Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 4,957,497	$ 4,746,283	$ 4,251,467
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	2,220,613	2,175,430	1,913,280
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	1,843,478	1,727,769	1,574,072
Restructuring and other special charges, net (Notes 22 and 23)	8,089	24,448	0
Costs (benefits) related to unsolicited takeover attempt (Note 25)	0	(7,870)	44,406
Depreciation	261,622	245,076	225,383
Amortization (Note 7)	27,278	25,209	25,135
Total costs and expenses	4,361,080	4,190,062	3,782,276
Operating Income	596,417	556,221	469,191
Interest expense, net (Note 14)	(67,494)	(66,337)	(60,054)
Losses on the extinguishment of debt (Note 9)	0	0	(4,162)
Other income, net	14,494	2,282	1,958
Earnings before income taxes	543,417	492,166	406,933
Income taxes (Note 5)	(202,543)	(178,792)	(156,669)
Net Earnings	$ 340,874	$ 313,374	$ 250,264
Net Earnings Per Common Share (Note 15)
Basic earnings per share	$ 4.45	$ 4.09	$ 3.00
Diluted earnings per share	$ 4.35	$ 4.00	$ 2.94
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	76,651	76,586	83,487
Diluted	78,307	78,324	85,252