Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information	Jun. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000866706
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	ESE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		26,098,919

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net sales	$ 134,191	$ 130,495	$ 383,679	$ 379,707
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	82,956	79,608	233,516	231,325
Selling, general and administrative expenses	32,786	33,492	99,221	99,182
Amortization of intangible assets	2,285	1,682	6,378	5,047
Interest expense, net	247	147	655	1,493
Other (income) expenses, net	337	283	(238)	423
Total costs and expenses	118,611	115,212	339,532	337,470
Earnings before income taxes	15,580	15,283	44,147	42,237
Income tax expense	4,832	3,693	13,924	12,551
Net earnings from continuing operations	10,748	11,590	30,223	29,686
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax expense	1,148	0	776	9,858
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $9,499			0	(50,442)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	1,148	0	776	(40,584)
Net earnings (loss)	$ 11,896	$ 11,590	$ 30,999	$ (10,898)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic - Continuing operations	$ 0.41	$ 0.44	$ 1.15	$ 1.12
- Discontinued operations	$ 0.05	$ 0.00	$ 0.04	$ (1.53)
- Net earnings (loss)	$ 0.46	$ 0.44	$ 1.19	$ (0.41)
Diluted - Continuing operations	$ 0.41	$ 0.43	$ 1.15	$ 1.11
- Discontinued operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.00	$ 0.03	$ (1.52)
- Net earnings (loss)	$ 0.45	$ 0.43	$ 1.18	$ (0.41)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net earnings (loss)	$ 11,896	$ 11,590	$ 30,999	$ (10,898)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	953	239	(4,972)	1,238
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	135	0	(94)	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,088	239	(5,066)	1,238
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 12,984	$ 11,829	$ 25,933	$ (9,660)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 36,879	$ 35,131
Accounts receivable, net	100,979	105,449
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $14,466 and $30,041, respectively	22,970	27,798
Inventories	110,124	94,292
Current portion of deferred tax assets	16,351	19,946
Other current assets	14,781	13,337
Total current assets	302,084	295,953
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $75,247 and $70,694, respectively	78,140	76,465
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $43,785 and $37,402, respectively	190,807	182,063
Goodwill	291,072	282,337
Other assets	5,741	9,088
Total assets	867,844	845,906
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,407	20,000
Accounts payable	28,663	40,328
Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $36,830 and $44,110, respectively	17,866	15,035
Accrued salaries	19,775	25,558
Current portion of deferred revenue	22,219	19,895
Accrued other expenses	23,486	26,284
Total current liabilities	132,416	147,100
Pension obligations	19,237	19,234
Deferred tax liabilities	77,215	77,440
Other liabilities	1,921	1,961
Long-term debt	45,000	20,000
Total liabilities	275,789	265,735
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares	0	0
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued 30,356,303 and 30,247,512 shares, respectively	304	302
Additional paid-in capital	285,588	285,305
Retained earnings	424,184	399,451
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(24,252)	(19,186)
Total stockholders' equity before Treasury Stock	685,824	665,872
Less treasury stock, at cost: 4,266,062 and 4,040,532 common shares, respectively	(93,769)	(85,701)
Total shareholders' equity	592,055	580,171
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 867,844	$ 845,906

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, progress billings	$ 14,466	$ 30,041
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	75,247	70,694
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	43,785	37,402
Advance payments on long-term contracts, costs incurred	$ 36,830	$ 44,110
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	30,356,303	30,247,512
Treasury stock, shares	4,266,062	4,040,532

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 30,999	$ (10,898)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net (earnings) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(776)	40,584
Depreciation and amortization	13,614	12,234
Stock compensation expense	3,701	3,695
Changes in current assets and liabilities	(24,682)	(18,210)
Effect of deferred taxes	3,370	376
Change in deferred revenue and costs, net	1,837	758
Pension contributions	(650)	(2,080)
Change in uncertain tax positions	(287)	(1,694)
Other	3,266	(2,129)
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	30,392	22,636
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities - discontinued operations	1,166	(1,629)
Net cash provided by operating activities	31,558	21,007
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(20,500)	0
Additions to capitalized software	(4,394)	(6,305)
Capital expenditures	(10,557)	(8,116)
Net cash used by investing activities - continuing operations	(35,451)	(14,421)
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations	0	123,512
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(35,451)	109,091
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	97,407	62,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(72,000)	(186,000)
Dividends paid	(6,282)	(6,378)
Purchases of common stock into treasury	(9,882)	(3,607)
Other	77	14
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	9,320	(133,971)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(3,679)	1,238
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,748	(2,635)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	35,131	42,850
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 36,879	$ 40,215

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures required for annual financial statements by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.

