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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011	Sep. 20, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011
Statement [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BRADY CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000746598
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,488,000,246
Class A nonvoting common stock
Statement [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,244,116
Class B Common Stock
Statement [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,538,628

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 389,971	$ 314,840
Accounts receivable - net	228,483	221,621
Inventories:
Finished products	62,152	52,906
Work-in-process	14,550	13,146
Raw materials and supplies	27,484	28,620
Total inventories	104,186	94,672
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	35,647	37,839
Total current assets	758,287	668,972
Other assets:
Goodwill	800,343	768,600
Other intangibles assets	89,961	103,546
Deferred income taxes	53,755	39,103
Other non-current assets	19,244	20,808
Cost:
Land	6,406	6,265
Buildings and improvements	104,644	101,138
Machinery and equipment	305,557	289,727
Construction in progress	11,226	9,873
Property, plant and equipment - gross	427,833	407,003
Less accumulated depreciation	287,918	261,501
Property, plant and equipment - net	139,915	145,502
Total	1,861,505	1,746,531
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	98,847	96,702
Wages and amounts withheld from employees	69,798	67,285
Taxes, other than income taxes	7,612	7,537
Accrued income taxes	9,954	10,138
Other current liabilities	54,406	50,862
Current maturities on long-term obligations	61,264	61,264
Total current liabilities	301,881	293,788
Long-term obligations, less current maturities	331,914	382,940
Other liabilities	71,518	64,776
Total liabilities	$ 705,313	$ 741,504
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 9)
Common stock:
Common stock	$ 548	$ 548
Additional paid-in capital	307,527	304,205
Earnings retained in the business	789,100	718,512
Treasury stock - 1,667,235 and 2,175,771 shares, respectively of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost	(50,017)	(66,314)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	113,898	50,905
Other	(4,864)	(2,829)
Total stockholders' investment	1,156,192	1,005,027
Total	1,861,505	1,746,531
Class A nonvoting common stock
Common stock:
Common stock	513	513
Class B Common Stock
Common stock:
Common stock	$ 35	$ 35

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Class A nonvoting common stock
Stockholders' investment:
Common stock, shares issued	51,261,487	51,261,487
Common stock aggregate liquidation preference	$ 42,803	$ 42,628
Treasury stock, shares, Class A nonvoting common stock	1,667,235	2,175,771
Class B Common Stock
Stockholders' investment:
Common stock, shares issued	3,538,628	3,538,628
Common stock, shares outstanding	3,538,628	3,538,628

Consolidated Statements of Income $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Consolidated Statements of Income $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2009 USD ($) shares
Statement [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,339,597	$ 1,259,096	$ 1,208,702
Cost of products sold	683,401	635,799	631,119
Gross margin	656,196	623,297	577,583
Operating expenses:
Research and development	43,001	42,621	34,181
Selling, general and administrative	441,815	435,906	397,180
Restructuring charges	9,188	15,314	25,849
Total operating expenses	494,004	493,841	457,210
Operating income	162,192	129,456	120,373
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income - net	3,990	1,168	1,800
Interest expense	(22,124)	(21,222)	(24,901)
Net other expense	(18,134)	(20,054)	(23,101)
Income before income taxes	144,058	109,402	97,272
Income taxes	35,406	27,446	27,150
Net income	$ 108,652	$ 81,956	$ 70,122
Weighted average Class A and Class B common shares outstanding
Basic \| shares	52,639,355	52,402,387	52,558,657
Diluted \| shares	53,133,000	52,946,000	52,866,000

