Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net sales	$ 5,072,537	$ 4,957,497	$ 4,746,283
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	2,247,574	2,235,567	2,175,430
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	1,889,123	1,828,524	1,727,769
Restructuring and other special charges, net (Notes 22 and 23)	0	8,089	24,448
Costs (benefits) related to unsolicited takeover attempt (Note 25)	0	0	(7,870)
Depreciation	275,461	261,622	245,076
Amortization (Note 7)	29,845	27,278	25,209
Total costs and expenses	4,442,003	4,361,080	4,190,062
Operating Income	630,534	596,417	556,221
Interest expense, net (Note 14)	(73,698)	(67,494)	(66,337)
Loss on the extinguishment of debt (Note 9)	(9,150)	0	0
Other income, net	4,219	14,494	2,282
Earnings before income taxes	551,905	543,417	492,166
Income taxes (Note 5)	(201,121)	(202,543)	(178,792)
Net Earnings	$ 350,784	$ 340,874	$ 313,374
Net Earnings Per Common Share (Note 15)
Basic earnings per share	$ 4.76	$ 4.45	$ 4.09
Diluted earnings per share	$ 4.68	$ 4.35	$ 4.00
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	73,623	76,651	76,586
Diluted	74,910	78,307	78,324