11
Options Exercisable - Intrinsic Value	9,562
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'7 years 7 months 10 days
$61.57 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Options Outstanding - Number (in shares)	441,450
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$61.57
Options Outstanding - Intrinsic Value	0
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'9 years 8 months 45 days
Options Exercisable - Number (in shares)	0
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$0
Options Exercisable - Intrinsic Value	$0
Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years	'0 years

Incentive_Plans_and_StockBased5

Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Details 4) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Pre-tax compensation expense	$404	$259
Deferred tax benefits	-144	-92
Excess tax (expense) benefits associated with tax deductions under the amount of compensation expense recognized in the consolidated condensed financial statements	101	96
Fair value of restricted stock unit awards on date of grant	1,466	1,068
Fair value of restricted stock unit awards vested	$765	$621

Incentive_Plans_and_StockBased6

Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Details 5) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'
Nonvested at beginning of year (in units)	48,044
Granted (in units)	23,808
Vested (in units)	-17,685
Nonvested at end of period (in units)	54,167
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Restricted Stock Units [Roll Forward]	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Beginning of Year (in dollars per unit)	$45.18
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Granted (in dollars per unit)	$61.57
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Vested (in dollar per unit)	$43.27
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - End of Period (in dollars per unit)	$53.01

Incentive_Plans_and_StockBased7

Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 23, 2009	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
	Employee and Non-Employee Stock Options [Member]	Employee and Non-Employee Stock Options [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of shares authorized	'	3,800,000	'	'
Number of years which shares can be granted under the Plan	'10 years	'	'	'
Vesting period	'4 years	'	'4 years	'
Annual vesting percentage	25.00%	'	'	'
Expiration period and term of equity award in years	'10 years	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based arrangements which the Company expects to recognize	$8,838	'	$2,239	'
Weighted-average period in years, over which the Company expects to recognize compensation cost related to share-based arrangements	'2 years 11 months 8 days	'	'2 years 10 months 25 days	'
Number of vested and deferred shares	'	'	16,986	14,760

Noncontrolling_Interests_Detai

Noncontrolling Interests (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013	Mar. 31, 2007
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders Equity and Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning of period	$1,836	'	'
Non-redeemable interests, beginning of period	1,025	'	'
Noncontrolling interests earnings (loss)	20	66	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, end of period	1,813	'	'
Non-redeemable interests, end of period	910	'	'
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests [Member]	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders Equity and Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Non-redeemable interests, beginning of period	1,025	986	'
Noncontrolling interests earnings (loss)	61	51	'
Foreign currency translation	-10	11	'
Dividend	-166	0	'
Non-redeemable interests, end of period	910	1,048	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests [Member]	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders Equity and Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning of period	1,836	1,754	'
Noncontrolling interests earnings (loss)	-41	15	'
Foreign currency translation	18	6	'
Dividend	0	0	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, end of period	$1,813	$1,775	'
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	'	'	80.00%
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners	20.00%	'	'

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib2

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill at beginning of year	$241,299
Acquisition	72,697
Currency translation adjustments	2,298
Goodwill at end of period	316,294
Engine/Mobile Filtration [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill at beginning of year	21,868
Acquisition	0
Currency translation adjustments	186
Goodwill at end of period	22,054
Industrial/Environmental Filtration [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill at beginning of year	219,431
Acquisition	72,697
Currency translation adjustments	2,112
Goodwill at end of period	294,240
Packaging [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill at beginning of year	0
Acquisition	0
Currency translation adjustments	0
Goodwill at end of period	$0

