Meridian Bioscience (VIVO) 10-K 1 Dec 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'VIVO	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000794172	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	41,644,524	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$887,064,755

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net Revenues	$188,832	$188,686	$172,712
Cost of Sales	71,589	67,642	63,664
Gross Profit	117,243	121,044	109,048
Operating Expenses:	'	'	'
Research and development	12,552	10,787	10,275
Selling and marketing	24,910	22,424	22,092
General and administrative	27,389	30,519	26,372
Plant consolidation costs	'	'	1,013
Total operating expenses	64,851	63,730	59,752
Operating Income	52,392	57,314	49,296
Other Income:	'	'	'
Interest income	25	44	42
Other, net	-309	4	378
Total other income	-284	48	420
Earnings Before Income Taxes	52,108	57,362	49,716
Income Tax Provision	17,365	19,330	16,345
Net Earnings	$34,743	$38,032	$33,371
Earnings Per Share Data:	'	'	'
Basic earnings per common share	$0.84	$0.92	$0.81
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.83	$0.91	$0.80
Common shares used for basic earnings per common share	41,455	41,226	41,080
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted shares and units	458	669	528
Common shares used for diluted earnings per common share	41,913	41,895	41,608
Dividends declared per common share	$0.79	$0.76	$0.76
Anti-dilutive Securities:	'	'	'
Common share options and restricted shares and units	272	254	320

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net earnings	$34,743	$38,032	$33,371
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-436	650	-354
Comprehensive Income	$34,307	$38,682	$33,017

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'	'
Net earnings	$34,743	$38,032	$33,371
Non-cash items included in net earnings:	'	'	'
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	3,523	3,354	3,490
Amortization of intangible assets	2,039	2,269	2,165
Amortization of deferred illumigene instrument costs	1,702	1,529	942
Stock-based compensation	3,557	2,502	1,987
Deferred income taxes	-140	-1,823	-1,448
Loss on disposition and write-down of fixed assets and other assets	6	30	359
Change in current assets	-1,528	-3,486	1,234
Change in current liabilities	-5,996	2,669	3,216
Other, net	356	-640	-2,870
Net cash provided by operating activities	38,262	44,436	42,446
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-5,306	-3,234	-3,530
Proceeds from sale of assets	'	'	400
Purchases of intangibles and other assets	-1,696	-43	-1,305
Net cash used for investing activities	-7,002	-3,277	-4,435
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'	'
Dividends paid	-32,762	-31,354	-31,226
Proceeds and tax benefits from exercises of stock options	1,009	2,752	552
Net cash used for financing activities	-31,753	-28,602	-30,674
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Equivalents	-742	132	630
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Equivalents	-1,235	12,689	7,967
Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Period	44,282	31,593	23,626
Cash and Equivalents at End of Period	43,047	44,282	31,593
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes	$19,952	$20,093	$16,010

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and equivalents	$43,047	$44,282
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $272 in 2014 and $233 in 2013	23,232	26,183
Inventories	35,495	34,835
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,058	4,643
Deferred income taxes	3,916	4,145
Total current assets	112,748	114,088
Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost:	'	'
Land	1,173	1,183
Buildings and improvements	29,146	26,848
Machinery, equipment and furniture	40,192	38,502
Construction in progress	652	554
Subtotal	71,163	67,087
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	43,553	40,996
Net property, plant and equipment	27,610	26,091
Other Assets:	'	'
Goodwill	23,193	23,115
Other intangible assets, net	7,813	8,057
Restricted cash	1,000	1,000
Deferred illumigene instrument costs, net	2,740	3,270
Deferred income taxes	1,483	823
Other assets	342	304
Total other assets	36,571	36,569
Total assets	176,929	176,748
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	4,966	5,592
Accrued employee compensation costs	4,761	9,847
Other accrued expenses	3,149	3,199
Income taxes payable	859	979
Total current liabilities	13,735	19,617
Non-Current Liabilities	2,165	2,086
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'
Shareholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued	0	0
Common shares, no par value, 71,000,000 shares authorized, 41,622,216 and 41,517,839 issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	111,851	107,412
Retained earnings	48,869	46,888
Accumulated other comprehensive income	309	745
Total shareholders' equity	161,029	155,045
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$176,929	$176,748

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowances for accounts receivable	$272	$233
Preferred stock, par value	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Common stock, par value	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	71,000,000	71,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	41,622,216	41,517,839

Consolidated_Statements_Shareh

Consolidated Statements Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Shares [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
In Thousands	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$138,524	'	$100,010	$38,065	$449
Beginning balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2011	'	41,237	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid	-31,226	'	'	-31,226	'
Exercise of stock options	446	'	446	'	'
Exercise of stock options, Shares	'	47	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted shares, net of forfeitures	'	-5	'	'	'
Conversion of restricted stock units	'	5	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	1,987	'	1,987	'	'
Net earnings	33,371	'	'	33,371	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-354	'	'	'	-354
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012	142,748	'	102,443	40,210	95
Ending balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2012	'	41,284	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid	-31,354	'	'	-31,354	'
Exercise of stock options	2,564	'	2,564	'	'
Exercise of stock options, Shares	'	226	'	'	'
Conversion of restricted stock units	'	8	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	2,405	'	2,405	'	'
Net earnings	38,032	'	'	38,032	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	650	'	'	'	650
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	155,045	'	107,412	46,888	745
Ending balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2013	'	41,518	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid	-32,762	'	'	-32,762	'
Exercise of stock options	882	'	882	'	'
Exercise of stock options, Shares	78	78	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted shares, net of forfeitures	'	-1	'	'	'
Conversion of restricted stock units	'	27	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	3,557	'	3,557	'	'
Net earnings	34,743	'	'	34,743	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-436	'	'	'	-436
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$161,029	'	$111,851	$48,869	$309
Ending balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	41,622	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_Shareh1

Consolidated Statements Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends per common share	$0.20	$0.20	$0.20	$0.19	$0.19	$0.19	$0	$0.38	$0.79	$0.76	$0.76

