H.B. Fuller (FUL) 10-K 24 Jan 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Jan. 09, 2014	Jun. 01, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document type	'10-K	'	'
Document period end date	30-Nov-13	'	'
Amendment flag	'false	'	'
Entity registrant name	'FULLER H B CO	'	'
Entity central index key	'0000039368	'	'
Entity current reporting status	'Yes	'	'
Entity voluntary filers	'No	'	'
Current fiscal year end date	'--11-30	'	'
Entity filer category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity well known seasoned issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity common stock shares outstanding	'	50,255,229	'
Entity public float	'	'	$1,997,716,603.30
Document fiscal year focus	'2013	'	'
Document fiscal period focus	'FY	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Income	'	'	'
Net revenue	$2,046,968	$1,886,239	$1,444,085
Cost of sales	-1,476,797	-1,368,963	-1,040,253
Gross profit	570,171	517,276	403,832
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-374,669	-354,735	-286,871
Special charges, net	-45,087	-52,467	-7,499
Asset impairment charges	0	-1,517	-332
Other income (expense), net	-3,751	784	4,101
Interest expense	-19,120	-19,793	-10,811
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments	127,544	89,548	102,420
Income taxes	-39,949	-30,479	-31,211
Income from equity method investments	8,380	9,218	9,006
Income from continuing operations	95,975	68,287	80,215
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,211	57,568	8,832
Net income including non-controlling interests	97,186	125,855	89,047
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	-425	-233	58
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	$96,761	$125,622	$89,105
Earnings per share attributable to H.B. Fuller common stockholders:	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations - basic	$1.92	$1.37	$1.64
Income from discontinued operations - basic	$0.02	$1.16	$0.18
Basic earnings per share	$1.94	$2.53	$1.82
Income from continuing operations - diluted	$1.87	$1.34	$1.61
Income from discontinued operations - diluted	$0.02	$1.14	$0.18
Diluted earnings per share	$1.89	$2.48	$1.79
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	49,893	49,571	48,991
Diluted	51,136	50,618	49,866
Dividends declared per common share	$0.39	$0.33	$0.30

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehesive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income Abstract	'	'	'
Net income including non-controlling interests	$97,186	$125,855	$89,047
Other comprehesive income (loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-931	-2,957	3,389
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of tax	68,196	-47,283	-5,872
Interest rate swap, net of tax	41	41	42
Cash-flow hedges, net of tax	303	-394	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	67,609	-50,593	-2,441
Comprehensive income	164,795	75,262	86,606
Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	370	261	-51
Comprehensive income attributable to H.B. Fuller	$164,425	$75,001	$86,657

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$155,121	$200,436
Trade receivables, net	331,125	320,152
Inventories	221,537	208,531
Other current assets	85,046	70,225
Current assets of discontinuted operations	1,865	0
Total current assets	794,694	799,344
Property, plant and equipment, net	434,387	329,016
Goodwill	263,103	254,345
Other intangibles, net	219,401	233,355
Other assets	161,443	168,395
Long-term assets of discontinued operations	0	1,865
Total assets	1,873,028	1,786,320
Current liabilities:	'	'
Notes payable	20,589	22,613
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	22,500
Trade payables	201,575	163,062
Accrued compensation	76,218	71,400
Income taxes payable	10,830	24,865
Other accrued expenses	46,566	45,605
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	5,000	74
Total current liabilities	360,778	350,119
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	472,315	475,112
Accrued pension liabilities	52,922	105,220
Other liabilities	51,835	68,190
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	0	5,000
Total liabilities	937,850	1,003,641
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable non-controlling interest	4,717	3,981
H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized 10,045,900	0	0
Common stock	50,229	49,903
Additional paid-in capital	44,490	37,965
Retained earnings	907,308	830,031
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-71,962	-139,626
Total H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity	930,065	778,273
Non-controlling interests	396	425
Total equity	930,461	778,698
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity	$1,873,028	$1,786,320

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010
Statement of Financial Position Parentheticals [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock Shares Authorized	10,045,900	'	'	'
Common Stock Par Value	$1	'	'	'
Common Stock Authorized	160,000,000	'	'	'
Common Stock Outstanding	50,228,543	49,903,266	49,449,579	49,194,251

Consolidated_Statements_of_Tot

Consolidated Statements of Total Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at, at Nov. 27, 2010	$634,390	$49,194	$22,701	$646,596	($86,557)	$2,456
Comprehensive income	86,606	'	'	89,105	-2,448	-51
Dividends	-14,712	'	'	-14,712	'	'
Stock option exercises	7,697	528	7,169	'	'	'
Share-based compensation plans other, net	7,608	122	7,486	'	'	'
Tax benefit on share-based compensation plans	1,140	'	1,140	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-8,510	-394	-8,116	'	'	'
Repurchase of non-controlling interest	-8,600	'	-6,610	'	'	-1,990
Redeemable non-controlling interest	-42	'	'	'	'	-42
Balance at, at Dec. 03, 2011	705,577	49,450	23,770	720,989	-89,005	373
Comprehensive income	75,262	'	'	125,622	-50,621	261
Dividends	-16,580	'	'	-16,580	'	'
Stock option exercises	7,401	426	6,975	'	'	'
Share-based compensation plans other, net	10,317	181	10,136	'	'	'
Tax benefit on share-based compensation plans	1,263	'	1,263	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-4,333	-154	-4,179	'	'	'
Redeemable non-controlling interest	-209	'	'	'	'	-209
Balance at, at Dec. 01, 2012	778,698	49,903	37,965	830,031	-139,626	425
Comprehensive income	164,795	'	'	96,761	67,664	370
Dividends	-19,484	'	'	-19,484	'	'
Stock option exercises	8,891	462	8,429	'	'	'
Share-based compensation plans other, net	12,922	301	12,621	'	'	'
Tax benefit on share-based compensation plans	2,676	'	2,676	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-17,638	-437	-17,201	'	'	'
Redeemable non-controlling interest	-399	'	'	'	'	-399
Balance at, at Nov. 30, 2013	$930,461	$50,229	$44,490	$907,308	($71,962)	$396

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities from continuing operations:	'	'	'
Net income including non-controlling interests	$97,186	$125,855	$89,047
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,211	-57,568	-8,832
Adjustments to reconcile net income including non-controlling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation	39,149	38,713	28,888
Amortization	22,508	18,703	10,162
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	9,648	-16,820	5,740
Income from equity method investments, net of dividends received	4,559	-4,436	-4,482
Share-based compensation	12,317	9,728	7,741
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan contributions	-6,811	-9,763	-11,851
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan income (expense)	-1,777	1,854	-1,620
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-2,676	-1,263	-1,140
Non cash charge for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition	189	3,228	0
Asset impairment charges	0	1,517	332
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Trade receivables, net	-7,281	-17,341	-18,428
Inventories	-11,797	-17,081	-11,022
Other assets	-13,848	-4,313	-775
Trade payables	16,258	-4,845	8,662
Accrued compensation	3,786	20,950	-3,387
Other accrued expenses	4,793	4,909	1,652
Income taxes payable	-17,933	15,173	6,464
Other liabilities	-3,263	3,531	-2,948
Other	-11,103	-2,090	-6,115
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	132,693	108,641	88,088
Cash flows from investing activities from continuing operations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Purchased property, plant and equipment	-124,288	-35,913	-32,834
Purchased business, net of cash acquired	-8,614	-412,606	-6,000
Purchased technology	-2,387	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,135	1,756	2,542
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	-133,154	-446,763	-36,292
Cash flows from financing activities from continuing operations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	107,034	584,208	218,000
Repayment of long-term debt	-129,502	-292,333	-240,500
Net proceeds from (payments on) notes payable	-545	-5,837	1,081
Dividends paid	-19,334	-16,454	-14,550
Distribution to redeemable non-controlling interest	-244	0	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	8,891	7,401	7,697
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	2,676	1,263	1,140
Purchased non-controlling interests	0	0	-8,600
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable non-controlling interest	0	0	1,425
Repurchases of common stock	-17,638	-4,333	-8,510
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	-48,662	273,915	-42,817
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,671	3,656	1,911
Net change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	-46,452	-60,551	10,890
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations	1,137	-13,893	13,452
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations including proceeds from sale of business	0	120,231	-1,470
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-45,315	45,787	22,872
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	200,436	154,649	131,777
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	155,121	200,436	154,649
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Dividends paid with company stock	150	126	162
Cash paid for interest	23,574	19,816	13,235
Cash paid for income taxes	$41,920	$31,832	$16,607

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Additional Cash Flow Elements And Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capitalized interest costs	$1,921	$151	$114

Nature_of_Business_and_Summary

Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of Business Disclosure	'
	Note 1: Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Nature of Business: H.B. Fuller Company and its subsidiaries formulate, manufacture and market adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products globally, with sales operations in 40 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, India, the Middle East and Africa.
	Our business is reported in four operating segments: Americas Adhesives, Construction Products, EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East and Africa) and Asia Pacific. This represents a change from our previous structure of having five segments – North America Adhesives, Construction Products, EIMEA, Latin America Adhesives and Asia Pacific. This change was due to a change in our management reporting structure in the fourth quarter of 2013. Of the 2013 net revenue, Americas Adhesives operating segment accounted for 44 percent, Construction Products 8 percent, EIMEA 36 percent and Asia Pacific 12 percent.
	The Americas Adhesives, EIMEA and Asia Pacific operating segments produce and supply industrial adhesives products for applications in various markets including assembly (appliances, filters, construction, electronics, etc.), packaging (food and beverage containers, flexible packaging, consumer goods, package integrity and re-enforcement, durable and non-durable goods, etc.), converting (corrugation, tape and label, paper converting, envelopes, books, multi-wall bags, sacks, tissue and towel), nonwoven and hygiene (disposable diapers, feminine care and medical garments), performance wood (windows, doors, wood flooring) and textile (footwear, sportswear, etc.).
	The Construction Products operating segment includes products used for tile setting (adhesives, grouts, mortars, sealers, levelers, etc.) and heating, ventilation and air conditioning and insulation applications (duct sealants, weather barriers and fungicidal coatings, block fillers, etc.).
	Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of H.B. Fuller Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Investments in affiliated companies in which we exercise significant influence, but which we do not control, are accounted for in the Consolidated Financial Statements under the equity method of accounting. As such, consolidated net income includes our equity portion in current earnings of such companies, after elimination of intercompany profits. Investments in which we do not exercise significant influence (generally less than a 20 percent ownership interest) are accounted for under the cost method.
	Our 50 percent ownership in Sekisui-Fuller Company, Ltd., our Japan joint venture, is accounted for under the equity method of accounting as we do not exercise control over the company. For fiscal years 2013 and 2012, this equity method investment exceeded the 10 percent threshold but not the 20 percent threshold test for a significant subsidiary as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As such, summarized financial information as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 for Sekisui-Fuller Company, Ltd. is as follows:
				As of November 30, 2013			As of December 1, 2012
	Current assets			$	89,053		$	117,597
	Non-current assets				21,152			25,704
	Current liabilities				42,835			48,298
	Non-current liabilities				2,090			2,653
				For the year ended November 30, 2013			For the year ended December 1, 2012
	Net revenue			$	194,705		$	222,589
	Gross profit				54,672			63,596
	Net income				16,760			18,436
	Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to November 30. Fiscal year-end dates were November 30, 2013, December 1, 2012 and December 3, 2011 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Every five or six years we have a 53rd week in our fiscal year. 2011 was a 53-week year.
	Use of Estimates: Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Revenue Recognition: For shipments made to customers, title generally passes to the customer when all requirements of the sales arrangement have been completed, which is generally at the time of delivery. Revenue from product sales is recorded when title to the product transfers, no remaining performance obligations exist, the terms of the sale are fixed and collection is probable. Shipping terms include title transfer at either shipping point or destination. Stated terms in sale agreements also include payment terms and freight terms. Net revenues include shipping revenues as appropriate.
	Provisions for sales returns are estimated based on historical experience, and are adjusted for known returns, if material. Customer incentive programs (primarily volume purchase rebates) and arrangements such as cooperative advertising, slotting fees and buy-downs are recorded as a reduction of net revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) 605-50, “Customer Payments and Incentives”. Customer rebates recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a reduction in net revenue, were $11,552, $9,707 and $14,751 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	For certain products, consigned inventory is maintained at customer locations. For these products, revenue is recognized in the period that the inventory is consumed. Sales to distributors also require a distribution agreement or purchase order. As a normal practice, distributors do not have a right of return.
	Cost of Sales: Cost of sales includes raw materials, container costs, direct labor, manufacturing overhead, shipping and receiving costs, freight costs, depreciation of manufacturing equipment and other less significant indirect costs related to the production of our products.
	Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: SG&A expenses include sales and marketing, research and development, technical and customer service, finance, legal, human resources, general management and similar expenses.
	Income Taxes: The income tax provision is computed based on the pre-tax income included in the Consolidated Statements of Income before income from equity method investments. The asset and liability approach is used to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years are applied to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances reduce deferred tax assets when it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be realized. See Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents are highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less.
	Restrictions on Cash: There were no restrictions on cash as of November 30, 2013. There are no contractual or regulatory restrictions on the ability of consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries to transfer funds in the form of investments, loans or advances to us, except for credit facility limitations in excess of $75,000 and typical statutory restrictions which prohibit distributions in excess of net capital or similar tests. The majority of our cash in non-U.S. locations is considered permanently reinvested.
	Trade Receivable and Allowances: Trade receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Allowances are maintained for doubtful accounts, credits related to pricing or quantities shipped and early payment discounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts includes an estimate of future uncollectible receivables based on the aging of the receivable balance and our collection experience. The allowance also includes specific customer accounts when it is probable that the full amount of the receivable will not be collected. Invoices are written off against the allowance when the invoice is 18 months past terms. See Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
	Inventories: Inventories recorded at cost (not in excess of market value) as determined by the last-in, first-out method (LIFO) represent approximately 32 percent of consolidated inventories. During 2013 and 2012 there were no liquidations of LIFO inventory layers. During 2011 reductions in inventory quantities resulted in liquidations of LIFO inventory layers causing an increase in net pre-tax income of $273. The remaining inventories, which include all non-U.S. operations, are valued at the lower of cost (mainly weighted-average actual cost) or market value.
	Investments: Investments with a value of $8,490 represent the cash surrender value of life insurance contracts on November 30, 2013. These assets are held to primarily support supplemental pension plans and are recorded in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The corresponding gain or loss associated with these contracts is reported in earnings each period as a component of “other income (expense), net”.
	Investments in Equity Securities Carried at Cost:  Fair value of cost method investments is assessed according to accounting standards.  During 2012, we determined the fair value of one of our cost basis investments was lower than the investment value on our balance sheet based on investor approval of a buy-out offer from the majority shareholder; and, the fair value of another of our cost basis investments was lower than the investment value on our balance sheet based on a recently completed round of additional financing.  Since both of these impairments were considered other than temporary, we recorded non-cash charges associated with these impairments of $1,517.  We did not have any impairment of our cost method investments for the years ended November 30, 2013 and December 3, 2011.  The book value of the cost method investments as of November 30, 2013 was $1,674 and $2,085 as of December 1, 2012.
	Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated over the useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives range from 20 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 20 years for machinery and equipment, and the shorter of the lease or expected life for leasehold improvements. Fully depreciated assets are retained in property and accumulated depreciation accounts until removed from service. Upon disposal, assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed. Upon sale of an asset, the difference between the proceeds and remaining net book value is charged or credited to other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Expenditures that add value or extend the life of the respective assets are capitalized, while expenditures that are typical recurring repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Interest costs associated with construction and implementation of property, plant and equipment of $1,921, $151 and $114 were capitalized in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Goodwill: We test goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter and whenever events occur or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing is performed for each of our reporting units by comparing the reporting unit's estimated fair value to its carrying amount, including goodwill. We use a discounted cash flow approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. Our judgment is required in developing the assumptions for the discounted cash flow model. These assumptions include revenue growth rates, profit margin percentages, discount rates, perpetuity growth rates, future capital expenditures and working capital requirements. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered to not be impaired. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment, and we calculate an implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of the individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, excluding goodwill. An impairment charge is recorded for any excess of the carrying value over the implied fair value. Based on our 2013 annual assessment, we determined that none of our goodwill was impaired.
	Intangible Assets: Intangible assets include patents and other intangible assets acquired from independent parties and are amortized on a straight-line basis with estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 20 years. The straight-line method of amortization of these assets reflects an appropriate allocation of the costs of the intangible assets to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained in each reporting period.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: Our long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that a carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (asset group) and its eventual disposition. The impairment loss to be recorded would be the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation technique. Costs related to internally developed intangible assets are expensed as incurred. See Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
	Foreign Currency Translation: Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. functional currency entities are translated to U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and the resulting gains and losses arising from the translation of those net assets are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity. Revenues and expenses are translated using average exchange rates during the year. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	We consider a subsidiary's sales price drivers, currency denomination of sales transactions and inventory purchases to be the primary indicators in determining a foreign subsidiary's functional currency. Our subsidiaries in Latin America and certain European countries have a functional currency different than their local currency. All other foreign subsidiaries, which are located in North America, Europe and Asia, have the same local and functional currency.
	Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits: We sponsor defined-benefit pension plans in both the U.S. and non-U.S. entities. Also in the U.S. we sponsor other postretirement plans for health care and life insurance benefits. Expenses and liabilities for the pension plans and other postretirement plans are actuarially calculated. These calculations are based on our assumptions related to the discount rate, expected return on assets, projected salary increases and health care cost trend rates. The discount rate assumption is determined using an actuarial yield curve approach, which results in a discount rate that reflects the characteristics of the plan. The approach identifies a broad population of corporate bonds that meet the quality and size criteria for the particular plan. We use this approach rather than a specific index that has a certain set of bonds that may or may not be representative of the characteristics of our particular plan. Our expected long-term rate of return on U.S. plan assets was based on our target asset allocation assumption of 60 percent equities and 40 percent fixed-income. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by considering the expected future returns and volatility levels for each asset class that are based on historical returns and forward-looking observations. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption used in each non-U.S. plan is determined on a plan-by-plan basis for each local jurisdiction and is based on expected future returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio for that plan.  Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, develops expected rates of return for each plan, considers expected long-term returns for each asset category in the plan, reviews expectations for inflation for each local jurisdiction, and estimates the impact of active management of the plan's assets. Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements includes disclosure of assumptions employed in these measurements for both the non-U.S. and U.S. plans.
	Asset Retirement Obligations: We recognize asset retirement obligations (AROs) in the period in which we have an existing legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The ARO is recognized at fair value when the liability is incurred. Upon initial recognition of a liability, that cost is capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of the related asset. We have recognized a liability related to special handling of asbestos related materials in certain facilities for which we have plans or expectation of plans to undertake a major renovation or demolition project that would require the removal of asbestos or have plans or expectation of plans to exit a facility. In addition, we have determined that we have facilities with some level of asbestos that will require abatement action in the future. Once the probability and timeframe of an action are determined, we apply certain assumptions to determine the related liability and asset. These assumptions include the use of inflation rates, the use of credit adjusted risk-free discount rates and the estimation of costs to handle asbestos related materials. The recorded liability is required to be adjusted for changes resulting from the passage of time and/or revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate. The asset retirement obligation liability was $3,236 and $3,623 at November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, respectively.
	Environmental Costs: Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments are made, or remedial efforts are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The timing of these accruals is generally no later than the completion of feasibility studies.
	Share-based Compensation: We have various share-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock. We use the straight-line method to recognize compensation expense associated with share-based awards based on the fair value on the date of grant, net of the estimated forfeiture rate. Expense is recognized over the requisite service period related to each award, which is the period between the grant date and the earlier of the award's stated vesting term or the date the employee is eligible for early retirement based on the terms of the plan. The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. All of our stock compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
	Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to H.B. Fuller by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share is based upon the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the applicable period. The difference between basic and diluted earnings per share is attributable to share-based compensation awards. We use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding awards, which computes total employee proceeds as the sum of (a) the amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award, (b) the amount of unearned share-based compensation costs attributed to future services and (c) the amount of tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the award. Share-based compensation awards for which total employee proceeds exceed the average market price over the applicable period have an antidilutive effect on earnings per share, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share follows:
	(shares in thousands)		2013		2012		2011
	Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	$	96,761	$	125,622	$	89,105
	Weighted-average common shares – basic		49,893		49,571		48,991
	Equivalent shares from share-based compensation plans		1,243		1,047		875
	Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares – diluted		51,136		50,618		49,866
	Share-based compensation awards for 112,367, 7,372 and 856,593 shares for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive.
	Financial Instruments and Derivatives: Our objective is to balance, where possible, local currency denominated assets to local currency denominated liabilities to have a natural hedge and minimize foreign exchange impacts. We minimize risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative instruments. Derivatives consisted primarily of forward currency contracts used to manage foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. Because derivative instruments outstanding were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, the gains and losses related to mark-to-market adjustments were recognized as other income or expense in the income statement during the periods the derivative instruments were outstanding. We do not enter into any speculative positions with regard to derivative instruments. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
	Purchase of Company Common Stock: Under the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, repurchased stock is included in authorized shares, but is not included in shares outstanding. The excess of the repurchase cost over par value is charged to additional paid-in capital. When additional paid-in capital is exhausted, the excess reduces retained earnings. We repurchased 62,124, 54,289 and 48,675 shares of common stock in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, in connection with the statutory minimum for the tax withholdings related to vesting of restricted shares.
	On September 30, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $100,000 of our outstanding common shares. During 2013, we repurchased 375,000 shares for $15,292 under this program. During 2012 we repurchased 100,000 shares for $2,999 and during 2011, we repurchased 345,446 shares for $7,491 under this program. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” These updates require entities to present items of net income and other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement, or in separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. The new requirements do not change which components of comprehensive income are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income, or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. The updates are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and are to be applied retroactively. We adopted the new requirements in the first quarter of our 2013 fiscal year. The adoption of these updates did not have an impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
	New Accounting Pronouncements: In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of AOCI” which further amended the disclosure requirements for comprehensive income. The update requires entities to disclose items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and into net income in a single location either in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements or parenthetically on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012 which is our fiscal year 2014 and is to be applied prospectively. Since this standard impacts disclosure requirements only, its adoption will not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes: Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” which requires that an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward when settlement in this manner is available under the law. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013 which is our fiscal 2015 and will be applied on a prospective basis to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. We do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures

