Year ended July 31,

Description

2012

2011

2010

(Dollars in thousands)

Valuation accounts deducted in balance sheet from assets to which they apply — Accounts receivable — allowance for doubtful accounts:

Balances at beginning of period

$

6,183

$

7,137

$

7,931

Additions — Charged to expense

1,593

1,287

2,005

Due to acquired businesses

159

52

80

Deductions — Bad debts written off, net of recoveries

(1,930

)

(2,293

)

(2,879

)

Balances at end of period

$

6,005

$

6,183

$

7,137

Inventory — reserve for slow-moving inventory: Balances at beginning of period

$

13,009

$

15,944

$

22,288

Additions — Charged to expense

2,200

3,750

1,646

Due to acquired businesses

445

632

129

Deductions — Inventory write-offs

(4,338

)

(7,317

)

(8,119

)

Balances at end of period

$

11,316

$

13,009

$

15,944