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	(a)	Nature of Business - Meridian is a fully-integrated life science company whose principal businesses are (i) the development, manufacture and distribution of diagnostic test kits primarily for certain gastrointestinal, viral, respiratory and parasitic infectious diseases; (ii) the manufacture and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents used by researchers and other diagnostic manufacturers; and (iii) the contract development and manufacture of proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines.
	(b)	Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Meridian,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “our company” refer to Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
	(c)	Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	(d)	Foreign Currency Translation - Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated using year-end exchange rates with gains or losses resulting from translation included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Revenues and expenses are translated using exchange rates prevailing during the year. We also recognize foreign currency transaction gains and losses on certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in the Australian dollar, British pound, Euro and Singapore dollar currencies. These gains and losses are included in other income and expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	(e)	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments - The primary objectives of our investment activities are to preserve capital and provide sufficient liquidity to meet operating requirements and fund strategic initiatives such as acquisitions. We maintain a written investment policy that governs the management of our investments in fixed income securities. This policy, among other things, provides that we may purchase only high credit-quality securities, that have short-term ratings of at least A-2, P-2 and F-2 or better, and long-term ratings of at least A, Baa1 and A or better, by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch, respectively, at the time of purchase. We consider short-term investments with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents, including overnight repurchase agreements and institutional money market funds. At times our investments of cash and equivalents with various high credit quality financial institutions may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance limit.
	Our investment portfolio includes the following components:
			September 30, 2014				September 30, 2013
			Cash and		Other		Cash and		Other
			Equivalents				Equivalents
	Overnight repurchase agreements		$	26,407	$	—	$	32,103	$	—
	Cash on hand –
	Restricted			—		1,000		—		1,000
	Unrestricted			16,640		—		12,179		—
	Total		$	43,047	$	1,000	$	44,282	$	1,000
	(f)	Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis (FIFO). illumigene® instruments are carried in inventory until customer placement, at which time they are transferred to deferred illumigene instrument costs, unless sold outright.
	We establish reserves against cost for excess and obsolete materials, finished goods whose shelf life may expire before sale to customers, and other identified exposures. Such reserves were $2,942 and $2,499 at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We estimate these reserves based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual demand and market conditions were to be less favorable than such estimates, additional inventory write-downs would be required and recorded in the period known. Such adjustments would negatively affect gross profit margin and overall results of operations.
	(g)	Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Upon retirement or other disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method in amounts sufficient to write-off the cost over the estimated useful lives, generally as follows:
	Buildings and improvements—18 to 40 years
	Machinery, equipment and furniture—3 to 10 years
	Computer equipment and software—3 to 5 years
	In connection with the fiscal 2012 consolidation of our Maine facility with our Tennessee facility, the carrying value of certain property, plant and equipment, including the building, was determined to be impaired and a write-down of approximately $210 was recorded as a component of plant consolidation costs during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The building and the property on which it sits have been written down to fair value, less selling costs, as determined by an independent outside appraisal.
	(h)	Intangible Assets - Goodwill is subject to an annual impairment review (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) by first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In the event that a reporting unit does not pass the qualitative assessment, the reporting unit’s carrying value is compared to its fair value, with fair value of the reporting unit estimated using market and discounted cash flow approaches. Goodwill is considered impaired if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value. We perform our annual impairment review as of June 30, the end of our third fiscal quarter. We have no intangible assets with indefinite lives other than goodwill. There have been no impairments from these analyses for fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	The change in goodwill was an increase of $78 in fiscal 2014 and a decrease of $31 in fiscal 2013. Both years reflect the effect of the Life Science segment’s Bioline Group and the currency translation adjustments thereon.
	A summary of Meridian’s acquired intangible assets subject to amortization, as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 is as follows.
			2014				2013
	As of September 30,		Gross		Accum.		Gross		Accum.
			Carrying		Amort.		Carrying		Amort.
			Value				Value
	Manufacturing technologies, core products and cell lines		$	11,685	$	10,568	$	11,676	$	10,097
	Trademarks, licenses and patents			6,463		2,766		4,748		2,130
	Customer lists and supply agreements			12,378		9,379		12,353		8,493
			$	30,526	$	22,713	$	28,777	$	20,720
	During fiscal 2014, we acquired the remaining licensing rights related to patents that are part of our illumigene molecular technology for $1,638. These rights are being amortized over a weighted average period of approximately 8.5 years.
	The actual aggregate amortization expense for these intangible assets for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $2,039, $2,269 and $2,165, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for these intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows: fiscal 2015—$1,737, fiscal 2016—$1,394, fiscal 2017—$1,158, fiscal 2018—$1,138 and fiscal 2019—$1,097.
	Long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that such assets may not be recoverable at their carrying value. Whether an event or circumstance triggers an impairment is determined by comparing an estimate of the asset’s future undiscounted cash flows to its carrying value. If impairment has occurred, it is measured by a fair-value based test.
	Our ability to recover the carrying value of our intangible assets, both identifiable intangibles and goodwill, is dependent upon the future cash flows of the related acquired businesses and assets. We make judgments and assumptions regarding future cash flows, including sales levels, gross profit margins, operating expense levels, working capital levels, and capital expenditures. With respect to identifiable intangibles and fixed assets, we also make judgments and assumptions regarding useful lives.
	We consider the following factors in evaluating events and circumstances for possible impairment: (i) significant under-performance relative to historical or projected operating results; (ii) negative industry trends; (iii) sales levels of specific groups of products (related to specific identifiable intangibles); (iv) changes in overall business strategies; and (v) other factors.
	If actual cash flows are less favorable than projections, this could trigger impairment of intangible assets and other long-lived assets. If impairment were to occur, this would negatively affect overall results of operations.
	(i)	Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable - Revenue is generally recognized from sales when product is shipped and title has passed to the customer. Revenue for the Diagnostics segment is reduced at the date of sale for product price adjustments due certain distributors under local contracts. Management estimates accruals for distributor price adjustments based on local contract terms, sales data provided by distributors, estimates of inventories of certain of our products held by distributors, historical statistics, current trends, and other factors. Changes to the accruals are recorded in the period that they become known. Such accruals were $4,220 at September 30, 2014 and $3,866 at September 30, 2013, and have been netted against accounts receivable.
	Revenue for our Diagnostics segment includes revenue for our illumigene molecular test system. This system includes an instrument, instrument accessories and test kits. In markets where the test system is sold via multiple deliverable arrangements (i.e., the United States, Australia, Belgium, France, Holland and Italy), the cost of the instrument and instrument accessories is deferred upon placement at a customer and amortized on a straight-line basis into cost of sales over the expected utilization period, generally three years.
	We evaluate whether each deliverable in the arrangement is a separate unit of accounting. The significant deliverables are an instrument, instrument accessories (e.g., printer) and test kits. An instrument and instrument accessories are delivered to the customer prior to the start of the customer utilization period, in order to accommodate customer set-up and installation. There is de minimis consideration received from the customer at the time of instrument placement. We have determined that the instrument and instrument accessories are not a separate unit of accounting because such equipment can only be used to process and read the results from our illumigene diagnostic tests (i.e., our instrument and test kits function together to deliver a diagnostic test result), and therefore the instrument and instrument accessories do not have standalone value to the customer. Consequently, there is no revenue allocated to the placement of the instrument and instrument accessories. Test kits are delivered to the customer over the utilization period of the instrument, which we estimate has a useful life of three years. Our average customer contract period, including estimated renewals, is at least equal to the estimated three-year utilization period. Revenue for the sale of test kits is recognized upon shipment and transfer of title to the customers.
	In markets where the test system is not sold via multiple deliverable arrangements (i.e., countries other than the United States, Australia, Belgium, France, Holland and Italy), the cost of the instrument and instrument accessories is charged to cost of sales at the time of shipment and transfer of title to the customer. Revenue for the sales of instruments and instrument accessories and test kits is recognized upon shipment and transfer of title to the customers. In these markets, our illumigene molecular test system is sold to independent distributors who inventory the instruments, instrument accessories and test kits for resale to end-users.
	Our products are generally not subject to a customer right of return except for product recall events under the rules and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration or equivalent agencies outside the United States. In this circumstance, the costs to replace affected products would be accrued at the time a loss was probable and estimable.
	Life Science revenue for contract services may come from research and development services or manufacturing services, including process development work, or a combination of both. Revenue is recognized based on each of the deliverables in a given arrangement having distinct and separate customer pricing. Depending on the nature of the arrangement, revenue is recognized as services are performed and billed, upon completion and acceptance by the customer, or upon delivery of product and acceptance by the customer.
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at invoiced amounts less provisions for distributor price adjustments under local contracts and doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our estimate of probable credit losses and is based on historical write-off experience and known conditions that would likely lead to non-payment. The allowance for doubtful accounts and related metrics, such as days’ sales outstanding, are reviewed monthly. Accounts with past due balances over 90 days are reviewed individually for collectibility. Customer invoices are charged off against the allowance when we believe it is probable that the invoices will not be paid.
	(j)	Research and Development Costs - Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development costs include, among other things, salaries and wages for research scientists, materials and supplies used in the development of new products, costs for development of instrumentation equipment, costs for clinical trials, and costs for facilities and equipment.
	(k)	Income Taxes - The provision for income taxes includes federal, foreign, state and local income taxes currently payable and those deferred because of temporary differences between income for financial reporting and income for tax purposes. We prepare estimates of permanent and temporary differences between income for financial reporting purposes and income for tax purposes. These differences are adjusted to actual upon filing of our tax returns, typically occurring in the third and fourth quarters of the current fiscal year for the preceding fiscal year’s estimates.
	We account for uncertain tax positions using a benefit recognition model with a two-step approach: (i) a more-likely-than-not recognition criterion; and (ii) a measurement attribute that measures the position as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being ultimately realized upon ultimate settlement. If it is not more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on its technical merits, no benefit is recorded. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a portion of our income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 4.
	(l)	Stock-Based Compensation - We recognize compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees, based upon the fair value of the share-based award on the date of the grant. See Note 5(b).
	(m)	Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive income (loss) represents the net change in shareholders’ equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders. As reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income, our comprehensive income or loss is comprised of net earnings and foreign currency translation.
	(n)	Shipping and Handling Costs - Shipping and handling costs invoiced to customers are included in net revenues. Costs to distribute products to customers, including freight costs, warehousing costs, and other shipping and handling activities are included in cost of sales.
	(o)	Non-Income Government-Assessed Taxes - We classify all non-income, government-assessed taxes (sales, use and value-added) collected from customers and remitted by us to appropriate revenue authorities, on a net basis (excluded from net revenues) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	(p)	Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes and replaces nearly all currently-existing U.S. GAAP revenue recognition guidance including related disclosure requirements. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2017. The Company has not yet completed its assessment of the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on its financial statements.
	(q)	Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior fiscal year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on net earnings or shareholders’ equity.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	(2) Inventories
	Inventories are comprised of the following:
	As of September 30,	2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	5,674	$	7,170
	Work-in-process		10,591		8,585
	Finished goods—illumigene instruments		1,710		1,980
	Finished goods—kits and reagents		17,520		17,100
	Total	$	35,495	$	34,835

Bank_Credit_Arrangements

Bank Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Bank Credit Arrangements	'
	(3) Bank Credit Arrangements
	We have a $30,000 credit facility with a commercial bank, which expires in September 2015. This credit facility is collateralized by our business assets, except for those of non-U.S. subsidiaries, which totaled approximately $147,000 at September 30, 2014. There were no borrowings outstanding on this credit facility at September 30, 2014 or September 30, 2013. Available borrowings under this credit facility were $30,000 at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. In connection with this bank credit facility, we are required to comply with financial covenants that limit the amount of debt obligations and require a minimum amount of tangible net worth. We are in compliance with all covenants. We are also required to maintain a cash compensating balance with the bank in the amount of $1,000, pursuant to this bank credit facility and are in compliance with this requirement.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	(4) Income Taxes
	(a)	Earnings before income taxes, and the related provision for income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	Year Ended September 30,		2014			2013			2012
	Domestic		$	48,350		$	53,963		$	44,774
	Foreign			3,758			3,399			4,942
	Total earnings before income taxes		$	52,108		$	57,362		$	49,716
	Provision (credit) for income taxes—
	Federal—
	Current		$	15,021		$	18,311		$	15,077
	Temporary differences
	Fixed asset basis differences and depreciation			108			121			2
	Intangible asset basis differences and amortization			(210	)		(339	)		(354	)
	Currently non-deductible expenses and reserves			50			(425	)		(397	)
	Stock-based compensation			59			(282	)		(599	)
	Tax credit carryforwards			225			(717	)		—
	Other, net			66			43			74
	Subtotal			15,319			16,712			13,803
	State and local			1,762			2,013			1,521
	Foreign			284			605			1,021
	Total income tax provision		$	17,365		$	19,330		$	16,345
	(b)	The following is a reconciliation between the statutory U.S. income tax rate and the effective rate derived by dividing the provision for income taxes by earnings before income taxes:
	Year Ended September 30,		2014						2013					2012
	Computed income taxes at statutory rate		$	18,238			35	%	$	20,078		35	%	$	17,398		35	%
	Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from—
	State and local income taxes			1,061			2			1,270		2.2			994		2
	Net benefit on foreign dividend			(274	)		(0.5	)		(84	)	(0.2	)		(373	)	(0.8	)
	Foreign tax rate differences			(430	)		(0.8	)		(18	)	—			(114	)	(0.2	)
	Qualified domestic production incentives			(1,175	)		(2.3	)		(1,621	)	(2.8	)		(1,226	)	(2.5	)
	Uncertain tax position activity			164			0.3			(80	)	(0.1	)		(71	)	(0.1	)
	Other, net			(219	)		(0.4	)		(215	)	(0.4	)		(263	)	(0.5	)
			$	17,365			33.3	%	$	19,330		33.7	%	$	16,345		32.9	%
	(c)	The components of net deferred tax assets were as follows:
	As of September 30,		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets—
	Valuation reserves and non-deductible expenses		$	1,984		$	1,784
	Stock compensation expense not deductible			3,328			3,381
	Net operating loss carryforwards			536			734
	Tax credit carryforwards			492			717
	Inventory basis differences			1,340			1,626
	Other			8			33
	Subtotal			7,688			8,275
	Less valuation allowance			—			(296	)
	Deferred tax assets			7,688			7,979
	Deferred tax liabilities—
	Fixed asset basis differences and depreciation			(951	)		(862	)
	Intangible asset basis differences and amortization			(1,338	)		(1,924	)
	Other			—			(225	)
	Deferred tax liabilities			(2,289	)		(3,011	)
	Net deferred tax assets		$	5,399		$	4,968
	For income tax purposes, we have tax benefits related to operating loss carryforwards in the countries of Australia and Belgium, which have no expiration date. We have recorded deferred tax assets for these carryforwards totaling $536 and $734 at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively, excluding valuation allowances for Australia as of September 30, 2013. For income tax purposes, we also have tax benefits related to tax credit carryforwards in the U.S., which expire in fiscal 2022. We have recorded deferred tax assets for these carryforwards totaling $492 and $717 at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
	The realization of deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in these countries. We have considered the levels of currently anticipated pre-tax income in foreign jurisdictions in assessing the required level of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Taking into consideration historical and current operating results, and other factors, we believe that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset for foreign jurisdictions will be realized. The amount of the net deferred tax asset considered realizable in foreign jurisdictions, however, could be reduced in future years if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.
	Undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in our non-U.S. operations were approximately $8,000 and $14,000 at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively. U.S. deferred tax liabilities of approximately $1,300 and $1,000 on such earnings, after consideration of foreign tax credits, have not been recorded as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
	As described in Note 1, we utilize a comprehensive model for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions, assuming full knowledge of all relevant facts by the applicable tax authorities. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 related to such positions was $372 and $208, respectively, of which the full amounts would favorably affect the effective tax rate if recognized. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of our income tax provision. During fiscal 2014 we increased our tax provision by approximately $26 for such interest and penalties, while during fiscal 2013 they resulted in an approximate $72 decrease in our tax provision. We had approximately $56 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at September 30, 2014 compared to $30 accrued at September 30, 2013. The amount of our liability for uncertain tax positions expected to be paid or settled in the next 12 months is uncertain.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
			2014			2013
	Unrecognized income tax benefits beginning of year		$	208		$	471
	Additions for tax positions related to the current year			11			—
	Additions for tax positions of prior years			153			61
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years			—			(103	)
	Tax examination and other settlements			—			(183	)
	Expirations of statute of limitations			—			(38	)
	Unrecognized income tax benefits at end of year		$	372		$	208
	We are subject to examination by the tax authorities in the U.S. (both federal and state) and the countries of Australia, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Holland and Italy. In the U.S., open tax years are for fiscal 2011, fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013, with the IRS having completed its examination of our federal return for fiscal 2011 and, therefore, leaving only the states open for this year. In countries outside the U.S., open tax years generally range from fiscal 2009 and forward. However, in Australia and Belgium, the utilization of local net operating loss carryforwards extends the statute of limitations for examination well into the foreseeable future.