Acquisitions and Divestitures	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions Disclosure	'
	Note 2: Acquisitions and Divestitures
	Acquisitions
	Plexbond Quimica, S.A.: On June 6, 2013 we acquired Plexbond Quimica, S.A., a provider of chemical urethane adhesives and polyurethane resins based in Curitiba, Brazil. This acquisition enhances our position in the South American adhesives industry. The acquisition was a stock purchase and encompassed all of Plexbond Quimica, S.A.'s business operations.
	The purchase price of $10,239 was funded through existing cash and was recorded in our Americas Adhesives operating segment. We incurred acquisition related costs of approximately $326, which were recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	The fair value measurement was preliminary at November 30, 2013 subject to further review and final resolution of any purchase price adjustments. We expect the fair value measurement process to be completed in the second quarter of 2014.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value measurement of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:
		Preliminary Valuation November 30, 2013
	Current assets	$	5,179
	Property, plant and equipment		2,275
	Goodwill		3,626
	Other intangibles
	Customer relationships		3,529
	Noncompetition agreements		565
	Other assets		608
	Current liabilities		-3,684
	Other liabilities		-1,859
	Total purchase price	$	10,239
	Our expected lives of the acquired intangible assets are customer relationships 10 years and noncompetition agreements 8 years.
	Engent, Inc.: On September 10, 2012 we acquired the outstanding shares of Engent, Inc., a provider of manufacturing, research and development services to the electronics industry. The purchase price of $7,881 was funded through existing cash and was recorded in our Americas Adhesives operating segment.
	In addition to the initial consideration, the former owners of the Engent, Inc. business are entitled to receive a series of annual cash payments based on certain financial performance criteria during the period September 10, 2012 through November 28, 2015 up to a maximum additional consideration of $2,000. We used a probability-weighted present value technique based on expected future cash flows to estimate the fair value of the contingent consideration. The resulting fair value of the contingent consideration was $1,200 which was recorded in other liabilities and increased goodwill. Each reporting period we determine the fair value of the contingent consideration liability and any changes in value are reflected as SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	The following table summarizes the final fair value measurement of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:
		Preliminary Valuation December 1, 2012		Fair Value Adjustments		Final Valuation
	Current assets	$	603	$	-	$	603
	Property, plant and equipment		1,471		-		1,471
	Goodwill		5,434		247		5,681
	Other intangibles
	Customer relationships		2,300		-		2,300
	Noncompetition agreements		400		-		400
	Trademarks/trade names		300		-		300
	Other assets		325		-305		20
	Current liabilities		-84		-6		-90
	Other liabilities		-1,668		64		-1,604
	Contingent consideration liabilities		-1,200		-		-1,200
	Total purchase price	$	7,881	$	-	$	7,881
	The adjustments to the purchase price allocation primarily relate to non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities.
	During 2013, we reduced the fair value of the contingent consideration liability to $131.
	Forbo Industrial Adhesives: On March 5, 2012 we acquired the global industrial adhesives and synthetic polymers business of Forbo Holding AG. The purchase price was 368,514 Swiss francs or $403,100 which we financed with the proceeds from our March 5, 2012 note purchase agreement and a term loan. The acquisition was recorded in our Americas Adhesives, EIMEA and Asia Pacific operating segments.
	During 2013 we completed our final purchase price allocation including final tax adjustments. The following table summarizes the fair value measurement of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:
		Preliminary Valuation December 1, 2012		Purchase Price and Fair Value Adjustments		Final Valuation
	Current assets	$	172,345	$	-	$	172,345
	Property, plant and equipment		92,443		-		92,443
	Goodwill		136,658		343		137,001
	Other intangibles
	Developed technology		42,190		-		42,190
	Customer relationships		58,910		-		58,910
	Trademarks/trade names		21,880		-		21,880
	Other		479		-		479
	Other assets		4,605		-		4,605
	Current liabilities		-84,251		-184		-84,435
	Other liabilities		-40,534		-1,784		-42,318
	Total purchase price	$	404,725	$	-1,625	$	403,100
	The adjustments to the purchase price allocation primarily relate to non-current deferred tax liabilities and purchase price adjustments.
	Liquamelt Corp.: On April 15, 2011 we acquired the principal assets and certain liabilities of Liquamelt Corp., a manufacturer and marketer of adhesives and a unique adhesive dispensing system for $6,000. This innovative adhesive system delivers room temperature liquid adhesive to the point of application where it is activated and dispensed. It rapidly forms strong bonds over a wide variety of substrates. The acquisition was recorded in our Americas Adhesives operating segment.
	In addition to the initial consideration, the former owners of the Liquamelt business, are entitled to receive a series of semi-annual cash payments based on certain financial performance criteria during the period April 15, 2011 through November 26, 2016 up to a maximum additional consideration of $7,000. We used a present value technique based on expected future cash flows to estimate the fair value of the contingent consideration. The initial fair value of the contingent consideration was $1,919 which was recorded in long-term liabilities and increased goodwill. Each reporting period we determine the fair value of the contingent consideration liability and any changes in value are recognized as SG&A expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. We have reduced the fair value of the contingent consideration liability to $435 as of November 30, 2013.
	Divestitures
	Central America Paints: On August 6, 2012 we completed the sale of our Central America Paints business to Compania Global de Pinturas S.A., a company of Inversiones Mundial S.A for cash proceeds of $118,459. In accordance with ASC 205-20 “Discontinued Operations”, we have classified the results of this business as discontinued operations. The operational results of this business are presented in the “Income from discontinued operations, net of tax” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Also in accordance with ASC 205-20, we have not allocated general corporate charges to this business. The assets and liabilities of this business are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations. A portion of the cash proceeds was determined to be contingent consideration, pending resolution of purchase agreement contingencies. The contingent consideration was valued at fair value based on level 3 inputs. The contingent consideration was included in current liabilities of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 30, 2013 as we expect the purchase agreement contingencies to be resolved in 2014.
	Revenue and income from discontinued operations for the years ended November 30, 2013, December 1, 2012 and December 3, 2011 were as follows:
		Fiscal Years
		30-Nov-13		1-Dec-12		3-Dec-11
	Net revenue	$	-	$	73,143	$	113,466
	Income from operations		-		8,235		12,572
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations		-		66,179		-
	Income taxes		1,211		-16,846		-3,740
Net income from discontinued operations	$	1,211	$	57,568	$	8,832
In the third quarter of 2013, in conjunction with filing the fiscal year 2012 tax return, we recorded a reduction in the tax expense related to the sale of the Central America Paints business of $1,211.
Income taxes for the year ended December 1, 2012 included $15,119 of tax expense related to the gain on the sale of discontinued operations.
The major classes of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 were as follows:
	30-Nov-13		1-Dec-12
Other current assets	$	1,865	$	-
Current assets of discontinued operations		1,865		-
Other assets		-		1,865
Long-term assets of discontinued operations		-		1,865
Trade payables	$	-	$	74
Other accrued expenses		5,000		-
Current liabilities of discontinued operations		5,000		74
Other liabilities		-		5,000
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations		-		5,000

Accounting_for_Sharebased_Comp

Accounting for Sharebased Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Accounting for Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Accounting for Share-based Compensation Disclosure	'
	Note 3: Accounting for Share-Based Compensation
	Overview: We have various share-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards including stock options, restricted stock and deferred compensation. These equity awards fall under several plans and are described below.
	Share-based Compensation Plans: We currently grant stock options, restricted stock and stock-based units under equity compensation and deferred compensation plans.
	Non-qualified stock options are granted to officers and key employees at prices not less than fair market value at the date of grant. These non-qualified options are generally exercisable beginning one year from the date of grant in cumulative yearly amounts of 33.3 percent and generally have a contractual term of 10 years. Options exercised represent newly issued shares.
	Restricted stock awards are nonvested stock-based awards that may include grants of restricted stock shares or restricted stock units. Restricted stock awards are independent of option grants and are subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to the release of the restrictions. Such awards generally vest in three years from the date of grant or 33.3 percent per year for three years, depending on the grant. During the vesting period, ownership of the shares cannot be transferred.
	Restricted stock shares granted represent newly issued shares and have the same cash dividend and voting rights as other common stock and are considered to be currently issued and outstanding. The cash dividends on restricted stock shares are forfeitable.
	Restricted stock units have dividend equivalent rights equal to the cash dividend paid on restricted stock shares. However, restricted stock units do not have voting rights of common stock and are not considered issued and outstanding upon grant. Restricted stock units become newly issued shares when vested. The dividend equivalent rights for restricted stock units are forfeitable.
	We expense the cost, which is the grant date fair market value, of both the restricted stock shares and the restricted stock units ratably over the period during which the restrictions lapse. The grant date fair value is our closing stock price on the date of grant.
	Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan: This plan allows non-employee directors to defer all or a portion of their retainer and meeting fees in a number of investment choices, including units representing shares of our common stock. We provide a 10 percent match on deferred compensation invested in these units. These units are required to be paid out in our common stock.
	Year 2013 Master Incentive Plan: This plan allows for granting of awards to employees. The plan permits granting of (a) stock options; (b) stock appreciation rights; (c) restricted stock awards; (d) performance awards; (e) dividend equivalents; and (f) other awards based on our common stock, including shares for amounts employees deferred under the Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan.
	2009 Directors' Stock Incentive Plan: This plan permits granting of (a) shares for amounts non-employee directors defer under the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan and (b) discretionary grants of restricted stock, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards and other stock awards.
	Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan: This plan was replaced by the 2013 Master Incentive Plan in 2013 and will no longer grant awards to employees. This plan allowed granting of awards to employees. The plan permitted granting of (a) stock options; (b) stock appreciation rights; (c) restricted stock awards; (d) performance awards; (e) dividend equivalents; and (f) other awards based on our common stock, including shares for amounts employees deferred under the Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan.
	Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan: This plan allows key employees to defer a portion of their eligible compensation in a number of investment choices, including units representing shares of company common stock. We provide a 10 percent match on deferred compensation invested in these units.
	Grant-Date Fair Value: We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of stock option awards. The fair value of options granted during 2013, 2012 and 2011 were calculated using the following assumptions:
		2013	2012	2011
	Expected life (in years)	4.75	4.75	4.75
	Weighted-average expected volatility	47.28%	51.60%	52.13%
	Expected volatility range	39.25% - 48.02%	48.79% - 51.76%	50.45% - 52.30%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.77%	0.71%	1.87%
	Expected dividend yield	0.87%	1.05%	1.31%
	Weighted-average fair value of grants	$15.05	$11.52	$9.10
	Expected life – We use historical employee exercise and option expiration data to estimate the expected life assumption for the Black-Scholes grant-date valuation. We believe that this historical data is currently the best estimate of the expected term of a new option. We use a weighted-average expected life for all awards.
	Expected volatility – Volatility is calculated using our stock's historical volatility for the same period of time as the expected life. We have no reason to believe that its future volatility will differ from the past.
	Risk-free interest rate – The rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant for the same period of time as the expected life.
	Expected dividend yield – The calculation is based on the total expected annual dividend payout divided by the average stock price.
	Expense
	We use the straight-line attribution method to recognize expense for all option awards with graded vesting and restricted stock awards with graded and cliff vesting. Expense is recognized over the requisite service period, which for us is the period between the grant date and the earlier of the award's stated vesting term or the date the employee is eligible for early vesting based on the terms of the plans.
	Total share-based compensation expense was $12,317, $9,728 and $7,741 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. All share-based compensation was recorded as selling, general and administrative expense.
	The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs (excess tax benefits) are recorded as a financing cash inflow rather than a deduction of taxes paid. For 2013, 2012 and 2011, there was $2,676, $1,263 and $1,140 of excess tax benefit recognized resulting from share-based compensation cost, respectively. Our additional paid in capital pool (“APIC Pool”) of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies was $15,005 at November 30, 2013 due to exercises of stock options, vesting of restricted stock and deferred compensation payouts in the year.
	As of November 30, 2013, $7,465 of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock option awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years. Unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock shares was $7,302 and unvested restricted stock units was $1,967, both are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.
	Share-based Activity
	The option activity for the years ended November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 is summarized below:
							Weighted-
							Average
				Options			Exercise Price
		Outstanding at December 3, 2011		2,423,366		$	19.29
		Granted		548,449			28.75
		Exercised		-430,000			17.42
		Forfeited or cancelled		-112,065			22.03
		Outstanding at December 1, 2012		2,429,750		$	21.63
		Granted		493,173			40.07
		Exercised		-462,427			19.23
		Forfeited or cancelled		-30,535			28.57
		Outstanding at November 30, 2013		2,429,961		$	25.74
	The fair value of options granted during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $7,425, $6,318 and $4,878, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $9,842, $5,191 and $4,231, respectively. Intrinsic value is the difference between our closing stock price on the respective trading day and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of options exercised. Proceeds received from option exercises during the year ended November 30, 2013 were $8,891.
	The nonvested restricted stock activity for the years ended November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, is summarized below:
										Weighted-
									Weighted-	Average
									Average	Remaining
									Grant	Contractual
									Date Fair	Life
			Units		Shares		Total		Value	(in Years)
	Nonvested at December 3, 2011		127,117		271,762		398,879	$	23.18	1
	Granted		88,536		128,427		216,963		28.64	2.2
	Vested		-52,788		-134,810		-187,598		24.66	-
	Forfeited		-21,681		-20,148		-41,829		24.78	1.6
	Nonvested at December 1, 2012		141,184		245,231		386,415	$	25.41	0.9
	Granted		62,701		186,352		249,053		39.66	1.7
	Vested		-66,446		-113,411		-179,857		37.85	-
	Forfeited		-2,208		-5,727		-7,935		32.17	1.4
	Nonvested at November 30, 2013		135,231		312,445		447,676	$	33.76	1.2
	Total fair value of restricted stock vested during 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $6,807, $4,626 and $4,447, respectively. The total fair value of nonvested restricted stock at November 30, 2013 was $9,269.
	We repurchased 62,124, 54,289 and 48,675 restricted stock shares during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, in conjunction with restricted stock share vestings. The repurchases relate to statutory minimum tax withholding.
Deferred compensation units are fully vested at the date of contribution. The deferred compensation units outstanding for the years ended November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 is summarized below:
	Non-employee
	Directors	Employees	Total
Units outstanding December 3, 2011	314,560	77,273	391,833
Participant contributions	15,836	3,215	19,051
Company match contributions1	20,414	599	21,013
Payouts	-12,041	-12,425	-24,466
Units outstanding December 1, 2012	338,769	68,662	407,431
Participant contributions	14,145	2,299	16,444
Company match contributions1	14,802	256	15,058
Payouts	-55,036	-9,929	-64,965
Units outstanding November 30, 2013	312,680	61,288	373,968
1 The non-employee directors' company match includes 11,908 and 18,030 deferred compensation units paid as discretionary awards to all non-employee directors in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The fair value of non-employee directors company matches for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $49, $78 and $78, respectively. The fair value of the non-employee directors' discretionary award was $480 for 2013, $560 for 2012 and $490 for 2011. The fair value of employee company matches was $8 for 2013 and $14 for 2012 and $14 for 2011.

Supplemental_Financial_Stateme

Supplemental Financial Statement Information	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Supplemental Financial Statement Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Financial Statement Information Disclosure	'
	Note 4: Supplemental Financial Statement Information
	Statement of Income Information
	Additional details of income statement amounts for 2013, 2012 and 2011 follow.
			2013		2012		2011
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net	$	-4,106	$	-1,204	$	-1,488
	Interest income		737		1,731		2,265
	Gain on disposal of fixed assets		323		555		1,736
	Other, net		-705		-298		1,588
	Total other income (expense), net	$	-3,751	$	784	$	4,101
	Research and development expenses (included in selling, general and administrative expenses)	$	24,570	$	21,254	$	20,751
	Balance Sheet Information
	Additional details of balance sheet amounts as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 follow.
	Inventories		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	119,536	$	110,820
	Finished goods		122,584		119,123
	LIFO reserve		-20,583		-21,412
	Total inventories	$	221,537	$	208,531
	Other current assets
	Other receivables	$	20,728	$	13,127
	Prepaid income taxes		8,604		6,674
	Deferred income taxes		18,867		15,804
	Prepaid expenses		31,785		32,573
	Assets held for sale		5,062		2,047
	Total other current assets	$	85,046	$	70,225
	Property, plant and equipment
	Land	$	57,991	$	59,102
	Buildings and improvements		258,403		260,328
	Machinery and equipment		603,520		567,145
	Construction in progress		112,878		21,145
	Total, at cost		1,032,792		907,720
	Accumulated depreciation		-598,405		-578,704
	Net property, plant and equipment	$	434,387	$	329,016
	Other assets
	Investments and company owned life insurance	$	11,963	$	13,192
	Equity method investments		40,700		45,259
	Cost method investments		1,674		2,085
	Long-term deferred income taxes		28,465		83,717
	Prepaid pension costs		38,363		328
	Prepaid postretirement other than pension		6,858		-
	Other long-term assets		33,420		23,814
	Total other assets	$	161,443	$	168,395
	Income taxes payable
	Current income taxes payable	$	8,936	$	23,679
	Current deferred income taxes		1,894		1,186
	Total income taxes payable	$	10,830	$	24,865
	Other accrued expenses
	Taxes other than income taxes	$	17,943	$	12,195
	Interest		4,471		4,617
	Product liability		1,175		3,172
	Accrued expenses		22,977		25,621
	Total other accrued expenses	$	46,566	$	45,605
	Other liabilities
	Asset retirement obligation	$	3,236	$	3,623
	Long-term deferred income taxes		20,599		23,757
	Long-term deferred compensation		5,285		4,294
	Long-term involuntary termination benefits		745		3,337
	Postretirement other than pension		3,159		20,307
	Other long-term liabilities		18,811		12,872
	Total other liabilities	$	51,835	$	68,190
	Additional details on the trade receivables allowance for doubtful accounts, credits related to pricing or quantities shipped and early payment discounts for 2013, 2012 and 2011 follow.
			2013		2012		2011
	Balance at beginning of year	$	7,513	$	4,272	$	5,507
	Charged to expenses		3,267		3,680		925
Write-offs		-2,369		-368		-2,187
Effect of exchange rates		127		-71		27
Balance at end of year	$	8,538	$	7,513	$	4,272
Statement of Total Equity Information
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) follow.
	30-Nov-13
		Total		H.B. Fuller Stockholders		Non-controlling Interests
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	49,871	$	49,878	$	-7
Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $36		-94		-94		-
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes of $57		-91		-91		-
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes of $65,210		-121,655		-121,655		-
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	-71,969	$	-71,962	$	-7
	1-Dec-12
		Total		H.B. Fuller Stockholders		Non-controlling Interests
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	50,802	$	50,754	$	48
Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $52		-135		-135		-
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes of $248		-394		-394		-
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes of $103,661		-189,851		-189,851		-
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	-139,578	$	-139,626	$	48
	3-Dec-11
		Total		H.B. Fuller Stockholders		Non-controlling Interests
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	53,759	$	53,739	$	20
Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $68		-176		-176		-
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment net of taxes of $77,586		-142,568		-142,568		-
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	-88,985	$	-89,005	$	20

Special_Charges_Net

Special Charges, Net	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Special Charges [Abstract]	'
Special Charges [Text Block]	'
	Note 5: Special Charges, net
	The integration of the Forbo industrial adhesives business we acquired in March 2012 involves a significant amount of restructuring and capital investment to optimize the new combined entity. In addition, we are taking a series of actions in our existing EIMEA operating segment to improve the profitability and future growth prospects of this operating segment. We have combined these two initiatives into a single project which we refer to as the “Business Integration Project”. During 2013, 2012 and 2011 we incurred special charges, net of $45,087, $52,467 and $7,499, respectively, for costs related to the Business Integration Project.
	The following table provides detail of special charges, net:
			Fiscal Years
			2013		2012		2011
	Acquisition and transformation related costs:
		Professional services	$	8,698	$	24,647	$	4,410
		Financing availability costs		-		4,300		-
		Foreign currency option contract		-		841		3,089
		Gain on foreign currency forward contracts		-		-11,621		-
		Other related costs		8,736		2,010		-
	Restructuring costs:
		Workforce reduction costs		9,784		28,087		-
		Facility exit costs		17,869		4,203		-
	Special charges, net		$	45,087	$	52,467	$	7,499
	Professional services of $8,698, $24,647 and $4,410 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, include costs related to organization consulting, investment advisory, financial advisory, legal and valuation services necessary to acquire and integrate the Forbo industrial adhesives business into our existing operating segments.
	During 2013, we incurred other incremental transformation related costs of $8,736 including the cost of personnel directly working on the integration, workforce reduction costs of $9,784 and cash facility exit costs of $11,804 and non-cash facility exit costs of $6,065 related to the Business Integration Project. During 2012, we incurred other incremental transformation related costs of $2,010 including the cost of personnel directly working on the integration, workforce reduction costs of $28,087 and cash facility exit costs of $1,033 and non-cash facility exit costs of $3,170 related to the Business Integration Project.
	For 2012 we also incurred other costs related to the acquisition of the Forbo industrial adhesives business including an expense of $4,300 to make a bridge loan available if needed. During 2012 and 2011we incurred expenses of $841 and $3,089, respectively, related to the purchase of a foreign currency option to hedge a portion of the acquisition purchase price. Also during 2012, we entered into forward currency contracts maturing on March 5, 2012 to purchase 370,000 Swiss francs. Our objective was to economically hedge the purchase price for the pending acquisition of the global industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group after the price was established. The currency contracts were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. For 2012 the net gain on the forward currency contracts was $11,621 which partially offset other acquisition and transformation related costs.
	For the year ended November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, the activity in accrued compensation associated with the Business Integration Project, is as follows:
			2013		2012
	Balance at beginning of year		$	19,848	$	-
		Restructuring charges		9,784		28,087
		Cash payments		-12,595		-5,308
		Foreign currency translation adjustment		1,020		-2,931
	Balance at end of year		$	18,057	$	19,848
	Of the $18,057 in accrued restructuring costs at November 30, 2013 $17,312 was included in accrued compensation and $745 was included in other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, as this portion was not expected to be paid within the next year. Of the $19,848 in accrued restructuring costs at December 1, 2012, $16,511 was included in accrued compensation and $3,337 was included in other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The benefits were accrued based primarily on the formal severance plans in place for the various locations. The restructuring costs are not allocated to our operating segments.

Impairment_of_Longlived_assets

Impairment of Long-lived assets	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Impairment of Long-lived Asset Disclosure Abstract	'
Impairment of Long-lived Asset Disclosure	'
	Note 6: Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	In 2011 we discontinued production of the polymers used in certain resin products that had been produced in our EIMEA operating segment. As a result, we performed an impairment test on the trademarks and trade names used in resin products. In accordance with accounting standards, we calculated the fair value using a discounted cash flow approach. As a result of this analysis, we recorded pre-tax asset impairment charge of $332.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Disclosure	'
	Note 7: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The reporting units goodwill balances as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, follow. Changes in the goodwill balances relate to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and activity from acquisitions. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on acquisitions.
				2013			2012
		North America Adhesives		$	61,302		$	62,031
		Latin America			10,815			7,041
		Construction Products			13,337			13,337
		EIMEA			151,675			144,824
		Asia Pacific			25,974			27,112
			Total	$	263,103		$	254,345
		Additional details on the goodwill balance for 2013 and 2012 follow.
				2013			2012
		Balance at beginning of year		$	254,345		$	114,895
			Engent, Inc. acquisition (Note 2)		247			5,434
			Forbo Industrial Adhesives (Note 2)		343			136,658
			Plexbond Quimica, S.A. acquisition (Note 2)		3,626			-
			Foreign currency translation effect		4,542			-2,642
		Balance at end of year		$	263,103		$	254,345
	In accordance with accounting standards, we test each of our reporting units for goodwill impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. In the fourth quarter of 2013, we conducted the required annual test of goodwill for impairment. We performed the goodwill impairment analysis on our reporting units by using a discount rate determined by management to result in the most representative fair value of the business as a whole. There were no indications of impairment in any of our reporting units. We also performed a sensitivity analysis by using a discount rate at the high end of our range to confirm the reasonableness of our goodwill impairment analysis. No indications of impairment in any of our reporting units were indicated by the sensitivity analysis.
	In the North America Adhesives and EIMEA reporting units, the calculated fair value substantially exceeded the carrying value of the net assets. The calculated fair values of the Construction Products, Latin America and Asia Pacific reporting units exceeded their carrying value by approximately 70 percent, 83 percent and 38 percent, respectively. In all three of these reporting units, the calculated fair value exceeded the carrying value by a reasonable margin.
	See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our impairment analysis.
	Balances of amortizable identifiable intangible assets, excluding goodwill and other non-amortizable intangible assets, follow:
	Amortizable Intangible Assets			Purchased Technology & Patents			Customer Relationships			All Other		Total
	As of November 30, 2013
	Original cost		$	45,710		$	231,696		$	43,780	$	321,186
	Accumulated amortization			-9,706			-77,192			-15,480		-102,378
	Net identifiable intangibles		$	36,004		$	154,504		$	28,300	$	218,808
	Weighted-average useful lives (in years)			11			17			13		16
	As of December 1, 2012
	Original cost		$	43,304		$	226,478		$	42,838	$	312,620
	Accumulated amortization			-5,924			-62,727			-11,170		-79,821
	Net identifiable intangibles		$	37,380		$	163,751		$	31,668	$	232,799
	Weighted-average useful lives (in years)			11			17			13		16
	Amortization expense with respect to amortizable intangible assets was $22,508, $18,703 and $10,162 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Estimated aggregate amortization expense based on the current carrying value of amortizable intangible assets for the next five fiscal years follows:
	Fiscal Year			2014			2015			2016		2017		2018	Thereafter
	Amortization Expense		$	22,095		$	21,575		$	21,385	$	21,009	$	20,503	$	112,241
	The above amortization expense forecast is an estimate. Actual amounts may change from such estimated amounts due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, additional intangible asset acquisitions, potential impairment, accelerated amortization, or other events.
	Non-amortizable intangible assets at November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 totaling $593 and $556, respectively, relate to trademarks and trade names. The change in non-amortizable assets in 2013 compared to 2012 was due to changes in currency exchange rates.

