Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 06, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000866706
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,455,041,000
Trading Symbol	ESE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,835,902

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net sales	$ 685,740	$ 571,459	$ 537,291
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	436,918	350,807	334,850
Selling, general and administrative expenses	148,433	131,493	130,166
Amortization of intangible assets	16,338	11,630	8,850
Interest expense, net	4,578	1,308	785
Other (income) expenses, net	(680)	7,801	1,119
Total costs and expenses	605,587	503,039	475,770
Earnings before income tax	80,153	68,420	61,521
Income tax expense	26,450	22,538	19,785
Net earnings from continuing operations	53,703	45,882	41,736
Earnings on sale from discontinued operations, net of tax expense of $390 in 2015	0	0	776
Net earnings from discontinued operations	0	0	776
Net earnings	$ 53,703	$ 45,882	$ 42,512
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 2.08	$ 1.78	$ 1.60
Discontinued operations	0	0	0.03
Net earnings	2.08	1.78	1.63
Diluted:
Continuing operations	2.07	1.77	1.59
Discontinued operations	0	0	0.03
Net earnings	$ 2.07	$ 1.77	$ 1.62
Average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic	25,774	25,762	26,077
Diluted	25,995	25,968	26,265

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net earnings	$ 53,703	$ 45,882	$ 42,512
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	6,383	(1,462)	(6,297)
Amortization of prior service costs and actuarial gains (losses)	5,573	(5,250)	(6,961)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	19	(33)	(94)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	11,975	(6,745)	(13,352)
Comprehensive income	$ 65,678	$ 39,137	$ 29,160

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 45,516	$ 53,825
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,030 and $1,930 in 2017 and 2016, respectively	160,580	121,486
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $64,099 and $31,129 in 2017 and 2016, respectively	47,286	28,746
Inventories	124,515	105,542
Other current assets	14,895	13,884
Total current assets	392,792	323,483
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and land improvements	9,964	9,374
Buildings and leasehold improvements	88,469	62,822
Machinery and equipment	129,366	99,240
Construction in progress	4,599	5,423
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	232,398	176,859
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(99,650)	(84,454)
Net property, plant and equipment	132,748	92,405
Intangible assets, net	351,134	231,759
Goodwill	377,879	323,616
Other assets	5,891	7,108
Total Assets	1,260,444	978,371
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,000	20,000
Accounts payable	54,789	42,074
Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $59,772 and $35,266 in 2017 and 2016, respectively	22,451	16,187
Accrued salaries	32,259	28,769
Current portion of deferred revenue	28,583	27,212
Accrued other expenses	36,887	23,834
Total current liabilities	194,969	158,076
Pension obligations	30,223	39,842
Deferred tax liabilities	86,378	69,562
Other liabilities	21,956	5,782
Long-term debt	255,000	90,000
Total liabilities	588,526	363,262
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 30,468,824 and 30,364,183 shares in 2017 and 2016, respectively	305	304
Additional paid-in capital	289,785	290,588
Retained earnings	516,718	471,272
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(27,308)	(39,283)
Total stockholders' equity before Treasury Stock	779,500	722,881
Less treasury stock, at cost (4,635,622 and 4,647,322 common shares in 2017 and 2016, respectively)	(107,582)	(107,772)
Total shareholders' equity	671,918	615,109
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$ 1,260,444	$ 978,371

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 2,030	$ 1,930
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, progress billings	64,099	31,129
Advance payments on long-term contracts, costs incurred	$ 59,772	$ 35,266
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	30,468,824	30,364,183
Treasury stock, shares	4,635,622	4,647,322

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 580,171	$ 302	$ 285,305	$ 399,451	$ (19,186)	$ (85,701)
Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2014		30,248
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings	42,512	$ 0	0	42,512	0	0
Translation adjustments, net of tax	(6,297)	0	0	0	(6,297)	0
Net unrecognized actuarial gain/loss, net of tax	(6,961)	0	0	0	(6,961)	0
Forward exchange contracts, net of tax	(94)	0	0	0	(94)	0
Cash dividends declared	(8,331)	0	0	(8,331)	0	0
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax	1,430	$ 2	1,180	0	0	248
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax (in Shares)		111
Purchases into treasury	(18,248)	$ 0	0	0	0	(18,248)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	584,182	$ 304	286,485	433,632	(32,538)	(103,701)
Ending Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2015		30,359
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings	45,882	$ 0	0	45,882	0	0
Translation adjustments, net of tax	(1,462)	0	0	0	(1,462)	0
Net unrecognized actuarial gain/loss, net of tax	(5,250)	0	0	0	(5,250)	0
Forward exchange contracts, net of tax	(33)	0	0	0	(33)	0
Cash dividends declared	(8,242)	0	0	(8,242)	0	0
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax	4,335	$ 0	4,103	0	0	232
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax (in Shares)		5
Purchases into treasury	(4,303)	$ 0	0	0	0	(4,303)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	615,109	$ 304	290,588	471,272	(39,283)	(107,772)
Ending Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2016		30,364
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings	53,703	$ 0	0	53,703	0	0
Translation adjustments, net of tax	6,383	0	0	0	6,383	0
Net unrecognized actuarial gain/loss, net of tax	5,573	0	0	0	5,573	0
Forward exchange contracts, net of tax	19	0	0	0	19	0
Cash dividends declared	(8,257)	0	0	(8,257)	0	0
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax	(612)	$ 1	(803)	0	0	190
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax (in Shares)		105
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 671,918	$ 305	$ 289,785	$ 516,718	$ (27,308)	$ (107,582)
Ending Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2017		30,469

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax	$ 0	$ 383	$ 63
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax	(2,938)	3,059	3,979
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax	$ (66)	$ 95	$ 35
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.32	$ 0.32	$ 0.32
Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net, Total	$ 0	$ 18	$ 300

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 53,703	$ 45,882	$ 42,512
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	(776)
Depreciation and amortization	32,229	23,568	18,584
Stock compensation expense	5,444	4,704	4,779
Changes in assets and liabilities	(17,889)	1,746	(745)
Effect of deferred taxes on tax provision	1,360	(2,993)	1,417
Pension contributions	(2,677)	0	(650)
Other	(4,830)	952	(144)
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	67,340	73,859	64,977
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	0	0	776
Net cash provided by operating activities	67,340	73,859	65,753
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(198,628)	(82,062)	(20,500)
Capital expenditures	(29,728)	(13,843)	(12,444)
Additions to capitalized software	(9,002)	(8,665)	(6,901)
Proceeds from sale of land	1,184	0	0
Proceeds from life insurance	2,307	0	0
Net cash used by investing activities - continuing operations	(233,867)	(104,570)	(39,845)
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations	0	0	0
Net cash used by investing activities	(233,867)	(104,570)	(39,845)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	257,000	140,000	106,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(92,000)	(80,000)	(96,000)
Dividends paid	(8,257)	(8,248)	(8,369)
Purchases of shares into treasury	0	(4,303)	(18,248)
Debt issuance costs	0	(1,097)	0
Other	20	(128)	(24)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	156,763	46,224	(16,641)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,455	(1,099)	(4,987)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(8,309)	14,414	4,280
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	53,825	39,411	35,131
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	45,516	53,825	39,411
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(23,587)	(9,088)	3,848
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, net	(18,540)	(359)	(589)
Inventories	3,959	1,101	(5,494)
Other assets and liabilities	4,928	772	1,420
Accounts payable	8,735	(1,953)	(2,496)
Advance payments on long-term contracts, net	6,264	(2,439)	3,591
Accrued expenses	5,644	4,042	(7,045)
Deferred revenue and costs, net	1,650	5,460	1,183
Pension obligations	(6,942)	4,210	4,837
Changes in assets and liabilities	(17,889)	1,746	(745)
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	3,731	1,361	876
Income taxes paid (including state & foreign)	$ 25,674	$ 22,631	$ 13,611

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESCO) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s fiscal year ends September 30. Throughout these Consolidated Financial Statements, unless the context indicates otherwise, references to a year (for example 2017) refer to the Company’s fiscal year ending on September 30 of that year. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

The Company accounts for shipping and handling costs on a gross basis and they are included in net sales. The Company accounts for taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis and they are excluded from net sales.

Aclara is reflected as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for fiscal 2015, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

Nature of Operations

The Company is organized based on the products and services it offers, and classifies its business operations in segments for financial reporting purposes. Under the current organization structure, the Company has four segments for financial reporting purposes: Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), RF Shielding and Test (Test), Utility Solutions Group (USG) and Technical Packaging.

Filtration: The companies within this segment primarily design and manufacture specialty filtration products including hydraulic filter elements and fluid control devices used in commercial aerospace applications, unique filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites, custom designed filters for manned aircraft and submarines, elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions to enhance U.S. Navy maritime survivability, precision-tolerance machined components for the aerospace and defense industry, and metal processing services.

Test: ETS-Lindgren Inc. provides its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy.

USG: The companies within this segment provide high-end, intelligent, diagnostic test and data management solutions for the electric power delivery industry, and decision support tools for the renewable energy industry, primarily wind.

Technical Packaging: The companies within this segment provide innovative solutions to the medical and commercial markets for thermoformed and precision molded pulp fiber packages and specialty products using a wide variety of thin gauge plastics and pulp.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Filtration: Within the Filtration segment, approximately 86% of revenues (approximately 36% of consolidated revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services are performed for unaffiliated customers.

Approximately 14% of the segment’s revenues (approximately 6% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under the percentage-of-completion method. The majority of these contracts are cost-reimbursable contracts which provide for the payment of allowable costs incurred during the performance of the contract plus an incentive fee. The remainder of the contracts are fixed-price contracts. Products accounted for under this guidance include the design, development and manufacture of complex fluid control products, quiet valves, manifolds and systems primarily for the aerospace and military markets. For fixed-price contracts that are accounted for under this guidance, the Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognizes these revenues and costs based on units delivered. The percentage-of-completion method of accounting involves the use of various techniques to estimate expected costs at completion. These estimates are based on Management’s judgment and the Company’s substantial experience in developing these types of estimates.

Test: Within the Test segment, approximately 30% of revenues (approximately 7% of consolidated revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services are performed for unaffiliated customers.

Approximately 70% of the segment’s revenues (approximately 16% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under the percentage-of-completion method due to the complex nature of the enclosures that are designed and produced under these contracts. Products accounted for under this guidance include the construction and installation of complex test chambers to a buyer’s specifications that provide its customers with the ability to measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy. As discussed above, for arrangements that are accounted for under this guidance, the Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognizes these revenues and costs based primarily on contract milestones. The percentage-of-completion method of accounting involves the use of various techniques to estimate expected costs at completion. These estimates are based on Management’s judgment and the Company’s substantial experience in developing these types of estimates.