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefits	'
	(5) Employee Benefits
	(a)	Savings and Investment Plan - We have a profit sharing and retirement savings plan covering substantially all full-time U.S. employees. Profit sharing contributions to the plan, which are discretionary, are approved by the board of directors. The plan permits participants to contribute to the plan through salary reduction. Under terms of the plan, we match 50% of an employee’s contributions, up to a maximum match of 3% of eligible compensation. Our discretionary and matching contributions to the plan amounted to approximately $1,542, $1,539 and $2,033, during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	(b)	Stock-Based Compensation Plans - During fiscal 2014, we had two active stock-based compensation plans, the 2004 Equity Compensation Plan, which became effective December 7, 2004, as amended (the “2004 Plan”) and the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, which became effective January 25, 2012 (the “2012 Plan”). In addition, we have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESP Plan”), which became effective October 1, 1997. Under the ESP Plan, we sell shares of stock to our full-time and part-time employees up to the number of shares equivalent to a 1% to 15% payroll deduction from an employee’s base salary plus an additional 5% dollar match of this deduction by Meridian.
	Each of the 2004 Plan and 2012 Plan authorized the granting of new shares for options, restricted shares or restricted share units for up to 3,000 shares, with the non-granted portion of the 2004 Plan permitted to be carried forward and added to the 2012 Plan authorized limit. As of September 30, 2014, we have granted 1,882 and 415 shares under the 2004 Plan and 2012 Plan, respectively, thereby resulting in a remaining authorized limit of 3,703 shares. Options may be granted at exercise prices not less than 100% of the closing market value of the underlying common shares on the date of grant and have maximum terms up to ten years. Vesting schedules for options, restricted shares and restricted share units are established at the time of grant and may be set based on future service periods, achievement of performance targets, or a combination thereof. All options contain provisions restricting their transferability and limiting their exercise in the event of termination of employment or the disability or death of the optionee. We recognize compensation expense for all share-based payments made to employees, based upon the fair value of the share-based payment on the date of the grant.
	During fiscal 2012, we granted approximately 210 restricted share units (with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $17.99 per share) to certain employees, generally with half of each employee’s grant being time-vested restricted share units vesting in total on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining half being subject to attainment of a specified earnings target for fiscal 2012. While dividend equivalents were paid on these units throughout fiscal 2012, the target for fiscal 2012 was not met and the performance-based portion of the restricted share units granted during fiscal 2012 were cancelled. Additionally, during fiscal 2012, we granted approximately 110 restricted share units (with a grant date fair value of $17.57 per share) and 1,035 options (with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $4.66 per option, as included in the options table below) to certain executive management employees to incentivize the achievement of Company revenue targets in advance of planned expectations. These awards can only be earned if specified cumulative revenue thresholds are achieved, with the three measurement dates for ratably earning one-third of the grant being (i) the 21-month period ended June 30, 2013; (ii) the 33-month period ended June 30, 2014; and (iii) the 45-month period ending June 30, 2015. As a result of the cumulative thresholds for the 21-month and 33-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively, not having been met, two-thirds of the restricted share units and options granted have been cancelled accordingly.
	During fiscal 2013, we granted approximately 204 restricted share units (with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $19.38 per share) to certain employees, generally with half of each employee’s grant being time-vested restricted share units vesting in total on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining half being subject to attainment of a specified earnings target for fiscal 2013. While dividend equivalents were paid on these units throughout fiscal 2013, the target for fiscal 2013 was not met and the performance-based portion of the restricted share units granted during fiscal 2013 have been cancelled.
	Similar to previous years, during fiscal 2014, we granted approximately 270 restricted share units (with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $24.82 per share) to certain employees, generally with half of each employee’s grant being time-vested restricted share units vesting in total on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining half being subject to attainment of a specified earnings target for fiscal 2014. While dividend equivalents were paid on these units throughout fiscal 2014, the target for fiscal 2014 was not met and the performance-based portion of the restricted share units granted during fiscal 2014 have been cancelled.
	Giving effect to these grants, cancellations and certain other activities for restricted shares and restricted share units throughout the years, including conversions to common shares, forfeitures, and new hire and employee promotion grants, approximately 400 restricted shares and restricted share units remain outstanding as of September 30, 2014, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $21.01 per share, a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.74 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $7,071. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the approximate 145 restricted share units that vested during fiscal 2014 was $22.04 per share.
	The amount of stock-based compensation expense reported was $3,557, $2,502 and $1,987 in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The fiscal 2014 expense is comprised of $486 related to stock options and $3,071 related to restricted shares and units; the fiscal 2013 expense is comprised of $336 related to stock options, $2,069 related to restricted shares and units, and $97 related to the granting of unrestricted common shares to two executive officers; and the fiscal 2012 expense is comprised of $426 related to stock options and $1,561 related to restricted shares and units. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for these stock-based compensation arrangements was $1,185, $850 and $588, for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, we expect future stock compensation expense for unvested options and unvested restricted stock and units to total $185 and $2,105, respectively, which will be recognized during fiscal years 2015 through 2018.
	We recognize compensation expense only for the portion of shares that we expect to vest. As such, we apply estimated forfeiture rates to our compensation expense calculations. These rates have been derived using historical forfeiture data, stratified by several employee groups. During fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recorded $108, $93 and $73, respectively, in stock compensation expense to adjust estimated forfeiture rates to actual.
	We have elected to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine grant-date fair value for stock options, with the following assumptions: (i) expected share price volatility based on the average of Meridian’s historical volatility over the options’ expected lives and implied volatility based on the value of tradable call options; (ii) expected life of options based on contractual lives, employees’ historical exercise behavior and employees’ historical post-vesting employment termination behavior; (iii) risk-free interest rates based on treasury rates that correspond to the expected lives of the options; and (iv) dividend yield based on the expected yield on underlying Meridian common stock.
	Year ended September 30,		2014		2013	2012
	Risk-free interest rates		1.80%		0.88%	1.24%
	Dividend yield		3.50%		4.10%	3.42%
	Life of option		6.29 yrs.		6.23 yrs.	6.22 yrs.
	Share price volatility		33%		36 %	39%
	Forfeitures (by employee group)		0%-14%		0%-10%	0%-10%
	A summary of the status of our stock option plans at September 30, 2014 and changes during the year is presented in the table and narrative below:
			Options			Wtd Avg		Wtd Avg		Aggregate
						Exercise		Remaining		Intrinsic
						Price		Life (Yrs)		Value
	Outstanding beginning of period			1,508		$	17.93
	Grants			70			24.2
	Exercises			(78	)		7.27
	Forfeitures			(13	)		21.5
	Cancellations			(345	)		17.57
	Outstanding end of period			1,142		$	19.11		5.08	$	1,261
	Exercisable end of period			782		$	19.27		3.97	$	1,219
	A summary of the status of our nonvested options as of September 30, 2014, and changes during the year ended September 30, 2014, is presented below:
			Options			Weighted-
						Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value
	Nonvested beginning of period			787		$	4.66
	Granted			70			5.48
	Vested			(144	)		4.88
	Forfeitures			(8	)		4.94
	Cancelled			(345	)		4.66
	Nonvested end of period			360		$	4.78
	The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted was $5.48, $4.19 and $4.68 for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $1,110, $2,483 and $452, for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total grant-date fair value of options that vested during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $701, $712 and $361, respectively.
	Cash received from options exercised was $567, $2,258 and $431 for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Tax benefits realized and recorded to additional paid-in capital from option exercises totaled $315, $306 and $15 for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

NonCurrent_Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Non-Current Liabilities	'
	(6) Non-Current Liabilities
	The Company and its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are parties to an employment agreement and a supplemental benefit agreement, under which we are obligated to provide certain post-retirement and insurance benefits. These obligations total $1,247 and $1,056 at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively. In addition, we are required by the governments of certain of the foreign countries in which we operate to maintain a level of reserves for potential future severance indemnity. These reserves total $831 and $827 at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.