Notes_Payable_LongTerm_Debt_an

Notes Payable, Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Notes Payable Long Term Debt And Lines Of Credit [Abstract]	'
Notes Payable, Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit Disclosure	'
	Note 8: Notes Payable, Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit
	Notes Payable: Notes payable were $20,589 at November 30, 2013. This amount represents various other short-term borrowings that were not part of committed lines. The weighted-average interest rates on short-term borrowings were 8.9 percent, 11.3 percent and 11.3 percent in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Fair values of these short-term obligations approximate their carrying values due to their short maturity. There were no funds drawn from the short-term committed lines at November 30, 2013.
	Long-Term Debt
		Weighted-Average
		Interest Rate at		Fiscal Year
	Long-Term Debt	30-Nov-13		Maturity Date			2013			2012
	Revolving credit line	1.45%		2017		$	-		$	-
	Term Loan (1)	0.79%		2013			-			22,500
	Term Loan (2)	1.67%		2017			66,250			66,250
	Senior Notes, Series A1	1.93%		2017			18,215			18,646
	Senior Notes, Series B2	1.81%		2017			35,551			36,454
	Senior Notes, Series C3	3.12%		2020			37,299			38,762
	Senior Notes, Series D4	5.61%		2020			65,000			65,000
	Senior Notes, Series E5	4.12%		2022			250,000			250,000
	Total debt						472,315			497,612
	Less: current maturities						-			-22,500
	Total long-term debt, excluding current maturities					$	472,315		$	475,112
	On December 16, 2009, we entered into a note purchase agreement under which we agreed to issue $150,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to a group of private investors. The $150,000 was split into four non-amortizing tranches, Series A-D. On March 5, 2012, we entered into a note purchase agreement under which we agreed to issue $250,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to a group of private investors. The $250,000 is a non-amortizing tranche, Series E. Additional details are provided below:
	1 Senior Notes, Series A, due December 16, 2016, $17,000 5.13 percent, swapped to a variable rate of 6- month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.59 percent
	2 Senior Notes, Series B, due February 24, 2017, $33,000 5.13 percent fixed, swapped to a variable rate of 6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.47 percent
	3 Senior Notes, Series C, due December 16, 2019, $35,000 5.61 percent fixed, $25,000 swapped to a variable rate of 6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.78 percent
	4 Senior Notes, Series D, due February 24, 2020, $65,000 5.61 percent fixed
	5 Senior Notes, Series E, due March 5, 2022, $250,000 4.12 percent fixed
	On March 5, 2012, we entered into a credit agreement with a consortium of financial institutions under which we established a $200,000 multi-currency revolving credit facility and a $150,000 term loan (term loan 2) that we can use to repay existing indebtedness, finance working capital needs, and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the revolving credit facility is payable at the LIBOR plus 1.275 percent. A facility fee of 0.225 percent is payable quarterly. The interest rate on term loan 2 is payable at the LIBOR rate plus 1.50 percent. The interest rates and the facility fee are based on a rating grid. The credit agreement replaced our existing revolving credit facilities and expires on March 5, 2017.
	Long-term debt had an estimated fair value of $515,287 and $562,010 as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered for debt of similar maturities. The estimated fair value of these long-term obligations is not necessarily indicative of the amount that would be realized in a current market exchange.
	Lines of Credit
	As of November 30, 2013, lines of credit were as follows:
	Term	Committed			Drawn			Unused
	Long-term lines of credit	$	200,000		$	-		$	200,000
	A revolving credit agreement with a consortium of financial institutions accounted for the entire committed lines of credit. The credit agreement creates an unsecured multi-currency revolving credit facility that can be drawn upon for general corporate purposes up to a maximum of $200,000. The credit agreement expires on March 5, 2017.
	The most restrictive debt covenants place limitations on secured and unsecured borrowings, operating leases, and contain minimum interest coverage and maximum debt to trailing twelve months EBITDA requirements. In addition, we cannot be a member of any "consolidated group" for income tax purposes other than with our subsidiaries. At November 30, 2013 all financial covenants were met.
	Maturities of long-term debt for the next five fiscal years follow
	Fiscal Year	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter
	Long-term debt obligations	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	120,016	$	-	$	352,299

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Income Taxes Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes Disclosure	'
	Note 9: Income Taxes
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments				2013			2012		2011
	United States			$	81,788		$	69,287	$	48,782
	Non-U.S.				45,756			20,261		53,638
	Total			$	127,544		$	89,548	$	102,420
	Components of the provision for income tax expense (benefit)				2013			2012		2011
	Current:
		U.S. federal		$	16,999		$	25,637	$	6,286
		State			1,372			2,663		1,191
		Non-U.S.			11,930			18,999		17,994
					30,301			47,299		25,471
	Deferred:
		U.S. federal			8,101			-12,314		7,515
		State			2,244			-398		676
		Non-U.S.			-697			-4,108		-2,451
					9,648			-16,820		5,740
	Total			$	39,949		$	30,479	$	31,211
	Reconciliation of effective income tax				2013			2012		2011
	Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate			$	44,641		$	31,342	$	35,847
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit				2,351			1,472		1,202
	Foreign dividend repatriation				467			-9,004		-536
	Foreign operations				-12,598			-7,911		-3,028
	Interest income not taxable in the U.S.				-1,789			-1,802		-1,784
	Change in valuation allowance				1,819			5,502		-
	Tax impact of special charges, net				5,998			10,209		-
	Other				-940			671		-490
	Total			$	39,949		$	30,479	$	31,211
	Deferred income tax balances at each year-end related to							2013		2012
	Depreciation and amortization						$	-45,917	$	-32,731
	Employee benefit costs							35,686		71,100
	Foreign tax credit carryforward							14,567		13,510
	Tax loss carryforwards							20,781		12,355
	Other							14,343		22,669
								39,460		86,903
	Valuation allowance							-14,621		-12,325
	Net deferred tax assets						$	24,839	$	74,578
	The difference between the change in the deferred tax assets in the balance sheet and the deferred tax provision is primarily due to the defined benefit pension plan adjustment recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Valuation allowances principally relate to foreign net operating loss carryforwards where the future potential benefits do not meet the more-likely-than-not realization test. The increase in the valuation allowance of $2,296 during 2013 is primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in our non-U.S. entities that do not meet the more-likely-than-not realization test.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more-likely-than-not to be realized. We believe it is more-likely-than-not that forecasted income and the source of that income, together with the tax effects of the deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies, will be sufficient to fully recover the net deferred tax assets. In the event that all or part of the net deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made.
	U.S. income taxes have not been provided on approximately $420,407 undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries. We intend to indefinitely reinvest these undistributed earnings. In the event these earnings are later distributed to the U.S., such distributions would likely result in additional U.S. tax that may be offset, at least in part by associated foreign tax credits.
	While non-U.S. operations have been profitable overall, there are cumulative tax losses of $82,714 in various countries. These tax losses can be carried forward to offset the income tax liabilities on future income in these countries. Cumulative tax losses of $54,590 can be carried forward indefinitely, while the remaining $28,124 of tax losses must be utilized during 2014 to 2021.
	The U.S. has a foreign tax credit carryforward of $14,567 which will expire between 2019 and 2023.
	The table below sets forth the changes to our gross unrecognized tax benefit as a result of uncertain tax positions, excluding accrued interest, for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012.  We do not anticipate that the total unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly within the next twelve months.
			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	4,886		$	5,584
	Tax positions related to the current year:
	Additions		900			1,215
	Tax positions related to prior years:
	Additions		378			297
	Reductions		-160			-1,844
	Settlements		-105			-67
	Lapses in applicable statutes of limitation		-748			-299
	Balance at end of year	$	5,151		$	4,886
	Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of November 30, 2013, are potential benefits of $4,682 that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.
	We report accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. For the year ended November 30, 2013, we recognized a net benefit for interest and penalties of $36 relating to unrecognized tax benefits and had net accumulated accrued interest and penalties of $591 as of November 30, 2013. For the year ended December 1, 2012, we recognized net expense for interest and penalties of $25 relating to unrecognized tax benefits and had net accumulated accrued interest and penalties of $666 as of December 1, 2012.
	We are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in numerous state and foreign jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examination for years prior to 2010 or Swiss income tax examination for years prior to 2008. There have been no Swiss income tax examinations for 2008 and subsequent years. We are in various stages of examination and appeal in several state and other foreign jurisdictions. Although the final outcomes of these examinations cannot currently be determined, we believe that we have recorded adequate liabilities with respect to these examinations.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Disclosure	'
	Note 10: Stockholders' Equity
	Preferred Stock: The board of directors is authorized to issue up to 10,045,900 shares of preferred stock that may be issued in one or more series and with such stated value and terms as the board of directors may determine.
	Common Stock: There were 160,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $1.00 authorized and 50,228,543 and 49,903,266 shares issued and outstanding at November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, respectively.
	On September 30, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100,000 of our outstanding common shares. Under the program, we are authorized to repurchase shares for cash on the open market, from time to time, in privately negotiated transactions or block transactions, or through an accelerated repurchase agreement. The timing of such repurchases is dependent on price, market conditions and applicable regulatory requirements. Upon repurchase of the shares, we reduce our common stock for the par value of the shares with the excess being applied against additional paid-in capital. During 2013, we repurchased 375,000 shares for $15,292 and during 2012, we repurchased 100,000 shares for $2,999 under this program. Up to $74,218 of our outstanding common shares may still be repurchased under the share repurchase program.
	Common Shares Outstanding		2013	2012		2011
	Beginning balance		49,903,266	49,449,579		49,194,251
	Stock options exercised		462,427	430,000		538,709
	Shares swapped for stock option exercises		-	-3,619		-11,017
	Deferred compensation paid		51,521	19,389		17,233
	Restricted units vested		67,828	53,927		49,640
	Restricted shares granted		186,352	128,427		145,038
	Shares withheld for taxes		-62,124	-54,289		-48,675
	Restricted shares forfeited		-5,727	-20,148		-90,154
	Shares repurchased under repurchase program		-375,000	-100,000		-345,446
	Ending balance		50,228,543	49,903,266		49,449,579
	Shareholder Rights Plan: The shareholder rights plan provides each holder of a share of common stock a right to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of preferred stock for $95, subject to adjustment. No fraction of a preferred share (other than fractions in integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share) will be issued. Preferred shares purchased upon exercise of the rights will not be redeemable. Each preferred share will be entitled to a preferential quarterly dividend payment, a preferential liquidation payment, voting rights, and participation in any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which common shares are exchanged. These rights are not currently exercisable. In the event any person becomes an Acquiring Person (as defined in the rights plan), each holder of a right will thereafter have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof at the then current aggregate exercise price, in lieu of preferred shares, such number of common shares of ours having a current aggregate market price equal to twice the current aggregate exercise price. In the event that at any time after there is an Acquiring Person we are acquired in certain mergers or other business combination transactions or 50 percent or more of the assets or earning power of us and our subsidiaries (taken as a whole) are sold, holders of the rights will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof at the then current aggregate exercise price, such number of common shares of the acquiring company (or, in certain cases, one of its affiliates) having a current aggregate market price equal to twice the current aggregate exercise price. Rights held by an acquiring person are void. We may redeem or exchange the rights in certain instances. Unless extended or redeemed, the rights expire on July 31, 2016.
	At the end of 2011, we repurchased the 20 percent holding that Sekisui Chemical had in our China entities. The table below presents the effect of this repurchase on our stockholders' equity:
		2013		2012			2011
	Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	$	96,761	$	125,622		$	89,105
	Decrease in additional paid-in-capital for repurchase of non-controlling interest		-		-			-6,610
	Change from net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and transfers to non-controlling interest	$	96,761	$	125,622		$	82,495

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben

Pension and Postretirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Pension And Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Pension and Postretirement Benefits Disclosure	'
	Note 11: Pension and Postretirement Benefits
	Defined Contribution Plan
	All U.S. employees have the option of contributing up to 75 percent of their pre-tax earnings to a 401(k) plan, subject to IRS limitations. We match up to the first 4 percent of each employee's pre-tax earnings, based on the employee's contributions. All employees are eligible for a separate annual retirement contribution to the 401(k) plan of 3 percent of pay, that is invested based on the election of the individual participant. The 3 percent contribution is in addition to our 4 percent matching contribution described above and is in lieu of participation in our defined benefit pension plan. The total contribution to the 401(k) plan for 2013 was $8,022 which included the cost of the 4 percent company match of $4,366 and the additional 3 percent contribution of $3,656. The total contributions to the 401(k) plan were $6,606 and $5,211 in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The defined contribution plan liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $5,269 and $6,702 in 2013 and 2012, respectively for the U.S. Plan and several statutorily required non-U.S. Plans.
	Defined Benefit Plan
	Noncontributory defined benefit pension plans cover all U.S. employees employed prior to January 1, 2007. Benefits for these plans are based primarily on each employee's years of service and average compensation. During 2011, we announced significant changes to our U.S. Pension Plan (the Plan). The changes included: benefits under the Plan were locked-in using service and salary as of May 31, 2011, participants no longer earn benefits for future service and salary as they had in the past, affected participants receive a three percent increase to the locked-in benefit for every year they continue to work for us and we are making a retirement contribution of three percent of eligible compensation to the 401(k) Plan for those participants. These changes to the Plan represented a plan curtailment as there is no longer a service cost component in the net periodic pension cost as all participants are considered inactive in the Plan. The funding policy is consistent with the funding requirements of federal law and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of listed equity securities and bonds. Other U.S. postretirement benefits are funded through a Voluntary Employees' Beneficiaries Association Trust.
	Health care and life insurance benefits are provided for eligible retired employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits are provided through various insurance companies and health care providers. Costs are accrued during the years the employee renders the necessary service.
	Certain non-U.S. subsidiaries provide pension benefits for their employees consistent with local practices and regulations. These plans are primarily defined benefit plans covering substantially all employees upon completion of a specified period of service. Benefits for these plans are generally based on years of service and annual compensation.
	Following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012:
			Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans				Benefits
			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Change in projected benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	394,623	$	326,627	$	204,180	$	137,439	$	63,206	$	53,749
	Acquisition		-		-		-		32,162		-		-
	Service cost		106		90		1,799		1,457		623		541
	Interest cost		14,719		16,098		7,486		8,222		2,133		2,469
	Participant contributions		-		-		-		-		523		665
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		-44,510		67,827		-3,633		34,527		-11,524		10,157
	Other		-		-		-		-139		-		-
	Curtailments		-796		-		-436		-228		-		-
	Settlement		-		-		-1,325		-203		-		-
	Divestitures		-		-		-		-1,237		-		-
	Benefits paid		-16,474		-16,019		-7,927		-7,640		-4,150		-4,375
	Currency change effect		-		-		6,263		-180		-		-
	Benefit obligation at end of year		347,668		394,623		206,407		204,180		50,811		63,206
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		332,308		304,540		164,086		124,303		42,569		37,289
	Acquisition		-		-		-		18,839		-		-
	Actual return on plan assets		40,905		42,282		16,473		19,272		11,964		5,367
	Employer contributions		1,494		1,505		2,027		4,635		3,290		3,623
	Participant contributions		-		-		-		-		523		665
	Other		-		-		-		-139		-		-
	Benefits paid¹		-16,474		-16,019		-5,871		-2,764		-4,150		-4,375
	Currency change effect		-		-		5,437		-60		-		-
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		358,233		332,308		182,152		164,086		54,196		42,569
	Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end	$	10,565	$	-62,315	$	-24,255	$	-40,094	$	3,385	$	-20,637
	1 Amount excludes benefit payments made from sources other than plan assets.
	Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost		Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans				Benefits
			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Unrecognized actuarial loss	$	100,579	$	170,813	$	64,290	$	77,905	$	25,988	$	51,469
	Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)		147		298		-21		-24		-6,317		-10,452
	Ending balance	$	100,726	$	171,111	$	64,269	$	77,881	$	19,671	$	41,017
			Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans				Benefits
			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end
	Non-current assets	$	29,560	$	-	$	8,959	$	384	$	6,858	$	-
	Accrued benefit cost
	Current liabilities		-1,505		-1,495		-2,711		-3,291		-314		-311
	Non-current liabilities		-17,490		-60,820		-30,503		-37,187		-3,159		-20,326
	Ending balance	$	10,565	$	-62,315	$	-24,255	$	-40,094	$	3,385	$	-20,637
	The accumulated benefit obligation of the U.S. pension and other postretirement plans was $385,819 at November 30, 2013 and $365,117 at December 1, 2012. The accumulated benefit obligation of the non-U.S. pension plans was $197,750 at November 30, 2013 and $129,166 at December 1, 2012.
	The following amounts relate to pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012:
			Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefits
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	18,673	$	439,974	$	116,265	$	138,318
	Fair value of plan assets		-		374,877		91,708		107,727
	The following amounts relate to pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012:
			Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefits
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans
		2013		2012		2013		2012
Projected benefit obligation	$	18,996	$	457,829	$	124,922	$	148,206
Fair value of plan assets		-		374,877		91,708		107,727
Information about the expected cash flows follows:
		Pension Benefits				Other
		U.S. Plans		Non-U.S. Plans		Postretirement Benefits
Employer contributions
2014	$	1,505	$	765	$	3,721
Expected benefit payments
2014	$	17,325	$	9,738	$	3,721
2015		17,791		8,605		3,723
2016		18,364		8,644		3,728
2017		19,075		9,016		3,736
2018		19,649		9,185		3,738
2019-2023		105,633		49,727		18,346
Components of net periodic benefit cost and other supplemental information for the years ended November 30, 2013, December 1, 2012 and December 3, 2011 follow:
		Pension Benefits												Other
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans						Postretirement Benefits
Net periodic cost (benefit)		2013		2012		2011		2013		2012		2011		2013		2012		2011
Service cost	$	106	$	90	$	2,304	$	1,799	$	1,457	$	1,364	$	623	$	541	$	514
Interest cost		14,719		16,098		16,736		7,486		8,222		7,449		2,133		2,469		2,676
Expected return on assets		-22,720		-23,758		-25,438		-9,390		-8,021		-7,881		-3,725		-3,263		-3,087
Amortization:
Prior service cost		49		49		24		-4		-4		-4		-4,134		-4,693		-4,693
Actuarial (gain)/ loss		6,742		3,858		3,689		3,778		2,487		2,723		5,717		5,155		5,932
Divestitures		-		-		-		-		7		-		-		-		-
Curtailment (gain)/loss		102		-		101		53		46		-		-		-		-
Settlement charge/(credit)		-		-		-		153		65		-		-		-		-
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)	$	-1,002	$	-3,663	$	-2,584	$	3,875	$	4,259	$	3,651	$	614	$	209	$	1,342
		Pension Benefits
		U.S. Plans		Non-U.S. Plans		Postretirement benefits
Amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs over next fiscal year as of November 30, 2013
Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)	$	29	$	-4	$	-3,771
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		4,575		3,002		2,709
	$	4,604	$	2,998	$	-1,062
	Pension Benefits						Other
Weighted-average assumptions used to	U.S. Plans			Non-U.S. Plans			Postretirement Benefits
Determine benefit obligations	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011
Discount rate	4.74%	3.81%	5.05%	3.74%	3.79%	5.36%	4.34%	3.46%	4.73%
Rate of compensation increase1	4.50%	4.50%	5.00%	1.84%	1.87%	2.14%	N/A	N/A	N/A
Weighted-average assumptions used to
Determine net costs for years ended	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011
Discount rate	3.81%	5.05%	5.46%	3.74%	5.26%	5.10%	3.46%	4.73%	4.96%
Expected return on plan assets	7.75%	8.00%	8.00%	5.96%	6.08%	6.18%	8.75%	8.75%	8.75%
Rate of compensation increase	4.50%	5.00%	4.17%	1.84%	1.86%	2.13%	N/A	N/A	N/A
1 Benefits under the U.S. Pension Plan were locked-in as of May 31, 2011 and no longer include compensation increases. The 4.50 percent rate for 2013 and 2012 and the 5.00 percent rate for 2011 are for the supplemental executive retirement plan only.
The discount rate assumption is determined using an actuarial yield curve approach, which results in a discount rate that reflects the characteristics of the plan. The approach identifies a broad population of corporate bonds that meet the quality and size criteria for the particular plan. We use this approach rather than a specific index that has a certain set of bonds that may or may not be representative of the characteristics of our particular plan. A higher discount rate decreases the present value of the pension obligations. The discount rate for the U.S. pension plan was 4.77 percent at November 30, 2013, as compared to 3.83 percent at December 1, 2012 and 5.07 percent at December 3, 2011. Net periodic pension cost for a given fiscal year is based on assumptions developed at the end of the previous fiscal year. A discount rate reduction of 0.5 percentage points at November 30, 2013 would increase pension and other postretirement plan expense approximately $318 (pre-tax) in fiscal 2014. Discount rates for non-U.S. plans are determined in a manner consistent with the U.S. plan.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for the U.S. pension plan was 7.75 percent in 2013 compared to 8.00 percent for 2012 and 8.00 percent for 2011.  Our expected long-term rate of return on U.S. plan assets was based on our target asset allocation assumption of 60 percent equities and 40 percent fixed-income. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by considering the expected future returns and volatility levels for each asset class that are based on historical returns and forward-looking observations. For 2013 the expected long-term rate of return on the target equities allocation was 8.5 percent and the expected long-term rate of return on the target fixed-income allocation was 5.0 percent. The total plan rate of return assumption included an estimate of the impact of diversification and the plan expense. A change of 0.5 percentage points for the expected return on assets assumption would impact U.S. net pension and other postretirement plan expense by approximately $2,062 (pre-tax).
Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, uses the actual historical rates of return of the asset categories to assess the reasonableness of the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for non-U.S. pension plans was a weighted-average of 5.96 percent in 2013 compared to 6.08 percent in 2012 and 6.18 percent in 2011. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption used in each non-U.S. plan is determined on a plan-by-plan basis for each local jurisdiction and is based on expected future returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio for that plan.  Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, develops expected rates of return for each plan, considers expected long-term returns for each asset category in the plan, reviews expectations for inflation for each local jurisdiction, and estimates the impact of active management of the plan's assets. Our largest non-U.S. pension plans are in Germany and the United Kingdom respectively. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for Germany was 5.75 percent and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the United Kingdom was 6.6 percent. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, uses actual historical returns of the asset portfolio to assess the reasonableness of the expected rate of return for each plan.
Assumed health care trend rates	2013	2012	2011
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Fiscal year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2019	2018	2018
Sensitivity Information: A one-percentage point change in the health care cost trend rate would have the following effects on the November 30, 2013 service and interest cost and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at November 30, 2013:
	One-Percentage Point
		Increase		Decrease
Effect on service and interest cost components – annual	$	2	$	-114
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	27	$	-2,452
The asset allocation for the company’s U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans at the end of 2013 and 2012 follows.
	U.S. Pension Plans						Non-U.S. Pension Plans						Other Postretirement Plans
	Target		Percentage of Plan Assets at Year-End				Target		Percentage of Plan Assets at Year-End				Target		Percentage of Plan Assets at Year-End
Asset Category	2013		2013		2012		2013		2013		2012		2013		2013		2012
Equities	60.00%		61.90%		60.40%		50.20%		50.20%		48.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Fixed income	40.00%		37.30%		38.80%		48.40%		46.40%		48.60%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Real Estate	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		1.40%		1.10%		1.10%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Insurance	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		100.00%		99.40%		98.70%
Cash	0.00%		0.80%		0.80%		0.00%		2.30%		2.30%		0.00%		0.60%		1.30%
Total	100%		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%
Plan Asset Management
Plan assets are held in trust and invested in mutual funds, separately managed accounts and other commingled investment vehicles holding U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities, fixed income securities and other investment classes. We employ a total return approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Futures and options may also be used to enhance risk-adjusted long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification and duration. Risk management is accomplished through diversification across asset classes, utilization of multiple investment managers and general plan-specific investment policies. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of the plan liabilities, plan funded status and our assessment of our overall liquidity position. This asset allocation policy mix is reviewed annually and actual versus target allocations are monitored regularly and rebalanced on an as-needed basis. Plan assets are invested using a combination of active and passive investment strategies. Passive, or “indexed” strategies, attempt to mimic rather than exceed the investment performance of a market benchmark. The plans' active investment strategies employ multiple investment management firms which in aggregate cover a range of investment styles and approaches. Performance is monitored and compared to relevant benchmarks on a regular basis.
The U.S. pension plans consist of two plans: a pension plan and a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP). There were no assets in the SERP in 2013 and 2012. Consequently, all of the data disclosed in the asset allocation table for the U.S. pension plans pertain to our U.S. pension plan.
During 2013 we maintained our assets within the allowed ranges of the target asset allocation mix of 60 percent equities and 40 percent fixed income plus or minus 5 percent and continued our focus to reduce volatility of plan assets in future periods and to more closely match the duration of the assets with the duration of the liabilities of the plan. We plan to maintain the portfolio at this target allocation in 2014.
The non-U.S. pension plans consist of all the pension plans administered by us outside the U.S., principally consisting of plans in Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. During 2012 we acquired plans in the United Kingdom, Germany and France. During 2013 we maintained our assets for the non-U.S. pension plans at the specific target asset allocation mix determined for each plan plus or minus the allowed rate and continued our focus to reduce volatility of plan assets in future periods and to more closely match the duration of the assets with the duration of the liabilities of the individual plans. We plan to maintain the portfolios at their respective target asset allocations in 2014.
Other postretirement benefits plans consist of two U.S. plans: a retiree medical health care plan and a group term life insurance plan. There were no assets in the group term life insurance plan for 2013 and 2012. Consequently, all of the data disclosed in the asset allocation table for other postretirement plans pertain to our retiree medical health care plan. Our investment strategy for other postretirement benefit plans is to own insurance policies that maintain an asset allocation nearly completely in equities. These equities are invested in a passive portfolio indexed to the S&P 500. Our large weighting to equities in these plans is driven by the investment options available and the relative underfunded status of the plans.
Fair Value of Plan Assets
The following table presents plan assets categorized within a three-level fair value hierarchy as described in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	30-Nov-13
U.S. Pension Plans		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
Equities	$	132,768		$	88,946		$	-		$	221,714
Fixed income		50,925			82,411			463			133,799
Cash		2,720			-			-			2,720
Total	$	186,413		$	171,357		$	463		$	358,233
Non-U.S. Pension Plans		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
Equities	$	34,045		$	57,380		$	-		$	91,425
Fixed income		48,767			35,158			590			84,515
Real Estate		-			-			1,940			1,940
Cash		4,272			-			-			4,272
Total	$	87,084		$	92,538		$	2,530		$	182,152
Other Postretirement Benefits		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
Insurance	$	-		$	-		$	53,875		$	53,875
Cash		321			-			-			321
Total	$	321		$	-		$	53,875		$	54,196
	1-Dec-12
U.S. Pension Plans		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
Equities	$	121,792		$	78,920		$	-		$	200,712
Fixed income		51,994			76,445			516			128,955
Cash		2,641			-			-			2,641
Total	$	176,427		$	155,365		$	516		$	332,308
Non-U.S. Pension Plans		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
Equities	$	30,086		$	48,651		$	-		$	78,737
Fixed income		46,340			32,937			514			79,791
Real Estate		-			-			1,768			1,768
Cash		3,790			-			-			3,790
Total	$	80,216		$	81,588		$	2,282		$	164,086
Other Postretirement Benefits		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
Insurance	$	-		$	-		$	42,001		$	42,001
Cash		568			-			-			568
Total	$	568		$	-		$	42,001		$	42,569
The definitions of fair values of our pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets at November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 by asset category are as follows:
Equities—Primarily publicly traded common stock for purposes of total return and to maintain equity exposure consistent with policy allocations. Investments include: (i) U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities and mutual funds valued at closing prices from national exchanges; and (ii) commingled funds valued at unit values or net asset values provided by the investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments.
Fixed income—Primarily corporate and government debt securities for purposes of total return and managing fixed income exposure to policy allocations. Investments include (i) mutual funds valued at closing prices from national exchanges, (ii) corporate and government debt securities valued at closing prices from national exchanges, (iii) commingled funds valued at unit values or net asset value provided by the investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments, and (iv) an annuity contract, the value of which is determined by the provider and represents the amount the plan would receive if the contract were cashed out at year-end.
Real Estate—Property fund for purposes of total return. Investment is a comingled property fund valued at unit value provided by the investment manager, which is based on a valuation performed by a third party provider retained by the investment manager.
Insurance—Insurance contracts for purposes of funding postretirement medical benefits. Fair values are the cash surrender values as determined by the providers which are the amounts the plans would receive if the contracts were cashed out at year end.
Cash–Cash balances on hand, accrued income and pending settlements of transactions for purposes of handling plan payments. Fair values are the cash balances as reported by the Trustees of the plans.
The following is a roll forward of the Level 3 investments of our pension and postretirement benefit plan assets during the year ended November 30, 2013:
U.S. Pension Plans		Fixed Income			Total
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	$	516		$	516
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net		-53			-53
Level 3 balance at end of year	$	463		$	463
Non-U.S. Pension Plans		Fixed Income			Real Estate			Total
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	$	514		$	1,768		$	2,282
Net transfers into / (out of) level 3		33			-12			21
Net gains		17			137			154
Currency change effect		26			47			73
Level 3 balance at end of year	$	590		$	1,940		$	2,530
Other Postretirement Benefits		Insurance			Total
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	$	42,001		$	42,001
Net transfers into / (out of) level 3		-213			-213
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net		-343			-343
Net gains		12,430			12,430
Level 3 balance at end of year	$	53,875		$	53,875

