CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Net sales	$ 1,171,731	$ 1,225,034	$ 1,157,792
Cost of products sold	613,299	615,470	548,444
Gross margin	558,432	609,564	609,348
Operating expenses:
Research and development	36,734	35,048	33,552
Selling, general and administrative	422,704	452,164	427,858
Restructuring charges	16,821	15,012	26,046
Impairment charges	46,867	148,551	204,448
Total operating expenses	523,126	650,775	691,904
Operating income (loss)	35,306	(41,211)	(82,556)
Other income and (expense):
Investment and other income	845	2,402	3,523
Interest expense	(11,156)	(14,300)	(16,641)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	24,995	(53,109)	(95,674)
Income tax expense (benefit)	20,093	(4,963)	42,583
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	4,902	(48,146)	(138,257)
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(1,915)	2,178	(16,278)
Net earnings (loss)	$ 2,987	$ (45,968)	$ (154,535)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic (in shares)	51,285	51,866	51,330
Diluted (in shares)	51,383	51,866	51,330
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Other income and (expense):
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 4,902	$ (48,238)	$ (138,495)
Earnings per share:
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations, per basic share	$ 0.10	$ (0.93)	$ (2.70)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations, per diluted share	0.10	(0.93)	(2.70)
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, per basic share	(0.04)	0.04	(0.32)
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, per diluted share	(0.04)	0.04	(0.32)
Net earnings (loss) per share, basic	0.06	(0.89)	(3.02)
Net earnings (loss) per share, diluted	0.06	(0.89)	(3.02)
Dividends	$ 0.80	$ 0.78	$ 0.76
Class B Voting Common Stock [Member]
Other income and (expense):
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 4,107	$ (49,057)	$ (139,297)
Earnings per share:
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations, per basic share	$ 0.08	$ (0.95)	$ (2.71)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations, per diluted share	0.08	(0.95)	(2.71)
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, per basic share	(0.04)	0.05	(0.32)
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, per diluted share	(0.04)	0.05	(0.32)
Net earnings (loss) per share, basic	0.04	(0.90)	(3.03)
Net earnings (loss) per share, diluted	0.04	(0.90)	(3.03)
Dividends	$ 0.78	$ 0.76	$ 0.74