USG: Within the USG segment, approximately 78% of revenues (approximately 18% of consolidated revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers), or when services are performed for unaffiliated customers. Approximately 22% of the segment’s revenues (approximately 5% of consolidated revenues) are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Technical Packaging: Within the Technical Packaging segment, 100% of revenues (approximately 12% of consolidated revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services are performed for unaffiliated customers.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include temporary investments that are readily convertible into cash, such as money market funds, with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that the Company estimates are uncollectible in the future. This estimated allowance is based on Management’s evaluation of the financial condition of the customer and historical write-off experience.

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Long-Term Contracts

Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts represent unbilled revenues, including accrued profits, accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, net of progress billings.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market value. Inventories are regularly reviewed for excess quantities and obsolescence based upon historical experience, specific identification of discontinued items, future demand, and market conditions. Inventories under long-term contracts reflect accumulated production costs, factory overhead, initial tooling and other related costs less the portion of such costs charged to cost of sales.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets: buildings, 10-40 years; machinery and equipment, 3-10 years; and office furniture and equipment, 3-10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the remaining term of the applicable lease or their estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter. Long-lived tangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recognized based on fair value.

Leases

Lease agreements are evaluated to determine whether they are capital or operating leases in accordance with ASC 840, Leases (ASC 840). When any one of the four test criteria in ASC 840 is met, the lease then qualifies as a capital lease. Capital leases are capitalized at the lower of the net present value of the total amount payable under the leasing agreement (excluding finance charges) or the fair market value of the leased asset. Capital lease assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis, over a period consistent with the Company’s normal depreciation policy for tangible fixed assets. The Company allocates each lease payment between a reduction of the lease obligation and interest expense using the effective interest method. Rent expense for operating leases, which may include free rent or fixed escalation amounts in addition to minimum lease payments, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the duration of the lease term. Capital lease obligations are included within other long-term liabilities (long-term portion) and accrued other expenses (current portion).

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in business acquisitions. Management annually reviews goodwill and other long-lived assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the Company determines that the carrying value of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable, a permanent impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Fair value is measured based on a discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by Management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in the Company’s current business model.

Other intangible assets represent costs allocated to identifiable intangible assets, principally customer relationships, capitalized software, patents, trademarks, and technology rights. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. See Note 3 regarding goodwill and other intangible assets activity.

Capitalized Software

The costs incurred for the development of computer software that will be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed are charged to expense when incurred as research and development until technological feasibility has been established for the product. Technological feasibility is typically established upon completion of a detailed program design. Costs incurred after this point are capitalized on a project-by-project basis. Capitalized costs consist of internal and external development costs. Upon general release of the product to customers, the Company ceases capitalization and begins amortization, which is calculated on a project-by-project basis as the greater of (1) the ratio of current gross revenues for a product to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues for the product or (2) the straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the product. The Company generally amortizes the software development costs over a three-to-seven year period based upon the estimated future economic life of the product. Factors considered in determining the estimated future economic life of the product include anticipated future revenues, and changes in software and hardware technologies. Management annually reviews the carrying values of capitalized costs for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If expected cash flows are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the asset, then an impairment loss is recognized to state the asset at its net realizable value.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets may be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance when Management believes it is more likely than not such assets will not be recovered, taking into consideration historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, tax planning strategies, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.

Research and Development Costs

Company-sponsored research and development costs include research and development and bid and proposal efforts related to the Company’s products and services. Company-sponsored product development costs are charged to expense when incurred. Customer-sponsored research and development costs incurred pursuant to contracts are accounted for similarly to other program costs. Customer-sponsored research and development costs refer to certain situations whereby customers provide funding to support specific contractually defined research and development costs. Total Company and customer-sponsored research and development expenses were approximately $14.0 million, $12.2 million and $18.1 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These expense amounts exclude certain engineering costs primarily associated with product line extensions, modifications and maintenance, which amounted to approximately $10.4 million, $8.2 million and $8.2 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options and vesting of performance-accelerated restricted shares using the treasury stock method. There are no anti-dilutive shares.

The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each year presented is as follows:

(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding — Basic		25,774		25,762		26,077
Performance- Accelerated Restricted Stock		221		206		188
Shares — Diluted		25,995		25,968		26,265

Share-Based Compensation

The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing for employee stock options and/or performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares), and to non-employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan. Share-based payment expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the award).

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $(27.3) million at September 30, 2017 consisted of $(28.9) million related to the pension net actuarial loss; $1.7 million related to currency translation adjustments; and $(0.1) million related to forward exchange contracts. Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $(39.3) million at September 30, 2016 consisted of $(34.5) million related to the pension net actuarial loss; $(4.7) million related to currency translation adjustments; and $(0.1) million related to forward exchange contracts.

Deferred Revenue And Costs

Deferred revenue and costs are recorded when products or services have been provided or cash has been received but the criteria for revenue recognition have not been met. If there is a customer acceptance provision or there is uncertainty about customer acceptance, revenue and costs are deferred until the customer has accepted the product or service.

Derivative Financial Instruments

All derivative financial instruments are reported on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as a hedge and on the type of hedge. For each derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until recognized in earnings with the underlying hedged item. For each derivative instrument designated as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative and the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item are recognized immediately in earnings. Regardless of type, a fully effective hedge will result in no net earnings impact while the derivative is outstanding. To the extent that any hedge is ineffective at offsetting cash flow or fair value changes in the underlying hedged item, there could be a net earnings impact.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged in a current transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability to a new obligor, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of Management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.

The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements, based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 –Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of September 30, 2017 using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, inventories, payables and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. The carrying amounts due under the revolving credit facility approximate fair value as the interest on outstanding borrowings is calculated at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or based on the prime rate, at the Company’s election.

Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities

The Company’s nonfinancial assets such as property, plant and equipment, and other intangible assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis; however they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence that an impairment may exist. No impairments were recorded during 2017.

New Accounting Standards

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04), which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the amendments in this update, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment test performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of 2017 with its annual goodwill impairment tests. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplified the income tax consequences, accounting for forfeitures and classification on the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. The Company adopted this standard in the current year resulting in the income tax expense in the third quarter and fiscal year 2017 being favorably impacted by additional tax benefits on share-based compensation that vested during the third quarter of 2017 decreasing the effective tax rate by 5.1% and 1.1%, respectively.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-062, Leases (Topic 842), which, among other things, requires an entity to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. This new standard will increase an entity’s reported assets and liabilities. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and mandates a modified retrospective transition period for all entities. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires entities to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. This new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted this standard during the fourth quarter of 2016 and applied it on a prospective basis.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. this guidance has been further clarified and amended. The new standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is currently in the process of calculating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has selected the Cumulative Effect method of transition to the new standard.

Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Business Combinations [Abstract]

ACQUISITIONS

2.	Acquisitions

2017

On August 30, 2017, the Company acquired the assets of Vanguard Instruments Company (Vanguard Instruments), a test equipment provider serving the global electric utility market, located in Ontario, California, for a purchase price of $36.0 million in cash. Vanguard Instruments has annualized sales of approximately $14 million. Since the date of acquisition, the operating results for Vanguard Instruments have been included as a product line of Doble within the Company’s USG segment. Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the Company recorded approximately $1.8 million of accounts receivable, $2.1 million of inventory, $0.3 million of property, plant and equipment, $0.2 million of accounts payable and accrued expenses, $10.7 million of goodwill, $3.2 million of tradenames and $18.0 million of amortizable intangible assets consisting of customer relationships with a weighted average life of 15 years.

On May 25, 2017, the Company acquired the assets of Morgan Schaffer Inc. (Morgan Schaffer), a global utilities provider located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, for a purchase price of $48.8 million in cash. Morgan Schaffer has annualized sales of approximately $25 million. It designs, develops, manufactures and markets an integrated offering of dissolved gas analysis, oil testing, and data management solutions which enhance the ability of electric utilities to accurately monitor the health of critical power transformers. Since the date of acquisition, the operating results for Morgan Schaffer have been included in the Company’s USG segment. Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the Company recorded approximately $2.5 million of accounts receivable, $5.2 million of inventory, $1.7 million of property, plant and equipment, $0.4 million of other assets, $4.9 million of accounts payable and accrued expenses, $4.8 million of goodwill, $35.6 million of trade names and $3.6 million of amortizable intangible assets consisting of customer relationships and developed technology with a weighted average life of approximately 10 years.

On May 8, 2017, the Company acquired NRG Systems, Inc. (NRG), located in Hinesburg, Vermont, for a purchase price of $38.6 million in cash. NRG is the global market leader in the design and manufacture of decision support tools for the renewable energy industry, primarily wind. NRG has annualized sales of approximately $45 million. Since the date of acquisition, the operating results for NRG have been included in the Company’s USG segment. Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the Company recorded approximately $1.5 million of cash, $4.1 million of accounts receivable, $5.1 million of inventory, $1.0 million of other assets, $9.4 million of property, plant and equipment (including a capital lease), $4.1 million of accounts payable and accrued expenses, $9.7 million of lease liability, $8.0 million of goodwill, $8.1 million of trade names and $17.2 million of amortizable intangible assets consisting of customer relationships with a weighted average life of approximately 14 years.

On November 7, 2016, the Company acquired aerospace suppliers Mayday Manufacturing Co. (Mayday) and its affiliate, Hi-Tech Metals, Inc. (Hi-Tech), which share a state-of-the-art, expandable 130,000 square foot facility in Denton, Texas, for a purchase price of approximately $75 million in cash. Mayday is a leading manufacturer of mission-critical bushings, pins, sleeves and precision-tolerance machined components for landing gear, rotor heads, engine mounts, flight controls and actuation systems for the aerospace and defense industry. Hi-Tech is a full-service metal processor offering aerospace OEM’s and Tier 1 suppliers a large portfolio of processing services including anodizing, cadmium and zinc-nickel plating, organic coatings, non-destructive testing and heat treatment. Mayday and Hi-Tech together have annual sales of approximately $40 million. Since the date of acquisition, the consolidated operating results for Mayday and Hi-Tech have been included in the Company’s Filtration segment. Based on the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded approximately $7.3 million of accounts receivable, $10.6 million of inventory, $16.6 million of property, plant and equipment (including a capital lease), $10.1 million of lease liability, $15.6 million of deferred tax liabilities, $30.2 million of goodwill, $4.8 million of trade names and $32.8 million of amortizable identifiable intangible assets consisting primarily of customer relationships with a weighted-average life of approximately 20 years.

