Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (17,911)	$ 108,652	$ 81,956
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	43,987	48,827	53,022
Deferred income taxes	(9,679)	(8,161)	(6,834)
Loss (gain) on the sale of business (pre-tax)	204	(4,394)
Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation expense	9,735	9,830	9,721
Non-cash portion of restructuring charges	458	2,155	2,260
Impairment charge	115,688
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business acquisitions):
Accounts receivable	18,089	7,680	(29,479)
Inventories	(7,674)	(2,886)	426
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(2,744)	5,624	(3,502)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(29,370)	(3,365)	52,410
Income taxes	23,922	3,388	5,258
Net cash provided by operating activities	144,705	167,350	165,238
Investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(37,649)	(7,970)	(30,431)
Payments of remaining consideration	(2,580)	(1,528)
Divestiture of business, net of cash retained in business	856	12,980
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(24,147)	(20,532)	(26,296)
Settlements of net investment hedges	(797)	(5,542)	6,248
Other	(287)	(39)	1,798
Net cash used in investing activities	(64,604)	(22,631)	(48,681)
Financing activities:
Payment of dividends	(38,899)	(38,064)	(36,786)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,864	8,193	3,717
Principal payments on debt	(62,687)	(61,264)	(44,893)
Proceeds from issuance of debt			94,915
Purchase of treasury stock	(49,933)		(2,537)
Credit revolver costs	(961)
Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distributions, and other	792	(439)	859
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(147,824)	(91,574)	15,275
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(16,348)	21,986	(5,148)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(84,071)	75,131	126,684
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	389,971	314,840	188,156
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	305,900	389,971	314,840
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	19,194	21,298	21,626
Income taxes, net of refunds	35,292	35,851	30,870
Acquisitions:
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash	23,792	4,624	15,366
Liabilities assumed	(8,987)	(1,446)	(5,201)
Goodwill	22,844	4,792	20,266
Net cash paid for acquisitions	$ 37,649	$ 7,970	$ 30,431