Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Dec. 28, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012 Brady Medical [Member]	Oct. 31, 2012 Varitronics [Member]	Apr. 30, 2013 Disposal group held for sale [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill increased			$ 164,658
Increase in goodwill resulting from acquisition	189,187	1,227	189,187	1,227
Increase in goodwill resulting from foreign currency translation			8,026
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Goodwill	29,673		29,673				863	2,019
Customer relationships					102,500
Amortized trademarks					6,800
Amortization expense of intangible assets	6,597	3,944	15,759	12,102
Projected future amortization expense, year one	19,934		19,934
Projected future amortization expense, year two	19,134		19,134
Projected future amortization expense, year three	16,934		16,934
Projected future amortization expense, year four	13,608		13,608
Projected future amortization expense, year five	12,241		12,241
Goodwill	$ 841,449		$ 841,449			$ 676,791			$ 29,673