2016

On September 2, 2016, the Company acquired the stock of Westland Technologies, Inc. (Westland), located in Modesto, California, for a purchase price of approximately $41 million in cash. Westland is a market leader in the design, development and manufacture of elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions which enhance U.S. Naval maritime platform survivability. Westland has annual sales of approximately $25 million. Since the date of acquisition, the operating results for Westland have been included within the Company’s Filtration segment. Based on the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded tangible assets, net, of $5.5 million, deferred tax liabilities of $9.5 million, goodwill of $17.9 million, and $28.3 million of identifiable intangible assets primarily consisting of customer relationships.

On January 29, 2016, the Company acquired Plastique Limited and Plastique Sp. z o.o. (together, Plastique), headquartered in Tunbridge Wells, England with manufacturing locations in Nottingham, England and Poznan, Poland, for a purchase price of approximately $31.6 million (of which $2.7 million is due over the next two years, one payment in January 2018 and one in January 2019). Plastique is a market leader in the development and manufacture of highly-technical thermoformed plastic and precision molded pulp fiber packaging primarily serving pharmaceutical, personal care, and various specialty end markets. Since the date of acquisition, the operating results for Plastique have been included within the Company’s Technical Packaging segment. Plastique has annual sales of approximately $35 million. Based on the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded tangible assets, net, of $9.6 million, goodwill of $10.2 million, and $11.9 million of identifiable intangible assets primarily consisting of customer relationships.

On October 16, 2015, the Company acquired the stock of Fremont Plastics, Inc. (Fremont) for a purchase price of $10.5 million in cash. The Company also purchased for $2 million Fremont’s real property located in Fremont, Indiana. Fremont was a developer, manufacturer, promoter and seller of high quality sterile-ready and non-sterile thin gauge thermoformed medical plastic packaging products. Immediately following the closing of the transaction, Fremont was merged into TEQ, and therefore since the date of acquisition the operating results for Fremont have been included as part of TEQ.

2015

On January 28, 2015, the Company acquired the assets of Enoserv LLC (Enoserv), headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for $20.5 million in cash. Enoserv provides utility customers with high quality, user-friendly multi-platform software and has annual revenues of approximately $8 million. Since the date of acquisition the operating results for Enoserv have been included as part of Doble within the Company’s USG segment. Based on the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded approximately $10.0 million of goodwill and $9.0 million of amortizable identifiable intangible assets consisting primarily of customer relationships and developed technology.

All of the Company’s acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, the respective purchase prices were allocated to the assets (including intangible assets) acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The financial results from these acquisitions have been included in the Company’s financial statements from the date of acquisition.

Unaudited pro forma sales and earnings before tax were $746.0 million and $84.5 million, respectively, for 2017, and $695.0 million and $76.2 million, respectively, for 2016. These pro forma amounts reflect the Company’s consolidated results of operations as if the 2017 acquisitions of Vanguard Instruments, Morgan Schaffer, NRG and Mayday had occurred on October 1, 2015. The pro forma financial information was prepared based on historical financial information and has been adjusted to give effect to pro forma adjustments that are (i) directly attributable to the above acquisitions, (ii) factually supportable and (iii) expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results. The pro forma information uses estimates and assumptions based on information available at the time. Management believes the estimates and assumptions to be reasonable; however, actual results may differ significantly from this pro forma information. The pro forma information is not intended to reflect the actual results that would have occurred had the companies actually been combined during the periods presented. The pro forma results for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 primarily include additional amortization expense related to the fair value of acquired identifiable intangible assets and additional interest expense related to the incremental debt issued in conjunction with the 2017 acquisitions. The pro forma results for the year ended September 30, 2017 also included non-recurring adjustments of $3.8 million related to additional costs of goods sold due to the increase of inventory to fair value at the acquisition date in connection with the preliminary purchase accounting for inventory.

The goodwill recorded for the Mayday, Westland, Plastique and Fremont acquisitions mentioned above is not expected to be deductible for U.S. Federal or state income tax purposes. The goodwill recorded for the Vanguard Instruments, NRG and Enoserv acquisitions mentioned above is expected to be deductible for U.S. Federal and state income tax purposes. The goodwill recorded for the Morgan Schaffer acquisition is expected to be deductible for Canadian income tax purposes.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

3.	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Included on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2017 and 2016 are the following intangible assets gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization:

(Dollars in millions)	2017		2016
Goodwill	$	377.9		323.6

Intangible assets with determinable lives:
Patents
Gross carrying amount	$	1.0		1.0
Less: accumulated amortization		0.8		0.8
Net	$	0.2		0.2

Capitalized software
Gross carrying amount	$	63.0		54.0
Less: accumulated amortization		34.4		26.7
Net	$	28.6		27.3

Customer Relationships
Gross carrying amount	$	181.9		111.9
Less: accumulated amortization		37.4		28.6
Net	$	144.5		83.3

Other
Gross carrying amount	$	5.4		2.8
Less: accumulated amortization		1.4		0.9
Net	$	4.0		1.9
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trade names	$	173.8		119.1

The Company performed its annual evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment during the fourth quarter of 2017 and concluded no impairment existed at September 30, 2017 and there are no accumulated impairment losses as of September 30, 2017.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each business segment for 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

							Technical
(Dollars in millions)	Filtration		Test		USG		Packaging		Total
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	26.0		34.2		226.2		4.8		291.2
Acquisition activity		17.9		–		–		14.5		32.4
Foreign currency translation and other		–		(0.1)		–		0.1		–
Balance as of September 30, 2016		43.9		34.1		226.2		19.4		323.6
Acquisition activity		29.8		–		23.6		–		53.4
Foreign currency translation and other		–		–		0.4		0.5		0.9
Balance as of September 30, 2017	$	73.7		34.1		250.2		19.9		377.9

Amortization expense related to intangible assets with determinable lives was $16.3 million, $11.6 million and $8.9 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Patents are amortized over the life of the patents, generally 17 years. Capitalized software is amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, generally three to seven years. Customer relationships are generally amortized over fifteen to twenty years. Intangible asset amortization for fiscal years 2018 through 2022 is estimated at approximately $20 million per year.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Accounts Receivable

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Receivables [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable

4.	Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, consist of the following at September 30, 2017 and 2016:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016
Commercial	$	152,265		112,280
U.S. Government and prime contractors		8,315		9,206
Total	$	160,580		121,486

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

Related Parties

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

6.	Related Parties

One of the Company’s directors is an officer at a customer of the Company’s subsidiary Doble. Doble sells products, leases equipment and provides testing services to the customer in the ordinary course of Doble’s business. The total amount of these sales were approximately $3.6 million, $1.4 million and $0.8 million during fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. All transactions between Doble and the customer are intended to be and have been consistent with Doble’s normal commercial terms offered to its customers, and the Company’s Board of Directors has determined that the relationship between the Company and the customer is not material and did not impair either the Company’s or the director’s independence.

Income Tax Expense

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

7.	Income Tax Expense

Total income tax expense (benefit) for 2017, 2016 and 2015 was allocated to income tax expense as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Income tax expense from Continuing Operations	$	26,450		22,538		19,785
Income tax expense from Discontinued Operations		–		–		390
Total income tax expense	$	26,450		22,538		20,175

The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes for 2017, 2016 and 2015 consisted of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
United States	$	72,353		62,353		56,661
Foreign		7,800		6,067		4,860
Total income before income taxes	$	80,153		68,420		61,521

The principal components of income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations for 2017, 2016 and 2015 consist of:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Federal:
Current	$	21,448		19,236		11,906
Deferred		628		(909)		5,406
State and local:
Current		1,795		1,674		867
Deferred		(49)		(222)		16
Foreign:
Current		4,450		1,899		1,525
Deferred		(1,822)		860		65
Total	$	26,450		22,538		19,785

The actual income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations for 2017, 2016 and 2015 differs from the expected tax expense for those years (computed by applying the U.S. Federal corporate statutory rate) as follows:

	2017			2016			2015
Federal corporate statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State and local, net of Federal benefits		2.4			2.0			1.2
Foreign		(0.1)			(1.0)			(1.5)
Research credit		(1.1)			(2.5)			(1.8)
Domestic production deduction		(2.7)			(2.8)			(2.6)
Change in uncertain tax positions		–			–			(0.2)
Executive compensation		(0.1)			0.9			0.9
Valuation allowance		(0.3)			1.8			1.0
Other, net		(0.1)			(0.5)			0.2
Effective income tax rate		33.0	%		32.9	%		32.2	%

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2017 and 2016 are presented below:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016
Deferred tax assets:
Inventories	$	9,639		7,553
Pension and other postretirement benefits		11,345		13,978
Net operating and capital loss carryforwards — domestic		501		372
Net operating loss carryforward — foreign		4,486		4,991
Other compensation-related costs and other cost accruals		12,104		13,678
State credit carryforward		2,098		1,944
Total deferred tax assets		40,173		42,516

Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill		(4,874)		(15,528)
Acquisition assets		(91,752)		(69,934)
Depreciation, software amortization		(24,092)		(20,285)
Net deferred tax liabilities before valuation allowance		(80,545)		(63,231)
Less valuation allowance		(4,440)		(5,711)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(84,985)		(68,942)

The Company has a foreign net operating loss (NOL) carryforward of $18.2 million at September 30, 2017, which reflects tax loss carryforwards in Germany, India, Finland, China, South Africa, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom. $15.0 million of the tax loss carryforwards have no expiration date while the remaining $3.2 million will expire between 2019 and 2038. The Company has deferred tax assets related to state NOL carryforwards of $0.5 million at September 30, 2017 which expire between 2025 and 2037. The Company also has net state research and other credit carryforwards of $2.1 million of which $1.7 million expires between 2025 and 2037. The remaining $0.4 million does not have an expiration date.

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $4.4 million and $5.7 million, respectively. The net change in the total valuation allowance for each of the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was a decrease of $1.3 million and an increase of $1.6 million, respectively. The Company has established a valuation allowance against state credit carryforwards of $0.4 million and $0.6 million at September 30, 2017 and 2016. In addition, the Company has established a valuation allowance against state NOL carryforwards that are not expected to be realized in future periods of $0.4 million and $0.3 million at September 30, 2017 and 2016. Lastly, the Company has established a valuation allowance against certain NOL carryforwards in foreign jurisdictions which may not be realized in future periods. The valuation allowance established against the foreign NOL carryforwards was $3.7 million and $4.8 million at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

ETS-Lindgren Oy, Finland, has recorded a deferred tax asset of $0.3 million reflecting the benefit of $2.8 million in loss carryforwards, which expire in varying amounts between 2024 and 2027. Realization is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the loss carryforwards. Although realization is not assured, Management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax asset will be realized. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.