The Company’s business is typically not impacted by seasonality; however, the results for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire 2015 fiscal year. References to the third quarters of 2015 and 2014 represent the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

In preparing the financial statements, the Company uses estimates and assumptions that may affect reported amounts and disclosures. The Company regularly evaluates the estimates and assumptions related to the allowance for doubtful trade receivables, inventory obsolescence, warranty reserves, value of equity-based awards, goodwill and purchased intangible asset valuations, asset impairments, employee benefit plan liabilities, income tax liabilities and assets and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, and claims, litigation and other loss contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

On March 28, 2014, the Company completed the sale of Aclara Technologies LLC (Aclara) to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners. A disagreement between the parties over the calculation of the final working capital adjustment was finally resolved by arbitration on June 15, 2015, resulting in a cash payment to the Company of $2.3 million. Aclara is reflected as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the periods presented, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

ACQUISITION

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

2.	ACQUISITION

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. The operating results for Enoserv, since the date of acquisition, are included as part of Doble Engineering Company (Doble), within the Company’s USG segment. Based on the preliminary 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.

EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share (EPS) [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

3.	EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS 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 (restricted shares) by using the treasury stock method. The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic		26,080		26,513		26,104		26,497
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares		100		189		148		221

Adjusted Shares - Diluted		26,180		26,702		26,252		26,718

Approximately 149,000 and 163,000 restricted shares were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, based upon the application of the treasury stock method. Approximately 174,000 and 192,000 restricted shares were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, based upon the application of the treasury stock method.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing for performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares), and to non-employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan.

Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share Awards

Pretax compensation expense related to the restricted share awards was $0.9 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.9 million and $3.2 million for the corresponding periods of 2014. There were 330,536 non-vested shares outstanding as of June 30, 2015.

Non-Employee Directors Plan

Pretax compensation expense related to the non-employee director grants was $0.2 million and $0.6 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the corresponding periods of 2014.

The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of continuing operations and included within selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) was $1.1 million and $3.7 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2015, respectively, and $1.1 million and $3.7 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $0.4 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014. As of June 30, 2015, there was $5.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Business Segment Information [Abstract]

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company is organized based on the products and services that it offers. Under this organizational structure, the Company has three reporting segments: Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), RF Shielding and Test (Test), and Utility Solutions Group (USG). The Filtration segment’s operations consist of PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI), VACCO Industries (VACCO), Crissair, Inc. (Crissair) and Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ). The companies within this segment primarily design and manufacture specialty filtration products, including hydraulic filter elements used in commercial aerospace applications, unique filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites and custom designed filters for manned and unmanned aircraft. The Test segment’s operations consist primarily of ETS-Lindgren Inc. (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. The USG segment’s operations consist primarily of Doble Engineering Company (Doble). Doble provides high-end, intelligent diagnostic test solutions for the electric power delivery industry and is a leading supplier of partial discharge testing instruments used to assess the integrity of high voltage power delivery equipment.

Management evaluates and measures the performance of its operating segments based on “Net Sales” and “EBIT”, which are detailed in the table below. EBIT is defined as earnings from continuing operations before interest and taxes. The table below is presented on the basis of continuing operations and excludes discontinued operations.

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	June 30,				June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
NET SALES
Filtration	$	60,401		57,733		166,340		171,608
Test		42,945		45,029		124,449		125,531
USG		30,845		27,733		92,890		82,568
Consolidated totals	$	134,191		130,495		383,679		379,707

EBIT
Filtration	$	12,285		10,294		31,412		29,878
Test		2,014		5,775		9,276		12,883
USG		7,357		5,725		22,189		18,891
Corporate (loss)		(5,829)		(6,364)		(18,075)		(17,922)
Consolidated EBIT		15,827		15,430		44,802		43,730
Less: Interest expense		(247)		(147)		(655)		(1,493)
Earnings before income taxes	$	15,580		15,283		44,147		42,237

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The financial measure “EBIT” is presented in the above table and elsewhere in this Report. EBIT on a consolidated basis is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that EBIT is useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments because it excludes interest and taxes, which are generally accounted for across the entire Company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures used by management in determining resource allocations within the Company as well as incentive compensation. A reconciliation of EBIT from continuing operations to net earnings from continuing operations is set forth in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – EBIT, below.

The Company believes that the presentation of EBIT provides important supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. However, the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other companies’ non-GAAP financial performance measures. Furthermore, the use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.

