Results of Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015	May. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		$ 988,555	$ 946,367	$ 3,387,065	$ 3,221,391
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	21,906	20,427	284,368	274,255
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	(20,231)	(13,800)	(60,001)	(43,758)
EBIT	[3]	42,137	34,227	344,369	318,013
Total Assets		4,448,089		4,448,089		$ 4,694,240
Operating Segments | Industrial Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		484,012	499,594	1,757,542	1,841,714
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	628	6,902	146,341	155,135
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	(1,448)	(1,872)	(4,482)	(6,519)
EBIT	[3]	2,076	8,774	150,823	161,654
Total Assets		1,902,718		1,902,718		2,105,364
Operating Segments | Specialty Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		165,559	120,403	535,928	270,516
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	21,587	9,558	79,117	40,898
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	188	188	583	304
EBIT	[3]	21,399	9,370	78,534	40,594
Total Assets		788,121		788,121		798,893
Operating Segments | Consumer Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		338,984	326,370	1,093,595	1,109,161
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	38,785	35,147	170,337	173,378
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	16	6	116	(6)
EBIT	[3]	38,769	35,141	170,221	173,384
Total Assets		1,659,227		1,659,227		1,626,097
Corporate/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	(39,094)	(31,180)	(111,427)	(95,156)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	(18,987)	(12,122)	(56,218)	(37,537)
EBIT	[3]	(20,107)	$ (19,058)	(55,209)	$ (57,619)
Total Assets		$ 98,023		$ 98,023		$ 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 corporate 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 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.