The Company’s foreign subsidiaries have accumulated unremitted earnings of $48.9 million and cash of $28.4 million at September 30, 2017. No deferred taxes have been provided on these accumulated unremitted earnings because these funds are not needed to meet the liquidity requirements of the Company’s U.S. operations and it is the Company’s intention to indefinitely reinvest these earnings in continuing international operations. In the event these foreign entities’ earnings were distributed, it is estimated that U.S. taxes, net of available foreign tax credits, of approximately $6.9 million would be due, which would correspondingly reduce the Company’s net earnings. No significant portion of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ earnings was taxed at a very low tax rate.

The Company had $0.1 million of unrecognized benefits as of both September 30, 2017 and 2016, which, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company does not anticipate a material change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months. The Company’s policy is to include interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense and penalties in operating expense. As of September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had zero accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. No significant penalties have been accrued.

The principal jurisdictions for which the Company files income tax returns are U.S. Federal and the various city, state, and international locations where the Company has operations. The U.S. Federal tax years for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and forward remain subject to income tax examination. Various state tax years for the periods ended September 30, 2013 and forward remain subject to income tax examinations. The Company is subject to income tax in many jurisdictions outside the United States, none of which is individually significant.

Debt

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]

DEBT

Debt

Debt consists of the following at September 30, 2017 and 2016:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016
Revolving credit facility, including current portion	$	275,000		110,000
Current portion of long-term debt		(20,000)		(20,000)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$	255,000		90,000

The Company’s existing credit facility (“the Credit Facility”) matures December 21, 2020. The Credit Facility includes a $450 million revolving line of credit as well as provisions allowing for the increase of the credit facility commitment amount by an additional $250 million, if necessary, with the consent of the lenders. The bank syndication supporting the facility is comprised of a diverse group of nine banks led by JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

At September 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $166 million available to borrow under the Credit Facility, plus the $250 million increase option, in addition to $45.5 million cash on hand. The Company classified $20.0 million as the current portion of long-term debt as of September 30, 2017, as the Company intends to repay this amount within the next twelve months; however, the Company has no contractual obligation to repay such amount during the next twelve months.

The Credit Facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a facility fee ranging from 12.5 to 27.5 basis points per annum on the unused portion. The terms of the facility provide that interest on borrowings may be calculated at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or based on the prime rate, at the Company’s election. The facility is secured by the unlimited guaranty of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries and a 65% pledge of its material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the Credit Facility include a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. As of September 30, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all bank covenants.

During 2017 and 2016, the maximum aggregate short-term borrowings at any month-end were $298 million and $110 million, respectively, and the average aggregate short-term borrowings outstanding based on month-end balances were $211.3 million and $89.2 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rates were 2.09%, 1.58% and 1.27% for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility totaled $9.7 million and $4.9 million at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Capital Stock

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Capital Stock

9.	Capital Stock

The 30,468,824 and 30,364,183 common shares as presented in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2017 and 2016 represent the actual number of shares issued at the respective dates. The Company held 4,635,622 and 4,647,322 common shares in treasury at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

In August 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase shares of its stock from time to time in its discretion, in the open market or otherwise, up to a maximum total repurchase amount of $100 million (or such lesser amount as may be permitted under the Company’s bank credit agreements). This program has been repeatedly extended by the Company’s Board of Directors and is currently scheduled to expire September 30, 2019. There were no share repurchases in 2017. The Company repurchased approximately 120,000 shares for $4.3 million in 2016 and 517,000 shares for $18.2 million in 2015.

Share-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

10.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing for performance-accelerated restricted share unit (PARS) awards, and to non-employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan. The Company has no stock options currently outstanding. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had 1,072,401 shares available for future issuance under equity compensation plans.

Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share Unit Awards

A PARS award represents the right to receive a specified number of shares of Company common stock if and when the award vests. A PARS award is not stock and does not give the recipient any rights as a shareholder until it vests and is paid out in shares of stock. PARS awards currently outstanding have a five-year vesting period, with accelerated vesting if certain targets based on market conditions are achieved. In these cases, if it is probable that the performance condition will be met, the Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the shorter performance period; otherwise, it will recognize compensation cost over the longer service period. Compensation cost for the majority of the outstanding PARS awards is being recognized over the shorter performance period as it is probable the performance condition will be met. The PARS award grants were valued at the stock price on the date of grant. Pretax compensation expense related to the PARS awards for continuing operations was $4.4 million, $3.9 million and $4.0 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The following summary presents information regarding outstanding PARS awards as of the specified dates, and changes during the specified periods:

	FY 2017				FY 2016				FY 2015
			Estimated				Estimated				Estimated
			Weighted				Weighted				Weighted
	Shares		Avg. Price		Shares		Avg. Price		Shares		Avg. Price
Nonvested at October 1,		427,438	$	35.40		326,536	$	35.29		332,340	$	32.23
Granted		110,422		51.16		120,902		35.75		123,501		34.33
Vested		(202,035)		35.78		(8,000)		36.06		(129,305)		26.66
Cancelled		–		–		(12,000)		35.47		–		–
Nonvested at September 30,		335,825	$	40.35		427,438	$	35.40		326,536	$	35.29

Non-Employee Directors Plan

In 2017 the non-employee directors compensation plan provided to each non-employee director a retainer of 900 common shares per quarter. Non-employee director grants were valued at the stock price on the date of grant and were issued from the Company’s treasury stock. Compensation expense related to the non-employee director grants was $1.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Total Share-Based Compensation

The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of operations and included within SG&A from continuing operations was $5.4 million, $4.7 million and $4.8 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $1.8 million, $1.3 million and $1.6 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, there was $6.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5years.

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

RETIREMENT PLANS

11.

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans

Substantially all domestic employees were covered by a defined contribution pension plan maintained by the Company. Effective December 31, 2003, the Company’s defined benefit plan was frozen and no additional benefits have been accrued after that date. As a result, the accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation are equal. These frozen retirement income benefits are provided to employees under defined benefit pay-related and flat-dollar plans, which are noncontributory. The annual contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan equal or exceed the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. In addition to providing retirement income benefits, the Company provides unfunded postretirement health and life insurance benefits to certain retirees. To qualify, an employee must retire at age 55 or later and the employee’s age plus service must equal or exceed 75. Retiree contributions are defined as a percentage of medical premiums. Consequently, retiree contributions increase with increases in the medical premiums. The life insurance plans are noncontributory and provide coverage of a flat dollar amount for qualifying retired employees. Effective December 31, 2004, no new retirees were eligible for life insurance benefits.

The Company uses a measurement date of September 30 for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The Company has an accrued benefit liability of $0.6 million and $0.7 million at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to its other postretirement benefit obligations. All other information related to its postretirement benefit plans is not considered material to the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the pension plans and fair value of assets over the two-year period ended September 30, 2017, and a statement of the funded status as of September 30, 2017 and 2016:

(Dollars in millions)
Reconciliation of benefit obligation	2017		2016
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	100.6		93.6
Interest cost		3.2		3.9
Actuarial (gain) loss		(4.1)		11.1
Gross benefits paid		(4.4)		(7.8)
Settlements		–		(0.2)
Net benefit obligation at end of year	$	95.3		100.6

(Dollars in millions)
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets	2017		2016
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	60.6		63.0
Actual return on plan assets		5.9		5.1
Employer contributions		2.9		0.5
Gross benefits paid		(4.4)		(7.8)
Settlements		–		(0.2)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	65.0		60.6

(Dollars in millions)
Funded Status	2017		2016
Funded status at end of year	$	(30.3)		(40.0)
Accrued benefit cost		(30.3)		(40.0)

Amounts recognized in the Balance Sheet consist of:
Current liability		(0.2)		(0.2)
Noncurrent liability		(30.1)		(39.8)
Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (before tax effect)		47.4		56.0

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss consist of:
Net actuarial loss		47.4		56.0

Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (before tax effect)	$	47.4		56.0

The estimated amount that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss into net periodic benefit cost (income) in 2018 is $2.3 million.

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the plans for 2017, 2016 and 2015:

(Dollars in millions)	2017		2016		2015
Service cost	$	–		–		–
Interest cost		3.2		3.9		3.8
Expected return on plan assets		(3.9)		(4.4)		(4.5)
Net actuarial loss		2.6		2.0		1.8
Net periodic benefit cost		1.9		1.5		1.1
Defined contribution plans		6.3		5.2		5.0
Total	$	8.2		6.7		6.1

The discount rate used in measuring the Company’s pension obligations was developed by matching yields of actual high-quality corporate bonds to expected future pension plan cash flows (benefit payments). Over 400 Aa-rated, non-callable bonds with a wide range of maturities were used in the analysis. After using the bond yields to determine the present value of the plan cash flows, a single representative rate that resulted in the same present value was developed. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption was determined by reviewing the actual investment return of the plans since inception and evaluating those returns in relation to expectations of various investment organizations to determine whether long-term future returns are expected to differ significantly from the past.

The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the pension plans:

	2017			2016			2015
Discount rate		3.25	%		4.25	%		4.25	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels		N/A			N/A			N/A
Expected long-term rate of return on assets		3.25	%		6.75	%		6.75	%

The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit obligations for the pension plans:

	2017			2016
Discount rate		3.65	%		3.25	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels		N/A			N/A

The assumed rate of increase in compensation levels is not applicable in 2017, 2016 and 2015 as the plan was frozen in earlier years.

The asset allocation for the Company’s pension plans at the end of 2017 and 2016, and the Company’s acceptable range and the target allocation for 2018, by asset category, are as follows:

	Target						Percentage of Plan Assets at
	Allocation			Acceptable			Year-end
Asset Category	2018			Range			2017			2016
Return seeking		60	%		55-65	%		62	%		59	%
Liability hedging		40	%		35-45	%		35	%		38	%
Cash/cash equivalents		–			0-5	%		3	%		3	%

The Company’s pension plan assets are managed by outside investment managers and assets are rebalanced when the target ranges are exceeded. Pension plan assets consist principally of funds which invest in marketable securities including common stocks, bonds, and interest-bearing deposits. The Company’s investment strategy with respect to pension assets is to achieve a total rate of return (income and capital appreciation) that is sufficient to accomplish the purpose of providing retirement benefits to all eligible and future retirees of the pension plan. The Company regularly monitors performance and compliance with investment guidelines.

Fair Value of Financial Measurements

The fair values of the Company’s defined benefit plan investments as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, by asset category, were as follows:

(Dollars in millions)	2017		2016
Investments at fair value:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1.9		1.6
Common and preferred stock funds:
Domestic large capitalization		10.6		8.9
Domestic small-/mid-capitalization		3.3		2.7
International funds		14.3		12.3
Fixed income funds		30.7		30.6
Real estate investment funds		4.2		4.5
Total investments at fair value	$	65.0		60.6

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying value of cash represents fair value as it consists of actual currency.

Investment Funds: The fair value of the investment funds, which offer daily redemptions, is determined based on the published net asset value of the funds as a practical expedient for fair value.