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Financial Instruments Abstract	'
Financial Instruments Disclosure	'
	Note 12: Financial Instruments
	As a result of being a global enterprise, our earnings, cash flows and financial position are exposed to foreign currency risk from foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. These items are denominated in various foreign currencies, including the Euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, Australian dollar, Argentine peso, Brazilian real, Colombian peso, Mexican peso, Turkish lira, Egyptian pound, Indian rupee, and Malaysian ringgit.
	Our objective is to balance, where possible, local currency denominated assets to local currency denominated liabilities to have a natural hedge and minimize foreign exchange impacts. We take steps to minimize risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative instruments. We do not enter into any speculative positions with regard to derivative instruments.
	We enter into derivative contracts with a group of investment grade multinational commercial banks. We evaluate the credit quality of each of these banks on a periodic basis as warranted.
	Effective March 5, 2012, we entered into two cross-currency swap agreements to convert a notional amount of $151,598 of foreign currency denominated intercompany loans into US dollars. One of the cross-currency swaps matures in 2014 and the other swap matures in 2015. As of November 30, 2013, the combined fair value of the swaps were a liability of $4,801 and were included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 1, 2012, the combined fair value of the swaps were an asset of $1,610 and were included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The swaps were designated as cash-flow hedges for accounting treatment. The lesser amount between the cumulative change in the fair value of the actual swaps and the cumulative change in the fair value of hypothetical swaps is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The difference between the cumulative change in the fair value of the actual swaps and the cumulative change in the fair value of hypothetical swaps are recorded as other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In a perfectly effective hedge relationship, the two fair value calculations would exactly offset each other. Any difference in the calculation represents hedge ineffectiveness. The ineffectiveness calculations as of November 30, 2013 resulted in additional pre-tax gain of $58 year-to-date as the change in fair value of the cross-currency swaps was more than the change in the fair value of the hypothetical swaps. The ineffectiveness calculations as of December 1, 2012 resulted in additional pre-tax loss of $15 year-to-date as the change in fair value of the cross-currency swaps was less than the change in the fair value of the hypothetical swaps. The amount in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to cross-currency swaps was a loss of $91 at November 30, 2013 and a loss of $394 at December 1, 2012. The estimated net amount of the existing loss that is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income at November 30, 2013 that is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months is $ 73. At November 30, 2013, we do not believe any gains or losses will be reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of these cash flow hedges because the original forecasted transaction will not occur.
	The following table summarizes the cross-currency swaps outstanding as of November 30, 2013:
		Fiscal Year of Expiration	Interest Rate	Notional Value	Fair Value
	Pay EUR Receive USD	2014	4.15% 4.30%	$52,860	($1,504)
	Pay EUR Receive USD	2015	4.30% 4.45%	$98,738	($3,297)
	Total			$151,598	($4,801)
	Except for the two cross currency swap agreements listed above, foreign currency derivative instruments outstanding are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The gains and losses related to mark-to-market adjustments are recognized as other income or expense in the income statement during the periods in which the derivative instruments are outstanding. See Note 14 to Consolidated Financial Statements for fair value amounts of these derivative instruments.
	As of November 30, 2013, we had forward foreign currency contracts maturing between December 6, 2013 and November 3, 2014. The mark-to-market effect associated with these contracts, on a net basis, at each year end was a loss of $865, $126 and $160 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These losses were largely offset by the underlying transaction gains and losses resulting from the foreign currency exposures for which these contracts relate.
	During the first quarter of 2012, we entered into forward currency contracts maturing on March 5, 2012 to purchase 370,000 Swiss francs. Our objective was to economically hedge the purchase price for the pending acquisition of the global industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group after the purchase agreement was signed. The currency contracts were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. At maturity the mark-to-market adjustments were a gain of $11,621 which was recognized as a special charge, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	As of December 3, 2011, we had a $100,000 notional amount foreign currency option to exchange U.S. Dollars for Swiss francs. Our objective was to mitigate the exposure on exchange rates on a portion of the proposed purchase price for the pending acquisition of the global industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group. The fair value of this derivative was $841. The currency option was not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes and expired on January 10, 2012. The related expense was recognized as a special charge, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	We have interest rate swap agreements to convert $75,000 of our Senior Notes to variable interest rates. See Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The change in fair value of the Senior Notes, attributable to the change in the risk being hedged, was a liability of $6,065 at November 30, 2013 and $8,862 at December 1, 2012 and were included in long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the swaps in total was an asset of $5,930 at November 30, 2013 and $9,473 at December 1, 2012 and were included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The swaps were designated for hedge accounting treatment as fair value hedges.
	The changes in the fair value of the swap and the fair value of the Senior Notes attributable to the change in the risk being hedged are recorded as other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In a perfectly effective hedge relationship, the two fair value calculations would exactly offset each other. Any difference in the calculation represents hedge ineffectiveness. The calculation as of November 30, 2013, resulted in additional year-to-date pre-tax loss of $746 as the fair value of the interest rate swaps decreased by more than the change in the fair value of the Senior Notes attributable to the change in the risk being hedged. The calculations as of December 1, 2012 and December 3, 2011 resulted in additional year-to-date pre-tax gains of $362 and $456, respectively as the fair value of the interest rate swaps increased by more than the change in the fair value of the Senior Notes attributable to the change in the risk being hedged.
	Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of entities in the customer base and their dispersion across many different industries and countries. As of November 30, 2013, there were no significant concentrations of credit risk.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Abstract	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure	'
	Note 13: Commitments and Contingencies
	Leases: The minimum lease payments, related to buildings, equipment and vehicles, that are expected to be made in each of the years indicated based on operating leases in effect at November 30, 2013 are:
	Fiscal Year		2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	Remainder	Total Minimum Lease Payments
	Operating Leases		$8,176	$4,529	$2,275	$971	$595	$663	$17,209
	Rent expense for all operating leases, which includes minimum lease payments and other charges such as common area maintenance fees, was $12,716, $11,117 and $7,730 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Servicing Agreement: In 2005, we entered into an agreement to provide us with information technology services. The agreement is scheduled to run through 2014. Actual expenditures under the agreement for the years ended November 30, 2013, December 1, 2012 and December 3, 2011 were $2,847, $4,959 and $6,146, respectively. The future contractual obligations based on the contract in place at November 30, 2013 are $1,115 for 2014.
	Environmental Matters: From time to time, we become aware of compliance matters relating to, or receive notices from, federal, state or local entities regarding possible or alleged violations of environmental, health or safety laws and regulations. We review the circumstances of each individual site, considering the number of parties involved, the level of potential liability or contribution of us relative to the other parties, the nature and magnitude of the hazardous substances involved, the method and extent of remediation, the estimated legal and consulting expense with respect to each site and the time period over which any costs would likely be incurred. Also, from time to time, we are identified as a "potentially responsible party" (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and/or similar state laws that impose liability for costs relating to the clean up of contamination resulting from past spills, disposal or other release of hazardous substances. We are also subject to similar laws in some of the countries where current and former facilities are located. Our environmental, health and safety department monitors compliance with applicable laws on a global basis. To the extent we can reasonably estimate the amount of our probable liabilities for environmental matters, we establish a financial provision.
	Currently we are involved in various environmental investigations, clean up activities and administrative proceedings and lawsuits. In particular, we are currently deemed a PRP in conjunction with numerous other parties, in a number of government enforcement actions associated with landfills and/or hazardous waste sites. As a PRP, we may be required to pay a share of the costs of investigation and clean up of these sites. In addition, we are engaged in environmental remediation and monitoring efforts at a number of current and former operating facilities. While uncertainties exist with respect to the amounts and timing of the ultimate environmental liabilities, based on currently available information, we have concluded that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.
	Other Legal Proceedings: From time to time and in the ordinary course of business, we are a party to, or a target of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, contract, patent and intellectual property, environmental, health and safety, tax and employment matters. While we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, we have concluded, based upon currently available information, that the ultimate resolution of any pending matter, individually or in the aggregate, including the asbestos litigation described in the following paragraphs, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.
	We have been named as a defendant in lawsuits in which plaintiffs have alleged injury due to products containing asbestos manufactured more than 30 years ago. The plaintiffs generally bring these lawsuits against multiple defendants and seek damages (both actual and punitive) in very large amounts. In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable injuries or that the injuries suffered were the result of exposure to products manufactured by us. We are typically dismissed as a defendant in such cases without payment. If the plaintiff presents evidence indicating that compensable injury occurred as a result of exposure to our products, the case is generally settled for an amount that reflects the seriousness of the injury, the length, intensity and character of exposure to products containing asbestos, the number and solvency of other defendants in the case, and the jurisdiction in which the case has been brought.
	A significant portion of the defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation is paid by third parties, including indemnification pursuant to the provisions of a 1976 agreement under which we acquired a business from a third party. Currently, this third party is defending and paying settlement amounts, under a reservation of rights, in most of the asbestos cases tendered to the third party.
	In addition to the indemnification arrangements with third parties, we have insurance policies that generally provide coverage for asbestos liabilities (including defense costs).  Historically, insurers have paid a significant portion of our defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation. However, certain of our insurers are insolvent.  We have entered into cost-sharing agreements with our insurers that provide for the allocation of defense costs and under certain circumstances, settlements and judgments, in asbestos-related lawsuits.  Under these agreements, we are required under certain circumstances to fund a share of settlements and judgments allocable to years in which the responsible insurer is insolvent. In addition, to delineate our rights under certain insurance policies, in October 2009, we commenced a declaratory judgment action against one of our insurers in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Additional insurers have been brought into the action to address issues related to the scope of their coverage. We recently entered into a settlement agreement with the defendant insurers in this case that provided for the allocation of defense costs and settlements in the future. The allocation under the settlement agreement depends on the outcome of an appeal of two issues to the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
	A summary of the number of and settlement amounts for asbestos-related lawsuits and claims is as follows:
			Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
			November 30,			December 1,			December 3,
			2013			2012			2011
	Lawsuits and claims settled		6			9			7
	Settlement amounts	$	371		$	540		$	537
	Insurance payments received or expected to be received	$	279		$	391		$	417
	We do not believe that it would be meaningful to disclose the aggregate number of asbestos-related lawsuits filed against us because relatively few of these lawsuits are known to involve exposure to asbestos-containing products that we manufactured. Rather, we believe it is more meaningful to disclose the number of lawsuits that are settled and result in a payment to the plaintiff. To the extent we can reasonably estimate the amount of our probable liabilities for pending asbestos-related claims, we establish a financial provision and a corresponding receivable for insurance recoveries.
	Based on currently available information, we have concluded that the resolution of any pending matter, including asbestos-related litigation, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure	'
	Note 14: Fair Value Measurements
	The following table presents information about our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include data points that are observable such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
			November 30,
	Description		2013		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Marketable securities	$	28,786	$	28,786	$	-	$	-
	Derivative assets		533		-		533		-
	Interest rate swaps		5,930		-		5,930		-
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	1,399	$	-	$	1,399	$	-
	Cash-flow hedges		4,801		-		4,801		-
	Contingent consideration liabilities, continuing operations		566		-		-		566
	Contingent consideration liabilities, discontinued operations		5,000		-		-		5,000
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
			December 1,
	Description		2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Marketable securities	$	15,499	$	15,499	$	-	$	-
	Derivative assets		830		-		830		-
	Interest rate swaps		9,473		-		9,473		-
	Cash-flow hedges		1,610		-		1,610		-
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	956	$	-	$	956	$	-
	Contingent consideration liabilities, continuing operations		1,649		-		-		1,649
	Contingent consideration liabilities, discontinued operations		5,000		-		-		5,000
	We measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets include assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquisition and tangible and intangible assets and cost basis investments that are written down to fair value when they are determined to be impaired. During 2012, we determined that the fair values of two of our cost basis investments were lower than the investment values on our balance sheet. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $1,517.

Operating_Segments

Operating Segments	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Operating Segments Abstract	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure	'
	Note 15: Operating Segments
	We are required to report segment information in the same way that we internally organize our business for assessing performance and making decisions regarding allocation of resources. Through the third quarter of 2013, our business was reported in five operating segments: North America Adhesives, Construction Products, EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East and Africa), Latin America Adhesives and Asia Pacific. Changes in our management reporting structure during the fourth quarter of 2013 required us to conduct an operating segment assessment in accordance with ASC Topic 280 “Segment Reporting”, to determine our reportable segments. As result of this assessment, we now have four reportable segments: the Americas Adhesives, Construction Products, EIMEA and Asia Pacific.
	For segment evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, segment operating income is defined as gross profit less SG&A expenses. Segment operating income excludes special charges, net and asset impairment charges. Corporate expenses are fully allocated to each operating segment. Corporate assets are not allocated to the operating segments. Inter-segment revenues are recorded at cost plus a markup for administrative costs. Operating results of each of these segments are regularly reviewed by our chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments and assess their performance.
	The business components within each operating segment are managed to maximize the results of the overall operating segment rather than the results of any individual business component of the operating segment. Results of individual components of each operating segment are subject to numerous allocations of segment-wide costs that may or may not have been focused on that particular component for a particular reporting period. The costs for these allocated resources are not tracked on a “where-used” basis as financial performance is assessed at the total operating segment level.
	The net revenue, inter-segment sales, segment operating income, depreciation and amortization, total assets and capital expenditures of the industrial adhesives business, acquired in the second quarter of 2012, was recorded in our Americas Adhesives, EIMEA and Asia Pacific operating segments.
	Reportable operating segment financial information for all periods presented follows. Prior periods have been restated to reflect our new operating segments:
				2013		2012		2011
	Net revenue
		Americas Adhesives	$	902,573	$	838,615	$	637,043
		Construction Products		158,576		147,080		134,591
		EIMEA		733,211		672,423		473,763
		Asia Pacific		252,608		228,121		198,688
		Total	$	2,046,968	$	1,886,239	$	1,444,085
	Inter-segment sales
		Americas Adhesives	$	22,120	$	26,096	$	34,224
		Construction Products		800		462		686
		EIMEA		13,918		9,228		10,031
		Asia Pacific		13,034		14,818		9,334
	Segment operating income
		Americas Adhesives	$	123,265	$	112,368	$	81,510
		Construction Products		10,940		8,334		2,992
		EIMEA		51,526		34,483		24,590
		Asia Pacific		9,771		7,356		7,869
		Total	$	195,502	$	162,541	$	116,961
	Depreciation and amortization
		Americas Adhesives	$	20,832	$	18,852	$	12,222
		Construction Products		11,021		11,001		11,000
		EIMEA		20,420		18,399		10,748
		Asia Pacific		6,522		6,238		5,080
		Total	$	58,795	$	54,490	$	39,050
	Total assets1
		Americas Adhesives	$	471,520	$	465,253	$	280,692
		Construction Products		175,489		179,508		180,861
		EIMEA		759,757		674,665		344,935
		Asia Pacific		218,471		197,999		150,949
		Corporate		245,926		267,030		200,929
		Discontinued Operations		1,865		1,865		69,343
		Total	$	1,873,028	$	1,786,320	$	1,227,709
	Capital expenditures
		Americas Adhesives	$	26,225	$	15,036	$	5,052
		Construction Products		1,737		1,762		3,823
		EIMEA		63,512		13,402		15,986
		Asia Pacific		10,150		3,511		3,411
		Corporate		22,664		2,202		4,562
		Total	$	124,288	$	35,913	$	32,834
	1Segment assets include primarily inventory, accounts receivable, property, plant and equipment and other miscellaneous assets. Corporate assets include primarily corporate property, plant and equipment, deferred tax assets, certain investments and other assets.
	Reconciliation of segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments
				2013		2012		2011
	Segment operating income		$	195,502	$	162,541	$	116,961
	Special charges, net			-45,087		-52,467		-7,499
	Asset impairment charges			-		-1,517		-332
	Other income (expense), net			-3,751		784		4,101
	Interest expense			-19,120		-19,793		-10,811
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments		$	127,544	$	89,548	$	102,420
	Financial information about geographic areas
			Net Revenue
				2013		2012		2011
		United States	$	855,053	$	802,362	$	613,250
		All other countries with less than 10 percent of total		1,191,915		1,083,877		830,835
		Total	$	2,046,968	$	1,886,239	$	1,444,085
			Property, Plant and Equipment, net
				2013		2012		2011
		United States	$	185,260	$	158,973	$	121,333
	Germany		86,335		42,434		33,278
	All other countries with less than 10 percent of total		162,792		127,609		87,976
	Total	$	434,387	$	329,016	$	242,587