Reportable_Segments_and_Major_

Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data	'
	(7) Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data
	Our reportable segments are Diagnostics and Life Science, with segmentation between the two determined based upon the nature of products and the types of customers. The Diagnostics segment consists of manufacturing operations in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the sale and distribution of diagnostic test kits domestically and abroad. The Life Science segment consists of manufacturing operations in Memphis, Tennessee; Boca Raton, Florida; London, England; Luckenwalde, Germany; and Sydney, Australia, and the sale and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents domestically and abroad. The Life Science segment also includes the contract development and manufacture of cGMP clinical grade proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines.
	Revenues from individual customers constituting 10% or more of consolidated net revenues are as follows:
	Year Ended September 30,		2014						2013						2012
	Customer A		$	28,278			(15	)%	$	35,082			(19	)%	$	32,771	(19	)%
	Customer B		$	22,729			(12	)%	$	25,457			(13	)%	$	19,903	(12	)%
	Accounts receivable from these two Diagnostics distributor customers accounted for 15% and 17% of consolidated accounts receivable at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively. In addition, approximately 14% of the consolidated accounts receivable balance at September 30, 2014 is largely dependent upon funds from the Italian government. The Company’s international revenues totaled $57,051, $56,224, and $54,909 in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our diagnostic focus product families – C. difficile, foodborne and H. pylori – accounted for 46%, 47% and 47% of consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We currently sole-source from a U.S. manufacturer the illumipro-10™ instrument on which our illumigene molecular testing platform operates. Additionally, two of our foodborne products sourced from another vendor accounted for 14%, 14% and 13% of third-party revenues for our Diagnostics segment in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Significant revenue information by country for the Diagnostics and Life Science segments is as follows. Revenues are attributed to the geographic area based on the location to which the product is delivered.
	Year Ended September 30,		2014			2013			2012
	United States		$	112,917		$	114,935		$	99,998
	Italy			8,469			7,427			7,473
	Japan			2,097			3,937			3,922
	United Kingdom			1,942			2,141			2,441
	France			1,841			1,936			2,149
	Holland			1,613			1,764			1,818
	Canada			1,359			1,248			941
	Belgium			1,241			1,285			1,271
	Other countries			10,021			9,956			10,167
	Total Diagnostics		$	141,500		$	144,629		$	130,180
	Year Ended September 30,		2014			2013			2012
	United States		$	18,864		$	17,527		$	17,805
	Germany			7,232			6,465			4,872
	United Kingdom			5,647			5,590			5,251
	Australia			4,063			3,454			3,423
	France			1,633			1,440			1,282
	Other countries			9,893			9,581			9,899
	Total Life Science		$	47,332		$	44,057		$	42,532
	Identifiable assets for our Italian distribution organization were $10,861 and $10,760 at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At September 30, 2014, identifiable assets for the Bioline Group’s operations in the U.K., Germany and Australia totaled approximately $14,985, $7,713 and $4,171, respectively; and totaled $14,220, $7,965 and $4,239, respectively, at September 30, 2013.
	Segment information for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
			Diagnostics			Life Science			Elim (1)			Total
	Fiscal Year 2014—
	Net revenues –
	Third-party		$	141,500		$	47,332		$	—		$	188,832
	Inter-segment			432			1,009			(1,441	)		—
	Operating income			41,629			10,861			(98	)		52,392
	Depreciation and amortization			4,283			2,981			—			7,264
	Capital expenditures			4,176			1,130			—			5,306
	Goodwill			1,250			21,943			—			23,193
	Other intangible assets			2,756			5,057			—			7,813
	Total assets			109,086			67,790			53			176,929
	Fiscal Year 2013—
	Net revenues –
	Third-party		$	144,629		$	44,057		$	—		$	188,686
	Inter-segment			533			1,223			(1,756	)		—
	Operating income			46,735			10,627			(48	)		57,314
	Depreciation and amortization			4,328			2,824			—			7,152
	Capital expenditures			2,031			1,203			—			3,234
	Goodwill			1,250			21,865			—			23,115
	Other intangible assets			1,561			6,496			—			8,057
	Total assets			111,719			65,393			(364	)		176,748
	Fiscal Year 2012—
	Net revenues –
	Third-party		$	130,180		$	42,532		$	—		$	172,712
	Inter-segment			599			1,097			(1,696	)		—
	Operating income (2)			40,648			8,473			175			49,296
	Depreciation and amortization			3,732			2,865			—			6,597
	Capital expenditures			2,341			1,189			—			3,530
	Goodwill			1,250			21,896			—			23,146
	Other intangible assets			2,239			8,025			—			10,264
	Total assets			96,620			59,019			5,742			161,381
	-1	Eliminations consist of intersegment transactions.
	-2	Life Science includes $1,013 related to consolidation of the Maine operations into the Tennessee facility.
	A reconciliation of segment operating expenses to consolidated earnings before income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
Year Ended September 30,		2014			2013			2012
Segment operating income		$	52,392		$	57,314		$	49,296
Interest income			25			44			42
Other, net			(309	)		4			378
Consolidated earnings before income taxes		$	52,108		$	57,362		$	49,716
Transactions between segments are accounted for at established intercompany prices for internal and management purposes with all intercompany amounts eliminated in consolidation.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	(8) Commitments and Contingencies
	(a)	Royalty Commitments - We have entered into various license agreements that require payment of royalties based on a specified percentage of the sales of licensed products (1% to 14%). These royalty expenses are recognized on an as-earned basis and recorded in the year earned as a component of cost of sales. Annual royalty expenses associated with these agreements were approximately $3,482, $3,611 and $3,040, respectively, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	(b)	Purchase Commitments - Excluding the operating lease commitments reflected in Note 8 (c) below, we have purchase commitments primarily for inventory and service items as part of the normal course of business. Commitments made under these obligations are $9,557, $67 and $18 for fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. No purchase commitments have been made beyond fiscal 2017.
	(c)	Operating Lease Commitments - Meridian and its subsidiaries are lessees of (i) certain office and warehouse buildings in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Singapore and China; (ii) automobiles for use by the direct sales forces in the U.S. and Europe; and (iii) certain office equipment such as facsimile and copier machines across all business units, under operating lease agreements that expire at various dates. Amounts charged to expense under operating leases were $1,951, $1,744 and $1,524 for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Operating lease commitments for each of the five succeeding fiscal years are as follows: fiscal 2015—$1,661, fiscal 2016—$1,389, fiscal 2017—$830, fiscal 2018—$692, and fiscal 2019—$422.
	(d)	Litigation - We are a party to various litigation matters from time to time that we believe are in the normal course of business. The ultimate resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	(e)	Indemnifications - In conjunction with certain contracts and agreements, we provide routine indemnifications whose terms range in duration and in some circumstances are not explicitly defined. The maximum obligation under some such indemnifications is not explicitly stated and, as a result of our having no history of paying such indemnifications, cannot be reasonably estimated. We have not made any payments for these indemnifications and no liability is recorded at September 30, 2014 or September 30, 2013. We believe that if we were to incur a loss on any of these matters, the loss would not have a material effect on our financial condition.