Expected Cash Flows

Information about the expected cash flows for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans follows:

	Pension		Other
(Dollars in millions)	Benefits		Benefits
Expected Employer Contributions — 2018	$	3.0		0.1
Expected Benefit Payments:
2018		4.9		0.1
2019		5.1		0.1
2020		5.7		0.1
2021		5.4		0.1
2022		5.6		0.1
2023-2027	$	29.5		0.3

Derivative Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

12.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks. During 2016, the Company entered into several forward contracts to purchase pounds sterling (GBP) to hedge two deferred payments due in connection with the acquisition of Plastique. In addition, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary Morgan Schaffer enters into foreign exchange contracts to manage foreign currency risk as a portion of their revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars. The Company expects hedging gains or losses to be essentially offset by losses or gains on the related underlying exposures. The amounts ultimately recognized may differ for open positions, which remain subject to ongoing market price fluctuations until settlement. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until recognized in earnings with the underlying hedged item. The fair value of the foreign currency derivative is classified in accrued expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The forward contracts listed below will be recognized within the next twelve months except for 700 GBP which will be recognized in 2019. The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2017.

	Notional Amount	Fair Value
(In thousands)	(Currency)	(US$)
Forward contracts	1,859 GBP		(173)
Forward contracts	3,250 USD		149
Forward contracts	200 EUR		(5)

Fair value of financial instruments

The Company’s forward contracts are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, as presented below as of September 30, 2017:

(In thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Liabilities:

Forward contracts

–

(29)

–

(29)

Valuation was based on third party evidence of similarly priced derivative instruments. There are no master netting arrangements with financial parties.

Business Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

13.

Business Segment Information

The Company is organized based on the products and services it offers, and classifies its business operations in segments for financial reporting purposes. Currently, the Company has four reporting segments: Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), RF Shielding and Test (Test), Utility Solutions Group (USG) and Technical Packaging.

The Filtration segment’s operations consist of: PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI), VACCO Industries (VACCO), Crissair, Inc. (Crissair), Mayday Manufacturing Co. (Mayday), Hi-Tech Metals, Inc. (Hi-Tech) and Westland Technologies, Inc. (Westland). PTI, VACCO and Crissair design and manufacture specialty filtration products including hydraulic filter elements and fluid control devices used in commercial aerospace applications, unique filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites and custom designed filters for manned aircraft and submarines. Mayday designs and manufactures mission-critical bushings, pins, sleeves and precision-tolerance machined components for landing gear, rotor heads, engine mounts, flight controls, and actuation systems for the aerospace and defense industries. Hi-Tech is a full-service metal processor offering aerospace OEM’s and Tier 1 suppliers, a large portfolio of processing services including anodizing, cadmium and zinc-nickel plating, organic coatings, non-destructive testing, and heat treatment. Westland designs, develops and manufactures elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions for U.S. naval vessels.

The Test segment’s operations consist of ETS-Lindgren Inc. and related subsidiaries (ETS-Lindgren). ETS-Lindgren is an industry leader in providing its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy. ETS-Lindgren also manufactures radio frequency shielding products and components used by manufacturers of medical equipment, communications systems, electronic products, and shielded rooms for high-security data processing and secure communication.

The USG segment’s operations consist of Doble Engineering Company and related subsidiaries (Doble), Morgan Schaffer Ltd. (Morgan Schaffer), and NRG Systems, Inc. (NRG). Doble provides high-end, intelligent diagnostic test solutions for the electric power delivery industry and is a leading supplier of power factor and partial discharge testing instruments used to assess the integrity of high-voltage power delivery equipment. Morgan Schaffer provides an integrated offering of dissolved gas analysis, oil testing, and data management solutions which enhance the ability of electric utilities to accurately monitor the health of critical power transformers. NRG designs and manufactures decision support tools for the renewable energy industry, primarily wind.

The Technical Packaging segment’s operations consist of Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ) and Plastique. The companies within this segment provide innovative solutions to the medical and commercial markets for thermoformed and precision molded pulp fiber packages and specialty products using a wide variety of thin gauge plastics and pulp.

Accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The operating units within each reporting segment have been aggregated because of similar economic characteristics and meet the other aggregation criteria of FASB ASC 280.

The Company evaluates the performance of its operating units based on EBIT, which is defined as earnings before interest and taxes. EBIT on a consolidated basis is a non-GAAP financial measure; see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Intersegment sales and transfers are not significant. Segment assets consist primarily of customer receivables, inventories, capitalized software and fixed assets directly associated with the production processes of the segment. Segment depreciation and amortization is based upon the direct assets listed above.

Net Sales

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
Filtration	$	279.5		207.8		196.7
Test		160.9		161.5		177.6
USG		162.4		127.8		123.6
Technical Packaging		82.9		74.4		39.4
Consolidated totals	$	685.7		571.5		537.3

No customer exceeded 10% of sales in 2017 or 2016.

EBIT

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
Filtration	$	52.2		45.2		41.7
Test		19.5		13.9		9.5
USG		36.6		31.1		29.6
Technical Packaging		8.5		9.6		4.9
Reconciliation to consolidated totals (Corporate)		(32.1)		(30.1)		(23.4)
Consolidated EBIT		84.7		69.7		62.3
Less: interest expense		(4.6)		(1.3)		(0.8)
Earnings before income tax	$	80.1		68.4		61.5

Identifiable Assets

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016
Filtration	$	194.2		143.5
Test		132.2		110.9
USG		175.5		85.4
Technical Packaging		47.1		40.9
Corporate – Goodwill		377.9		323.6
Corporate – Other assets		333.5		274.1
Consolidated totals	$	1,260.4		978.4

Corporate assets consist primarily of goodwill, deferred taxes, acquired intangible assets and cash balances.

Capital Expenditures

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
Filtration	$	10.2		3.3		5.0
Test		4.5		3.3		3.1
USG		7.6		3.3		3.3
Technical Packaging		7.4		3.9		1.0
Corporate		–		–		–
Consolidated totals	$	29.7		13.8		12.4

In addition to the above amounts, the Company incurred expenditures for capitalized software of $9.0 million, $8.7 million and $6.9 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
Filtration	$	6.6		4.0		3.8
Test		3.6		3.6		3.1
USG		9.8		8.1		6.2
Technical Packaging		3.5		2.9		1.4
Corporate		8.7		5.0		4.1
Consolidated totals	$	32.2		23.6		18.6

Depreciation expense of property, plant and equipment was $15.9 million, $11.9 million and $9.7 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Geographic Information

Net Sales

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
United States	$	503.1		403.6		385.5
Asia		69.8		68.1		70.4
Europe		75.4		71.6		46.6
Canada		22.2		12.9		11.6
India		4.8		2.9		4.3
Other		10.4		12.4		18.9
Consolidated totals	$	685.7		571.5		537.3

Long-Lived Assets

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016
United States	$	111.5		79.9
Europe		16.8		11.7
Other		4.4		0.8
Consolidated totals	$	132.7		92.4

Net sales are attributed to countries based on location of customer. Long-lived assets are attributed to countries based on location of the asset.

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

14.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company leases certain real property, equipment and machinery under non-cancelable operating leases. Rental expense under these operating leases was $6.8 million, $6.0 million and $5.2 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Future aggregate minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of September 30, 2017, are:

(Dollars in thousands)
Years ending September 30:
2018		6,361
2019		5,340
2020		3,733
2021		2,653
2022 and thereafter		3,647
Total	$	21,734

At September 30, 2017, the Company had $9.7 million in letters of credit outstanding as guarantees of contract performance. As a normal incident of the businesses in which the Company is engaged, various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced from time to time against the Company. Additionally, the Company is currently involved in various stages of investigation and remediation relating to environmental matters. It is the opinion of Management that the aggregate costs involved in the resolution of these matters, and final judgments, if any, which might be rendered against the Company are adequately accrued, are covered by insurance or are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results from continuing operations, capital expenditures or competitive position.

Capital Leases

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Leases, Capital [Abstract]

Capital Leases in Financial Statements of Lessee Disclosure

15.

Capital Leases

The Company leases certain real property, equipment and machinery under capital leases, primarily associated with the 2017 acquisitions of NRG and Mayday. The facility leases expire in 2029 and the machinery leases expire in 2020. As of September 30, 2017, the net carrying value and accumulated depreciation of the assets under capital leases recorded by the Company were $16.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Capital lease obligations are included within other long-term liabilities (long-term portion) and accrued other expenses (current portion). Remaining payments due on the Company’s capital lease obligations as of September 30, 2017, are:

(Dollars in thousands)
Years ending September 30:
2018	$	1,883
2019		1,922
2020		1,914
2021		1,858
2022 and thereafter		15,977
Total minimum lease payments		23,554
Less: amounts representing interest		4,233
Present value of net minimum lease payments		19,321
Current portion of capital lease obligations		1,370
Non-current portion of capital lease obligations	$	17,951

Quarterly Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

16.

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Fiscal
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year

2017

Net sales	$	146,368		161,178		171,189		207,005		685,740
Net earnings		10,727		11,157		12,645		19,174		53,703

Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings		0.42		0.43		0.49		0.74		2.08

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings		0.41		0.43		0.49		0.74		2.07

Dividends declared per common share	$	0.08		0.08		0.08		0.08		0.32

2016

Net sales	$	132,833		138,930		140,191		159,505		571,459
Net earnings		8,829		8,610		11,528		16,915		45,882

Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings		0.34		0.33		0.45		0.66		1.78

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings		0.34		0.33		0.44		0.65		1.77

Dividends declared per common share	$	0.08		0.08		0.08		0.08		0.32

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles Of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Nature Of Operations

Nature of Operations

Test: ETS-Lindgren Inc. provides its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include temporary investments that are readily convertible into cash, such as money market funds, with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

Costs And Estimated Earnings On Long-Term Contracts

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Long-Term Contracts

Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts represent unbilled revenues, including accrued profits, accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, net of progress billings.