Redeemable_NonControlling_Inte

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Temporary Equity Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest Disclosure	'
	Note 16: Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest
	We account for the non-controlling interest in H.B. Fuller Kimya Sanayi Ticaret A.S. (HBF Kimya) as a redeemable non-controlling interest because both the non-controlling shareholder and H.B. Fuller have an option, exercisable beginning August 1, 2018, to require the redemption of the shares owned by the non-controlling shareholder at a price determined by a formula based on 24 months trailing EBITDA. Since the option makes the redemption of the non-controlling ownership shares of HBF Kimya outside of our control, these shares are classified as a redeemable non-controlling interest in temporary equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The non-controlling shareholder is entitled to increase his ownership by 1 percent per year for 5 years up to a maximum of 13 percent ownership based on the achievement of profitability targets in each year. The option is subject to a minimum price of €3,500. The redemption value of the option, if it were currently redeemable, is estimated to be €3,500.
	HBF Kimya's results of operations are consolidated in our financial statements. Both the non-controlling interest and the accretion adjustment to redemption value are included in income or loss attributable to non-controlling interests in the Consolidated Statements of Income and in the carrying value of the redeemable non-controlling interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. HBF Kimya's functional currency is the Turkish lira and changes in exchange rates will affect the reported amount of the redeemable non-controlling interest. As of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 the redeemable non-controlling interest was:
		2013		2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	3,981	$	3,887
	Net income attributed to redeemable non-controlling interest		351		208
	Accretion adjustment to redemption value		48		1
	Increase in non-controlling shareholder ownership		384		-
	Distributions to non-controlling shareholder		-244		-
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		196		-115
	Balance at end of year	$	4,717	$	3,981

Quarterly_Data

Quarterly Data	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Quarterly Data (unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Data Disclosure (unaudited)	'
	Note 17: Quarterly Data (unaudited)
		2013
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4
	Net revenue	$	479,842	$	519,016	$	514,579	$	533,531
	Gross profit		133,376		146,616		144,507		145,672
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		-97,640		-93,806		-90,604		-92,619
	Special charges, net		-5,333		-10,843		-12,775		-16,136
	Income from continuing operations	$	20,774	$	26,048	$	27,150	$	22,003
	Basic Income per share	$	0.42	$	0.52	$	0.54	$	0.44
	Diluted Income per share	$	0.41	$	0.51	$	0.53	$	0.42
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding
	Basic		49,817		49,935		49,913		49,909
	Diluted		51,027		51,152		51,127		51,236
		2012
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4
	Net revenue	$	345,454	$	526,995	$	500,535	$	513,255
	Gross profit		102,687		136,551		134,324		143,714
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		-75,029		-92,956		-91,355		-95,395
	Special charges, net		-6,482		-32,127		-4,654		-9,204
	Asset impairment charges		-		-671		-		-846
	Income from continuing operations	$	13,608	$	5,060	$	24,607	$	25,012
	Basic Income per share	$	0.28	$	0.1	$	0.49	$	0.5
	Diluted Income per share	$	0.27	$	0.1	$	0.48	$	0.49
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding
	Basic		49,365		49,652		49,627		49,640
	Diluted		50,253		50,722		50,699		50,798

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of H.B. Fuller Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Investments in affiliated companies in which we exercise significant influence, but which we do not control, are accounted for in the Consolidated Financial Statements under the equity method of accounting. As such, consolidated net income includes our equity portion in current earnings of such companies, after elimination of intercompany profits. Investments in which we do not exercise significant influence (generally less than a 20 percent ownership interest) are accounted for under the cost method.
	Our 50 percent ownership in Sekisui-Fuller Company, Ltd., our Japan joint venture, is accounted for under the equity method of accounting as we do not exercise control over the company. For fiscal years 2013 and 2012, this equity method investment exceeded the 10 percent threshold but not the 20 percent threshold test for a significant subsidiary as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As such, summarized financial information as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 for Sekisui-Fuller Company, Ltd. is as follows:
				As of November 30, 2013			As of December 1, 2012
	Current assets			$	89,053		$	117,597
	Non-current assets				21,152			25,704
	Current liabilities				42,835			48,298
	Non-current liabilities				2,090			2,653
				For the year ended November 30, 2013			For the year ended December 1, 2012
	Net revenue			$	194,705		$	222,589
	Gross profit				54,672			63,596
	Net income				16,760			18,436
	Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to November 30. Fiscal year-end dates were November 30, 2013, December 1, 2012 and December 3, 2011 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Every five or six years we have a 53rd week in our fiscal year. 2011 was a 53-week year.
Use of Estimates [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates: Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition: For shipments made to customers, title generally passes to the customer when all requirements of the sales arrangement have been completed, which is generally at the time of delivery. Revenue from product sales is recorded when title to the product transfers, no remaining performance obligations exist, the terms of the sale are fixed and collection is probable. Shipping terms include title transfer at either shipping point or destination. Stated terms in sale agreements also include payment terms and freight terms. Net revenues include shipping revenues as appropriate.
	Provisions for sales returns are estimated based on historical experience, and are adjusted for known returns, if material. Customer incentive programs (primarily volume purchase rebates) and arrangements such as cooperative advertising, slotting fees and buy-downs are recorded as a reduction of net revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) 605-50, “Customer Payments and Incentives”. Customer rebates recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a reduction in net revenue, were $11,552, $9,707 and $14,751 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	For certain products, consigned inventory is maintained at customer locations. For these products, revenue is recognized in the period that the inventory is consumed. Sales to distributors also require a distribution agreement or purchase order. As a normal practice, distributors do not have a right of return.
Cost of Sales [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cost of Sales: Cost of sales includes raw materials, container costs, direct labor, manufacturing overhead, shipping and receiving costs, freight costs, depreciation of manufacturing equipment and other less significant indirect costs related to the production of our products.
Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses [Policy Text Block]	'
	Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: SG&A expenses include sales and marketing, research and development, technical and customer service, finance, legal, human resources, general management and similar expenses.
Income Tax [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes: The income tax provision is computed based on the pre-tax income included in the Consolidated Statements of Income before income from equity method investments. The asset and liability approach is used to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years are applied to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances reduce deferred tax assets when it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be realized. See Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents are highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less.
Restrictions on Cash [Policy Text Block]	'
	Restrictions on Cash: There were no restrictions on cash as of November 30, 2013. There are no contractual or regulatory restrictions on the ability of consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries to transfer funds in the form of investments, loans or advances to us, except for credit facility limitations in excess of $75,000 and typical statutory restrictions which prohibit distributions in excess of net capital or similar tests. The majority of our cash in non-U.S. locations is considered permanently reinvested.
Trade Receivable [Policy Text Block]	'
	Trade Receivable and Allowances: Trade receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Allowances are maintained for doubtful accounts, credits related to pricing or quantities shipped and early payment discounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts includes an estimate of future uncollectible receivables based on the aging of the receivable balance and our collection experience. The allowance also includes specific customer accounts when it is probable that the full amount of the receivable will not be collected. Invoices are written off against the allowance when the invoice is 18 months past terms. See Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Inventories [Policy Text Block]	'
	Inventories: Inventories recorded at cost (not in excess of market value) as determined by the last-in, first-out method (LIFO) represent approximately 32 percent of consolidated inventories. During 2013 and 2012 there were no liquidations of LIFO inventory layers. During 2011 reductions in inventory quantities resulted in liquidations of LIFO inventory layers causing an increase in net pre-tax income of $273. The remaining inventories, which include all non-U.S. operations, are valued at the lower of cost (mainly weighted-average actual cost) or market value.
Investments [Policy Text Block]	'
	Investments: Investments with a value of $8,490 represent the cash surrender value of life insurance contracts on November 30, 2013. These assets are held to primarily support supplemental pension plans and are recorded in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The corresponding gain or loss associated with these contracts is reported in earnings each period as a component of “other income (expense), net”.
Investments in Equity Securities Carried at Cost [Policy Text Block]	'
	Investments in Equity Securities Carried at Cost:  Fair value of cost method investments is assessed according to accounting standards.  During 2012, we determined the fair value of one of our cost basis investments was lower than the investment value on our balance sheet based on investor approval of a buy-out offer from the majority shareholder; and, the fair value of another of our cost basis investments was lower than the investment value on our balance sheet based on a recently completed round of additional financing.  Since both of these impairments were considered other than temporary, we recorded non-cash charges associated with these impairments of $1,517.  We did not have any impairment of our cost method investments for the years ended November 30, 2013 and December 3, 2011.  The book value of the cost method investments as of November 30, 2013 was $1,674 and $2,085 as of December 1, 2012.
Property, Plant and Equipment [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated over the useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives range from 20 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 20 years for machinery and equipment, and the shorter of the lease or expected life for leasehold improvements. Fully depreciated assets are retained in property and accumulated depreciation accounts until removed from service. Upon disposal, assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed. Upon sale of an asset, the difference between the proceeds and remaining net book value is charged or credited to other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Expenditures that add value or extend the life of the respective assets are capitalized, while expenditures that are typical recurring repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Interest costs associated with construction and implementation of property, plant and equipment of $1,921, $151 and $114 were capitalized in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Goodwill [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill: We test goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter and whenever events occur or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing is performed for each of our reporting units by comparing the reporting unit's estimated fair value to its carrying amount, including goodwill. We use a discounted cash flow approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. Our judgment is required in developing the assumptions for the discounted cash flow model. These assumptions include revenue growth rates, profit margin percentages, discount rates, perpetuity growth rates, future capital expenditures and working capital requirements. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered to not be impaired. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment, and we calculate an implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of the individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, excluding goodwill. An impairment charge is recorded for any excess of the carrying value over the implied fair value. Based on our 2013 annual assessment, we determined that none of our goodwill was impaired.
Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]	'
	Intangible Assets: Intangible assets include patents and other intangible assets acquired from independent parties and are amortized on a straight-line basis with estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 20 years. The straight-line method of amortization of these assets reflects an appropriate allocation of the costs of the intangible assets to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained in each reporting period.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets [Policy Text Block]	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: Our long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that a carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (asset group) and its eventual disposition. The impairment loss to be recorded would be the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation technique. Costs related to internally developed intangible assets are expensed as incurred. See Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Foreign Currency Translation [Policy Text Block]	'
	Foreign Currency Translation: Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. functional currency entities are translated to U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and the resulting gains and losses arising from the translation of those net assets are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity. Revenues and expenses are translated using average exchange rates during the year. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	We consider a subsidiary's sales price drivers, currency denomination of sales transactions and inventory purchases to be the primary indicators in determining a foreign subsidiary's functional currency. Our subsidiaries in Latin America and certain European countries have a functional currency different than their local currency. All other foreign subsidiaries, which are located in North America, Europe and Asia, have the same local and functional currency.
Postemployment Benefits [Policy Text Block]	'
	Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits: We sponsor defined-benefit pension plans in both the U.S. and non-U.S. entities. Also in the U.S. we sponsor other postretirement plans for health care and life insurance benefits. Expenses and liabilities for the pension plans and other postretirement plans are actuarially calculated. These calculations are based on our assumptions related to the discount rate, expected return on assets, projected salary increases and health care cost trend rates. The discount rate assumption is determined using an actuarial yield curve approach, which results in a discount rate that reflects the characteristics of the plan. The approach identifies a broad population of corporate bonds that meet the quality and size criteria for the particular plan. We use this approach rather than a specific index that has a certain set of bonds that may or may not be representative of the characteristics of our particular plan. Our expected long-term rate of return on U.S. plan assets was based on our target asset allocation assumption of 60 percent equities and 40 percent fixed-income. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by considering the expected future returns and volatility levels for each asset class that are based on historical returns and forward-looking observations. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption used in each non-U.S. plan is determined on a plan-by-plan basis for each local jurisdiction and is based on expected future returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio for that plan.  Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, develops expected rates of return for each plan, considers expected long-term returns for each asset category in the plan, reviews expectations for inflation for each local jurisdiction, and estimates the impact of active management of the plan's assets. Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements includes disclosure of assumptions employed in these measurements for both the non-U.S. and U.S. plans.
Asset Retirement Obligations [Policy Text Block]	'
	Asset Retirement Obligations: We recognize asset retirement obligations (AROs) in the period in which we have an existing legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The ARO is recognized at fair value when the liability is incurred. Upon initial recognition of a liability, that cost is capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of the related asset. We have recognized a liability related to special handling of asbestos related materials in certain facilities for which we have plans or expectation of plans to undertake a major renovation or demolition project that would require the removal of asbestos or have plans or expectation of plans to exit a facility. In addition, we have determined that we have facilities with some level of asbestos that will require abatement action in the future. Once the probability and timeframe of an action are determined, we apply certain assumptions to determine the related liability and asset. These assumptions include the use of inflation rates, the use of credit adjusted risk-free discount rates and the estimation of costs to handle asbestos related materials. The recorded liability is required to be adjusted for changes resulting from the passage of time and/or revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate. The asset retirement obligation liability was $3,236 and $3,623 at November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, respectively.
Environmental Costs [Policy Text Block]	'
	Environmental Costs: Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments are made, or remedial efforts are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The timing of these accruals is generally no later than the completion of feasibility studies.
Share-based Compensation [Policy Text Block]	'
	Share-based Compensation: We have various share-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock. We use the straight-line method to recognize compensation expense associated with share-based awards based on the fair value on the date of grant, net of the estimated forfeiture rate. Expense is recognized over the requisite service period related to each award, which is the period between the grant date and the earlier of the award's stated vesting term or the date the employee is eligible for early retirement based on the terms of the plan. The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. All of our stock compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Earnings Per Share [Policy Text Block]	'
	Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to H.B. Fuller by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share is based upon the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the applicable period. The difference between basic and diluted earnings per share is attributable to share-based compensation awards. We use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding awards, which computes total employee proceeds as the sum of (a) the amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award, (b) the amount of unearned share-based compensation costs attributed to future services and (c) the amount of tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the award. Share-based compensation awards for which total employee proceeds exceed the average market price over the applicable period have an antidilutive effect on earnings per share, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share follows:
	(shares in thousands)		2013		2012		2011
	Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	$	96,761	$	125,622	$	89,105
	Weighted-average common shares – basic		49,893		49,571		48,991
	Equivalent shares from share-based compensation plans		1,243		1,047		875
	Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares – diluted		51,136		50,618		49,866
	Share-based compensation awards for 112,367, 7,372 and 856,593 shares for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive.
Financial Instruments and Derivatives [Policy Text Block]	'
	Financial Instruments and Derivatives: Our objective is to balance, where possible, local currency denominated assets to local currency denominated liabilities to have a natural hedge and minimize foreign exchange impacts. We minimize risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative instruments. Derivatives consisted primarily of forward currency contracts used to manage foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. Because derivative instruments outstanding were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, the gains and losses related to mark-to-market adjustments were recognized as other income or expense in the income statement during the periods the derivative instruments were outstanding. We do not enter into any speculative positions with regard to derivative instruments. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Purchase Of Company Common Stock Policy [Text Block]	'
	Purchase of Company Common Stock: Under the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, repurchased stock is included in authorized shares, but is not included in shares outstanding. The excess of the repurchase cost over par value is charged to additional paid-in capital. When additional paid-in capital is exhausted, the excess reduces retained earnings. We repurchased 62,124, 54,289 and 48,675 shares of common stock in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, in connection with the statutory minimum for the tax withholdings related to vesting of restricted shares.
	On September 30, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $100,000 of our outstanding common shares. During 2013, we repurchased 375,000 shares for $15,292 under this program. During 2012 we repurchased 100,000 shares for $2,999 and during 2011, we repurchased 345,446 shares for $7,491 under this program. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
New Accounting Pronouncements [Text Block]	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements: In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of AOCI” which further amended the disclosure requirements for comprehensive income. The update requires entities to disclose items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and into net income in a single location either in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements or parenthetically on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012 which is our fiscal year 2014 and is to be applied prospectively. Since this standard impacts disclosure requirements only, its adoption will not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes: Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” which requires that an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward when settlement in this manner is available under the law. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013 which is our fiscal 2015 and will be applied on a prospective basis to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. We do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
				As of November 30, 2013			As of December 1, 2012
	Current assets			$	89,053		$	117,597
	Non-current assets				21,152			25,704
	Current liabilities				42,835			48,298
	Non-current liabilities				2,090			2,653
				For the year ended November 30, 2013			For the year ended December 1, 2012
	Net revenue			$	194,705		$	222,589
	Gross profit				54,672			63,596
	Net income				16,760			18,436
Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	(shares in thousands)		2013		2012		2011
	Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	$	96,761	$	125,622	$	89,105
	Weighted-average common shares – basic		49,893		49,571		48,991
	Equivalent shares from share-based compensation plans		1,243		1,047		875
	Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares – diluted		51,136		50,618		49,866

Aquisitions_and_Divestitures_T

Aquisitions and Divestitures (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations Table [Abstract]	'
Discontinued operations income statement and balance sheet items (Table)	'
		Fiscal Years
		30-Nov-13		1-Dec-12		3-Dec-11
	Net revenue	$	-	$	73,143	$	113,466
	Income from operations		-		8,235		12,572
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations		-		66,179		-
	Income taxes		1,211		-16,846		-3,740
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	1,211	$	57,568	$	8,832
		30-Nov-13		1-Dec-12
	Other current assets	$	1,865	$	-
	Current assets of discontinued operations		1,865		-
	Other assets		-		1,865
	Long-term assets of discontinued operations		-		1,865
	Trade payables	$	-	$	74
	Other accrued expenses		5,000		-
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations		5,000		74
	Other liabilities		-		5,000
	Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations		-		5,000
Purchase price allocation [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	'
		Preliminary Valuation November 30, 2013
	Current assets	$	5,179
	Property, plant and equipment		2,275
	Goodwill		3,626
	Other intangibles
	Customer relationships		3,529
	Noncompetition agreements		565
	Other assets		608
	Current liabilities		-3,684
	Other liabilities		-1,859
	Total purchase price	$	10,239
	Our expected lives of the acquired intangible assets are customer relationships 10 years and noncompetition agreements 8 years.
		Preliminary Valuation December 1, 2012		Fair Value Adjustments		Final Valuation
	Current assets	$	603	$	-	$	603
	Property, plant and equipment		1,471		-		1,471
	Goodwill		5,434		247		5,681
	Other intangibles
	Customer relationships		2,300		-		2,300
	Noncompetition agreements		400		-		400
	Trademarks/trade names		300		-		300
	Other assets		325		-305		20
	Current liabilities		-84		-6		-90
	Other liabilities		-1,668		64		-1,604
	Contingent consideration liabilities		-1,200		-		-1,200
	Total purchase price	$	7,881	$	-	$	7,881
	The adjustments to the purchase price allocation primarily relate to non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities.
		Preliminary Valuation December 1, 2012		Purchase Price and Fair Value Adjustments		Final Valuation
	Current assets	$	172,345	$	-	$	172,345
	Property, plant and equipment		92,443		-		92,443
	Goodwill		136,658		343		137,001
	Other intangibles
	Developed technology		42,190		-		42,190
	Customer relationships		58,910		-		58,910
	Trademarks/trade names		21,880		-		21,880
	Other		479		-		479
	Other assets		4,605		-		4,605
	Current liabilities		-84,251		-184		-84,435
	Other liabilities		-40,534		-1,784		-42,318
	Total purchase price	$	404,725	$	-1,625	$	403,100
	The adjustments to the purchase price allocation primarily relate to non-current deferred tax liabilities and purchase price adjustments.

Accounting_for_Sharebased_Comp1

Accounting for Sharebased Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Fair value of options granted [TableText Block]	'
		2013	2012	2011
	Expected life (in years)	4.75	4.75	4.75
	Weighted-average expected volatility	47.28%	51.60%	52.13%
	Expected volatility range	39.25% - 48.02%	48.79% - 51.76%	50.45% - 52.30%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.77%	0.71%	1.87%
	Expected dividend yield	0.87%	1.05%	1.31%
	Weighted-average fair value of grants	$15.05	$11.52	$9.10
Schedule of Share-based compensation stock options activity [TableText Block]	'
							Weighted-
							Average
				Options			Exercise Price
		Outstanding at December 3, 2011		2,423,366		$	19.29
		Granted		548,449			28.75
		Exercised		-430,000			17.42
		Forfeited or cancelled		-112,065			22.03
		Outstanding at December 1, 2012		2,429,750		$	21.63
		Granted		493,173			40.07
		Exercised		-462,427			19.23
		Forfeited or cancelled		-30,535			28.57
		Outstanding at November 30, 2013		2,429,961		$	25.74
Summary of nonvested restricted stock [Table Text Block]	'
										Weighted-
									Weighted-	Average
									Average	Remaining
									Grant	Contractual
									Date Fair	Life
			Units		Shares		Total		Value	(in Years)
	Nonvested at December 3, 2011		127,117		271,762		398,879	$	23.18	1
	Granted		88,536		128,427		216,963		28.64	2.2
	Vested		-52,788		-134,810		-187,598		24.66	-
	Forfeited		-21,681		-20,148		-41,829		24.78	1.6
	Nonvested at December 1, 2012		141,184		245,231		386,415	$	25.41	0.9
	Granted		62,701		186,352		249,053		39.66	1.7
	Vested		-66,446		-113,411		-179,857		37.85	-
	Forfeited		-2,208		-5,727		-7,935		32.17	1.4
	Nonvested at November 30, 2013		135,231		312,445		447,676	$	33.76	1.2
Summary of deferred compensation units [Table Text Block]	'
		Non-employee
		Directors	Employees	Total
	Units outstanding December 3, 2011	314,560	77,273	391,833
	Participant contributions	15,836	3,215	19,051
	Company match contributions1	20,414	599	21,013
	Payouts	-12,041	-12,425	-24,466
	Units outstanding December 1, 2012	338,769	68,662	407,431
	Participant contributions	14,145	2,299	16,444
	Company match contributions1	14,802	256	15,058
	Payouts	-55,036	-9,929	-64,965
	Units outstanding November 30, 2013	312,680	61,288	373,968

Supplemental_Financial_Stateme1

Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Supplemental Financial Statement Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Financial Statement Information [Table Text Block]	'
	Note 4: Supplemental Financial Statement Information
	Statement of Income Information
	Additional details of income statement amounts for 2013, 2012 and 2011 follow.
			2013		2012		2011
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net	$	-4,106	$	-1,204	$	-1,488
	Interest income		737		1,731		2,265
	Gain on disposal of fixed assets		323		555		1,736
	Other, net		-705		-298		1,588
	Total other income (expense), net	$	-3,751	$	784	$	4,101
	Research and development expenses (included in selling, general and administrative expenses)	$	24,570	$	21,254	$	20,751
	Balance Sheet Information
	Additional details of balance sheet amounts as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 follow.
	Inventories		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	119,536	$	110,820
	Finished goods		122,584		119,123
	LIFO reserve		-20,583		-21,412
	Total inventories	$	221,537	$	208,531
	Other current assets
	Other receivables	$	20,728	$	13,127
	Prepaid income taxes		8,604		6,674
	Deferred income taxes		18,867		15,804
	Prepaid expenses		31,785		32,573
	Assets held for sale		5,062		2,047
	Total other current assets	$	85,046	$	70,225
	Property, plant and equipment
	Land	$	57,991	$	59,102
	Buildings and improvements		258,403		260,328
	Machinery and equipment		603,520		567,145
	Construction in progress		112,878		21,145
	Total, at cost		1,032,792		907,720
	Accumulated depreciation		-598,405		-578,704
	Net property, plant and equipment	$	434,387	$	329,016
	Other assets
	Investments and company owned life insurance	$	11,963	$	13,192
	Equity method investments		40,700		45,259
	Cost method investments		1,674		2,085
	Long-term deferred income taxes		28,465		83,717
	Prepaid pension costs		38,363		328
	Prepaid postretirement other than pension		6,858		-
	Other long-term assets		33,420		23,814
	Total other assets	$	161,443	$	168,395
	Income taxes payable
	Current income taxes payable	$	8,936	$	23,679
	Current deferred income taxes		1,894		1,186
	Total income taxes payable	$	10,830	$	24,865
	Other accrued expenses
	Taxes other than income taxes	$	17,943	$	12,195
	Interest		4,471		4,617
	Product liability		1,175		3,172
	Accrued expenses		22,977		25,621
	Total other accrued expenses	$	46,566	$	45,605
	Other liabilities
	Asset retirement obligation	$	3,236	$	3,623
	Long-term deferred income taxes		20,599		23,757
	Long-term deferred compensation		5,285		4,294
	Long-term involuntary termination benefits		745		3,337
	Postretirement other than pension		3,159		20,307
	Other long-term liabilities		18,811		12,872
	Total other liabilities	$	51,835	$	68,190
Schedule Of Trade Receivables Allowance [Table Text Block]	'
	Additional details on the trade receivables allowance for doubtful accounts, credits related to pricing or quantities shipped and early payment discounts for 2013, 2012 and 2011 follow.
			2013		2012		2011
	Balance at beginning of year	$	7,513	$	4,272	$	5,507
	Charged to expenses		3,267		3,680		925
	Write-offs		-2,369		-368		-2,187
	Effect of exchange rates		127		-71		27
	Balance at end of year	$	8,538	$	7,513	$	4,272
Statement of Total Equity Information (Table)	'
	Statement of Total Equity Information
	Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) follow.
		30-Nov-13
			Total		H.B. Fuller Stockholders		Non-controlling Interests
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	49,871	$	49,878	$	-7
	Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $36		-94		-94		-
	Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes of $57		-91		-91		-
	Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes of $65,210		-121,655		-121,655		-
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	-71,969	$	-71,962	$	-7
		1-Dec-12
			Total		H.B. Fuller Stockholders		Non-controlling Interests
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	50,802	$	50,754	$	48
	Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $52		-135		-135		-
	Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes of $248		-394		-394		-
	Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes of $103,661		-189,851		-189,851		-
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	-139,578	$	-139,626	$	48
		3-Dec-11
			Total		H.B. Fuller Stockholders		Non-controlling Interests
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	53,759	$	53,739	$	20
	Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $68		-176		-176		-
	Defined benefit pension plans adjustment net of taxes of $77,586		-142,568		-142,568		-
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	-88,985	$	-89,005	$	20