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2008
Statement [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Value		$ 1,005,027			$ 1,005,027
Net income	$ 29,583	26,281	$ 21,592	$ 21,668	108,652	$ 81,956	$ 70,122
Total comprehensive income					62,993	(2,146)	$ (75,110)
Cash dividends on Common Stock
Ending Balance, Value	1,156,192		1,005,027		$ 1,156,192	$ 1,005,027
Class A nonvoting common stock
Statement [Line Items]
Issuance of Class A Common Stock under stock option plan, Shares					524,144	215,447	138,934
Common Class A
Statement [Line Items]
Value of reacquired shares in connection with its repurchase plan						$ 2,500	$ 40,300	$ 42,200
Common Stock
Statement [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Value		548		548	$ 548	548	548
Cash dividends on Common Stock
Ending Balance, Value	548		548		548	548	548	548
Additional Paid-In Capital
Statement [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Value		304,205		298,466	304,205	298,466	292,769
Other (Note 6)					(1,964)	(2,512)	(1,744)
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distributions					1,140	1,318	1,336
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 1)					9,830	9,721	8,099
Cash dividends on Common Stock
Ending Balance, Value	307,527		304,205		307,527	304,205	298,466	292,769
Additional Paid-In Capital \| Common Class A
Statement [Line Items]
Issuance of Class A Common Stock under stock option plan					(5,684)	(2,788)	(1,995)
Earning Retained in the Business
Statement [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Value		718,512		673,342	718,512	673,342	639,059
Net income					108,652	81,956	70,122
Cash dividends on Common Stock
Ending Balance, Value	789,100		718,512		789,100	718,512	673,342	639,059
Earning Retained in the Business \| Common Class A
Cash dividends on Common Stock
Common Stock, Cash Dividend					(35,575)	(34,368)	(33,492)
Earning Retained in the Business \| Class B Common Stock
Cash dividends on Common Stock
Common Stock, Cash Dividend					(2,489)	(2,418)	(2,347)
Treasury Stock
Statement [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Value		(66,314)		(69,823)	(66,314)	(69,823)	(33,234)
Other (Note 6)					2,420	(459)
Cash dividends on Common Stock
Ending Balance, Value	(50,017)		(66,314)		(50,017)	(66,314)	(69,823)	(33,234)
Treasury Stock \| Class A nonvoting common stock
Statement [Line Items]
Value of reacquired shares in connection with its repurchase plan						(2,537)	(40,267)
Treasury Stock \| Common Class A
Statement [Line Items]
Issuance of Class A Common Stock under stock option plan					13,877	6,505	3,678
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Statement [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Value		50,905		53,051	50,905	53,051	128,161
Net currency translation adjustment and other (Note 1)					62,993	(2,146)	(75,110)
Cash dividends on Common Stock
Ending Balance, Value	113,898		50,905		113,898	50,905	53,051	128,161
Other
Statement [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Value		$ (2,829)		$ (4,492)	(2,829)	(4,492)	(5,495)
Other (Note 6)					(2,035)	1,663	1,003
Cash dividends on Common Stock
Ending Balance, Value	$ (4,864)		$ (2,829)		(4,864)	(2,829)	(4,492)	$ (5,495)
Total Comprehensive Income
Statement [Line Items]
Net income					108,652	81,956	70,122
Net currency translation adjustment and other (Note 1)					62,993	(2,146)	(75,110)
Total comprehensive income					$ 171,645	$ 79,810	$ (4,988)

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - shares / $	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Class A nonvoting common stock
Statement [Line Items]
Shares of Class A Common Stock	524,144	215,447	138,934
Purchase of Class A Common Stock, Treasury Stock	1,667,235	2,175,771
Common Stock, per share	shares / $ 0.72	shares / $ 0.70	shares / $ 0.68
Class B Common Stock
Statement [Line Items]
Common Stock, per share	shares / $ 0.70	shares / $ 0.68	shares / $ 0.66
Treasury Stock \| Class A nonvoting common stock
Statement [Line Items]
Purchase of Class A Common Stock, Treasury Stock		102,067	1,344,664

