Statements of Consolidated Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2009
Statements of Consolidated Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,825,743	$ 4,605,289	$ 3,757,933
Cost of products sold	2,973,137	2,814,729	2,506,504
Cost of products sold - restructuring	54,089	3,870	0
Gross Profit	1,798,517	1,786,690	1,251,429
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	863,114	878,221	673,565
Amortization	73,844	73,657	38,823
Impairment charges	17,599	11,658	1,491
Merger and integration costs	11,194	33,692	72,666
Other restructuring costs	47,868	1,841	10,229
Other operating expense (income) - net	626	(3,288)	2,380
Operating Income	784,272	790,909	452,275
Interest income	2,512	2,793	6,993
Interest expense	(69,594)	(65,187)	(62,478)
Other (expense) income - net	(26)	2,238	(725)
Income Before Income Taxes	717,164	730,753	396,065
Income taxes	237,682	236,615	130,112
Net Income	$ 479,482	$ 494,138	$ 265,953
Earnings per common share:
Net Income, in USD per share	$ 4.06	$ 4.15	$ 3.11
Net Income - Assuming Dilution, in USD per share	$ 4.05	$ 4.15	$ 3.11

Amounts charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs, primarily related to long-lived asset, production start-up and inventory-related charges, associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted.

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Costs directly related to business combinations and integration activities. Due to the nature of these costs, they were expensed as incurred.

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The net amount of other operating income, cost, and expense items not previously categorized, from items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing activities.

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The charge against earnings in the period, comprised of costs associated with restructuring activities pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, severance costs associated with established compensation plans, termination of contracts, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees.

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The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by (used in) operations using the indirect method.

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Total costs related to goods produced and sold during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the reporting period.

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Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

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The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of an intangible asset (excluding goodwill) to fair value.

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Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income (loss) from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest.

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The sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

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Income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents the earnings of which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money.

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The portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes.

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The net amount of other nonoperating income and expense, which does not qualify for separate disclosure on the income statement under materiality guidelines.

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Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

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The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

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