Special_Charges_Net_Table

Special Charges, Net (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Special Charges Table [Abstract]	'
Special Charges [Table Text Block]	'
			Fiscal Years
			2013		2012		2011
	Acquisition and transformation related costs:
		Professional services	$	8,698	$	24,647	$	4,410
		Financing availability costs		-		4,300		-
		Foreign currency option contract		-		841		3,089
		Gain on foreign currency forward contracts		-		-11,621		-
		Other related costs		8,736		2,010		-
	Restructuring costs:
		Workforce reduction costs		9,784		28,087		-
		Facility exit costs		17,869		4,203		-
	Special charges, net		$	45,087	$	52,467	$	7,499
Accrued Restructuring Costs (Table)	'
			2013		2012
	Balance at beginning of year		$	19,848	$	-
		Restructuring charges		9,784		28,087
		Cash payments		-12,595		-5,308
		Foreign currency translation adjustment		1,020		-2,931
	Balance at end of year		$	18,057	$	19,848

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Operating segment goodwill balances [Table Text Block]	'
				2013			2012
		North America Adhesives		$	61,302		$	62,031
		Latin America			10,815			7,041
		Construction Products			13,337			13,337
		EIMEA			151,675			144,824
		Asia Pacific			25,974			27,112
			Total	$	263,103		$	254,345
		Additional details on the goodwill balance for 2013 and 2012 follow.
				2013			2012
		Balance at beginning of year		$	254,345		$	114,895
			Engent, Inc. acquisition (Note 2)		247			5,434
			Forbo Industrial Adhesives (Note 2)		343			136,658
			Plexbond Quimica, S.A. acquisition (Note 2)		3,626			-
			Foreign currency translation effect		4,542			-2,642
		Balance at end of year		$	263,103		$	254,345
Amortizable intangible assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Amortizable Intangible Assets			Purchased Technology & Patents			Customer Relationships			All Other		Total
	As of November 30, 2013
	Original cost		$	45,710		$	231,696		$	43,780	$	321,186
	Accumulated amortization			-9,706			-77,192			-15,480		-102,378
	Net identifiable intangibles		$	36,004		$	154,504		$	28,300	$	218,808
	Weighted-average useful lives (in years)			11			17			13		16
	As of December 1, 2012
	Original cost		$	43,304		$	226,478		$	42,838	$	312,620
	Accumulated amortization			-5,924			-62,727			-11,170		-79,821
	Net identifiable intangibles		$	37,380		$	163,751		$	31,668	$	232,799
	Weighted-average useful lives (in years)			11			17			13		16
Estimated aggregate amortization expense [Table Text Block]	'
	Fiscal Year			2014			2015			2016		2017		2018	Thereafter
	Amortization Expense		$	22,095		$	21,575		$	21,385	$	21,009	$	20,503	$	112,241

Notes_Payable_LongTerm_Debt_an1

Notes Payable, Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Notes Payable Long Term Debt And Lines Of Credit [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	Long-Term Debt
		Weighted-Average
		Interest Rate at		Fiscal Year
	Long-Term Debt	30-Nov-13		Maturity Date			2013			2012
	Revolving credit line	1.45%		2017		$	-		$	-
	Term Loan (1)	0.79%		2013			-			22,500
	Term Loan (2)	1.67%		2017			66,250			66,250
	Senior Notes, Series A1	1.93%		2017			18,215			18,646
	Senior Notes, Series B2	1.81%		2017			35,551			36,454
	Senior Notes, Series C3	3.12%		2020			37,299			38,762
	Senior Notes, Series D4	5.61%		2020			65,000			65,000
	Senior Notes, Series E5	4.12%		2022			250,000			250,000
	Total debt						472,315			497,612
	Less: current maturities						-			-22,500
	Total long-term debt, excluding current maturities					$	472,315		$	475,112
Lines of Credit [Table Text Block]	'
	Term	Committed			Drawn			Unused
	Long-term lines of credit	$	200,000		$	-		$	200,000
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	Fiscal Year	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter
	Long-term debt obligations	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	120,016	$	-	$	352,299

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Income Taxes Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income taxes disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Note 9: Income Taxes
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments				2013			2012		2011
	United States			$	81,788		$	69,287	$	48,782
	Non-U.S.				45,756			20,261		53,638
	Total			$	127,544		$	89,548	$	102,420
	Components of the provision for income tax expense (benefit)				2013			2012		2011
	Current:
		U.S. federal		$	16,999		$	25,637	$	6,286
		State			1,372			2,663		1,191
		Non-U.S.			11,930			18,999		17,994
					30,301			47,299		25,471
	Deferred:
		U.S. federal			8,101			-12,314		7,515
		State			2,244			-398		676
		Non-U.S.			-697			-4,108		-2,451
					9,648			-16,820		5,740
	Total			$	39,949		$	30,479	$	31,211
	Reconciliation of effective income tax				2013			2012		2011
	Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate			$	44,641		$	31,342	$	35,847
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit				2,351			1,472		1,202
	Foreign dividend repatriation				467			-9,004		-536
	Foreign operations				-12,598			-7,911		-3,028
	Interest income not taxable in the U.S.				-1,789			-1,802		-1,784
	Change in valuation allowance				1,819			5,502		-
	Tax impact of special charges, net				5,998			10,209		-
	Other				-940			671		-490
	Total			$	39,949		$	30,479	$	31,211
	Deferred income tax balances at each year-end related to							2013		2012
	Depreciation and amortization						$	-45,917	$	-32,731
	Employee benefit costs							35,686		71,100
	Foreign tax credit carryforward							14,567		13,510
	Tax loss carryforwards							20,781		12,355
	Other							14,343		22,669
								39,460		86,903
	Valuation allowance							-14,621		-12,325
	Net deferred tax assets						$	24,839	$	74,578
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	4,886		$	5,584
	Tax positions related to the current year:
	Additions		900			1,215
	Tax positions related to prior years:
	Additions		378			297
	Reductions		-160			-1,844
	Settlements		-105			-67
	Lapses in applicable statutes of limitation		-748			-299
	Balance at end of year	$	5,151		$	4,886

Stockholders_Equity_Table

Stockholders' Equity (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Common Shares Outstanding [Table Text Block]	'
	Common Shares Outstanding		2013	2012		2011
	Beginning balance		49,903,266	49,449,579		49,194,251
	Stock options exercised		462,427	430,000		538,709
	Shares swapped for stock option exercises		-	-3,619		-11,017
	Deferred compensation paid		51,521	19,389		17,233
	Restricted units vested		67,828	53,927		49,640
	Restricted shares granted		186,352	128,427		145,038
	Shares withheld for taxes		-62,124	-54,289		-48,675
	Restricted shares forfeited		-5,727	-20,148		-90,154
	Shares repurchased under repurchase program		-375,000	-100,000		-345,446
	Ending balance		50,228,543	49,903,266		49,449,579
Repurchase Of Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]	'
		2013		2012			2011
	Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	$	96,761	$	125,622		$	89,105
	Decrease in additional paid-in-capital for repurchase of non-controlling interest		-		-			-6,610
	Change from net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and transfers to non-controlling interest	$	96,761	$	125,622		$	82,495

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben1

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Pension And Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Change in projected benefit obligation and plan assets [Table Text Block]	'
			Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans				Benefits
			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Change in projected benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	394,623	$	326,627	$	204,180	$	137,439	$	63,206	$	53,749
	Acquisition		-		-		-		32,162		-		-
	Service cost		106		90		1,799		1,457		623		541
	Interest cost		14,719		16,098		7,486		8,222		2,133		2,469
	Participant contributions		-		-		-		-		523		665
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		-44,510		67,827		-3,633		34,527		-11,524		10,157
	Other		-		-		-		-139		-		-
	Curtailments		-796		-		-436		-228		-		-
	Settlement		-		-		-1,325		-203		-		-
	Divestitures		-		-		-		-1,237		-		-
	Benefits paid		-16,474		-16,019		-7,927		-7,640		-4,150		-4,375
	Currency change effect		-		-		6,263		-180		-		-
	Benefit obligation at end of year		347,668		394,623		206,407		204,180		50,811		63,206
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		332,308		304,540		164,086		124,303		42,569		37,289
	Acquisition		-		-		-		18,839		-		-
	Actual return on plan assets		40,905		42,282		16,473		19,272		11,964		5,367
	Employer contributions		1,494		1,505		2,027		4,635		3,290		3,623
	Participant contributions		-		-		-		-		523		665
	Other		-		-		-		-139		-		-
	Benefits paid¹		-16,474		-16,019		-5,871		-2,764		-4,150		-4,375
	Currency change effect		-		-		5,437		-60		-		-
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		358,233		332,308		182,152		164,086		54,196		42,569
	Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end	$	10,565	$	-62,315	$	-24,255	$	-40,094	$	3,385	$	-20,637
	1 Amount excludes benefit payments made from sources other than plan assets.
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost [Table Text Block]	'
	Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost		Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans				Benefits
			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Unrecognized actuarial loss	$	100,579	$	170,813	$	64,290	$	77,905	$	25,988	$	51,469
	Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)		147		298		-21		-24		-6,317		-10,452
	Ending balance	$	100,726	$	171,111	$	64,269	$	77,881	$	19,671	$	41,017
Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end [Table Text Block]	'
			Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans				Benefits
			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end
	Non-current assets	$	29,560	$	-	$	8,959	$	384	$	6,858	$	-
	Accrued benefit cost
	Current liabilities		-1,505		-1,495		-2,711		-3,291		-314		-311
	Non-current liabilities		-17,490		-60,820		-30,503		-37,187		-3,159		-20,326
	Ending balance	$	10,565	$	-62,315	$	-24,255	$	-40,094	$	3,385	$	-20,637
Pension plans with accumulated benefit and projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The following amounts relate to pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012:
			Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefits
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	18,673	$	439,974	$	116,265	$	138,318
	Fair value of plan assets		-		374,877		91,708		107,727
	The following amounts relate to pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012:
			Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefits
			U.S. Plans				Non-U.S. Plans
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Projected benefit obligation	$	18,996	$	457,829	$	124,922	$	148,206
	Fair value of plan assets		-		374,877		91,708		107,727
Expected cash flows for employer contributions and benefit payments [Table Text Block]	'
	Information about the expected cash flows follows:
			Pension Benefits				Other
			U.S. Plans		Non-U.S. Plans		Postretirement Benefits
	Employer contributions
	2014	$	1,505	$	765	$	3,721
	Expected benefit payments
	2014	$	17,325	$	9,738	$	3,721
	2015		17,791		8,605		3,723
	2016		18,364		8,644		3,728
	2017		19,075		9,016		3,736
	2018		19,649		9,185		3,738
	2019-2023		105,633		49,727		18,346
Net periodic cost (benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	Components of net periodic benefit cost and other supplemental information for the years ended November 30, 2013, December 1, 2012 and December 3, 2011 follow:
			Pension Benefits												Other
			U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans						Postretirement Benefits
	Net periodic cost (benefit)		2013		2012		2011		2013		2012		2011		2013		2012		2011
	Service cost	$	106	$	90	$	2,304	$	1,799	$	1,457	$	1,364	$	623	$	541	$	514
	Interest cost		14,719		16,098		16,736		7,486		8,222		7,449		2,133		2,469		2,676
	Expected return on assets		-22,720		-23,758		-25,438		-9,390		-8,021		-7,881		-3,725		-3,263		-3,087
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		49		49		24		-4		-4		-4		-4,134		-4,693		-4,693
	Actuarial (gain)/ loss		6,742		3,858		3,689		3,778		2,487		2,723		5,717		5,155		5,932
	Divestitures		-		-		-		-		7		-		-		-		-
	Curtailment (gain)/loss		102		-		101		53		46		-		-		-		-
	Settlement charge/(credit)		-		-		-		153		65		-		-		-		-
	Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)	$	-1,002	$	-3,663	$	-2,584	$	3,875	$	4,259	$	3,651	$	614	$	209	$	1,342
Amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs over next fiscal year [Table Text Block]	'
			Pension Benefits
			U.S. Plans		Non-U.S. Plans		Postretirement benefits
	Amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs over next fiscal year as of November 30, 2013
	Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)	$	29	$	-4	$	-3,771
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		4,575		3,002		2,709
		$	4,604	$	2,998	$	-1,062
Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligations and net costs [Table Text Block]	'
		Pension Benefits						Other
	Weighted-average assumptions used to	U.S. Plans			Non-U.S. Plans			Postretirement Benefits
	Determine benefit obligations	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011
	Discount rate	4.74%	3.81%	5.05%	3.74%	3.79%	5.36%	4.34%	3.46%	4.73%
	Rate of compensation increase1	4.50%	4.50%	5.00%	1.84%	1.87%	2.14%	N/A	N/A	N/A
	Weighted-average assumptions used to
	Determine net costs for years ended	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011
	Discount rate	3.81%	5.05%	5.46%	3.74%	5.26%	5.10%	3.46%	4.73%	4.96%
	Expected return on plan assets	7.75%	8.00%	8.00%	5.96%	6.08%	6.18%	8.75%	8.75%	8.75%
	Rate of compensation increase	4.50%	5.00%	4.17%	1.84%	1.86%	2.13%	N/A	N/A	N/A
Assumed health care trend rates [Table Text Block]	'
	Assumed health care trend rates	2013	2012	2011
	Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%
	Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
	Fiscal year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2019	2018	2018
Sensitivity information [Table Text Block]	'
		One-Percentage Point
			Increase		Decrease
	Effect on service and interest cost components – annual	$	2	$	-114
	Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	27	$	-2,452
Asset allocation and fair value of plan assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The asset allocation for the company’s U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans at the end of 2013 and 2012 follows.
		U.S. Pension Plans						Non-U.S. Pension Plans						Other Postretirement Plans
		Target		Percentage of Plan Assets at Year-End				Target		Percentage of Plan Assets at Year-End				Target		Percentage of Plan Assets at Year-End
	Asset Category	2013		2013		2012		2013		2013		2012		2013		2013		2012
	Equities	60.00%		61.90%		60.40%		50.20%		50.20%		48.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
	Fixed income	40.00%		37.30%		38.80%		48.40%		46.40%		48.60%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
	Real Estate	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		1.40%		1.10%		1.10%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
	Insurance	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		100.00%		99.40%		98.70%
	Cash	0.00%		0.80%		0.80%		0.00%		2.30%		2.30%		0.00%		0.60%		1.30%
	Total	100%		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%		100%
		30-Nov-13
	U.S. Pension Plans		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
	Equities	$	132,768		$	88,946		$	-		$	221,714
	Fixed income		50,925			82,411			463			133,799
	Cash		2,720			-			-			2,720
	Total	$	186,413		$	171,357		$	463		$	358,233
	Non-U.S. Pension Plans		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
	Equities	$	34,045		$	57,380		$	-		$	91,425
	Fixed income		48,767			35,158			590			84,515
	Real Estate		-			-			1,940			1,940
	Cash		4,272			-			-			4,272
	Total	$	87,084		$	92,538		$	2,530		$	182,152
	Other Postretirement Benefits		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
	Insurance	$	-		$	-		$	53,875		$	53,875
	Cash		321			-			-			321
	Total	$	321		$	-		$	53,875		$	54,196
		1-Dec-12
	U.S. Pension Plans		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
	Equities	$	121,792		$	78,920		$	-		$	200,712
	Fixed income		51,994			76,445			516			128,955
	Cash		2,641			-			-			2,641
	Total	$	176,427		$	155,365		$	516		$	332,308
	Non-U.S. Pension Plans		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
	Equities	$	30,086		$	48,651		$	-		$	78,737
	Fixed income		46,340			32,937			514			79,791
	Real Estate		-			-			1,768			1,768
	Cash		3,790			-			-			3,790
	Total	$	80,216		$	81,588		$	2,282		$	164,086
	Other Postretirement Benefits		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total Assets
	Insurance	$	-		$	-		$	42,001		$	42,001
	Cash		568			-			-			568
	Total	$	568		$	-		$	42,001		$	42,569
Level 3 investments roll forward [Table Text Block]	'
	U.S. Pension Plans		Fixed Income			Total
	Level 3 balance at beginning of year	$	516		$	516
	Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net		-53			-53
	Level 3 balance at end of year	$	463		$	463
	Non-U.S. Pension Plans		Fixed Income			Real Estate			Total
	Level 3 balance at beginning of year	$	514		$	1,768		$	2,282
	Net transfers into / (out of) level 3		33			-12			21
	Net gains		17			137			154
	Currency change effect		26			47			73
	Level 3 balance at end of year	$	590		$	1,940		$	2,530
	Other Postretirement Benefits		Insurance			Total
	Level 3 balance at beginning of year	$	42,001		$	42,001
	Net transfers into / (out of) level 3		-213			-213
	Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net		-343			-343
	Net gains		12,430			12,430
	Level 3 balance at end of year	$	53,875		$	53,875

Financial_Instruments_Table

Financial Instruments (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Cross Currency Swaps [Abstract]	'
Cross Currency Swaps (Table)	'
		Fiscal Year of Expiration	Interest Rate	Notional Value	Fair Value
	Pay EUR Receive USD	2014	4.15% 4.30%	$52,860	($1,504)
	Pay EUR Receive USD	2015	4.30% 4.45%	$98,738	($3,297)
	Total			$151,598	($4,801)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Product Liability Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
			Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
			November 30,			December 1,			December 3,
			2013			2012			2011
	Lawsuits and claims settled		6			9			7
	Settlement amounts	$	371		$	540		$	537
	Insurance payments received or expected to be received	$	279		$	391		$	417
Operating Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Fiscal Year		2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	Remainder	Total Minimum Lease Payments
	Operating Leases		$8,176	$4,529	$2,275	$971	$595	$663	$17,209

Fair_Value_Measurements_Table

Fair Value Measurements (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value Measurements [Table Text Block]	'
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
			November 30,
	Description		2013		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Marketable securities	$	28,786	$	28,786	$	-	$	-
	Derivative assets		533		-		533		-
	Interest rate swaps		5,930		-		5,930		-
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	1,399	$	-	$	1,399	$	-
	Cash-flow hedges		4,801		-		4,801		-
	Contingent consideration liabilities, continuing operations		566		-		-		566
	Contingent consideration liabilities, discontinued operations		5,000		-		-		5,000
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
			December 1,
	Description		2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Marketable securities	$	15,499	$	15,499	$	-	$	-
	Derivative assets		830		-		830		-
	Interest rate swaps		9,473		-		9,473		-
	Cash-flow hedges		1,610		-		1,610		-
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	956	$	-	$	956	$	-
	Contingent consideration liabilities, continuing operations		1,649		-		-		1,649
	Contingent consideration liabilities, discontinued operations		5,000		-		-		5,000

Operating_Segments_Tables

Operating Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Operating Segments Abstract	'
Segment Reporting	'
				2013		2012		2011
	Net revenue
		Americas Adhesives	$	902,573	$	838,615	$	637,043
		Construction Products		158,576		147,080		134,591
		EIMEA		733,211		672,423		473,763
		Asia Pacific		252,608		228,121		198,688
		Total	$	2,046,968	$	1,886,239	$	1,444,085
	Inter-segment sales
		Americas Adhesives	$	22,120	$	26,096	$	34,224
		Construction Products		800		462		686
		EIMEA		13,918		9,228		10,031
		Asia Pacific		13,034		14,818		9,334
	Segment operating income
		Americas Adhesives	$	123,265	$	112,368	$	81,510
		Construction Products		10,940		8,334		2,992
		EIMEA		51,526		34,483		24,590
		Asia Pacific		9,771		7,356		7,869
		Total	$	195,502	$	162,541	$	116,961
	Depreciation and amortization
		Americas Adhesives	$	20,832	$	18,852	$	12,222
		Construction Products		11,021		11,001		11,000
		EIMEA		20,420		18,399		10,748
		Asia Pacific		6,522		6,238		5,080
		Total	$	58,795	$	54,490	$	39,050
	Total assets1
		Americas Adhesives	$	471,520	$	465,253	$	280,692
		Construction Products		175,489		179,508		180,861
		EIMEA		759,757		674,665		344,935
		Asia Pacific		218,471		197,999		150,949
		Corporate		245,926		267,030		200,929
		Discontinued Operations		1,865		1,865		69,343
		Total	$	1,873,028	$	1,786,320	$	1,227,709
	Capital expenditures
		Americas Adhesives	$	26,225	$	15,036	$	5,052
		Construction Products		1,737		1,762		3,823
		EIMEA		63,512		13,402		15,986
		Asia Pacific		10,150		3,511		3,411
		Corporate		22,664		2,202		4,562
		Total	$	124,288	$	35,913	$	32,834
	1Segment assets include primarily inventory, accounts receivable, property, plant and equipment and other miscellaneous assets. Corporate assets include primarily corporate property, plant and equipment, deferred tax assets, certain investments and other assets.
	Reconciliation of segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments
				2013		2012		2011
	Segment operating income		$	195,502	$	162,541	$	116,961
	Special charges, net			-45,087		-52,467		-7,499
	Asset impairment charges			-		-1,517		-332
	Other income (expense), net			-3,751		784		4,101
	Interest expense			-19,120		-19,793		-10,811
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments		$	127,544	$	89,548	$	102,420
	Financial information about geographic areas
			Net Revenue
				2013		2012		2011
		United States	$	855,053	$	802,362	$	613,250
		All other countries with less than 10 percent of total		1,191,915		1,083,877		830,835
		Total	$	2,046,968	$	1,886,239	$	1,444,085
			Property, Plant and Equipment, net
				2013		2012		2011
		United States	$	185,260	$	158,973	$	121,333
		Germany		86,335		42,434		33,278
		All other countries with less than 10 percent of total		162,792		127,609		87,976
		Total	$	434,387	$	329,016	$	242,587

Redeemable_NonControlling_Inte1

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Table [Abstract]	'
Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest [Table Text Block]	'
		2013		2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	3,981	$	3,887
	Net income attributed to redeemable non-controlling interest		351		208
	Accretion adjustment to redemption value		48		1
	Increase in non-controlling shareholder ownership		384		-
	Distributions to non-controlling shareholder		-244		-
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		196		-115
	Balance at end of year	$	4,717	$	3,981