Quarterly_Financial_Data

Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Data	'
	(9) Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	The sum of the earnings per common share may not equal the corresponding annual amounts due to interim quarter rounding.
	For the Quarter Ended in Fiscal 2014		December 31			March 31			June 30		September 30
	Net revenues		$	44,794		$	50,134		$	47,212	$	46,692
	Gross profit			28,007			31,593			29,242		28,401
	Net earnings			7,426			10,300			8,835		8,182
	Basic earnings per common share			0.18			0.25			0.21		0.2
	Diluted earnings per common share			0.18			0.24			0.21		0.2
	Cash dividends per common share			0.19			0.2			0.2		0.2
	For the Quarter Ended in Fiscal 2013		31-Dec			31-Mar			30-Jun		30-Sep
	Net revenues		$	45,351		$	47,265		$	47,108	$	48,962
	Gross profit			28,796			30,743			30,631		30,874
	Net earnings			8,474			10,249			10,159		9,150
	Basic earnings per common share			0.21			0.25			0.25		0.22
	Diluted earnings per common share			0.2			0.24			0.24		0.22
	Cash dividends per common share			0.38	*		—	*		0.19		0.19
	*	As a result of accelerating the declaration and payment of the quarterly cash dividend historically declared and paid during the second quarter of the fiscal year, two quarterly cash dividends were declared and paid during the three months ended December 31, 2012, with none occurring during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	(10) Subsequent Events
	We evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date of September 30, 2014 and there were no material subsequent events that required recognition or additional disclosure in these financial statements.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
	SCHEDULE II
	Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
	and Subsidiaries
	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Years Ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012
	Description		Balance at		Charged to			Deductions			Other (a)			Balance at
			Beginning		Costs and									End of
			of Period		Expenses									Period
	Year Ended September 30, 2014:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	233	$	116		$	(68	)	$	(9	)	$	272
	Inventory realizability reserves			2,499		1,325			(834	)		(48	)		2,942
	Valuation allowances – deferred taxes			296		—			(296	)		—			—
	Year Ended September 30, 2013:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	574	$	(116	)	$	(239	)	$	14		$	233
	Inventory realizability reserves			2,271		1,132			(938	)		34			2,499
	Valuation allowances – deferred taxes			450		150			(289	)		(15	)		296
	Year Ended September 30, 2012:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	310	$	370		$	(89	)	$	(17	)	$	574
	Inventory realizability reserves			3,175		198			(1,024	)		(78	)		2,271
	Valuation allowances – deferred taxes			603		—			(140	)		(13	)		450
	(a)	Balances reflect the effects of currency translation.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of Business	'
	(a)	Nature of Business - Meridian is a fully-integrated life science company whose principal businesses are (i) the development, manufacture and distribution of diagnostic test kits primarily for certain gastrointestinal, viral, respiratory and parasitic infectious diseases; (ii) the manufacture and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents used by researchers and other diagnostic manufacturers; and (iii) the contract development and manufacture of proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	(b)	Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Meridian,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “our company” refer to Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Use of Estimates	'
	(c)	Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	(d)	Foreign Currency Translation - Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated using year-end exchange rates with gains or losses resulting from translation included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Revenues and expenses are translated using exchange rates prevailing during the year. We also recognize foreign currency transaction gains and losses on certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in the Australian dollar, British pound, Euro and Singapore dollar currencies. These gains and losses are included in other income and expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments	'
	(e)	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments - The primary objectives of our investment activities are to preserve capital and provide sufficient liquidity to meet operating requirements and fund strategic initiatives such as acquisitions. We maintain a written investment policy that governs the management of our investments in fixed income securities. This policy, among other things, provides that we may purchase only high credit-quality securities, that have short-term ratings of at least A-2, P-2 and F-2 or better, and long-term ratings of at least A, Baa1 and A or better, by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch, respectively, at the time of purchase. We consider short-term investments with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents, including overnight repurchase agreements and institutional money market funds. At times our investments of cash and equivalents with various high credit quality financial institutions may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance limit.
	Our investment portfolio includes the following components:
			September 30, 2014				September 30, 2013
			Cash and		Other		Cash and		Other
			Equivalents				Equivalents
	Overnight repurchase agreements		$	26,407	$	—	$	32,103	$	—
	Cash on hand –
	Restricted			—		1,000		—		1,000
	Unrestricted			16,640		—		12,179		—
	Total		$	43,047	$	1,000	$	44,282	$	1,000
Inventories	'
	(f)	Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis (FIFO). illumigene® instruments are carried in inventory until customer placement, at which time they are transferred to deferred illumigene instrument costs, unless sold outright.
	We establish reserves against cost for excess and obsolete materials, finished goods whose shelf life may expire before sale to customers, and other identified exposures. Such reserves were $2,942 and $2,499 at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We estimate these reserves based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual demand and market conditions were to be less favorable than such estimates, additional inventory write-downs would be required and recorded in the period known. Such adjustments would negatively affect gross profit margin and overall results of operations.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	(g)	Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Upon retirement or other disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method in amounts sufficient to write-off the cost over the estimated useful lives, generally as follows:
	Buildings and improvements—18 to 40 years
	Machinery, equipment and furniture—3 to 10 years
	Computer equipment and software—3 to 5 years
	In connection with the fiscal 2012 consolidation of our Maine facility with our Tennessee facility, the carrying value of certain property, plant and equipment, including the building, was determined to be impaired and a write-down of approximately $210 was recorded as a component of plant consolidation costs during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The building and the property on which it sits have been written down to fair value, less selling costs, as determined by an independent outside appraisal.
Intangible Assets	'
	(h)	Intangible Assets - Goodwill is subject to an annual impairment review (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) by first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In the event that a reporting unit does not pass the qualitative assessment, the reporting unit’s carrying value is compared to its fair value, with fair value of the reporting unit estimated using market and discounted cash flow approaches. Goodwill is considered impaired if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value. We perform our annual impairment review as of June 30, the end of our third fiscal quarter. We have no intangible assets with indefinite lives other than goodwill. There have been no impairments from these analyses for fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	The change in goodwill was an increase of $78 in fiscal 2014 and a decrease of $31 in fiscal 2013. Both years reflect the effect of the Life Science segment’s Bioline Group and the currency translation adjustments thereon.
	A summary of Meridian’s acquired intangible assets subject to amortization, as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 is as follows.
			2014				2013
	As of September 30,		Gross		Accum.		Gross		Accum.
			Carrying		Amort.		Carrying		Amort.
			Value				Value
	Manufacturing technologies, core products and cell lines		$	11,685	$	10,568	$	11,676	$	10,097
	Trademarks, licenses and patents			6,463		2,766		4,748		2,130
	Customer lists and supply agreements			12,378		9,379		12,353		8,493
			$	30,526	$	22,713	$	28,777	$	20,720
	During fiscal 2014, we acquired the remaining licensing rights related to patents that are part of our illumigene molecular technology for $1,638. These rights are being amortized over a weighted average period of approximately 8.5 years.
	The actual aggregate amortization expense for these intangible assets for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $2,039, $2,269 and $2,165, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for these intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows: fiscal 2015—$1,737, fiscal 2016—$1,394, fiscal 2017—$1,158, fiscal 2018—$1,138 and fiscal 2019—$1,097.
	Long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that such assets may not be recoverable at their carrying value. Whether an event or circumstance triggers an impairment is determined by comparing an estimate of the asset’s future undiscounted cash flows to its carrying value. If impairment has occurred, it is measured by a fair-value based test.
	Our ability to recover the carrying value of our intangible assets, both identifiable intangibles and goodwill, is dependent upon the future cash flows of the related acquired businesses and assets. We make judgments and assumptions regarding future cash flows, including sales levels, gross profit margins, operating expense levels, working capital levels, and capital expenditures. With respect to identifiable intangibles and fixed assets, we also make judgments and assumptions regarding useful lives.
	We consider the following factors in evaluating events and circumstances for possible impairment: (i) significant under-performance relative to historical or projected operating results; (ii) negative industry trends; (iii) sales levels of specific groups of products (related to specific identifiable intangibles); (iv) changes in overall business strategies; and (v) other factors.
	If actual cash flows are less favorable than projections, this could trigger impairment of intangible assets and other long-lived assets. If impairment were to occur, this would negatively affect overall results of operations.
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable	'
	(i)	Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable - Revenue is generally recognized from sales when product is shipped and title has passed to the customer. Revenue for the Diagnostics segment is reduced at the date of sale for product price adjustments due certain distributors under local contracts. Management estimates accruals for distributor price adjustments based on local contract terms, sales data provided by distributors, estimates of inventories of certain of our products held by distributors, historical statistics, current trends, and other factors. Changes to the accruals are recorded in the period that they become known. Such accruals were $4,220 at September 30, 2014 and $3,866 at September 30, 2013, and have been netted against accounts receivable.
	Revenue for our Diagnostics segment includes revenue for our illumigene molecular test system. This system includes an instrument, instrument accessories and test kits. In markets where the test system is sold via multiple deliverable arrangements (i.e., the United States, Australia, Belgium, France, Holland and Italy), the cost of the instrument and instrument accessories is deferred upon placement at a customer and amortized on a straight-line basis into cost of sales over the expected utilization period, generally three years.
	We evaluate whether each deliverable in the arrangement is a separate unit of accounting. The significant deliverables are an instrument, instrument accessories (e.g., printer) and test kits. An instrument and instrument accessories are delivered to the customer prior to the start of the customer utilization period, in order to accommodate customer set-up and installation. There is de minimis consideration received from the customer at the time of instrument placement. We have determined that the instrument and instrument accessories are not a separate unit of accounting because such equipment can only be used to process and read the results from our illumigene diagnostic tests (i.e., our instrument and test kits function together to deliver a diagnostic test result), and therefore the instrument and instrument accessories do not have standalone value to the customer. Consequently, there is no revenue allocated to the placement of the instrument and instrument accessories. Test kits are delivered to the customer over the utilization period of the instrument, which we estimate has a useful life of three years. Our average customer contract period, including estimated renewals, is at least equal to the estimated three-year utilization period. Revenue for the sale of test kits is recognized upon shipment and transfer of title to the customers.
	In markets where the test system is not sold via multiple deliverable arrangements (i.e., countries other than the United States, Australia, Belgium, France, Holland and Italy), the cost of the instrument and instrument accessories is charged to cost of sales at the time of shipment and transfer of title to the customer. Revenue for the sales of instruments and instrument accessories and test kits is recognized upon shipment and transfer of title to the customers. In these markets, our illumigene molecular test system is sold to independent distributors who inventory the instruments, instrument accessories and test kits for resale to end-users.
	Our products are generally not subject to a customer right of return except for product recall events under the rules and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration or equivalent agencies outside the United States. In this circumstance, the costs to replace affected products would be accrued at the time a loss was probable and estimable.
	Life Science revenue for contract services may come from research and development services or manufacturing services, including process development work, or a combination of both. Revenue is recognized based on each of the deliverables in a given arrangement having distinct and separate customer pricing. Depending on the nature of the arrangement, revenue is recognized as services are performed and billed, upon completion and acceptance by the customer, or upon delivery of product and acceptance by the customer.
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at invoiced amounts less provisions for distributor price adjustments under local contracts and doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our estimate of probable credit losses and is based on historical write-off experience and known conditions that would likely lead to non-payment. The allowance for doubtful accounts and related metrics, such as days’ sales outstanding, are reviewed monthly. Accounts with past due balances over 90 days are reviewed individually for collectibility. Customer invoices are charged off against the allowance when we believe it is probable that the invoices will not be paid.
Research and Development Costs	'
	(j)	Research and Development Costs - Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development costs include, among other things, salaries and wages for research scientists, materials and supplies used in the development of new products, costs for development of instrumentation equipment, costs for clinical trials, and costs for facilities and equipment.
Income Taxes	'
	(k)	Income Taxes - The provision for income taxes includes federal, foreign, state and local income taxes currently payable and those deferred because of temporary differences between income for financial reporting and income for tax purposes. We prepare estimates of permanent and temporary differences between income for financial reporting purposes and income for tax purposes. These differences are adjusted to actual upon filing of our tax returns, typically occurring in the third and fourth quarters of the current fiscal year for the preceding fiscal year’s estimates.
	We account for uncertain tax positions using a benefit recognition model with a two-step approach: (i) a more-likely-than-not recognition criterion; and (ii) a measurement attribute that measures the position as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being ultimately realized upon ultimate settlement. If it is not more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on its technical merits, no benefit is recorded. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a portion of our income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 4.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	(l)	Stock-Based Compensation - We recognize compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees, based upon the fair value of the share-based award on the date of the grant. See Note 5(b).
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	(m)	Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive income (loss) represents the net change in shareholders’ equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders. As reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income, our comprehensive income or loss is comprised of net earnings and foreign currency translation.
Shipping and Handling Costs	'
	(n)	Shipping and Handling Costs - Shipping and handling costs invoiced to customers are included in net revenues. Costs to distribute products to customers, including freight costs, warehousing costs, and other shipping and handling activities are included in cost of sales.
Non-Income Government-Assessed Taxes	'
	(o)	Non-Income Government-Assessed Taxes - We classify all non-income, government-assessed taxes (sales, use and value-added) collected from customers and remitted by us to appropriate revenue authorities, on a net basis (excluded from net revenues) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	(p)	Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes and replaces nearly all currently-existing U.S. GAAP revenue recognition guidance including related disclosure requirements. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2017. The Company has not yet completed its assessment of the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on its financial statements.
Reclassifications	'
	(q)	Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior fiscal year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on net earnings or shareholders’ equity.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Components of Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Our investment portfolio includes the following components:
		September 30, 2014				September 30, 2013
		Cash and		Other		Cash and		Other
		Equivalents				Equivalents
	Overnight repurchase agreements	$	26,407	$	—	$	32,103	$	—
	Cash on hand –
	Restricted		—		1,000		—		1,000
	Unrestricted		16,640		—		12,179		—
	Total	$	43,047	$	1,000	$	44,282	$	1,000
Summary of Acquired Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	'
	A summary of Meridian’s acquired intangible assets subject to amortization, as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 is as follows.
		2014				2013
	As of September 30,	Gross		Accum.		Gross		Accum.
		Carrying		Amort.		Carrying		Amort.
		Value				Value
	Manufacturing technologies, core products and cell lines	$	11,685	$	10,568	$	11,676	$	10,097
	Trademarks, licenses and patents		6,463		2,766		4,748		2,130
	Customer lists and supply agreements		12,378		9,379		12,353		8,493
		$	30,526	$	22,713	$	28,777	$	20,720