Inventories

Inventories

Property, Plant And Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Leases

Leases

Goodwill And Other Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

Capitalized Software

Capitalized Software

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Research And Development Costs

Research and Development Costs

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each year presented is as follows:

(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding — Basic		25,774		25,762		26,077
Performance- Accelerated Restricted Stock		221		206		188
Shares — Diluted		25,995		25,968		26,265

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Deferred Revenue And Costs

Deferred Revenue And Costs

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Financial Assets and Liabilities

Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Included on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2017 and 2016 are the following intangible assets gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization:

(Dollars in millions)	2017		2016
Goodwill	$	377.9		323.6

Intangible assets with determinable lives:
Patents
Gross carrying amount	$	1.0		1.0
Less: accumulated amortization		0.8		0.8
Net	$	0.2		0.2

Capitalized software
Gross carrying amount	$	63.0		54.0
Less: accumulated amortization		34.4		26.7
Net	$	28.6		27.3

Customer Relationships
Gross carrying amount	$	181.9		111.9
Less: accumulated amortization		37.4		28.6
Net	$	144.5		83.3

Other
Gross carrying amount	$	5.4		2.8
Less: accumulated amortization		1.4		0.9
Net	$	4.0		1.9
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trade names	$	173.8		119.1

Schedule of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each business segment for 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

							Technical
(Dollars in millions)	Filtration		Test		USG		Packaging		Total
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	26.0		34.2		226.2		4.8		291.2
Acquisition activity		17.9		–		–		14.5		32.4
Foreign currency translation and other		–		(0.1)		–		0.1		–
Balance as of September 30, 2016		43.9		34.1		226.2		19.4		323.6
Acquisition activity		29.8		–		23.6		–		53.4
Foreign currency translation and other		–		–		0.4		0.5		0.9
Balance as of September 30, 2017	$	73.7		34.1		250.2		19.9		377.9

Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Inventories

Inventories consist of the following at September 30, 2017 and 2016:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016
Finished goods	$	28,127		20,502
Work in process		43,750		37,922
Raw materials		52,638		47,118
Total	$	124,515		105,542

Income Tax Expense (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Total income tax expense (benefit)

Total income tax expense (benefit) for 2017, 2016 and 2015 was allocated to income tax expense as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Income tax expense from Continuing Operations	$	26,450		22,538		19,785
Income tax expense from Discontinued Operations		–		–		390
Total income tax expense	$	26,450		22,538		20,175

Components Of Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes for 2017, 2016 and 2015 consisted of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
United States	$	72,353		62,353		56,661
Foreign		7,800		6,067		4,860
Total income before income taxes	$	80,153		68,420		61,521

Principal Components Of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) From Continuing Operations

The principal components of income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations for 2017, 2016 and 2015 consist of:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Federal:
Current	$	21,448		19,236		11,906
Deferred		628		(909)		5,406
State and local:
Current		1,795		1,674		867
Deferred		(49)		(222)		16
Foreign:
Current		4,450		1,899		1,525
Deferred		(1,822)		860		65
Total	$	26,450		22,538		19,785

Schedule Of Actual Income Tax Expense (Benefit) From Continuing Operations

	2017			2016			2015
Federal corporate statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State and local, net of Federal benefits		2.4			2.0			1.2
Foreign		(0.1)			(1.0)			(1.5)
Research credit		(1.1)			(2.5)			(1.8)
Domestic production deduction		(2.7)			(2.8)			(2.6)
Change in uncertain tax positions		–			–			(0.2)
Executive compensation		(0.1)			0.9			0.9
Valuation allowance		(0.3)			1.8			1.0
Other, net		(0.1)			(0.5)			0.2
Effective income tax rate		33.0	%		32.9	%		32.2	%

Tax Effects Of Temporary Differences That Give Rise To Significant Portions Of The Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2017 and 2016 are presented below:

(Dollars in thousands)	2017		2016
Deferred tax assets:
Inventories	$	9,639		7,553
Pension and other postretirement benefits		11,345		13,978
Net operating and capital loss carryforwards — domestic		501		372
Net operating loss carryforward — foreign		4,486		4,991
Other compensation-related costs and other cost accruals		12,104		13,678
State credit carryforward		2,098		1,944
Total deferred tax assets		40,173		42,516

Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill		(4,874)		(15,528)
Acquisition assets		(91,752)		(69,934)
Depreciation, software amortization		(24,092)		(20,285)
Net deferred tax liabilities before valuation allowance		(80,545)		(63,231)
Less valuation allowance		(4,440)		(5,711)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(84,985)		(68,942)

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Benefit Obligation

(Dollars in millions)
Reconciliation of benefit obligation	2017		2016
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	100.6		93.6
Interest cost		3.2		3.9
Actuarial (gain) loss		(4.1)		11.1
Gross benefits paid		(4.4)		(7.8)
Settlements		–		(0.2)
Net benefit obligation at end of year	$	95.3		100.6

Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Fair Value Of Plan Assets

(Dollars in millions)
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets	2017		2016
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	60.6		63.0
Actual return on plan assets		5.9		5.1
Employer contributions		2.9		0.5
Gross benefits paid		(4.4)		(7.8)
Settlements		–		(0.2)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	65.0		60.6

Schedule Of Funded Status

(Dollars in millions)
Funded Status	2017		2016
Funded status at end of year	$	(30.3)		(40.0)
Accrued benefit cost		(30.3)		(40.0)

Amounts recognized in the Balance Sheet consist of:
Current liability		(0.2)		(0.2)
Noncurrent liability		(30.1)		(39.8)
Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (before tax effect)		47.4		56.0

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss consist of:
Net actuarial loss		47.4		56.0

Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (before tax effect)	$	47.4		56.0

Schedule Of Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Plans

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the plans for 2017, 2016 and 2015:

(Dollars in millions)	2017		2016		2015
Service cost	$	–		–		–
Interest cost		3.2		3.9		3.8
Expected return on plan assets		(3.9)		(4.4)		(4.5)
Net actuarial loss		2.6		2.0		1.8
Net periodic benefit cost		1.9		1.5		1.1
Defined contribution plans		6.3		5.2		5.0
Total	$	8.2		6.7		6.1

Schedule Of Asset Allocation For Pension Plans Acceptable Range And Target Allocation By Asset Category

The asset allocation for the Company’s pension plans at the end of 2017 and 2016, and the Company’s acceptable range and the target allocation for 2018, by asset category, are as follows:

	Target						Percentage of Plan Assets at
	Allocation			Acceptable			Year-end
Asset Category	2018			Range			2017			2016
Return seeking		60	%		55-65	%		62	%		59	%
Liability hedging		40	%		35-45	%		35	%		38	%
Cash/cash equivalents		–			0-5	%		3	%		3	%

Schedule Of Fair Value Of Financial Measurements

The fair values of the Company’s defined benefit plan investments as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, by asset category, were as follows:

(Dollars in millions)	2017		2016
Investments at fair value:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1.9		1.6
Common and preferred stock funds:
Domestic large capitalization		10.6		8.9
Domestic small-/mid-capitalization		3.3		2.7
International funds		14.3		12.3
Fixed income funds		30.7		30.6
Real estate investment funds		4.2		4.5
Total investments at fair value	$	65.0		60.6

Schedule Of Expected Benefit Payments

Information about the expected cash flows for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans follows:

	Pension		Other
(Dollars in millions)	Benefits		Benefits
Expected Employer Contributions — 2018	$	3.0		0.1
Expected Benefit Payments:
2018		4.9		0.1
2019		5.1		0.1
2020		5.7		0.1
2021		5.4		0.1
2022		5.6		0.1
2023-2027	$	29.5		0.3

Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Schedule Of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used To Determine The Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Pension Plans

The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit obligations for the pension plans:

	2017			2016
Discount rate		3.65	%		3.25	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels		N/A			N/A

Net Periodic Benefit Obligations [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Schedule Of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used To Determine The Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Pension Plans

The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the pension plans:

	2017			2016			2015
Discount rate		3.25	%		4.25	%		4.25	%
Rate of increase in compensation levels		N/A			N/A			N/A
Expected long-term rate of return on assets		3.25	%		6.75	%		6.75	%

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2017.

	Notional Amount	Fair Value
(In thousands)	(Currency)	(US$)
Forward contracts	1,859 GBP		(173)
Forward contracts	3,250 USD		149
Forward contracts	200 EUR		(5)

Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments

(In thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Liabilities:

Forward contracts

–

(29)

–

(29)

Business Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule Of Net Sales And Earnings Before Income Tax

Net Sales

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
Filtration	$	279.5		207.8		196.7
Test		160.9		161.5		177.6
USG		162.4		127.8		123.6
Technical Packaging		82.9		74.4		39.4
Consolidated totals	$	685.7		571.5		537.3

No customer exceeded 10% of sales in 2017 or 2016.

EBIT

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
Filtration	$	52.2		45.2		41.7
Test		19.5		13.9		9.5
USG		36.6		31.1		29.6
Technical Packaging		8.5		9.6		4.9
Reconciliation to consolidated totals (Corporate)		(32.1)		(30.1)		(23.4)
Consolidated EBIT		84.7		69.7		62.3
Less: interest expense		(4.6)		(1.3)		(0.8)
Earnings before income tax	$	80.1		68.4		61.5

Schedule of Identifiable Assets

Identifiable Assets

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016
Filtration	$	194.2		143.5
Test		132.2		110.9
USG		175.5		85.4
Technical Packaging		47.1		40.9
Corporate – Goodwill		377.9		323.6
Corporate – Other assets		333.5		274.1
Consolidated totals	$	1,260.4		978.4

Schedule Of Capital Expenditures

Capital Expenditures

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
Filtration	$	10.2		3.3		5.0
Test		4.5		3.3		3.1
USG		7.6		3.3		3.3
Technical Packaging		7.4		3.9		1.0
Corporate		–		–		–
Consolidated totals	$	29.7		13.8		12.4

Schedule Of Depreciation And Amortization

Depreciation and Amortization

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
Filtration	$	6.6		4.0		3.8
Test		3.6		3.6		3.1
USG		9.8		8.1		6.2
Technical Packaging		3.5		2.9		1.4
Corporate		8.7		5.0		4.1
Consolidated totals	$	32.2		23.6		18.6

Schedule Of Geographic Information Net Sale

Geographic Information

Net Sales

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016		2015
United States	$	503.1		403.6		385.5
Asia		69.8		68.1		70.4
Europe		75.4		71.6		46.6
Canada		22.2		12.9		11.6
India		4.8		2.9		4.3
Other		10.4		12.4		18.9
Consolidated totals	$	685.7		571.5		537.3

Schedule Of Geographic Information Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,	2017		2016
United States	$	111.5		79.9
Europe		16.8		11.7
Other		4.4		0.8
Consolidated totals	$	132.7		92.4

Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information

	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Fiscal
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year

2017

Net sales	$	146,368		161,178		171,189		207,005		685,740
Net earnings		10,727		11,157		12,645		19,174		53,703

Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings		0.42		0.43		0.49		0.74		2.08

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings		0.41		0.43		0.49		0.74		2.07

Dividends declared per common share	$	0.08		0.08		0.08		0.08		0.32

2016

Net sales	$	132,833		138,930		140,191		159,505		571,459
Net earnings		8,829		8,610		11,528		16,915		45,882

Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings		0.34		0.33		0.45		0.66		1.78

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings		0.34		0.33		0.44		0.65		1.77

Dividends declared per common share	$	0.08		0.08		0.08		0.08		0.32

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Number Of Shares Used In Calculation Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic	25,774	25,762	26,077
Performance- Accelerated Restricted Stock	221	206	188
Shares — Diluted	25,995	25,968	26,265