Quarterly_Data_Tables

Quarterly Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013
Quarterly Data (unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Data (unaudited) [Table Text Block]	'
		2013
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4
	Net revenue	$	479,842	$	519,016	$	514,579	$	533,531
	Gross profit		133,376		146,616		144,507		145,672
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		-97,640		-93,806		-90,604		-92,619
	Special charges, net		-5,333		-10,843		-12,775		-16,136
	Income from continuing operations	$	20,774	$	26,048	$	27,150	$	22,003
	Basic Income per share	$	0.42	$	0.52	$	0.54	$	0.44
	Diluted Income per share	$	0.41	$	0.51	$	0.53	$	0.42
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding
	Basic		49,817		49,935		49,913		49,909
	Diluted		51,027		51,152		51,127		51,236
		2012
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4
	Net revenue	$	345,454	$	526,995	$	500,535	$	513,255
	Gross profit		102,687		136,551		134,324		143,714
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		-75,029		-92,956		-91,355		-95,395
	Special charges, net		-6,482		-32,127		-4,654		-9,204
	Asset impairment charges		-		-671		-		-846
	Income from continuing operations	$	13,608	$	5,060	$	24,607	$	25,012
	Basic Income per share	$	0.28	$	0.1	$	0.49	$	0.5
	Diluted Income per share	$	0.27	$	0.1	$	0.48	$	0.49
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding
	Basic		49,365		49,652		49,627		49,640
	Diluted		50,253		50,722		50,699		50,798

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Nov. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Jun. 01, 2013

Mar. 02, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Sep. 01, 2012

Jun. 02, 2012

Mar. 03, 2012

Nov. 27, 2010

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Revenue Recognition Rebates [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rebates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$11,552

$9,707

$14,751

Restrictions On Cash [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility limitations

75,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000

'

'

Inventories - LIFO [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of LIFO Inventory

32.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

32.00%

'

'

Liquidations of LIFO layers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

273

Investments [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash surrender value of life insurance contracts

8,490

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,490

'

'

Cost method investments

1,674

'

'

'

2,085

'

'

'

'

1,674

2,085

'

Impairment of cost method investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,517

'

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalized interest costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,921

151

114

Amortizable intangible assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'16 years

'16 years

'

Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset retirement obligation liability

3,236

'

'

'

3,623

'

'

'

'

3,236

3,623

'

Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

96,761

125,622

89,105

Weighted-average common shares - basic

49,909,000

49,913,000

49,935,000

49,817,000

49,640,000

49,627,000

49,652,000

49,365,000

'

49,893,000

49,571,000

48,991,000

Equivalent Shares From Share Based Compensations Plans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,243,000

1,047,000

875,000

Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares-diluted

51,236,000

51,127,000

51,152,000

51,027,000

50,798,000

50,699,000

50,722,000

50,253,000

'

51,136,000

50,618,000

49,866,000

Antidilutive shares not used in calculating diluted earnings per share calculations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

112,367

7,372

856,593

Share Repurchase Program [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

62,124

54,289

48,675

Share repurchase plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

Shares repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

375,000

100,000

345,446

Total Value Repurchased Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,292

2,999

'

Maximum [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortizable intangible assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 years

'

'

Minimum [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortizable intangible assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

Building and Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'40 years

'

'

Building and Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 years

'

'

Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 years

'

'

Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

Sekisui Fuller Company Ltd [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership Percentage

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

Current Assets

89,053

'

'

'

117,597

'

'

'

'

89,053

117,597

'

Noncurrent Assets

21,152

'

'

'

25,704

'

'

'

'

21,152

25,704

'

Current Liabilities

42,835

'

'

'

48,298

'

'

'

'

42,835

48,298

'

Noncurrent Liabilities

2,090

'

'

'

2,653

'

'

'

'

2,090

2,653

'

Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

194,705

222,589

'

Gross Profit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

54,672

63,596

'

Net Income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$16,760

$18,436

'

Acquistions_and_Divestitures_D

Acquistions and Divestitures (Details)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 01, 2012

Feb. 27, 2010

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Jun. 01, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

28-May-11

Mar. 02, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Jun. 02, 2012

Mar. 02, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Mar. 02, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Mar. 02, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Mar. 02, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Liquamelt Corp. [Member]

Liquamelt Corp. [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Forbo Group [Member]

Engent Inc [Member]

Engent Inc [Member]

Engent Inc [Member]

Engent Inc [Member]

Engent Inc [Member]

Engent Inc [Member]

Engent Inc [Member]

Engent Inc [Member]

Engent Inc [Member]

Plexbond [Member]

Plexbond [Member]

Plexbond [Member]

Plexbond [Member]

Plexbond [Member]

Plexbond [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CHF

Developed technology [Members]

Developed technology [Members]

Customer relationships [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Trademarks [Member]

Trademarks [Member]

Other intangibles [Member]

Other intangibles [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Customer relationships [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Trademarks [Member]

Trademarks [Member]

Non-competition agreements [Member]

Non-competition agreements [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Customer relationships [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Non-competition agreements [Member]

Non-competition agreements [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$6,000

$403,100

$404,725

368,514

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$7,881

$7,881

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10,239

$10,239

'

'

'

'

Total purchase price net of cash acquired

'

'

8,614

412,606

6,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition related costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

74

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

326

'

'

'

'

Maximum additional consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition Related Financing [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Original amount

'

150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from long-term debt

'

'

107,034

584,208

218,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price allocation [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

172,345

172,345

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

603

603

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,179

'

'

'

'

'

Property, plant and equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

92,443

92,443

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,471

1,471

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,275

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

'

'

263,103

254,345

114,895

'

'

'

137,001

136,658

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,681

5,434

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,626

'

'

'

'

'

Other intangibles

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

123,459

123,459

'

42,190

42,190

58,910

58,910

21,880

21,880

479

479

'

3,000

3,000

2,300

2,300

300

300

400

400

4,094

'

'

3,529

'

565

Other assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,605

4,605

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20

325

'

'

'

'

'

'

608

'

'

'

'

'

Current liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-84,435

-84,251

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-90

-84

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,684

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent consideration liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

-435

-1,919

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-131

-1,200

-1,200

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-42,318

-40,534

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,604

-1,668

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,859

'

'

'

'

'

Total purchase price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000

403,100

404,725

368,514

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,881

7,881

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,239

10,239

'

'

'

'

Current assets purchase price adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, plant and equipment purchase price adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill purchase price adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

343

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

247

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other intangibles purchase price adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other assets purchase price adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-305

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current liabilities purchase price adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-184

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent consideration liability purchase price adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other liabilities purchase price adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,784

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

64

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total purchase price and fair value adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

-1,625

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected life of acquired intangibles in years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'8 years

'

Discontinued Operations Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash proceeds

118,566

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discontinued operations income statement items

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net revenue

'

'

0

73,143

113,466

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income from operations

'

'

0

8,235

12,572

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

'

'

0

66,179

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income taxes

'

'

1,211

-16,846

-3,740

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Income (loss) from discontinued operations

'

'

1,211

57,568

8,832

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax on sale

'

'

'

15,119

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discontinued operations balance sheet items

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other current assets

'

'

1,865

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current assets of discontinuted operations

'

'

1,865

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other assets

'

'

0

1,865

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term assets of discontinued operations

'

'

0

1,865

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trade payables

'

'

0

74

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other accrued expenses

'

'

5,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

'

'

5,000

74

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other liabilities

'

'

0

5,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations

'

'

$0

$5,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounting_for_Sharebased_Comp2

Accounting for Sharebased Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Assumptions to calculate fair value options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Expected life	'4 years 9 months	'4 years 9 months	'4 years 9 months
Weighted-average expected volatility	47.28%	51.60%	52.13%
Expected volatility (Low)	39.25%	48.79%	50.45%
Expected volatility (High)	48.02%	51.76%	52.30%
Risk-free interest rate	0.77%	0.71%	1.87%
Expected dividend yield	0.87%	1.05%	1.31%
Weighted-average fair value of grants	$15.05	$11.52	$9.10
Share-based compensation expense recognition [Abstract]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	$12,317	$9,728	$7,741
APIC Pool for tax deficiencies	15,005	'	'
Excess tax benefit recognized	2,676	1,263	1,140
Unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock option awards	7,465	'	'
The weighted average period over which unrecognized share-based compensation costs are expected to be reported.	'1 year 6 months	'	'
Unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards	1,967	'	'
The weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'	'
Summary of option activity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Outstanding beginning balance	2,429,750	2,423,366	'
Granted	493,173	548,449	'
Exercised	-462,427	-430,000	-538,709
Forfeited or Cancelled	-30,535	-112,065	'
Outstanding ending balance	2,429,961	2,429,750	2,423,366
Weighted-average exercise price activity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Outstanding beginning balance	$21.63	$19.29	'
Granted	$40.07	$28.75	'
Exercised	$19.23	$17.42	'
Forfeited or Cancelled	$28.57	$22.03	'
Outstanding ending balance	$25.74	$21.63	$19.29
Nonvested Restricted Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Nonvested beginning balance	386,415	398,879	'
Restricted shares granted	249,053	216,963	'
Vested	-179,857	-187,598	'
Forfeited	-7,935	-41,829	'
Nonvested ending balance	447,676	386,415	398,879
Fair value of nonvested restricted stock	6,807	4,626	4,447
Total fair value of nonvested restricted stock	9,269	'	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Nonemployee Director Stock Award Plan Activity Units [Line Items]	'	'	'
Units outstanding beginning	407,431	391,833	'
Participant contributions	16,444	19,051	'
Company match contributions	15,058	21,013	'
Payouts	-64,965	-24,466	'
Units outstanding ending	373,968	407,431	391,833
Directors Deferred Compensation 10 Percent Match	0.1	'	'
Other Share Based Activity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair values of options granted	7,425	6,318	4,878
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	9,842	5,191	4,231
Proceeds received from option exercises	8,891	'	'
Repurchased restricted stock shares	62,124	54,289	48,675
Non Employee Directors [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Nonemployee Director Stock Award Plan Activity Units [Line Items]	'	'	'
Units outstanding beginning	338,769	314,560	'
Participant contributions	14,145	15,836	'
Company match contributions	14,802	20,414	'
Payouts	-55,036	-12,041	'
Units outstanding ending	312,680	338,769	'
Deferred compensation units paid as discretionary awards	11,908	18,030	'
Fair value of company match	49	78	78
Fair value of discretionary award	480	560	490
Employees [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Nonemployee Director Stock Award Plan Activity Units [Line Items]	'	'	'
Units outstanding beginning	68,662	77,273	'
Participant contributions	2,299	3,215	'
Company match contributions	256	599	'
Payouts	-9,929	-12,425	'
Units outstanding ending	61,288	68,662	'
Fair value of company match	$8	$14	$14
Nonvested restricted stock units [Member]	'	'	'
Nonvested Restricted Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Nonvested beginning balance	141,184	127,117	'
Restricted shares granted	62,701	88,536	'
Vested	-66,446	-52,788	'
Forfeited	-2,208	-21,681	'
Nonvested ending balance	135,231	141,184	'
Nonvested restricted stock shares [Member]	'	'	'
Nonvested Restricted Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Nonvested beginning balance	245,231	271,762	'
Restricted shares granted	186,352	128,427	145,038
Vested	-113,411	-134,810	'
Forfeited	-5,727	-20,148	-90,154
Nonvested ending balance	312,445	245,231	271,762
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Member]	'	'	'
Nonvested Restricted Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Nonvested Restricted Stock Weighted Average Beginning	$33.76	$25.41	$23.18
Granted weighted average grant date fair value	$39.66	$28.64	'
Vested weighted average grant date fair value	$37.85	$24.66	'
Forfeited weighted average grant date fair value	$32.17	$24.78	'
Total Nonvested Restricted Stock Weighted Average Ending	$33.76	$25.41	$23.18
Nonvested restricted stock weighted average remaining contractual life (in years) [Member]	'	'	'
Nonvested Restricted Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Beginning	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'10 months 24 days	'1 year
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Granted	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'2 years 2 months 12 days	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Forfeited	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'1 year 7 months 6 days	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Vested	'0 years	'0 years	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Ending	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'10 months 24 days	'1 year
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Nonvested Restricted Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting Schedule	'	'	'33.3%
Maximum Share Based Contractual Term	'10 years	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Nonvested Restricted Activity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting Schedule	'33.3%	'	'

Supplemental_Financial_Stateme2

Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Other income (expense), net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net	($4,106)	($1,204)	($1,488)
Interest income	737	1,731	2,265
Gain on disposal of fixed assets	323	555	1,736
Other, net	-705	-298	1,588
Other income (expense), net	-3,751	784	4,101
Research and development expense	24,570	21,254	20,751
Inventories [Abstract]	'	'	'
Raw materials	119,536	110,820	'
Finished goods	122,584	119,123	'
LIFO reserve	-20,583	-21,412	'
Total inventories	221,537	208,531	'
Other Current Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Other receivables	20,728	13,127	'
Prepaid income taxes	8,604	6,674	'
Deferred income tax asset	18,867	15,804	'
Prepaid expenses	31,785	32,573	'
Assets held for sale	5,062	2,047	'
Total other current assets	85,046	70,225	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Land	57,991	59,102	'
Buildings and improvements	258,403	260,328	'
Machinery and equipment	603,520	567,145	'
Construction in progress	112,878	21,145	'
Total, at cost	1,032,792	907,720	'
Accumulated depreciation	-598,405	-578,704	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	434,387	329,016	242,587
Other Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Investments and company owned life insurance	11,963	13,192	'
Equity method investments	40,700	45,259	'
Cost method investments	1,674	2,085	'
Long-term deferred tax asset	28,465	83,717	'
Prepaid pension costs	38,363	328	'
Prepaid postretirement other than pension	6,858	0	'
Other long-term assets	33,420	23,814	'
Total other assets	161,443	168,395	'
Income taxes payable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current Income Taxes Payable	8,936	23,679	'
Current deferred income tax liability	1,894	1,186	'
Total Income taxes payable	10,830	24,865	'
Other accrued expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Taxes other than income taxes	17,943	12,195	'
Interest	4,471	4,617	'
Product liability	1,175	3,172	'
Accrued expenses	22,977	25,621	'
Total other accrued expenses	46,566	45,605	'
Other Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligation	3,236	3,623	'
Long-term deferred tax liability	20,599	23,757	'
Long-term deferred compensation	5,285	4,294	'
Longterm Involuntary Termination Benefits	745	3,337	'
Postretirement other than pension	3,159	20,307	'
Other long-term liabilities	18,811	12,872	'
Total other liabilities	51,835	68,190	'
Trade Accounts Receivable Allowance [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	7,513	4,272	5,507
Charged to expense	3,267	3,680	925
Write-offs	-2,369	-368	-2,187
Effect of exchange rates	127	-71	27
Balance at end of year	8,538	7,513	4,272
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	49,871	50,802	53,759
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	-94	-135	-176
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	-91	-394	'
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	-121,655	-189,851	-142,568
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-71,969	-139,578	-88,985
Taxes on interest rate swap	36	52	68
Tax on cash-flow hedges	57	248	'
Taxes on defined benefit pension plans adjustment	65,210	103,661	77,586
Parent [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	49,878	50,754	53,739
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	-94	-135	-176
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	-91	-394	'
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	-121,655	-189,851	-142,568
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-71,962	-139,626	-89,005
Non-controlling Interest [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-7	48	20
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	0	0	0
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	0	0	'
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	0	0	0
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	($7)	$48	$20

Special_Charges_Net_Details

Special Charges, Net (Details)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Nov. 29, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Mar. 03, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CHF

Cash costs [Member]

Cash costs [Member]

Noncash [Member]

Noncash [Member]

Business Integration Project [Member]

Business Integration Project [Member]

Business Integration Project [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Special Charges [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Profesional services

$1,115

$2,847

$4,959

$6,146

'

'

'

'

'

$8,698

$24,647

$4,410

Financing availability costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

4,300

0

Foreign currency option contract

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

841

3,089

Loss (gain) on foreign currency forward contract

'

'

-11,621

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-11,621

0

Other related costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,736

2,010

0

Workforce reduction costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,784

28,087

0

Facility exit costs

'

'

'

'

'

11,804

1,033

6,065

3,170

17,869

4,203

0

Special charges, net

'

45,087

52,467

7,499

'

'

'

'

'

45,087

52,467

7,499

Acquisition Purchase Price Hedging [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forward currency contracts for acquisition

'

'

'

'

370,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring charges [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve

18,057

19,848

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Charges

'

9,784

28,087

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash payments

'

-12,595

-5,308

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign currency translation adjustment

'

1,020

-2,931

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve

'

18,057

19,848

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Costs Included In Accrued Compensation

'

17,312

16,511

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Costs Included In Other Liabilities

'

$745

$3,337

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment_of_Longlived_Asset_

Impairment of Long-lived Asset (Details) (Trademarks And Trade Names [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 03, 2011
Trademarks And Trade Names [Member]	'
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]	'
Impairment charge amount	$332

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at	$254,345	$114,895	'
Currency effect	4,542	-2,642	'
Balance at	263,103	254,345	114,895
Amortizable intangible assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Original cost	321,186	312,620	'
Accumulated amortization	-102,378	-79,821	'
Net identifiable intangibles	218,808	232,799	'
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life	'16 years	'16 years	'
Amortization expense	22,508	18,703	10,162
Future estimated aggregate amortization expense [Abstract]	'	'	'
2014	22,095	'	'
2015	21,575	'	'
2016	21,385	'	'
2017	21,009	'	'
2018	20,503	'	'
Thereafter	112,241	'	'
Non-amortizable intangible assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Trademarks/trade names	593	556	'
Purchased Technology And Patents [Member]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Original cost	45,710	43,304	'
Accumulated amortization	-9,706	-5,924	'
Net identifiable intangibles	36,004	37,380	'
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life	'11 years	'11 years	'
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Original cost	231,696	226,478	'
Accumulated amortization	-77,192	-62,727	'
Net identifiable intangibles	154,504	163,751	'
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life	'17 years	'17 years	'
Other intangibles [Member]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Original cost	43,780	42,838	'
Accumulated amortization	-15,480	-11,170	'
Net identifiable intangibles	28,300	31,668	'
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life	'13 years	'13 years	'
North America Adhesives [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at	61,302	62,031	'
Construction Products [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at	13,337	13,337	'
Percentage that the fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value	70.00%	'	'
EIMEA [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at	151,675	144,824	'
Latin America Adhesives [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at	10,815	7,041	'
Percentage that the fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value	83.00%	'	'
Asia Pacific [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at	25,974	27,112	'
Percentage that the fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value	38.00%	'	'
Engent [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Acquitsion	247	5,434	'
Forbo Industrial Adhesives [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Acquitsion	343	136,658	'
Plexbond Acquisition [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Acquitsion	$3,626	$0	'

Notes_Payable_LongTerm_Debt_an2

Notes Payable, Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 02, 2012	Feb. 27, 2010	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	$472,315	$497,612	'
Current portion	'	'	0	-22,500	'
Long term debt, excluding current installments	'	'	472,315	475,112	'
Original amount	'	150,000	'	'	'
Long-term debt estimated fair value	'	'	515,287	562,010	'
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility	200,000	'	200,000	'	'
Line of credit drawn	'	'	0	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	'	'	200,000	'	'
Line of credit interest rate	'LIBOR plus 1.275 percent	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility fee	0.23%	'	'	'	'
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Repayments in the next twelve months	'	'	0	'	'
Repayments in year two	'	'	0	'	'
Repayments in year three	'	'	0	'	'
Repayments in year four	'	'	120,016	'	'
Repayments in year five	'	'	0	'	'
Repayments thereafter	'	'	352,299	'	'
Notes Payable [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Current	'	'	20,589	'	'
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	'	'	8.90%	11.30%	11.30%
Debt Instrument Name Revolving Credit Line [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term weighted average interest rate	'	'	1.45%	'	'
Loan Maturity Date	'	'	'2017	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	0	0	'
Debt Instrument Name Term Loan A [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term weighted average interest rate	'	'	0.79%	'	'
Loan Maturity Date	'	'	'2013	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	0	22,500	'
Debt Instrument Name Term Loan B [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term weighted average interest rate	'	'	1.67%	'	'
Loan Maturity Date	'	'	'2017	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	66,250	66,250	'
Original amount	150,000	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms	'LIBOR plus 1.5 percent	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Name Senior Notes Series A [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term weighted average interest rate	'	'	1.93%	'	'
Loan Maturity Date	'	'	'2017	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	18,215	18,646	'
Original amount	'	17,000	'	'	'
Original interest rate	'	5.13%	'	'	'
Interest rate description	'	'6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.59 percent	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Name Senior Notes Series B [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term weighted average interest rate	'	'	1.81%	'	'
Loan Maturity Date	'	'	'2017	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	35,551	36,454	'
Original amount	'	33,000	'	'	'
Original interest rate	'	5.13%	'	'	'
Interest rate description	'	'6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.47 percent	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Name Senior Notes Series C [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term weighted average interest rate	'	'	3.12%	'	'
Loan Maturity Date	'	'	'2020	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	37,299	38,762	'
Original amount	'	35,000	'	'	'
Original interest rate	'	5.61%	'	'	'
Interest rate description	'	'6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.78 percent	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Name Senior Notes Seriesc Swapped	'	25,000	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Name Senior Notes Series D [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term weighted average interest rate	'	'	5.61%	'	'
Loan Maturity Date	'	'	'2020	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	65,000	65,000	'
Original amount	'	65,000	'	'	'
Original interest rate	'	5.61%	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Name Senior Notes Series E [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term weighted average interest rate	'	'	4.12%	'	'
Loan Maturity Date	'	'	'2022	'	'
Long-term Debt	$250,000	'	$250,000	$250,000	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Changes to gross unrecognized tax benefit	'	'	'
Balance as of the beginning of the year	$4,886	$5,584	'
Current year tax positions additions	900	1,215	'
Prior year tax positions additions	378	297	'
Prior year tax positions reductions	-160	-1,844	'
Prior year tax positions settlements	-105	-67	'
Lapses in applicable statutes of limitation	-748	-299	'
Balance at end of year	5,151	4,886	5,584
Potential benefits if recognized would affect the effective tax rate	4,682	'	'
Interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits	36	25	'
Net accumulated accrued interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits	591	666	'
Components of the provisions for income tax expense (benefit) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current U.S. Federal tax expense (benefit)	16,999	25,637	6,286
Current state tax expense (benefit)	1,372	2,663	1,191
Current Non-U.S. tax expense (benefit)	11,930	18,999	17,994
Total current income tax expense (benefit)	30,301	47,299	25,471
Deferred U.S. federal income tax expense (benefit)	8,101	-12,314	7,515
Deferred state income tax expense (benefit)	2,244	-398	676
Deferred non-U.S. income tax expense (benefit)	-697	-4,108	-2,451
Total deferred income taxes	9,648	-16,820	5,740
Total income taxes	39,949	30,479	31,211
Deferred income tax balances at each year-end related to [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	-45,917	-32,731	'
Employee benefit costs	35,686	71,100	'
Foreign tax credit carryforward	14,567	13,510	'
Tax loss carryforwards	20,781	12,355	'
Other	14,343	22,669	'
Total deferred income tax balances before valuation allowance	39,460	86,903	'
Valuation allowance	-14,621	-12,325	'
Net deferred tax assets	24,839	74,578	'
Change in valuation allowance	2,296	'	'
Foreign Cumulative Tax Losses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign Cumulative Tax Losses Amount	82,714	'	'
Foreign Cumulative Tax Losses Carryforward Indefinitely	54,590	'	'
Foreign cumulative tax losses to be utilized during 2014 to 2021	28,124	'	'
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward With Expiration Date	14,567	'	'
Income before income taxes and income from equity method investments [Abstract]	'	'	'
United States income before income taxes and income from equity method investments	81,788	69,287	48,782
Non-US income before income taxes and income from equity method investments	45,756	20,261	53,638
Total income before income taxes and income from equity method investments	127,544	89,548	102,420
Reconciliation of effective income tax rate	'	'	'
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate	44,641	31,342	35,847
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	2,351	1,472	1,202
Foreign dividend repatriation	467	-9,004	-536
Foreign operations	-12,598	-7,911	-3,028
Interest income not taxable in the U.S.	-1,789	-1,802	-1,784
Change in valuation Tax Allowance	1,819	5,502	0
Tax impact of special charges	5,998	10,209	0
Other Income Tax Reconciliation	-940	671	-490
Total income taxes	39,949	30,479	31,211
Undistributed Earnings [Abstract]	'	'	'
Undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries	$420,407	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 27, 2010	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Common Stock [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Common Stock Authorized	'	160,000,000	'	'
Common Stock Par Value	'	$1	'	'
Common stock outstanding	49,194,251	50,228,543	49,903,266	49,449,579
Share repurchase plan	$100,000	'	'	'
Repurchases of common stock	'	17,638	4,333	8,510
Total Value Repurchased Shares	'	15,292	2,999	'
Stock Repurchase Program Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	'	74,218	'	'
Beginning balance	'	49,903,266	49,449,579	49,194,251
Stock options exercised	'	462,427	430,000	538,709
Shares Swapped For Stock Option Exercises	'	0	-3,619	-11,017
Deferred compensation paid	'	51,521	19,389	17,233
Restricted units vested	'	67,828	53,927	49,640
Restricted shares granted	'	249,053	216,963	'
Shares withheld for taxes	'	-62,124	-54,289	-48,675
Restricted shares forfeited	'	7,935	41,829	'
Shares repurchased under repurchase plan	'	-375,000	-100,000	-345,446
Ending balance	49,194,251	50,228,543	49,903,266	49,449,579
Features of Convertible Preferred Stock [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share	'	$95	'	'
Preferred Stock [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock Shares Authorized	'	10,045,900	'	'
Repurchase Of Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	'	96,761	125,622	89,105
Decrease in additional paid-in-capital for repurchase of non-controlling interest	'	'	'	-8,600
Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	'	'	'	'
Repurchase Of Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Decrease in additional paid-in-capital for repurchase of non-controlling interest	'	'	'	-6,610
Total Stockholders Equity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Repurchase Of Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	'	96,761	125,622	89,105
Decrease in additional paid-in-capital for repurchase of non-controlling interest	'	0	0	-6,610
Change from net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and transfers to non-controlling interest	'	$96,761	$125,622	$82,495