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 29,583	$ 21,592	$ 108,652	$ 81,956	$ 70,122
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			48,827	53,022	54,851
Deferred income taxes			(8,161)	(6,834)	(8,640)
Gain on the sale of business (pre-tax)			(4,394)
Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation expense			9,830	9,721	7,731
Non-cash portion of restructuring			2,155	2,260	2,469
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business acquisitions):
Accounts receivable			7,680	(29,479)	53,389
Inventories			(2,886)	426	34,749
Prepaid expenses and other assets			5,624	(3,502)	(2,423)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(3,365)	52,410	(75,930)
Income taxes			3,388	5,258	(9,673)
Net cash provided by operating activities			167,350	165,238	126,645
Investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			(7,970)	(30,431)
Purchase price adjustment					3,514
Payments of contingent consideration			(1,528)		(1,405)
Divestiture of business, net of cash retained in business			12,980
Purchases of property, plant and equipment			(20,532)	(26,296)	(24,027)
Settlements of net investment hedges			(5,542)	6,248
Other			(39)	1,798	2,874
Net cash used in investing activities			(22,631)	(48,681)	(19,044)
Financing activities:
Payment of dividends			(38,064)	(36,786)	(35,839)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			8,193	3,717	1,683
Principal payments on debt			(61,264)	(44,893)	(87,224)
Proceeds from issuance of debt				94,915
Purchase of treasury stock				(2,537)	(40,267)
Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distributions, and other			(439)	859	1,336
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities			(91,574)	15,275	(160,311)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			21,986	(5,148)	(17,489)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			75,131	126,684	(70,199)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year			314,840	188,156	258,355
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	389,971	314,840	389,971	314,840	188,156
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest			21,298	21,626	26,047
Income taxes, net of refunds			35,851	30,870	$ 48,766
Acquisitions:
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash	4,624	15,366	4,624	15,366
Liabilities assumed	(1,446)	(5,201)	(1,446)	(5,201)
Goodwill	4,792	20,266	4,792	20,266
Net cash paid for acquisitions	$ 7,970	$ 30,431	$ 7,970	$ 30,431

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations — Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of identification solutions and specialty products which identify and protect premises, products and people. Brady’s core capabilities in manufacturing, printing systems, precision engineering and materials expertise make it a leading supplier to the Maintenance, Repair and Operations (“MRO”) market and to the Original Equipment Manufacturing (“OEM”) market.

Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Brady Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Brady” or the “Company”), all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Basis of Presentation — The Company has reclassified certain prior year financial statement amounts to conform to their current year presentation. The operating activities including “Other liabilities” and “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities,” which were previously disclosed as single line items, have been combined and reported as “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ending July 2010 and 2009. The financing activities including “Other” and “Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distribution,” which were previously disclosed as single line items, have been combined and reported as “Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distribution, and other” on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ending July 2010 and 2009. This reclassification had no effect on cash provided by operating activities, cash used in financing activities, total assets, net income, or earnings per share.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Subsequent Events — On September 9, 2011, the Company announced an increase in the annual dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, from $0.72 to $0.74 per share. A quarterly dividend of $0.185 will be paid on October 31, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 10, 2011. This dividend represents an increase of 2.8% and is the 26th consecutive annual increase in dividends.

On September 9, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share buyback program for up to an additional 2 million shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The share repurchase plan may be implemented from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company’s stock-based compensation plans and for other corporate purposes.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company believes the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable) is a reasonable estimate of the fair value of these instruments due to their short-term nature. The Company adopted guidance related to fair value measurements on August 1, 2008 as it relates to financial assets and liabilities. The Company adopted the new accounting guidance on fair value measurements for its nonfinancial assets and liabilities on August 1, 2009. See Note 5 for more information regarding the fair value of long-term debt and Note 10 for fair value measurements.

Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents, which are recorded at cost. The Company’s cash equivalents as of July 31, 2010, included variable rate demand note securities (“VRDN”) issued by various agencies that include a put feature to the original issuer or the issuer’s agent. The Company’s VRDN investments are generally federal tax-exempt instruments of high credit quality, secured by direct-pay letters of credit from major financial institutions. These investments have variable rates tied to short-term interest rates. Interest rates are reset weekly and these VRDN investments can be tendered for sale upon notice (generally no longer than seven days). Although the Company’s VRDN securities are issued and rated as long-term securities (with maturities through 2029), they are priced and traded as short-term investments.

The Company classified the variable rate demand note securities with put features, where the issuer holds the obligation, as cash equivalents. The investments are carried at cost or par value, which approximates the fair value. As of July 31, 2010, the recorded values of the VRDNs held by the Company were $66.1 million and there were no realized or unrealized gains or losses related to the Company’s securities. As of July 31, 2010, all VRDNs held by the Company were classified as “cash and cash equivalents” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company did not hold any VRDNs as of July 31, 2011.