DEBT

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Debt [Abstract]

DEBT

The Company’s debt is summarized as follows:

	June 30,		September 30,
(In thousands)	2015		2014
Total borrowings	$	65,407		40,000
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt		(20,407)		(20,000)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$	45,000		20,000

On May 14, 2012, the Company entered into a $450 million five-year revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, PNC Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and eight other participating lenders. Through a credit facility expansion option, the Company may elect to increase the size of the credit facility by entering into incremental term loans, in any agreed currency, at a minimum of $25 million each up to a maximum of $250 million aggregate.

At June 30, 2015, the Company had approximately $376 million available to borrow under the credit facility, and a $250 million increase option, in addition to $36.9 million cash on hand. At June 30, 2015, the Company had $65 million of outstanding borrowings under the credit facility in addition to outstanding letters of credit of $8.7 million. The Company’s ability to access the additional $250 million increase option of the credit facility is subject to acceptance by participating or other outside banks.

The credit facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a facility fee ranging from 17.5 to 35.0 basis points per year 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 the material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the credit facility also include a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. The weighted average interest rates were 1.14% and 1.28% for the three and nine-month periods ending June 30, 2015, respectively. At June 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Income Tax Expense [Abstract]

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The third quarter 2015 effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 31.0% compared to 24.2% in the third quarter of 2014. The effective income tax rate in the first nine months of 2015 was 31.5% compared to 29.7% in the first nine months of 2014. The income tax expense in the first nine months of 2015 was favorably impacted by the extension of the research credit as a result of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 reducing the year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.1%. The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 was favorably impacted by additional fiscal 2014 foreign tax credit benefit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 1.6% and 0.6%; $0.1 million decrease of foreign uncertain tax positions primarily as a result of the settlement of an audit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 0.7% and 0.3%; rerating of foreign intangible deferred tax liabilities reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 0.9% and 0.3%; and a reduction in German valuation allowance reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 0.9% and 0.3%. The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 was unfavorably impacted by losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit was recorded increasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 0.7% and 0.8%, respectively

The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 was favorably impacted by a $1.0 million decrease of uncertain tax positions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 6.8% and 2.5%; additional fiscal 2013 research credit benefit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.8% and 1.0%; and additional fiscal 2013 foreign tax credit benefit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.1% and 0.8%.

The Company estimates the fiscal 2015 effective tax rate from continuing operations will be approximately 33%. The Company does not anticipate a material change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.

RETIREMENT PLANS

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Retirement Plans [Abstract]

RETIREMENT PLANS

A summary of net periodic benefit expense for the Company’s defined benefit plans for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is shown in the following table. Net periodic benefit cost for each period presented is comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$	951		1,002		2,852		3,005
Expected return on assets		(1,136)		(1,104)		(3,408)		(3,311)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3		3		10		10
Actuarial loss		442		413		1,326		1,238
Net periodic benefit cost	$	260		314		780		942

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

10.	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 the second quarter of 2015, the Company entered into several forward contracts to purchase Euros to hedge the foreign currency risk related to Euro denominated inventory payments. All derivative instruments are reported on the balance sheet at fair value. The derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges and the gain or loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until recognized in earnings with the underlying hedged item.

The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments by risk category and instrument type as of June 30, 2015:

(In thousands)		Notional amount (Euros)				Fair Value (US$)
Forward contracts		$	1,289				(94	)

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

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 June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 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.

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 June 30, 2015:

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Forward contracts	$	-		94	$	-		94

Valuation was based on third party evidence of similarly priced derivative instruments.

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 the nine months ended June 30, 2015.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

12.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In July 2015, the FASB affirmed its proposed one-year deferral of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), 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. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and the selected method of transition to the new standard.

EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share (EPS) [Abstract]

Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares

The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic		26,080		26,513		26,104		26,497
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares		100		189		148		221

Adjusted Shares - Diluted		26,180		26,702		26,252		26,718

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Business Segment Information [Abstract]

Schedule Of Net Sales And Earnings Before Income Tax

The table below is presented on the basis of continuing operations and excludes discontinued operations.