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib3

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Trademarks - indefinite lived	$78,013	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	145,444	'
Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	223,457	89,881
Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	797	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	-440	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	357	'
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	129,700	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	-24,165	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	105,535	'
Other Acquired Intangibles [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	61,498	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	-21,946	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	39,552	'
Engine/Mobile Filtration [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Trademarks - indefinite lived	603	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	2,599	'
Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	3,202	'
Engine/Mobile Filtration [Member] | Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	309	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	-108	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	201	'
Engine/Mobile Filtration [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	4,311	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	-1,913	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	2,398	'
Engine/Mobile Filtration [Member] | Other Acquired Intangibles [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	243	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	-243	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	0	'
Industrial/Environmental Filtration [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Trademarks - indefinite lived	77,410	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	142,845	'
Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	220,255	'
Industrial/Environmental Filtration [Member] | Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	488	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	-332	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	156	'
Industrial/Environmental Filtration [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	125,389	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	-22,252	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	103,137	'
Industrial/Environmental Filtration [Member] | Other Acquired Intangibles [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	61,255	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	-21,703	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	39,552	'
Packaging [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Trademarks - indefinite lived	0	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	0	'
Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	0	'
Packaging [Member] | Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	0	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	0	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	0	'
Packaging [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	0	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	0	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	0	'
Packaging [Member] | Other Acquired Intangibles [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible asset, gross - finite lived	0	'
Accumulated amortization - finite lived intangible asset	0	'
Intangible asset, net - finite lived	$0	'

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib4

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fiscal year 2014	$13,625
Fiscal year 2015	13,165
Fiscal year 2016	13,032
Fiscal year 2017	12,794
Fiscal year 2018	$12,131

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 29, 2010

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Mutual fund investments - equities [Member]

Mutual fund investments - equities [Member]

Mutual fund investments - bonds [Member]

Mutual fund investments - bonds [Member]

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

TransWeb [Member]

Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]

Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]

Reported Value Measurement [Member]

Reported Value Measurement [Member]

Mutual fund investments - equities [Member]

Mutual fund investments - equities [Member]

Mutual fund investments - bonds [Member]

Mutual fund investments - bonds [Member]

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Mutual fund investments - equities [Member]

Mutual fund investments - equities [Member]

Mutual fund investments - bonds [Member]

Mutual fund investments - bonds [Member]

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Mutual fund investments - equities [Member]

Mutual fund investments - equities [Member]

Mutual fund investments - bonds [Member]

Mutual fund investments - bonds [Member]

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted trust, included in Other noncurrent assets

$969

$1,024

$544

$593

$395

$400

$30

$31

$969

$1,024

$544

$593

$395

$400

$30

$31

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent earn-out, included in Other long-term liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,018

'

'

'

'

Discount rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13.20%

'

'

'

'

Change in fair value of TransWeb contingent earn-out

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$95,943

$166,288

$96,616

$166,636

Accounts_Payable_Accrued_Liabi2

Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Guarantees (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts payable	$107,738	$79,164
Accrued salaries, wages and commissions	9,344	14,908
Pension and postretirement healthcare benefits liabilities	216	278
Compensated absences	8,331	8,600
Accrued insurance liabilities	8,272	7,599
Customer deposits	20,420	16,081
Other accrued liabilities	43,445	30,908
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	197,766	157,538
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	$29,538	$28,541

Accounts_Payable_Accrued_Liabi3

Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Guarantees (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Warranty accrual at beginning of period	$1,599	$1,533
Warranty accrual added through business acquisitions	10,677	0
Accruals for warranties issued during the period	28	182
Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties	44	27
Settlements made during the period	-664	-178
Other adjustments, including currency translation	-6	-6
Warranty accrual at end of period	$11,678	$1,558

Accounts_Payable_Accrued_Liabi4

Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Guarantees 3 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'
Impairment of long-lived assets and leasehold improvements	$863
Severance and related employee termination costs	452
HVAC Air Filtration Manufacturing Facility [Member]	'
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'
Restructuring accrual at beginning of period	1,315
HVAC Air Filtration Manufacturing Facility [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]	'
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'
Restructuring accrual at beginning of period	1,186
HVAC Air Filtration Manufacturing Facility [Member] | Selling and Administrative Expenses [Member]	'
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'
Restructuring accrual at beginning of period	$129