Accounts Receivables — Accounts receivables are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $6,183 and $7,137 as of July 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. No single customer comprises more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2011, 2010, or 2009, or 10% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable as of July 31, 2011 or 2010. Specific customer provisions are made when a review of significant outstanding amounts, utilizing information about customer creditworthiness and current economic trends, indicates that collection is doubtful. In addition, provisions are made for the remainder of accounts receivable at different rates, based upon the age of the receivable and the Company’s historical collection experience.

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost has been determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for certain domestic inventories (approximately 16% of total inventories at July 31, 2011 and approximately 20% of total inventories at July 31, 2010) and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods for other inventories. Had all domestic inventories been accounted for on a FIFO basis instead of on a LIFO basis, the carrying value would have increased by $9,168 and $9,178 on July 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Plant, Property, and Equipment — Plant, property, and equipment are recorded at cost. The cost of buildings and improvements and machinery and equipment is being depreciated over their estimated useful lives using primarily the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. The estimated useful lives range from 3 to 33 years as shown below.


Asset Category	Range of Useful Lives
Buildings and improvements		10 to 33 Years
Computer systems	5 Years
Machinery and equipment		3 to 10 Years

Fully depreciated assets are retained in property and accumulated depreciation accounts until disposal. Upon disposal, assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the net amount, less proceeds from disposal, is charged or credited to operations. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective asset. Depreciation expense was $28,997, $31,560, and $32,023 for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets — The cost of intangible assets with determinable useful lives is amortized to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed on a straight-line basis, over the estimated periods benefited. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and goodwill are not subjected to amortization. These assets are assessed for impairment annually or more frequently as deemed necessary. Goodwill at July 31, 2011 and 2010 did not include any accumulated impairment losses.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:


							Asia-
	Americas			Europe			Pacific		Total
Balance as of July 31, 2009	$	410,135		$	166,251		$	174,787	$	751,173

Current year acquisitions		13,370			6,896			—		20,266
Translation adjustments and other		1,513			(9,958	)		5,606		(2,839	)

Balance as of July 31, 2010	$	425,018		$	163,189		$	180,393	$	768,600

Current year acquisitions		—			—			4,792		4,792
Current year divestitures		(3,696	)		(8,380	)		—		(12,076	)
Translation adjustments and other		4,256			16,429			18,342		39,027

Balance as of July 31, 2011	$	425,578		$	171,238		$	203,527	$	800,343

Goodwill increased $31,743 during fiscal 2011 due to the net effects of foreign currency translation and recent acquisition activity, offset by recent divestitures. Of the $31,743 increase, $39,027 was due to the positive effects of foreign currency translation and $4,792 resulted from the acquisition of ID Warehouse during the second quarter of fiscal 2011. The increase was offset by a $12,076 decrease in goodwill as a result of the divestiture of the Company’s Teklynx business during the second quarter of fiscal 2011. See Note 2, “Acquisitions and Divestitures” for further discussion.

Goodwill increased $17,427 during fiscal 2010 due to the acquisition activity in the period offset by the net effects of foreign currency translation. Of the $17,427 increase in goodwill, $778 resulted from the acquisition of certain assets of Welco, a division of Welconstruct Group Limited (“Welco”) in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, $13,370 resulted from the acquisition of Stickolor Industria e Comerciao de Auto Adesivos Ltda. (“Stickolor”) in the second quarter of fiscal 2010, and $6,118 resulted from the acquisition of Securimed SAS (“Securimed”) in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The increase in goodwill was offset by the negative net effect of foreign currency translation of $2,839 during fiscal 2010.