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Inventories	'
	Inventories are comprised of the following:
	As of September 30,	2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	5,674	$	7,170
	Work-in-process		10,591		8,585
	Finished goods—illumigene instruments		1,710		1,980
	Finished goods—kits and reagents		17,520		17,100
	Total	$	35,495	$	34,835

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Earnings Before Income Taxes, and Related Provision for Income Taxes	'
	(a)	Earnings before income taxes, and the related provision for income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	Year Ended September 30,		2014			2013			2012
	Domestic		$	48,350		$	53,963		$	44,774
	Foreign			3,758			3,399			4,942
	Total earnings before income taxes		$	52,108		$	57,362		$	49,716
	Provision (credit) for income taxes—
	Federal—
	Current		$	15,021		$	18,311		$	15,077
	Temporary differences
	Fixed asset basis differences and depreciation			108			121			2
	Intangible asset basis differences and amortization			(210	)		(339	)		(354	)
	Currently non-deductible expenses and reserves			50			(425	)		(397	)
	Stock-based compensation			59			(282	)		(599	)
	Tax credit carryforwards			225			(717	)		—
	Other, net			66			43			74
	Subtotal			15,319			16,712			13,803
	State and local			1,762			2,013			1,521
	Foreign			284			605			1,021
	Total income tax provision		$	17,365		$	19,330		$	16,345
Reconciliation Between the Statutory U.S. Income Tax Rate and Effective Rate Derived by Dividing the Provision for Income Taxes by Earnings Before Income Taxes	'
	(b)	The following is a reconciliation between the statutory U.S. income tax rate and the effective rate derived by dividing the provision for income taxes by earnings before income taxes:
	Year Ended September 30,		2014						2013					2012
	Computed income taxes at statutory rate		$	18,238			35	%	$	20,078		35	%	$	17,398		35	%
	Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from—
	State and local income taxes			1,061			2			1,270		2.2			994		2
	Net benefit on foreign dividend			(274	)		(0.5	)		(84	)	(0.2	)		(373	)	(0.8	)
	Foreign tax rate differences			(430	)		(0.8	)		(18	)	—			(114	)	(0.2	)
	Qualified domestic production incentives			(1,175	)		(2.3	)		(1,621	)	(2.8	)		(1,226	)	(2.5	)
	Uncertain tax position activity			164			0.3			(80	)	(0.1	)		(71	)	(0.1	)
	Other, net			(219	)		(0.4	)		(215	)	(0.4	)		(263	)	(0.5	)
			$	17,365			33.3	%	$	19,330		33.7	%	$	16,345		32.9	%
Components of Net Deferred Tax Assets	'
	(c)	The components of net deferred tax assets were as follows:
	As of September 30,		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets—
	Valuation reserves and non-deductible expenses		$	1,984		$	1,784
	Stock compensation expense not deductible			3,328			3,381
	Net operating loss carryforwards			536			734
	Tax credit carryforwards			492			717
	Inventory basis differences			1,340			1,626
	Other			8			33
	Subtotal			7,688			8,275
	Less valuation allowance			—			(296	)
	Deferred tax assets			7,688			7,979
	Deferred tax liabilities—
	Fixed asset basis differences and depreciation			(951	)		(862	)
	Intangible asset basis differences and amortization			(1,338	)		(1,924	)
	Other			—			(225	)
	Deferred tax liabilities			(2,289	)		(3,011	)
	Net deferred tax assets		$	5,399		$	4,968
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
			2014			2013
	Unrecognized income tax benefits beginning of year		$	208		$	471
	Additions for tax positions related to the current year			11			—
	Additions for tax positions of prior years			153			61
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years			—			(103	)
	Tax examination and other settlements			—			(183	)
	Expirations of statute of limitations			—			(38	)
	Unrecognized income tax benefits at end of year		$	372		$	208

Employee_Benefits_Tables

Employee Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to Determine Grant-date Fair Value for Stock Options	'
	We have elected to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine grant-date fair value for stock options, with the following assumptions: (i) expected share price volatility based on the average of Meridian’s historical volatility over the options’ expected lives and implied volatility based on the value of tradable call options; (ii) expected life of options based on contractual lives, employees’ historical exercise behavior and employees’ historical post-vesting employment termination behavior; (iii) risk-free interest rates based on treasury rates that correspond to the expected lives of the options; and (iv) dividend yield based on the expected yield on underlying Meridian common stock.
	Year ended September 30,	2014		2013	2012
	Risk-free interest rates	1.80%		0.88%	1.24%
	Dividend yield	3.50%		4.10%	3.42%
	Life of option	6.29 yrs.		6.23 yrs.	6.22 yrs.
	Share price volatility	33%		36 %	39%
	Forfeitures (by employee group)	0%-14%		0%-10%	0%-10%
Summary of Stock Option Plans	'
	A summary of the status of our stock option plans at September 30, 2014 and changes during the year is presented in the table and narrative below:
		Options			Wtd Avg		Wtd Avg		Aggregate
					Exercise		Remaining		Intrinsic
					Price		Life (Yrs)		Value
	Outstanding beginning of period		1,508		$	17.93
	Grants		70			24.2
	Exercises		(78	)		7.27
	Forfeitures		(13	)		21.5
	Cancellations		(345	)		17.57
	Outstanding end of period		1,142		$	19.11		5.08	$	1,261
	Exercisable end of period		782		$	19.27		3.97	$	1,219
Summary of Nonvested Options	'
	A summary of the status of our nonvested options as of September 30, 2014, and changes during the year ended September 30, 2014, is presented below:
		Options			Weighted-
					Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested beginning of period		787		$	4.66
	Granted		70			5.48
	Vested		(144	)		4.88
	Forfeitures		(8	)		4.94
	Cancelled		(345	)		4.66
	Nonvested end of period		360		$	4.78

Reportable_Segments_and_Major_1

Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Consolidated Net Revenues	'
	Revenues from individual customers constituting 10% or more of consolidated net revenues are as follows:
	Year Ended September 30,		2014						2013						2012
	Customer A		$	28,278			(15	)%	$	35,082			(19	)%	$	32,771	(19	)%
	Customer B		$	22,729			(12	)%	$	25,457			(13	)%	$	19,903	(12	)%
Significant Revenue Information by Country for Diagnostics and Life Science Reportable Segments	'
	Significant revenue information by country for the Diagnostics and Life Science segments is as follows. Revenues are attributed to the geographic area based on the location to which the product is delivered.
	Year Ended September 30,		2014			2013			2012
	United States		$	112,917		$	114,935		$	99,998
	Italy			8,469			7,427			7,473
	Japan			2,097			3,937			3,922
	United Kingdom			1,942			2,141			2,441
	France			1,841			1,936			2,149
	Holland			1,613			1,764			1,818
	Canada			1,359			1,248			941
	Belgium			1,241			1,285			1,271
	Other countries			10,021			9,956			10,167
	Total Diagnostics		$	141,500		$	144,629		$	130,180
	Year Ended September 30,		2014			2013			2012
	United States		$	18,864		$	17,527		$	17,805
	Germany			7,232			6,465			4,872
	United Kingdom			5,647			5,590			5,251
	Australia			4,063			3,454			3,423
	France			1,633			1,440			1,282
	Other countries			9,893			9,581			9,899
	Total Life Science		$	47,332		$	44,057		$	42,532
Segment Information	'
	Segment information for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
			Diagnostics			Life Science			Elim (1)			Total
	Fiscal Year 2014—
	Net revenues –
	Third-party		$	141,500		$	47,332		$	—		$	188,832
	Inter-segment			432			1,009			(1,441	)		—
	Operating income			41,629			10,861			(98	)		52,392
	Depreciation and amortization			4,283			2,981			—			7,264
	Capital expenditures			4,176			1,130			—			5,306
	Goodwill			1,250			21,943			—			23,193
	Other intangible assets			2,756			5,057			—			7,813
	Total assets			109,086			67,790			53			176,929
	Fiscal Year 2013—
	Net revenues –
	Third-party		$	144,629		$	44,057		$	—		$	188,686
	Inter-segment			533			1,223			(1,756	)		—
	Operating income			46,735			10,627			(48	)		57,314
	Depreciation and amortization			4,328			2,824			—			7,152
	Capital expenditures			2,031			1,203			—			3,234
	Goodwill			1,250			21,865			—			23,115
	Other intangible assets			1,561			6,496			—			8,057
	Total assets			111,719			65,393			(364	)		176,748
	Fiscal Year 2012—
	Net revenues –
	Third-party		$	130,180		$	42,532		$	—		$	172,712
	Inter-segment			599			1,097			(1,696	)		—
	Operating income (2)			40,648			8,473			175			49,296
	Depreciation and amortization			3,732			2,865			—			6,597
	Capital expenditures			2,341			1,189			—			3,530
	Goodwill			1,250			21,896			—			23,146
	Other intangible assets			2,239			8,025			—			10,264
	Total assets			96,620			59,019			5,742			161,381
	-1	Eliminations consist of intersegment transactions.
	-2	Life Science includes $1,013 related to consolidation of the Maine operations into the Tennessee facility.
Pre-tax Earnings Table	'
	A reconciliation of segment operating expenses to consolidated earnings before income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
	Year Ended September 30,		2014			2013			2012
	Segment operating income		$	52,392		$	57,314		$	49,296
	Interest income			25			44			42
	Other, net			(309	)		4			378
	Consolidated earnings before income taxes		$	52,108		$	57,362		$	49,716