LongTerm_Debt_Details_1

Long-Term Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Apr. 05, 2012	Apr. 05, 2012	Apr. 05, 2012	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 22, 2013	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Apr. 05, 2012
			Credit Facility 2012 [Member]	Credit Facility 2012 [Member]	Credit Facility 2012 [Member]	Credit Facility 2012 [Member]	Credit Facility 2012 [Member]	Credit Facility 2012 [Member]	Credit Facility 2012 [Member]	Credit Facility 2012 [Member]
				Credit Facility - Swing Line [Member]	Credit Facility - Accordion [Member]	Term Loan [Member]	Term Loan [Member]	Letter of Credit Sub-Facility [Member]	Letter of Credit Sub-Facility [Member]	Letter of Credit Sub-Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, expiration period	'	'	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	'	'	$150,000,000	$10,000,000	$100,000,000	'	$100,000,000	'	'	'
Long-term debt, amount	'	'	'	'	'	80,000,000	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	'	'	'	'	'	0.91%	'	'	'	'
Subline Letters of Credit Maximum Capacity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	50,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	$29,538,000	$28,541,000	'	'	'	'	'	$16,012,000	$16,012,000	'

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Amortization of unrecognized:	'	'
Cash contributions	$81	'
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Components of net periodic benefit cost (income):	'	'
Service cost	498	622
Interest cost	1,931	1,730
Expected return on plan assets	-2,831	-2,699
Settlement cost	0	0
Amortization of unrecognized:	'	'
Prior service cost	-3	-3
Net actuarial loss	721	1,516
Net periodic benefit cost	316	1,166
Cash contributions	65	14,942
Postretirement Healthcare Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'
Components of net periodic benefit cost (income):	'	'
Interest cost	2	2
Amortization of unrecognized:	'	'
Prior service cost	-31	-31
Net actuarial loss	-37	-37
Net periodic benefit cost	-66	-66
Cash contributions	$16	$18

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme3

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
			U.S. Qualified Plans [Member]	U.S. Combined Nonqualified Plans [Member]	Non-U.S. Plan [Member]	Postretirement Healthcare Benefit Plan [Member]	Postretirement Healthcare Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total expected contributions	$687	'	$0	$216	$409	$62	'
Cash contributions	81	'	'	'	'	16	18
Restricted trust, included in Other noncurrent assets	$969	$1,024	'	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$2,155	$2,209
Additions for current period tax positions	79	133
Reductions for prior period tax positions	0	-159
Reductions for lapse of statue of limitations / settlements	0	0
Changes in interest and penalties	33	104
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period	$2,267	$2,287

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate if recognized	$1,427	'
Accrued for the payment of interest and penalties	244	'
Reductions for prior period tax positions	0	-159
Forecast [Member]	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Reductions for prior period tax positions	($163)	'

Contingencies_Details_1

Contingencies (Details 1) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 29, 2010	Sep. 24, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 29, 2010
	TransWeb [Member]	TransWeb [Member]	TransWeb [Member]	TransWeb [Member]	TransWeb [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Withheld Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Litigation settlement	'	'	'	$34	'
Gain contingency not yet recognized	'	26,147	'	'	'
Purchase price excluding cash acquired	30,017	'	'	'	'
Business acquisition, purchase price withheld	'	'	'	'	17,000
Business acquisition, legal charges applied against purchase price withheld	'	'	$17,000	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_R2

Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic (in shares)	50,463,714	49,834,701
Dilutive effect of stock-based arrangements (in shares)	460,731	574,763
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	50,924,445	50,409,464
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$24,321	$23,462
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.47
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.47

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_R3

Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity [Abstract]	'	'
Number of antidilutive options with exercise prices greater than the average market price excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share	441,450	498,038
Common stock repurchased and retired pursuant to the Company's stock repurchase program	$0	$5,964
Number of shares repurchased and retired pursuant to the Company's stock repurchase program	0	122,000

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_R4

Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014
Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity [Abstract]	'
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$241,282,000
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount	$250,000,000

Segment_Information_Details_1

Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013
	reportable_segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	3	'	'
Net sales	$312,685	$256,271	'
Operating profit	31,266	33,815	'
Other income (expense), net	3,678	-11	'
Earnings before income taxes	34,944	33,804	'
Identifiable assets	1,450,014	'	1,448,843
Engine/Mobile Filtration [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	122,497	117,675	'
Operating profit	22,874	23,449	'
Identifiable assets	357,950	'	397,545
Industrial/Environmental Filtration [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	174,863	122,626	'
Operating profit	8,146	9,678	'
Identifiable assets	1,033,373	'	715,759
Packaging [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	15,325	15,970	'
Operating profit	246	688	'
Identifiable assets	37,747	'	41,030
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Identifiable assets	$20,944	'	$294,509