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		$ (27,308)	$ (39,283)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax		(28,900)	(34,500)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax		1,700	(4,700)
Research and Development Expense		14,000	12,200	$ 18,100
Maintenance Costs		$ 10,400	8,200	$ 8,200
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Other, Percent	5.10%	1.10%
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		$ (100)	$ (100)
Maximum [Member] \| Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		40 years
Maximum [Member] \| Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Office Furniture And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		10 years
Minimum [Member] \| Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		10 years
Minimum [Member] \| Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Office Furniture And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		3 years
Usg [Member]
Percentage of segment revenues recognized when services are performed for unaffiliated customers or when products are delivered		78.00%
Percentage of consolidated revenues recognized when services are performed for unaffiliated customers or when products are delivered		18.00%
Percentage Of Segment Revenues Recognized On Straight Line Basis		22.00%
Percentage Of Consolidated Revenues Recognized On Straight Line Basis		5.00%
Filtration [Member]
Percentage of segment revenues recognized when services are performed for unaffiliated customers or when products are delivered		86.00%
Percentage of consolidated revenues recognized when services are performed for unaffiliated customers or when products are delivered		36.00%
Percentage of segment revenues recorded under percentage of completion method		14.00%
Percentage of consolidated revenues recorded under percentage of completion method		6.00%
Test [Member]
Percentage of segment revenues recognized when services are performed for unaffiliated customers or when products are delivered		30.00%
Percentage of consolidated revenues recognized when services are performed for unaffiliated customers or when products are delivered		7.00%
Percentage of segment revenues recorded under percentage of completion method		70.00%
Percentage of consolidated revenues recorded under percentage of completion method		16.00%
Technical Packaging [Member]
Percentage of segment revenues recognized when services are performed for unaffiliated customers or when products are delivered		100.00%
Percentage of consolidated revenues recognized when services are performed for unaffiliated customers or when products are delivered		12.00%

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended							3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	May 08, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 30, 2017 USD ($)	May 25, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 07, 2016 USD ($) ft²	Sep. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 16, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total																	$ 198,628	$ 82,062	$ 20,500
Goodwill									$ 377,879				$ 323,616				377,879	323,616	291,200
Revenue, Net									$ 207,005	$ 171,189	$ 161,178	$ 146,368	$ 159,505	$ 140,191	$ 138,930	$ 132,833	685,740	571,459	$ 537,291
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma earnings before tax																	84,500	76,200
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue																	746,000	$ 695,000
Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues																	$ 3,800
Enoserv LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill								$ 10,000
Revenues								8,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Total								20,500
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill, Total								$ 9,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				20 years
Fremont Plastics, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross							$ 10,500
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Buildings							$ 2,000
Plastique Group Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross						$ 31,600
Goodwill						10,200
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability						2,700
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill, Total						11,900
Revenue, Net						35,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total						$ 9,600
Westland Technologies, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross					$ 41,000
Goodwill					17,900
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill, Total					28,300
Revenue, Net					25,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total					5,500
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities					$ 9,500
Mayday Manufacturing Co [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total				$ 75,000
Goodwill				30,200
Revenue, Net				40,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total				16,600
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities				$ 15,600
Area of Land \| ft²				130,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables				$ 7,300
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory				10,600
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Capital Lease Obligation				10,100
Mayday Manufacturing Co [Member] \| Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill, Total				4,800
Mayday Manufacturing Co [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill, Total				$ 32,800
Morgan Schaffer Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			$ 48,800
Goodwill			4,800
Revenue, Net			25,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			3,600
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total			1,700
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables			2,500
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory			5,200
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets			400
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable			4,900
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets			$ 35,600
Morgan Schaffer Inc [Member] \| Customer Relationships and Developed Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life			10 years
NRG Systems Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total	$ 38,600
Goodwill	8,000
Revenue, Net	45,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	9,400
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables	4,100
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory	5,100
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Capital Lease Obligation	9,700
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets	1,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable	4,100
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	8,100
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	1,500
NRG Systems Inc [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	$ 17,200
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	14 years
Vanguard Instruments Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross		$ 36,000
Goodwill		10,700
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Buildings		18,000
Revenue, Net		14,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total		300
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables		1,800
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory		$ 2,100
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		15 years
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable		$ 200
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets		$ 3,200

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Intangible Assets Gross Carrying Amounts And Accumulated Amortization) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 377,879	$ 323,616	$ 291,200
Patents [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	1,000	1,000
Less: accumulated amortization	800	800
Net	200	200
Capitalized Software [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	63,000	54,000
Less: accumulated amortization	34,400	26,700
Net	28,600	27,300
Customer relationships [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	181,900	111,900
Less: accumulated amortization	37,400	28,600
Net	144,500	83,300
Other [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	5,400	2,800
Less: accumulated amortization	1,400	900
Net	4,000	1,900
Trade names [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Trade names	$ 173,800	$ 119,100

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Changes In The Carrying Amount Of Goodwill Attributable To Business Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 323,616	$ 291,200
Acquisition activity	53,400	32,400
Foreign currency translation and other	900	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	377,879	323,616
Filtration [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	43,900	26,000
Acquisition activity	29,800	17,900
Foreign currency translation and other	0	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	73,700	43,900
Test [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	34,100	34,200
Acquisition activity	0	0
Foreign currency translation and other	0	(100)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	34,100	34,100
Utility Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	226,200	226,200
Acquisition activity	23,600	0
Foreign currency translation and other	400	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	250,200	226,200
Technical Packaging [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	19,400	4,800
Acquisition activity	0	14,500
Foreign currency translation and other	500	100
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 19,900	$ 19,400

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense related to intangible assets	$ 16,338	$ 11,630	$ 8,850
Estimated intangible asset amortization for 2021	$ 20,000
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Expected remaining useful life	20 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Expected remaining useful life	15 years
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Expected remaining useful life	17 years
Capitalized Software [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Expected remaining useful life	7 years
Capitalized Software [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Expected remaining useful life	3 years

Accounts Receivable (Schedule Of Accounts Receivable Net Of Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, Total	$ 160,580	$ 121,486
Commercial [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, Total	152,265	112,280
U.S. Government and prime contractors [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, Total	$ 8,315	$ 9,206

Inventories (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Inventory [Line Items]
Finished goods	$ 28,127	$ 20,502
Work in process	43,750	37,922
Raw materials	52,638	47,118
Total	$ 124,515	$ 105,542

Income Tax Expense (Total income tax expense (benefit)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income tax expense from Continuing Operations	$ 26,450	$ 22,538	$ 19,785
Income tax expense from Discontinued Operations	0	0	390
Total income tax expense	$ 26,450	$ 22,538	$ 20,175

- Definition

Amount of tax expense (benefit) related to a discontinued operation. Includes, but is not limited to, tax expense (benefit) related to income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, tax expense (benefit) related to gain (loss) on disposal, tax expense (benefit) related to gain (loss) for reversal of write-down (write-down) to fair value, less cost to sell, and tax expense (benefit) related to adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

+ References + Details

Income Tax Expense (Components Of Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
United States	$ 72,353	$ 62,353	$ 56,661
Foreign	7,800	6,067	4,860
Total income before income taxes	$ 80,153	$ 68,420	$ 61,521

Income Tax Expense (Principal Components Of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) From Continuing Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Federal, Current	$ 21,448	$ 19,236	$ 11,906
Federal, Deferred	628	(909)	5,406
State and local, Current	1,795	1,674	867
State and local, Deferred	(49)	(222)	16
Foreign, Current	4,450	1,899	1,525
Foreign, Deferred	(1,822)	860	65
Total	$ 26,450	$ 22,538	$ 19,785

Income Tax Expense (Schedule Of Actual Income Tax Expense (Benefit) From Continuing Operations) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Federal corporate statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local, net of Federal benefits	2.40%	2.00%	1.20%
Foreign	(0.10%)	(1.00%)	(1.50%)
Research credit	(1.10%)	(2.50%)	(1.80%)
Domestic production deduction	(2.70%)	(2.80%)	(2.60%)
Change in uncertain tax positions	0.00%	0.00%	(0.20%)
Executive compensation	(0.10%)	0.90%	0.90%
Valuation allowance	(0.30%)	1.80%	1.00%
Other, net	(0.10%)	(0.50%)	0.20%
Effective income tax rate	33.00%	32.90%	32.20%

Income Tax Expense (Tax Effects Of Temporary Differences That Give Rise To Significant Portions Of The Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Inventories	$ 9,639	$ 7,553
Pension and other postretirement benefits	11,345	13,978
Net operating and capital loss carryforwards — domestic	501	372
Net operating loss carryforward — foreign	4,486	4,991
Other compensation-related costs and other cost accruals	12,104	13,678
State credit carryforward	2,098	1,944
Total deferred tax assets	40,173	42,516
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill	(4,874)	(15,528)
Acquisition assets	(91,752)	(69,934)
Depreciation, software amortization	(24,092)	(20,285)
Net deferred tax liabilities before valuation allowance	(80,545)	(63,231)
Less valuation allowance	(4,440)	(5,711)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (84,985)	$ (68,942)

Income Tax Expense (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Accumulated unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	$ 48,900
Accumulated unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries in cash	28,400
Income taxes due if foreign entities' earnings were distributed	6,900
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	100	$ 100
Capital loss carryforward, valuation allowance	400	600
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance	400	300
Net operating loss carryforward - foreign	4,486	4,991
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Not Subject to Expiration	15,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration	3,200
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State and Local	500
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	2,100
State Research And Other Credit CarryForwards With Expiration Date	1,700
State Research And Other Credit Carry Forwards Without Expiration Date	400
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	4,440	5,711
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	1,300	1,600
FINLAND
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	300
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	2,800
Brazil, Germany, India, Finland, China and the United Kingdom [Member]
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforward - foreign	18,200
Foreign Valuation Allowance [Member]
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance	$ 3,700	$ 4,800

Debt (Schedule Of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, including current portion	$ 275,000	$ 110,000
Current portion of long-term debt	(20,000)	(20,000)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$ 255,000	$ 90,000

Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Available to borrow under the credit facility	$ 166,000
Cash on hand	$ 45,516	$ 53,825	$ 39,411	$ 35,131
Percentage of foreign subsidiaries' share equity	65.00%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 9,700	4,900
Maximum aggregate short-term borrowings at any month-end	298,000	110,000
Average aggregate short-term borrowings outstanding	$ 211,300	$ 89,200
Weighted average interest rates	2.09%	1.58%	1.27%
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	$ 20,000	$ 20,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	450,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Amount	$ 250,000
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility fees	12.50%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Incremental term loan	$ 250,000
Credit facility fees	27.50%