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Table

Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Quarterly Financial Data	'
	For the Quarter Ended in Fiscal 2014		December 31			March 31			June 30		September 30
	Net revenues		$	44,794		$	50,134		$	47,212	$	46,692
	Gross profit			28,007			31,593			29,242		28,401
	Net earnings			7,426			10,300			8,835		8,182
	Basic earnings per common share			0.18			0.25			0.21		0.2
	Diluted earnings per common share			0.18			0.24			0.21		0.2
	Cash dividends per common share			0.19			0.2			0.2		0.2
	For the Quarter Ended in Fiscal 2013		31-Dec			31-Mar			30-Jun		30-Sep
	Net revenues		$	45,351		$	47,265		$	47,108	$	48,962
	Gross profit			28,796			30,743			30,631		30,874
	Net earnings			8,474			10,249			10,159		9,150
	Basic earnings per common share			0.21			0.25			0.25		0.22
	Diluted earnings per common share			0.2			0.24			0.24		0.22
	Cash dividends per common share			0.38	*		—	*		0.19		0.19
	*	As a result of accelerating the declaration and payment of the quarterly cash dividend historically declared and paid during the second quarter of the fiscal year, two quarterly cash dividends were declared and paid during the three months ended December 31, 2012, with none occurring during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Cash and Cash Equivalents (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Overnight repurchase agreements	$26,407	$32,103	'	'
Cash on hand - Restricted	1,000	1,000	'	'
Cash on hand - Unrestricted	16,640	12,179	'	'
Total	$43,047	$44,282	$31,593	$23,626

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Inventory Valuation Reserves	$2,942,000	$2,499,000	'
Building impaired and write-down	'	'	210,000
Intangible Assets Impairments	0	0	0
Indefinite-Lived intangible assets other than goodwill	0	'	'
Changes in Goodwill	78,000	-31,000	'
Amortization of intangible assets	2,039,000	2,269,000	2,165,000
2015	1,737,000	'	'
2016	1,394,000	'	'
2017	1,158,000	'	'
2018	1,138,000	'	'
2019	1,097,000	'	'
Accrued distributor price adjustments	4,220,000	3,866,000	'
Expected instrument utilization period	'3 years	'	'
Period of review of accounts individually	'90 days	'	'
Likelihood percentage of tax benefit being recognized upon ultimate settlement	50.00%	'	'
Tax benefits recognized from uncertain tax positions measurement	'We account for uncertain tax positions using a benefit recognition model with a two-step approach: (i) a more-likely-than-not recognition criterion; and (ii) a measurement attribute that measures the position as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being ultimately realized upon ultimate settlement.	'	'
Licensing Rights [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Licensing rights acquired	$1,638,000	'	'
Weighted average amortization period	'8 years 6 months	'	'
Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'18 years	'	'
Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'40 years	'	'
Machinery, Equipment and Furniture [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'3 years	'	'
Machinery, Equipment and Furniture [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'10 years	'	'
Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'3 years	'	'
Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Acquired Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	$30,526	$28,777
Accumulated Amortization	22,713	20,720
Manufacturing Technologies, Core Products and Cell Lines [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	11,685	11,676
Accumulated Amortization	10,568	10,097
Trademarks, Licenses and Patents [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	6,463	4,748
Accumulated Amortization	2,766	2,130
Customer Lists and Supply Agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	12,378	12,353
Accumulated Amortization	$9,379	$8,493

Inventories_Components_of_Inve

Inventories - Components of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Raw materials	$5,674	$7,170
Work-in-process	10,591	8,585
Total	35,495	34,835
Illumigene Instruments [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Finished goods	1,710	1,980
Kits and Reagents [Member]	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Finished goods	$17,520	$17,100

Bank_Credit_Arrangements_Addit

Bank Credit Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Credit facility with a commercial bank	$30,000,000	'
Expiration date of credit facility	30-Sep-15	'
Credit facility, collateralized	147,000,000	'
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility	0	0
Available borrowings under credit facility	30,000,000	30,000,000
Cash compensating balance	$1,000,000	'

Income_Taxes_Earnings_Before_I

Income Taxes - Earnings Before Income Taxes and Related Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Domestic	$48,350	$53,963	$44,774
Foreign	3,758	3,399	4,942
Earnings Before Income Taxes	52,108	57,362	49,716
Federal-	'	'	'
Current	15,021	18,311	15,077
Temporary differences	'	'	'
Fixed asset basis differences and depreciation	108	121	2
Intangible asset basis differences and amortization	-210	-339	-354
Currently non-deductible expenses and reserves	50	-425	-397
Stock-based compensation	59	-282	-599
Tax credit carryforwards	225	-717	0
Other, net	66	43	74
Subtotal	15,319	16,712	13,803
State and local	1,762	2,013	1,521
Foreign	284	605	1,021
Income Tax Provision	$17,365	$19,330	$16,345

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Be

Income Taxes - Reconciliation Between the Statutory U.S. Income Tax Rate and Effective Rate Derived by Dividing the Provision for Income Taxes by Earnings Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Computed income taxes at statutory rate	$18,238	$20,078	$17,398
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from-	'	'	'
State and local income taxes	1,061	1,270	994
Net benefit on foreign dividend	-274	-84	-373
Foreign tax rate differences	-430	-18	-114
Qualified domestic production incentives	-1,175	-1,621	-1,226
Uncertain tax position activity	164	-80	-71
Other, net	-219	-215	-263
Income Tax Provision	$17,365	$19,330	$16,345
Computed income taxes at statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local income taxes, rate	2.00%	2.20%	2.00%
Net benefit on foreign dividend, rate	-0.50%	-0.20%	-0.80%
Foreign tax rate differences, rate	-0.80%	0.00%	-0.20%
Qualified domestic production incentives, rate	-2.30%	-2.80%	-2.50%
Uncertain tax position activity, rate	0.30%	-0.10%	-0.10%
Other, net, rate	-0.40%	-0.40%	-0.50%
Total, rate	33.30%	33.70%	32.90%

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Net

Income Taxes - Components of Net Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets-	'	'
Valuation reserves and non-deductible expenses	$1,984	$1,784
Stock compensation expense not deductible	3,328	3,381
Net operating loss carryforwards	536	734
Tax credit carryforwards	492	717
Inventory basis differences	1,340	1,626
Other	8	33
Subtotal	7,688	8,275
Less valuation allowance	0	-296
Deferred tax assets	7,688	7,979
Deferred tax liabilities-	'	'
Fixed asset basis differences and depreciation	-951	-862
Intangible asset basis differences and amortization	-1,338	-1,924
Other	0	-225
Deferred tax liabilities	-2,289	-3,011
Net deferred tax assets	$5,399	$4,968

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred tax assets operating loss carry forwards totaling	$536	$734
Tax credit carryforwards	492	717
Undistributed earnings	8,000	14,000
Deferred tax liabilities	1,300	1,000
Amount unrecognized tax that affect income tax rate if recognized	372	208
Increase (decrease) in tax provision for interest and penalties	26	-72
Payment of interest and penalties, accrued	$56	$30
Uncertain tax positions expected to be paid or settled	'12 months	'
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'
Fiscal year with IRS examination completed	'2011	'
Domestic [Member]	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'
Open Tax Years	'2011, 2012 and 2013	'
Foreign [Member]	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'
Open Tax Years	'2009 and forward	'

Income_Taxes_Unrecognized_Tax_

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Unrecognized income tax benefits beginning of year	$208	$471
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	11	0
Additions for tax positions of prior years	153	61
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	0	-103
Tax examination and other settlements	0	-183
Expirations of statute of limitations	0	-38
Unrecognized income tax benefits at end of year	$372	$208

Employee_Benefits_Additional_I

Employee Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Officers
	Stock_Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of employers contribution as percentage of employees contribution	50.00%	'	'
Maximum percentage of employers contribution on eligible compensation	3.00%	'	'
Discretionary and matching contributions to plan	$1,542	$1,539	$2,033
Number of active stock-based compensation plan	2	'	'
Minimum rate of payroll deduction	1.00%	'	'
Maximum rate of payroll deduction	15.00%	'	'
Additional rate of match by Meridian	5.00%	'	'
Granted, Shares	70,000	'	'
Options granted, authorizing limit	3,703,000	'	'
Rate of exercise price of underlying common shares	100.00%	'	'
Weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted	$5.48	$4.19	$4.68
Measurement dates for ratably earning one-third of the grant	'	'	'21 months
Measurement dates for ratably earning one-third of the grant, period two	'	'	'33 months
Measurement dates for ratably earning one-third of the grant, period three	'	'	'45 months
Weighted average remaining vesting period	'1 year 8 months 27 days	'	'
Number of restricted share units vested	145	'	'
Stock based compensation	3,557	2,502	1,987
Total income tax benefit recognized in stock-based compensation arrangements	1,185	850	588
Stock Compensation Expense expected period for recognition	'2015 through 2018	'	'
Number of executive officers granted unrestricted common shares	2	'	'
Stock compensation expense to adjust estimated forfeiture rates to actual	108	93	73
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	1,110	2,483	452
Total grant-date fair value of options that vested	701	712	361
Cash received from options exercised	567	2,258	431
Tax benefits realized and recorded to additional paid-in capital from option exercises	315	306	15
Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Shares [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restricted share units granted	270,000	204,000	210,000
Weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted share units granted	$24.82	$19.38	$17.99
Weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted share units	$22.04	'	'
Ratable earnings in equal installments, percentage	33.33%	'	'
Restricted shares and restricted share units outstanding	400,000	'	'
Weighted average grant date fair value of outstanding restricted shares and restricted share units	$21.01	'	'
Intrinsic value of restricted shares and restricted share units	7,071	'	'
Stock based compensation	3,071	2,069	1,561
Stock based compensation	2,105	'	'
Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Shares [Member] | Certain Executive Management Employees [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restricted share units granted	'	'	110,000
Weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted share units	'	'	$17.57
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	486	336	426
Stock based compensation	185	'	'
Stock Options [Member] | Certain Executive Management Employees [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Granted, Shares	'	'	1,035,000
Weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted	'	'	$4.66
2004 Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares authorized for grant	3,000,000	'	'
Granted, Shares	1,882,000	'	'
Maximum terms	'10 years	'	'
2012 Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares authorized for grant	3,000,000	'	'
Granted, Shares	415,000	'	'
Unrestricted Common Shares [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	'	$97	'

