CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 696,492	$ 629,779
Cost of sales	335,084	304,065
Gross profit	361,408	325,714
Selling, general and administrative expenses	202,656	194,884
Research and development	24,777	23,267
Restructuring and other charges, net	9,240	9,198
Interest expense, net	6,702	5,977
Earnings from operations before income taxes	118,033	92,388
Provision for income taxes	29,760	20,875
Net earnings	$ 88,273	$ 71,513
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.82	$ 0.64
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.81	$ 0.63
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.305	$ 0.275
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	108,081	111,870
Diluted	109,219	113,135