Capital Stock (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017
Common shares as presented in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets	30,364,183		30,468,824
Common shares in treasury	4,647,322		4,635,622
Board of Directors authorized an expanded stock repurchase program			$ 100.0
Stock repurchases during period, shares	120,000	517,000
Stock repurchased during period, value	$ 4.3	$ 18.2

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Outstanding Restricted Share Awards) (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding restricted share awards, Nonvested at October 1,	427,438	326,536	332,340
Outstanding restricted share awards, Granted, Shares	110,422	120,902	123,501
Outstanding restricted share awards, Vested, Shares	(202,035)	(8,000)	(129,305)
Outstanding restricted share awards, Cancelled, Shares	0	(12,000)	0
Outstanding restricted share awards, Nonvested at September 30,	335,825	427,438	326,536
Outstanding restricted share awards, Nonvested at October 1, Weighted Avg. Price	$ 35.40	$ 35.29	$ 32.23
Outstanding restricted share awards, Granted, Weighted Avg. Price	51.16	35.75	34.33
Outstanding restricted share awards, Vested, Weighted Avg. Price	35.78	36.06	26.66
Outstanding restricted share awards, Cancelled, Weighted Avg. Price	0	35.47	0
Outstanding restricted share awards, Nonvested at September 30, Weighted Avg. Price	$ 40.35	$ 35.40	$ 35.29

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-employee director retainer common shares per quarter	900
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	1,072,401
Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share (PARS) Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 4.4	$ 3.9	$ 4.0
Non-Employee Directors Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total income tax benefit recognized		1.3	1.6
Total share-based compensation cost	1.8
Pretax compensation expense	1.0	0.8	0.8
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements	$ 6.3
Remaining weighted-average period for recognition of total unrecognized compensation cost	1 year 6 months
Non-Employee Directors Plan [Member] \| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation cost	$ 5.4	$ 4.7	$ 4.8

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Benefit Obligation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 100.6	$ 93.6
Interest cost	3.2	3.9	$ 3.8
Actuarial (gain) loss	(4.1)	11.1
Gross benefits paid	(4.4)	(7.8)
Settlements	0.0	(0.2)
Net benefit obligation at end of year	$ 95.3	$ 100.6	$ 93.6

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Fair Value Of Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 60.6	$ 63.0
Actual return on plan assets	5.9	5.1
Employer contributions	2.9	0.5
Gross benefits paid	(4.4)	(7.8)
Settlements	0.0	0.2
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$ 65.0	$ 60.6

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Schedule Of Funded Status) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Funded status at end of year	$ (30,300)	$ (40,000)
Accrued benefit cost	(30,300)	(40,000)
Current liability	(200)	(200)
Noncurrent liability	30,223	39,842
Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (before tax effect)	47,400	56,000
Net actuarial loss	47,400	56,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income)/Loss (before tax effect)	$ 47,400	$ 56,000

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Schedule Of Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Service cost	$ 0.0	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Interest cost	3.2	3.9	3.8
Expected return on plan assets	(3.9)	(4.4)	(4.5)
Net actuarial loss	2.6	2.0	1.8
Net periodic benefit cost	1.9	1.5	1.1
Defined contribution plans	6.3	5.2	5.0
Total	$ 8.2	$ 6.7	$ 6.1

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Schedule Of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used To Determine The Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Pension Plans) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.25%	4.25%	4.25%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	3.25%	6.75%	6.75%
Net Periodic Benefit Obligations [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.65%	3.25%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	0.00%	0.00%

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Schedule Of Asset Allocation For Pension Plans Acceptable Range And Target Allocation By Asset Category) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	3.00%	3.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	5.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	0.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Target Allocation 2017 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	0.00%
Return seeking [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	62.00%	59.00%
Return seeking [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	65.00%
Return seeking [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	55.00%
Return seeking [Member] \| Target Allocation 2017 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	60.00%
Hedge Funds, Equity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	35.00%	38.00%
Hedge Funds, Equity [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	45.00%
Hedge Funds, Equity [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	35.00%
Hedge Funds, Equity [Member] \| Target Allocation 2017 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	40.00%

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Financial Measurements) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 65.0	$ 60.6	$ 63.0
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1.9	1.6
Domestic Large Capitalization [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	10.6	8.9
Domestic Small/Mid Capitalization [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	3.3	2.7
International Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	14.3	12.3
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	30.7	30.6
Real Estate Investment [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 4.2	$ 4.5

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Schedule Of Expected Benefit Payments) (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Expected Employer Contributions — 2018	$ 3.0
Expected Benefit Payments:
2018	4.9
2019	5.1
2020	5.7
2021	5.4
2022	5.6
2023-2027	29.5
Other Benefits [Member]
Expected Employer Contributions — 2018	0.1
Expected Benefit Payments:
2018	0.1
2019	0.1
2020	0.1
2021	0.1
2022	0.1
2023-2027	$ 0.3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) - Sep. 30, 2017 € in Thousands, £ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	USD ($)	GBP (£)	EUR (€)
Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount \| £		£ 1,859
Derivative, Fair Value	$ (173)
Forward Contracts One [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,250
Derivative, Fair Value	149
Forward Contracts Two [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount \| €			€ 200
Derivative, Fair Value	$ (5)

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Derivative Liabilities at Fair Value) (Details) - Forward Contracts [Member] $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value, Net, Total	$ (29)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value, Net, Total	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value, Net, Total	(29)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value, Net, Total	$ 0

Business Segment Information (Schedule Of Net Sales And Earnings Before Income Tax) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
NET SALES	$ 207,005	$ 171,189	$ 161,178	$ 146,368	$ 159,505	$ 140,191	$ 138,930	$ 132,833	$ 685,740	$ 571,459	$ 537,291
Consolidated EBIT									84,700	69,700	62,300
Less: interest expense									(4,578)	(1,308)	(785)
Earnings before income taxes									80,153	68,420	61,521
Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
NET SALES									279,500	207,800	196,700
Consolidated EBIT									52,200	45,200	41,700
Test [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
NET SALES									160,900	161,500	177,600
Consolidated EBIT									19,500	13,900	9,500
Utility Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
NET SALES									162,400	127,800	123,600
Consolidated EBIT									36,600	31,100	29,600
Technical Packaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
NET SALES									82,900	74,400	39,400
Consolidated EBIT									8,500	9,600	4,900
Corporate (loss) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated EBIT									$ (32,100)	$ (30,100)	$ (23,400)

Business Segment Information (Schedule Of Identifiable Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Identifiable Assets	$ 1,260,444	$ 978,371
Filtration [Member]
Identifiable Assets	194,200	143,500
Test [Member]
Identifiable Assets	132,200	110,900
USG [Member]
Identifiable Assets	175,500	85,400
Technical Packaging [Member]
Identifiable Assets	47,100	40,900
Corporate Goodwill [Member]
Identifiable Assets	377,900	323,600
Corporate Other Assets [Member]
Identifiable Assets	$ 333,500	$ 274,100

Business Segment Information (Schedule Of Capital Expenditures) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Capital Expenditures	$ 29,728	$ 13,843	$ 12,444
Filtration [Member]
Capital Expenditures	10,200	3,300	5,000
Test [Member]
Capital Expenditures	4,500	3,300	3,100
USG [Member]
Capital Expenditures	7,600	3,300	3,300
Technical Packaging [Member]
Capital Expenditures	7,400	3,900	1,000
Corporate [Member]
Capital Expenditures	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Business Segment Information (Schedule Of Depreciation And Amortization) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Depreciation and Amortization	$ 32,229	$ 23,568	$ 18,584
Filtration [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization	6,600	4,000	3,800
Test [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization	3,600	3,600	3,100
USG [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization	9,800	8,100	6,200
Technical Packaging [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization	3,500	2,900	1,400
Corporate [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization	$ 8,700	$ 5,000	$ 4,100

Business Segment Information (Schedule Of Geographic Information Net Sales) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net Sales	$ 207,005	$ 171,189	$ 161,178	$ 146,368	$ 159,505	$ 140,191	$ 138,930	$ 132,833	$ 685,740	$ 571,459	$ 537,291
United States [Member]
Net Sales									503,100	403,600	385,500
Asia [Member]
Net Sales									69,800	68,100	70,400
Europe [Member]
Net Sales									75,400	71,600	46,600
Canada [Member]
Net Sales									22,200	12,900	11,600
India [Member]
Net Sales									4,800	2,900	4,300
Other [Member]
Net Sales									$ 10,400	$ 12,400	$ 18,900

Business Segment Information (Schedule Of Geographic Information Long-Lived Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Long-Lived Assets	$ 132,748	$ 92,405
United States [Member]
Long-Lived Assets	111,500	79,900
Europe [Member]
Long-Lived Assets	16,800	11,700
Other [Member]
Long-Lived Assets	$ 4,400	$ 800

Business Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Percentage Of Sale Of Customer Maximum	10.00%	10.00%
Capitalized Computer Software, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 9.0	$ 8.7	$ 6.9
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Depreciation	$ 15.9	$ 11.9	$ 9.7

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
2018	$ 6,361
2019	5,340
2020	3,733
2021	2,653
2022 and thereafter	3,647
Total	$ 21,734

Capital Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
2018	$ 1,883
2019	1,922
2020	1,914
2021	1,858
2022 and thereafter	15,977
Total minimum lease payments	23,554
Less: amounts representing interest	4,233
Present value of net minimum lease payments	19,321
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,370
Non-current portion of capital lease obligations	$ 17,951

Capital Leases (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 232,398	$ 176,859
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 99,650	$ 84,454
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Lease Expiration Date	2020
Facility [Member]
Lease Expiration Date	2029

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net sales	$ 207,005	$ 171,189	$ 161,178	$ 146,368	$ 159,505	$ 140,191	$ 138,930	$ 132,833	$ 685,740	$ 571,459	$ 537,291
Net earnings	$ 19,174	$ 12,645	$ 11,157	$ 10,727	$ 16,915	$ 11,528	$ 8,610	$ 8,829	$ 53,703	$ 45,882	$ 42,512
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings	$ 0.74	$ 0.49	$ 0.43	$ 0.42	$ 0.66	$ 0.45	$ 0.33	$ 0.34	$ 2.08	$ 1.78	$ 1.63
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings	0.74	0.49	0.43	0.41	0.65	0.44	0.33	0.34	2.07	1.77	1.62
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.32	$ 0.32	$ 0.32

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Earnings on sale from discontinued operations,net of tax expense (benefit)	$ 390

Related Parties (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 3.6	$ 1.4	$ 0.8

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017 GBP (£)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	£ 700

Retirement and Other Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Before Adoption Of SFAS 158 Recognition Provision Accrued Benefit Liability	$ 0.6	$ 0.7
DefinedBenefitPlanAmountToBeAmortizedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNextFiscalYear	$ 2.3