Results of Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	May 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 985,918	$ 894,810
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	118,704	107,940
Total Assets	3,517,093		3,515,029
Industrial Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	667,016	602,314
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	91,546	82,479
Total Assets	2,115,156		1,992,143
Consumer Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	318,902	292,496
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	51,512	49,027
Total Assets	1,204,777		1,195,849
Corporate/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	(24,354)	(23,566)
Total Assets	$ 197,160		$ 327,037

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 7
-Section 03
-Paragraph 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
-Section S99
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Publisher FASB
-Paragraph 1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON)
-Number 6
-Paragraph 25
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 18
-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 4
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Subparagraph 1(i)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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