Results of Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		$ 1,242,526	$ 1,203,896
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	[1]	142,201	148,078
Interest (Expense), Net	[2]	(18,392)	(15,612)
EBIT	[3]	160,593	163,690
Total Assets		4,661,407		$ 4,694,240
Operating Segments | Industrial Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		663,329	694,284
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	[1]	82,751	85,423
Interest (Expense), Net	[2]	(1,499)	(2,671)
EBIT	[3]	84,250	88,094
Total Assets		2,033,370		2,105,364
Operating Segments | Consumer Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		395,557	430,010
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	[1]	66,123	76,669
Interest (Expense), Net	[2]	58	(8)
EBIT	[3]	66,065	76,677
Total Assets		1,661,726		1,626,097
Operating Segments | Specialty Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		183,640	79,602
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	[1]	28,206	17,041
Interest (Expense), Net	[2]	196	38
EBIT	[3]	28,010	17,003
Total Assets		798,347		798,893
Corporate/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	[1]	(34,879)	(31,055)
Interest (Expense), Net	[2]	(17,147)	(12,971)
EBIT	[3]	(17,732)	$ (18,084)
Total Assets		$ 167,964		$ 163,886

[1] The presentation includes a reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, a measure defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, to EBIT.

[2] Interest (expense), net includes the combination of interest (expense) and investment income/(expense), net.

[3] EBIT is defined as earnings (loss) before interest and taxes. We evaluate the profit performance of our segments based on income before income taxes, but also look to EBIT as a performance evaluation measure because interest expense is essentially related to acquisitions, as opposed to segment operations. We believe EBIT is useful to investors for this purpose as well, using EBIT as a metric in their investment decisions. EBIT should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, income before taxes as determined in accordance with GAAP, since EBIT omits the impact of interest and taxes in determining operating performance, which represent items necessary to our continued operations, given our level of indebtedness and ongoing tax obligations. Nonetheless, EBIT is a key measure expected by and useful to our fixed income investors, rating agencies and the banking community all of whom believe, and we concur, that this measure is critical to the capital markets' analysis of our segments' core operating performance. We also evaluate EBIT because it is clear that movements in EBIT impact our impact our ability to attract financing. Our underwriters and bankers consistently require inclusion of this measure in offering memoranda in conjunction with any debt underwriting or bank financing. EBIT may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results.