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	June 30,				June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
NET SALES
Filtration	$	60,401		57,733		166,340		171,608
Test		42,945		45,029		124,449		125,531
USG		30,845		27,733		92,890		82,568
Consolidated totals	$	134,191		130,495		383,679		379,707

EBIT
Filtration	$	12,285		10,294		31,412		29,878
Test		2,014		5,775		9,276		12,883
USG		7,357		5,725		22,189		18,891
Corporate (loss)		(5,829)		(6,364)		(18,075)		(17,922)
Consolidated EBIT		15,827		15,430		44,802		43,730
Less: Interest expense		(247)		(147)		(655)		(1,493)
Earnings before income taxes	$	15,580		15,283		44,147		42,237

RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Schedule Of Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Plans

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$	951		1,002		2,852		3,005
Expected return on assets		(1,136)		(1,104)		(3,408)		(3,311)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3		3		10		10
Actuarial loss		442		413		1,326		1,238
Net periodic benefit cost	$	260		314		780		942

ACQUISITION (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)			1 Months Ended
ACQUISITION (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 28, 2015 ENOSERV LLC [Member]	Jan. 28, 2015 ENOSERV LLC [Member] Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortizable identifiable intangible assets				$ 9,000,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			20,500,000
Goodwill	291,072,000	282,337,000	10,000,000
Revenues			$ 8,000,000

EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (Number Of Shares Used In The Calculation Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Earning Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic	26,080	26,513	26,104	26,497
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares	100	189	148	221
Adjusted Shares - Diluted	26,180	26,702	26,252	26,718

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation cost	$ 1.1	$ 1.1	$ 3.7	$ 3.7
Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	0.9	0.9	3.1	3.2
Non vested shares outstanding	330,536		330,536
Non-Employee Directors Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total income tax benefit recognized	0.4	0.1	1.4	0.7
Pretax compensation expense	0.2	0.2	0.6	0.5
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements	$ 5.9		$ 5.9
Remaining weighted-average period for recognition of total unrecognized compensation cost			1 year 9 months 18 days

INVENTORIES (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory [Line Items]
Finished goods	$ 20,596	$ 18,949
Work in process, including long-term contracts	39,093	31,634
Raw materials	50,435	43,709
Total inventories	$ 110,124	$ 94,292

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Schedule Of Net Sales And Earnings Before Income Tax) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 134,191	$ 130,495	$ 383,679	$ 379,707
Consolidated EBIT	15,827	15,430	44,802	43,730
Less: Interest expense	(247)	(147)	(655)	(1,493)
Earnings before income taxes	15,580	15,283	44,147	42,237
Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	60,401	57,733	166,340	171,608
Consolidated EBIT	12,285	10,294	31,412	29,878
Test [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	42,945	45,029	124,449	125,531
Consolidated EBIT	2,014	5,775	9,276	12,883
Utility Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	30,845	27,733	92,890	82,568
Consolidated EBIT	7,357	5,725	22,189	18,891
Corporate (loss) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated EBIT	$ (5,829)	$ (6,364)	$ (18,075)	$ (17,922)

DEBT (Schedule Of Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total borrowings	$ 65,407	$ 40,000
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	(20,407)	(20,000)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$ 45,000	$ 20,000

DEBT (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
DEBT (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2015 Minimum [Member]	Jun. 30, 2015 Maximum [Member]	May 14, 2012 JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. [Member]	May 14, 2012 JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. [Member] Minimum [Member]	May 14, 2012 JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. [Member] Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility									$ 450,000,000
Available to borrow under the credit facility	376,000,000
Cash on hand	36,879,000	35,131,000	40,215,000	42,850,000
Incremental term loan								250,000,000		25,000,000	250,000,000
Percentage of foreign subsidiaries' share equity	65.00%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	8,700,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 65,000,000
Credit facility fees							17.50%	35.00%
Weighted average interest rates					1.14%	1.28%

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate	31.00%	24.20%	31.50%	29.70%
Decrease in effective tax rate	0.70%	6.80%	0.30%	2.50%
Estimated Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations			33.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)			$ (287)	$ (1,694)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Research, Percent		2.80%	2.10%	1.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Percent	1.60%	2.10%	0.60%	0.80%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Deferred Tax Liability	0.90%		0.30%
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Increase in effective tax rate	0.70%		0.80%
German Valuation Allowance [Member]
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Increase in effective tax rate	0.90%		0.30%

RETIREMENT PLANS (Schedule Of Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Plans) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$ 951	$ 1,002	$ 2,852	$ 3,005
Expected return on assets	(1,136)	(1,104)	(3,408)	(3,311)
Amortization of Prior service cost	3	3	10	10
Amortization of Actuarial loss	442	413	1,326	1,238
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 260	$ 314	$ 780	$ 942

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) (Forward Contracts [Member]) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 EUR (€)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		€ 1,289
Derivative, Fair Value	$ (94)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Payment For Working Capital Adjustment	$ 2.3

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments) (Details) (Forward Contracts [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	$ 94
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	94
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	$ 0