Schedule II Valuation of Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 5,093	$ 6,183
Additions — Charged to expense	779	1,593
Due to acquired businesses	0	159
Reclassified to continuing operations	31
Deductions - written off	(2,834)	(1,930)
Deductions — Reclassified to discontinued operations	0	0
Balances at end of period	3,069	6,005
Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	11,317	13,009
Additions — Charged to expense	3,100	2,200
Due to acquired businesses	0	445
Reclassified to continuing operations	461
Deductions - written off	(2,619)	(4,338)
Deductions — Reclassified to discontinued operations	0	0
Balances at end of period	12,259	11,316
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	37,142	31,844
Additions — Charged to expense	10,182	2,579
Due to acquired businesses	0	0
Deductions - written off	(9,915)	(3,226)
Deductions — Reclassified to discontinued operations	0	(5,350)
Balances at end of period	$ 37,409	$ 25,847