Employee_Benefits_BlackScholes

Employee Benefits - Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to Determine Grant-date Fair Value for Stock Options (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rates	1.80%	0.88%	1.24%
Dividend yield	3.50%	4.10%	3.42%
Life of option	'6 years 3 months 15 days	'6 years 2 months 23 days	'6 years 2 months 19 days
Share price volatility	33.00%	36.00%	39.00%
Forfeitures (by employee group) Minimum	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Forfeitures (by employee group) Maximum	14.00%	10.00%	10.00%

Employee_Benefits_Summary_of_S

Employee Benefits - Summary of Stock Option Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Outstanding beginning of period, Options	1,508
Grants, Options	70
Exercises, Options	-78
Forfeitures, Options	-13
Cancellations, Options	-345
Outstanding end of period, Options	1,142
Exercisable end of period, Options	782
Outstanding beginning of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$17.93
Grants, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$24.20
Exercises, Weighted average exercise price	$7.27
Forfeitures, Weighted average exercise price	$21.50
Cancellations, Weighted average exercise price	$17.57
Outstanding end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$19.11
Exercisable end of period, Weighted average exercise price	$19.27
Outstanding end of period, Weighted Average remaining life	'5 years 29 days
Exercisable end of period, Weighted Average remaining life	'3 years 11 months 19 days
Outstanding end of period, Aggregate intrinsic value	$1,261
Exercisable end of period, Aggregate intrinsic value	$1,219

Employee_Benefits_Summary_of_N

Employee Benefits - Summary of Nonvested Options (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Nonvested beginning of period, Options	787	'	'
Granted, Options	70	'	'
Vested, Options	-144	'	'
Forfeitures, Options	-8	'	'
Cancelled, Options	-345	'	'
Nonvested end of period, Options	360	787	'
Nonvested beginning of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$4.66	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$5.48	$4.19	$4.68
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$4.88	'	'
Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$4.94	'	'
Cancelled, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$4.66	'	'
Nonvested end of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$4.78	'	'

NonCurrent_Liabilities_Additio

Non-Current Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Non Current Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Reserves for potential future severance indemnity	$831	$827
Non Qualified Defined Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'
Other Non Current Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Post-retirement and insurance benefits obligations	$1,247	$1,056

Reportable_Segments_and_Major_2

Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data - Consolidated Net Revenues (Detail) (Customer Concentration Risk [Member], Revenues [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Customer A [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$28,278	$35,082	$32,771
Concentration percentage	15.00%	19.00%	19.00%
Customer B [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$22,729	$25,457	$19,903
Concentration percentage	12.00%	13.00%	12.00%

Reportable_Segments_and_Major_3

Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Product
	Customer
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Identifiable assets	$176,929	$176,748	$161,381
Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of customers	2	'	'
Revenues	141,500	144,629	130,180
Number of foodborne products sourced from another vendor	2	'	'
Italy [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Identifiable assets	10,861	10,760	'
Italy [Member] | Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	8,469	7,427	7,473
United Kingdom [Member] | Bioline Group [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Identifiable assets	14,985	14,220	'
United Kingdom [Member] | Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	1,942	2,141	2,441
Germany [Member] | Bioline Group [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Identifiable assets	7,713	7,965	'
Australia [Member] | Bioline Group [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Identifiable assets	4,171	4,239	'
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Diagnostics [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration percentage	15.00%	17.00%	'
Italian Government [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration percentage	14.00%	'	'
Foreign Customers, Combined International for Diagnostics and Life Science [Member] | Revenues [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$57,051	$56,224	$54,909
Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Revenues [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration percentage	46.00%	47.00%	47.00%
Third-Party Vendor [Member] | Revenues [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration percentage	14.00%	14.00%	13.00%

Reportable_Segments_and_Major_4

Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data - Significant Revenue Information by Country for Diagnostics and Life Science Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$141,500	$144,629	$130,180
Diagnostics [Member] | United States [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	112,917	114,935	99,998
Diagnostics [Member] | Italy [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	8,469	7,427	7,473
Diagnostics [Member] | Japan [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	2,097	3,937	3,922
Diagnostics [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	1,942	2,141	2,441
Diagnostics [Member] | France [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	1,841	1,936	2,149
Diagnostics [Member] | Holland [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	1,613	1,764	1,818
Diagnostics [Member] | Canada [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	1,359	1,248	941
Diagnostics [Member] | Belgium [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	1,241	1,285	1,271
Diagnostics [Member] | Other Countries [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	10,021	9,956	10,167
Life Science [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	47,332	44,057	42,532
Life Science [Member] | United States [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	18,864	17,527	17,805
Life Science [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	5,647	5,590	5,251
Life Science [Member] | France [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	1,633	1,440	1,282
Life Science [Member] | Other Countries [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	9,893	9,581	9,899
Life Science [Member] | Germany [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	7,232	6,465	4,872
Life Science [Member] | Australia [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$4,063	$3,454	$3,423

Reportable_Segments_and_Major_5

Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data - Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues - Third-party	$46,692	$47,212	$50,134	$44,794	$48,962	$47,108	$47,265	$45,351	$188,832	$188,686	$172,712
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	52,392	57,314	49,296
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,264	7,152	6,597
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,306	3,234	3,530
Goodwill	23,193	'	'	'	23,115	'	'	'	23,193	23,115	23,146
Other intangible assets	7,813	'	'	'	8,057	'	'	'	7,813	8,057	10,264
Total assets	176,929	'	'	'	176,748	'	'	'	176,929	176,748	161,381
Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues - Inter-segment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	141,500	144,629	130,180
Life Science [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues - Inter-segment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	47,332	44,057	42,532
Operating Segments [Member] | Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues - Third-party	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	141,500	144,629	130,180
Net revenues - Inter-segment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	432	533	599
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	41,629	46,735	40,648
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,283	4,328	3,732
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,176	2,031	2,341
Goodwill	1,250	'	'	'	1,250	'	'	'	1,250	1,250	1,250
Other intangible assets	2,756	'	'	'	1,561	'	'	'	2,756	1,561	2,239
Total assets	109,086	'	'	'	111,719	'	'	'	109,086	111,719	96,620
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Science [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues - Third-party	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	47,332	44,057	42,532
Net revenues - Inter-segment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,009	1,223	1,097
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,861	10,627	8,473
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,981	2,824	2,865
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,130	1,203	1,189
Goodwill	21,943	'	'	'	21,865	'	'	'	21,943	21,865	21,896
Other intangible assets	5,057	'	'	'	6,496	'	'	'	5,057	6,496	8,025
Total assets	67,790	'	'	'	65,393	'	'	'	67,790	65,393	59,019
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues - Inter-segment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,441	-1,756	-1,696
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-98	-48	175
Total assets	$53	'	'	'	($364)	'	'	'	$53	($364)	$5,742

Reportable_Segments_and_Major_6

Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data - Segment Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Plant consolidation costs	$1,013

Reportable_Segments_and_Major_7

Reportable Segments and Major Concentration Data - Pre-tax Earnings Table (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'
Segment operating income	$52,392	$57,314	$49,296
Interest income	25	44	42
Other, net	-309	4	378
Earnings Before Income Taxes	$52,108	$57,362	$49,716

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Royalty percentage of the sales of licensed products, Minimum	1.00%	'	'
Royalty percentage of the sales of licensed products, Maximum	14.00%	'	'
Annual royalty expenses	$3,482	$3,611	$3,040
2015	9,557	'	'
2016	67	'	'
2017	18	'	'
Thereafter	0	'	'
Expenses under operating leases	1,951	1,744	1,524
2015	1,661	'	'
2016	1,389	'	'
2017	830	'	'
2018	692	'	'
2019	422	'	'
Payments for indemnifications	0	0	'
Liabilities for indemnifications	$0	$0	'

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Summa

Quarterly Financial Data - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Revenues	$46,692	$47,212	$50,134	$44,794	$48,962	$47,108	$47,265	$45,351	$188,832	$188,686	$172,712
Gross profit	28,401	29,242	31,593	28,007	30,874	30,631	30,743	28,796	117,243	121,044	109,048
Net earnings	$8,182	$8,835	$10,300	$7,426	$9,150	$10,159	$10,249	$8,474	$34,743	$38,032	$33,371
Basic earnings per common share	$0.20	$0.21	$0.25	$0.18	$0.22	$0.25	$0.25	$0.21	$0.84	$0.92	$0.81
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.20	$0.21	$0.24	$0.18	$0.22	$0.24	$0.24	$0.20	$0.83	$0.91	$0.80
Cash dividends per common share	$0.20	$0.20	$0.20	$0.19	$0.19	$0.19	$0	$0.38	$0.79	$0.76	$0.76

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Summa1

Quarterly Financial Data - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Dividends	Dividends
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Number of quarterly cash dividends declared and paid	0	2

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Period	$233	$574	$310
Charged to Costs and Expenses	116	-116	370
Deductions	-68	-239	-89
Other	-9	14	-17
Balance at End of Period	272	233	574
Inventory Realizability Reserves [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Period	2,499	2,271	3,175
Charged to Costs and Expenses	1,325	1,132	198
Deductions	-834	-938	-1,024
Other	-48	34	-78
Balance at End of Period	2,942	2,499	2,271
Valuation Allowances - Deferred Taxes [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Period	296	450	603
Charged to Costs and Expenses	'	150	'
Deductions	-296	-289	-140
Other	'	-15	-13
Balance at End of Period	$0	$296	$450