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben2

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Schedule Of Defined Contribution Plan [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum Employee Contribution	75.00%	'	'
Employer match percentage	4.00%	'	'
Annual percentage contribution	3.00%	'	'
401K Contribution	$8,022	$6,606	$5,211
Defined Contribution Pension Liabilities	5,269	6,702	'
Defined Contribution Pension Liabilities	5,269	6,702	'
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Change in projected benefit obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	394,623	326,627	'
Acquisition	0	0	'
Service cost	106	90	2,304
Interest cost	14,719	16,098	16,736
Participant contributions	0	0	'
Actuarial (gain)/loss	-44,510	67,827	'
Other	0	0	'
Curtailments	-796	0	'
Settlement	0	0	'
Divestitures	0	0	'
Benefits paid	-16,474	-16,019	'
Currency change effect	0	0	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	347,668	394,623	326,627
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	332,308	304,540	'
Acquisition	0	0	'
Actual return on plan assets	40,905	42,282	'
Employer contributions	1,494	1,505	'
Participant contributions	0	0	'
Other Plan Assets	0	0	'
Plan assets benefits paid	-16,474	-16,019	'
Currency change effect	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	358,233	332,308	304,540
Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end	10,565	-62,315	'
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Change in projected benefit obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	204,180	137,439	'
Acquisition	0	32,162	'
Service cost	1,799	1,457	1,364
Interest cost	7,486	8,222	7,449
Participant contributions	0	0	'
Actuarial (gain)/loss	-3,633	34,527	'
Other	0	-139	'
Curtailments	-436	-228	'
Settlement	-1,325	-203	'
Divestitures	0	-1,237	'
Benefits paid	-7,927	-7,640	'
Currency change effect	6,263	-180	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	206,407	204,180	137,439
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	164,086	124,303	'
Acquisition	0	18,839	'
Actual return on plan assets	16,473	19,272	'
Employer contributions	2,027	4,635	'
Participant contributions	0	0	'
Other Plan Assets	0	-139	'
Plan assets benefits paid	-5,871	-2,764	'
Currency change effect	5,437	-60	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	182,152	164,086	124,303
Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end	-24,255	-40,094	'
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member]	'	'	'
Change in projected benefit obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	63,206	53,749	'
Acquisition	0	0	'
Service cost	623	541	514
Interest cost	2,133	2,469	2,676
Participant contributions	523	665	'
Actuarial (gain)/loss	-11,524	10,157	'
Other	0	0	'
Curtailments	0	0	'
Settlement	0	0	'
Divestitures	0	0	'
Benefits paid	-4,150	-4,375	'
Currency change effect	0	0	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	50,811	63,206	53,749
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	42,569	37,289	'
Acquisition	0	0	'
Actual return on plan assets	11,964	5,367	'
Employer contributions	3,290	3,623	'
Participant contributions	523	665	'
Other Plan Assets	0	0	'
Plan assets benefits paid	-4,150	-4,375	'
Currency change effect	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	54,196	42,569	37,289
Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end	3,385	-20,637	'
Three Percent Match [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Defined Contribution Plan [Line Items]	'	'	'
401K Contribution	3,656	'	'
Four Percent Match [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Defined Contribution Plan [Line Items]	'	'	'
401K Contribution	$4,366	'	'

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben3

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Details) 2 (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Non-current liabilities	($52,922)	($105,220)
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member]	'	'
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'
Unrecognized actuarial loss	100,579	170,813
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)	147	298
Ending balance	100,726	171,111
Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Non-current assets	29,560	0
Current liabilities	-1,505	-1,495
Non-current liabilities	-17,490	-60,820
Ending balance	10,565	-62,315
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member]	'	'
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'
Unrecognized actuarial loss	64,290	77,905
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)	-21	-24
Ending balance	64,269	77,881
Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Non-current assets	8,959	384
Current liabilities	-2,711	-3,291
Non-current liabilities	-30,503	-37,187
Ending balance	-24,255	-40,094
Accumulated benefit obligation	197,750	129,166
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member]	'	'
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'
Unrecognized actuarial loss	25,988	51,469
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)	-6,317	-10,452
Ending balance	19,671	41,017
Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Non-current assets	6,858	0
Current liabilities	-314	-311
Non-current liabilities	-3,159	-20,326
Ending balance	3,385	-20,637
Pension Benefits US Plans and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	'	'
Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	$385,819	$365,117

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben4

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Details) 3 (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Expected cash flows [Abstract]	'	'	'
Employer contributions for the next fiscal year	$1,505	'	'
Expected benefit payments in the next fiscal year	17,325	'	'
Expected benefit payments in two fiscal years	17,791	'	'
Expected benefit payments in three fiscal years	18,364	'	'
Expected benefit payments in four fiscal years	19,075	'	'
Expected benefit payments in five fiscal years	19,649	'	'
Expected benefit payments thereafter	105,633	'	'
Net periodic cost (benefit) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost	106	90	2,304
Interest cost	14,719	16,098	16,736
Expected return on assets	-22,720	-23,758	-25,438
Amorization of Prior service cost	49	49	24
Amortization of Actuarial (gain)/loss	6,742	3,858	3,689
Divestitures	0	0	0
Curtailment (gain)/loss	102	0	101
Settlement	0	0	0
Net periodic cost (benefit)	-1,002	-3,663	-2,584
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	116,265	138,318	'
Fair value of plan assets	91,708	107,727	'
Pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	124,922	148,206	'
Fair value of plan assets	91,708	107,727	'
Expected cash flows [Abstract]	'	'	'
Employer contributions for the next fiscal year	765	'	'
Expected benefit payments in the next fiscal year	9,738	'	'
Expected benefit payments in two fiscal years	8,605	'	'
Expected benefit payments in three fiscal years	8,644	'	'
Expected benefit payments in four fiscal years	9,016	'	'
Expected benefit payments in five fiscal years	9,185	'	'
Expected benefit payments thereafter	49,727	'	'
Net periodic cost (benefit) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost	1,799	1,457	1,364
Interest cost	7,486	8,222	7,449
Expected return on assets	-9,390	-8,021	-7,881
Amorization of Prior service cost	-4	-4	-4
Amortization of Actuarial (gain)/loss	3,778	2,487	2,723
Divestitures	0	7	0
Curtailment (gain)/loss	53	46	0
Settlement	153	65	0
Net periodic cost (benefit)	3,875	4,259	3,651
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member]	'	'	'
Expected cash flows [Abstract]	'	'	'
Employer contributions for the next fiscal year	3,721	'	'
Expected benefit payments in the next fiscal year	3,721	'	'
Expected benefit payments in two fiscal years	3,723	'	'
Expected benefit payments in three fiscal years	3,728	'	'
Expected benefit payments in four fiscal years	3,736	'	'
Expected benefit payments in five fiscal years	3,738	'	'
Expected benefit payments thereafter	18,346	'	'
Net periodic cost (benefit) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost	623	541	514
Interest cost	2,133	2,469	2,676
Expected return on assets	-3,725	-3,263	-3,087
Amorization of Prior service cost	-4,134	-4,693	-4,693
Amortization of Actuarial (gain)/loss	5,717	5,155	5,932
Divestitures	0	0	0
Curtailment (gain)/loss	0	0	0
Settlement	0	0	0
Net periodic cost (benefit)	614	209	1,342
Pension Benefits US Plans and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	18,673	439,974	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	374,877	'
Pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	18,996	457,829	'
Fair value of plan assets	$0	$374,877	'

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben5

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Details) 4 (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Nov. 29, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Pension Benefits US Plans [Member]

Pension Benefits US Plans [Member]

Pension Benefits US Plans [Member]

Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member]

Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member]

Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member]

Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member]

Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member]

Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member]

Pension Benefits US Plan [Member]

Pension Benefits US Plan [Member]

Pension Benefits US Plan [Member]

Pension Benefits US Plans and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Pension Benefits US Plans and Other Postretirement Plans [Member]

Pension Benefits Germany Pension Plans [Member]

Pension Benefits United Kingdom Pension Plans [Member]

Amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs over next fiscal year [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)

'

'

'

$29

'

'

($4)

'

'

($3,771)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss

'

'

'

4,575

'

'

3,002

'

'

2,709

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs over next fiscal year

'

'

'

4,604

'

'

2,998

'

'

-1,062

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligations [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Benefit obligations discount rate

'

'

'

4.74%

3.81%

5.00%

3.74%

3.79%

5.36%

4.34%

3.46%

4.73%

4.77%

3.83%

5.07%

'

'

'

'

Benefit obligations rate of compensation increase

'

'

'

4.50%

4.50%

5.00%

1.84%

1.87%

2.14%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Benefit obligations rate of compensation reduction

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

318

'

'

'

Weighted-average assumption used to determine net costs for years ended [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount rate for net costs

'

'

'

3.81%

5.00%

5.46%

3.74%

5.26%

5.10%

3.46%

4.73%

4.96%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected return on plan assets for net costs

'

'

'

7.75%

8.00%

8.00%

5.96%

6.08%

6.18%

8.75%

8.75%

8.75%

'

'

'

'

'

5.75%

6.60%

Rate of compensation increase for net costs

'

'

'

4.50%

5.00%

4.17%

1.84%

1.86%

2.13%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected return on plan assets for net costs change

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,062

'

'

Assumed health care trend rates [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Health care cost trend assumed for next year

7.25%

7.25%

7.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fiscal year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

'2019

'2018

'2018

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sensitivity information [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect on service and interest cost components - annual increase

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect on service and interest cost components - annual decrease

-114

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation - increase

27

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation - decrease

($2,452)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben6

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Details) 5 (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	100.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	100.00%	100.00%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$332,308	$304,540
Acquisition	0	0
Currency change effect	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	358,233	332,308
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	60.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	61.90%	60.40%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	200,712	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	221,714	'
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	40.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	37.30%	38.80%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	128,955	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	133,799	'
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	0.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	0.00%	0.00%
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Insurance [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	0.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	0.00%	0.00%
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	0.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	0.80%	0.80%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	2,641	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,720	'
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	186,413	176,427
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	132,768	121,792
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	50,925	51,994
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,720	2,641
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	171,357	155,365
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	88,946	78,920
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	82,411	76,445
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	516	'
Purchase, sales, issuances and settlements, net	-53	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	463	'
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	516	'
Purchase, sales, issuances and settlements, net	-53	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	463	'
Pension Benefits US Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	100.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	100.00%	100.00%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	164,086	124,303
Acquisition	0	18,839
Currency change effect	-5,437	60
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	182,152	164,086
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	50.20%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	50.20%	48.00%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	78,737	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	91,425	'
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	48.40%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	46.40%	48.60%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	79,791	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	84,515	'
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	1.40%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	1.10%	1.10%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	1,768	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,940	'
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Insurance [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	0.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	0.00%	0.00%
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	0.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	2.30%	2.30%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	3,790	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	4,272	'
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	87,084	80,216
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	34,045	30,086
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	48,767	46,340
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	4,272	3,790
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	92,538	81,588
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	57,380	48,651
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	35,158	32,937
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	2,282	'
Net transfers into/(out of) level 3	21	'
Currency change effect	73	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Gains Losses	154	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,530	'
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	514	'
Net transfers into/(out of) level 3	33	'
Currency change effect	26	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Gains Losses	17	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	590	'
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	1,768	'
Net transfers into/(out of) level 3	-12	'
Currency change effect	47	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Gains Losses	137	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,940	'
Pension Benefits Foreign Pension Plans [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	100.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	100.00%	100.00%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	42,569	37,289
Acquisition	0	0
Currency change effect	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	54,196	42,569
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	0.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	0.00%	0.00%
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	0.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	0.00%	0.00%
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	0.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	0.00%	0.00%
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Insurance [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	100.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	99.40%	98.70%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	42,001	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	53,875	'
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	0.00%	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of plan assets at year-end	0.60%	1.30%
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	568	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	321	'
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	321	568
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member] | Insurance [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 1 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	321	568
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member] | Insurance [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 2 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	42,001	'
Purchase, sales, issuances and settlements, net	-343	'
Net transfers into/(out of) level 3	-213	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Gains Losses	12,430	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	53,875	'
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member] | Insurance [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	42,001	'
Purchase, sales, issuances and settlements, net	-343	'
Net transfers into/(out of) level 3	-213	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Gains Losses	12,430	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	53,875	'
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement [Member] | Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Level 3 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Defined benefit plan fair value level 3 investment Roll forward [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$0	$0
Pension Benefits US Plan [Member] | Equities [Member]	'	'
Target asset allocations [Abstract]	'	'
Target asset allocations	8.50%	'

Financial_Instruments_Details

Financial Instruments (Details)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Nov. 29, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Mar. 03, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

Dec. 03, 2011

Nov. 30, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

28-May-11

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 01, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CHF

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

First Cross Currency Swap [Member]

Second Cross Currency Swap [Member]

Foreign Exchange Option [Member]

Foreign Exchange Option [Member]

Currency Swap [Member]

Currency Swap [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Financial instruments gain loss [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign currency

'

$865

$126

$160

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forward currency contracts for acquisition

'

'

'

'

370,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Mark to market gain

'

'

11,621

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount foreign currency option

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

52,860

98,738

'

100,000

151,598

'

Fair value of derivitive expensed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

841

'

'

'

Value of hedged item in a fair value hedge

'

'

'

'

'

75,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Change in Fair Value of Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

6,065

8,862

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

The fair values of the swaps (assets) in total

'

'

'

'

'

5,930

9,473

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Hedge ineffectiveness

'

'

'

'

'

-746

362

456

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cross Currency Swaps [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Notional Amounts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

52,860

98,738

'

100,000

151,598

'

Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Liability At Fair Value

'

4,801

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,504

3,297

'

'

4,801

'

Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value

'

'

1,610

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,610

Cross currency hedge ineffectiveness

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

58

-15

Cross currency amount in AOCI

$73

$303

($394)

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($91)

($394)

Fiscal year of expiration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2014

'2015

'

'

'

'

Interest rate minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.15%

4.30%

'

'

'

'

Interest rate maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.30%

4.45%

'

'

'

'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 29, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Operating Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	'	$8,176	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	'	4,529	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	'	2,275	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	'	971	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	'	595	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	'	663	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	'	17,209	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	'	12,716	11,117	7,730
Servicing Agreement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Servicing agreement costs	1,115	2,847	4,959	6,146
Asbestos Related Lawsuits And Claims [Member]	'	'	'	'
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lawsuits and claims settled	'	6	9	7
Settlement amounts	'	371	540	537
Insurance Payments Received Or Expected To Be Received	'	$279	$391	$417

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 02, 2012	Mar. 03, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On A Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset impairment charges	$846	$0	$671	$0	$0	$1,517	$332
Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Marketable securities	15,499	'	'	'	28,786	15,499	'
Derivative assets	830	'	'	'	533	830	'
Interest rate swaps	9,473	'	'	'	5,930	9,473	'
Cash-flow hedges	1,610	'	'	'	'	1,610	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative liabilities	956	'	'	'	1,399	956	'
Cash-flow hedges	'	'	'	'	4,801	'	'
Contingent consideration liability, continuing operations	1,649	'	'	'	566	1,649	'
Contingent consideration liability, discontinued operations	5,000	'	'	'	5,000	5,000	'
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Marketable securities	15,499	'	'	'	28,786	15,499	'
Derivative assets	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Interest rate swaps	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Cash-flow hedges	0	'	'	'	'	0	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative liabilities	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Cash-flow hedges	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Contingent consideration liability, continuing operations	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Contingent consideration liability, discontinued operations	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Marketable securities	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Derivative assets	830	'	'	'	533	830	'
Interest rate swaps	9,473	'	'	'	5,930	9,473	'
Cash-flow hedges	1,610	'	'	'	'	1,610	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative liabilities	956	'	'	'	1,399	956	'
Cash-flow hedges	'	'	'	'	4,801	'	'
Contingent consideration liability, continuing operations	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Contingent consideration liability, discontinued operations	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Marketable securities	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Derivative assets	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Interest rate swaps	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Cash-flow hedges	0	'	'	'	'	0	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative liabilities	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Cash-flow hedges	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Contingent consideration liability, continuing operations	1,649	'	'	'	566	1,649	'
Contingent consideration liability, discontinued operations	5,000	'	'	'	5,000	5,000	'
Cost Basis Investments Fair Value [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On A Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	$1,517	'

Operating_Segments_Details

Operating Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Jun. 01, 2013	Mar. 02, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 02, 2012	Mar. 03, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$533,531	$514,579	$519,016	$479,842	$513,255	$500,535	$526,995	$345,454	$2,046,968	$1,886,239	$1,444,085
Segment operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	195,502	162,541	116,961
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	58,795	54,490	39,050
Total assets	1,873,028	'	'	'	1,786,320	'	'	'	1,873,028	1,786,320	1,227,709
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	124,288	35,913	32,834
Construction Products [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	158,576	147,080	134,591
Inter-segment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	800	462	686
Segment operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,940	8,334	2,992
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,021	11,001	11,000
Total assets	175,489	'	'	'	179,508	'	'	'	175,489	179,508	180,861
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,737	1,762	3,823
EIMEA [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	733,211	672,423	473,763
Inter-segment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,918	9,228	10,031
Segment operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	51,526	34,483	24,590
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,420	18,399	10,748
Total assets	759,757	'	'	'	674,665	'	'	'	759,757	674,665	344,935
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	63,512	13,402	15,986
Asia Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	252,608	228,121	198,688
Inter-segment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,034	14,818	9,334
Segment operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,771	7,356	7,869
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,522	6,238	5,080
Total assets	218,471	'	'	'	197,999	'	'	'	218,471	197,999	150,949
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,150	3,511	3,411
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	245,926	'	'	'	267,030	'	'	'	245,926	267,030	200,929
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,664	2,202	4,562
Discontinuted Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	1,865	'	'	'	1,865	'	'	'	1,865	1,865	69,343
Americas Adhesives [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	902,573	838,615	637,043
Inter-segment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,120	26,096	34,224
Segment operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	123,265	112,368	81,510
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,832	18,852	12,222
Total assets	471,520	'	'	'	465,253	'	'	'	471,520	465,253	280,692
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$26,225	$15,036	$5,052

Operating_Segments_Details_2

Operating Segments (Details) 2 (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Jun. 01, 2013	Mar. 02, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 02, 2012	Mar. 03, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Operating Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$195,502	$162,541	$116,961
Special charges	-16,136	-12,775	-10,843	-5,333	-9,204	-4,654	-32,127	-6,482	-45,087	-52,467	-7,499
Asset impairment charges	'	'	'	'	-846	0	-671	0	0	-1,517	-332
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,751	784	4,101
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-19,120	-19,793	-10,811
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	127,544	89,548	102,420
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	434,387	'	'	'	329,016	'	'	'	434,387	329,016	242,587
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	855,053	802,362	613,250
Property, plant and equipment, net	185,260	'	'	'	158,973	'	'	'	185,260	158,973	121,333
Germany [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	86,335	'	'	'	42,434	'	'	'	86,335	42,434	33,278
All other countries with less than 10 percent of total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,191,915	1,083,877	830,835
Property, plant and equipment, net	$162,792	'	'	'	$127,609	'	'	'	$162,792	$127,609	$87,976

Redeemable_NonControlling_Inte2

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 30, 2013	Sep. 01, 2012
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	EUR (€)
Redeemable Non Controlling Activity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Cash paid by minority owner	$0	$0	$1,425	'	'
Redemption option minimum	'	'	'	'	3,500
Current redemption value of the option	'	'	'	3,500	'
Balance of redeemable non-controlling interest	3,981	3,887	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributed to redeemable non-controlling interest	351	208	'	'	'
Accretion adjustment to redemption value	48	1	'	'	'
Increase in non-controlling shareholder ownership	384	0	'	'	'
Distributions to non-controlling shareholder	244	0	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	196	-115	'	'	'
Balance of redeemable non-controlling interest	$4,717	$3,981	$3,887	'	'

Quarterly_Data_Details

Quarterly Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Jun. 01, 2013	Mar. 02, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 02, 2012	Mar. 03, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Quarterly Data (unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$533,531	$514,579	$519,016	$479,842	$513,255	$500,535	$526,995	$345,454	$2,046,968	$1,886,239	$1,444,085
Gross profit	145,672	144,507	146,616	133,376	143,714	134,324	136,551	102,687	570,171	517,276	403,832
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-92,619	-90,604	-93,806	-97,640	-95,395	-91,355	-92,956	-75,029	-374,669	-354,735	-286,871
Special charges	-16,136	-12,775	-10,843	-5,333	-9,204	-4,654	-32,127	-6,482	-45,087	-52,467	-7,499
Asset impairment charges	'	'	'	'	-846	0	-671	0	0	-1,517	-332
Income from continuing operations	$22,003	$27,150	$26,048	$20,774	$25,012	$24,607	$5,060	$13,608	$95,975	$68,287	$80,215
Income from continuing operations - basic	$0.44	$0.54	$0.52	$0.42	$0.50	$0.49	$0.10	$0.28	$1.92	$1.37	$1.64
Income from continuing operations - diluted	$0.42	$0.53	$0.51	$0.41	$0.49	$0.48	$0.10	$0.27	$1.87	$1.34	$1.61
Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic And Diluted [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	49,909	49,913	49,935	49,817	49,640	49,627	49,652	49,365	49,893	49,571	48,991
Diluted	51,236	51,127	51,152	51,027	50,798	50,699	50,722	50,253	51,136	50,618	49,866