Other intangible assets include patents, trademarks, customer relationships, non-compete agreements and other intangible assets with finite lives being amortized in accordance with accounting guidance for other intangible assets. The net book value of these assets was as follows:


	July 31, 2011									July 31, 2010
	Weighted									Weighted
	Average		Gross							Average		Gross
	Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book		Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book
	Period (Years)		Amount		Amortization			Value		Period (Years)		Amount		Amortization			Value
Amortized other intangible assets:
Patents		5	$	9,784	$	(8,556	)	$	1,228		5	$	9,314	$	(7,855	)	$	1,459
Trademarks and other		7		9,448		(6,599	)		2,849		7		8,823		(5,685	)		3,138
Customer relationships		7		165,566		(119,977	)		45,589		7		152,720		(95,996	)		56,724
Non-compete agreements and other		4		16,432		(15,760	)		672		4		15,239		(14,356	)		883
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Trademarks and tradenames		N/A		39,623		—			39,623		N/A		41,342		—			41,342

Total			$	240,853	$	(150,892	)	$	89,961			$	227,438	$	(123,892	)	$	103,546

The value of other intangible assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at July 31, 2011, differs from the value assigned to them in the allocation of purchase price due to the effect of fluctuations in the exchange rates used to translate financial statements into the United States dollar between the date of acquisition and July 31, 2011.

Amortization expense of intangible assets during fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $19,830, $21,462, and $22,828, respectively. The amortization over each of the next five fiscal years is projected to be $16,883, $11,029, $5,946, $5,540, and $4,353 for the years ending July 31, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets — The Company evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful life of long-lived and other finite-lived intangible assets may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of an asset may not be recoverable. The measurement of possible impairment is based on fair value of the assets generally estimated by the ability to recover the balance of assets from expected future operating cash flows on an undiscounted basis. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on the fair value of the asset.

Impairment of Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets— Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Annual impairment tests are performed by the Company in the fourth quarter of each year.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company conducted a goodwill impairment assessment. The assessment included comparing the carrying amount of net assets, including goodwill, of each reporting unit to its respective fair value as of May 1, 2011, the Company’s assessment date. Fair value was determined using the weighted average of a discounted cash flow and market participant analysis for each reporting unit. The Company’s methodologies for valuing goodwill are applied consistently on a year-over-year basis. No indications of impairment have been identified between the date of the interim assessments and July 31, 2011.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company conducted an indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessment. The assessment included comparing the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the fair value of those assets as of May 1, 2011, the Company’s assessment date. Fair value was determined using a discounted revenue stream analysis for each indefinite-lived intangible based on a relief from royalty valuation methodology. The Company’s methodologies for valuing indefinite-lived intangible assets are applied consistently on a year-over-year basis. No indications of impairment have been identified between the date of the interim assessments and July 31, 2011.

Catalog Costs and Related Amortization — The Company accumulates all direct costs incurred, net of vendor cooperative advertising payments, in the development, production, and circulation of its catalogs on its balance sheet until such time as the related catalog is mailed. The catalog costs are subsequently amortized into selling, general, and administrative expense over the expected sales realization cycle, which is one year or less. Consequently, any difference between the estimated and actual revenue stream for a particular catalog and the related impact on amortization expense is neutralized within a period of one year or less. The estimate of the expected sales realization cycle for a particular catalog is based on the Company’s historical sales experience with identical or similar catalogs, and an assessment of prevailing economic conditions and various competitive factors. The Company tracks subsequent sales realization, reassesses the marketplace, and compares its findings to the previous estimate, and adjusts the amortization of future catalogs, if necessary. At July 31, 2011 and 2010, $11,892 and $11,496, respectively, of prepaid catalog costs were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Revenue Recognition — Revenue is recognized when it is both earned and realized or realizable. The Company’s policy is to recognize revenue when title to the product, ownership, and risk of loss have transferred to the customer, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and collection of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured, all of which generally occur upon shipment of goods to customers. The majority of the Company’s revenue relates to the sale of inventory to customers, and revenue is recognized when title and the risks and rewards of ownership pass to the customer. Given the nature of the Company’s business and the applicable rules guiding revenue recognition, the Company’s revenue recognition practices do not contain estimates that materially affect the results of operations, with the exception of estimated returns and credit memos. The Company provides for an allowance for estimated product returns and credit memos which is recognized as a deduction from sales at the time of the sale. As of July 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had a reserve of $4,491 and $3,963, respectively.

Sales Incentives — The Company accounts for cash consideration (such as sales incentives and cash discounts) given to its customers or resellers as a reduction of revenue rather than an operating expense.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs —Amounts billed to a customer in a sale transaction related to shipping and handling fees are reported as net sales and the related costs incurred for shipping and handling are reported as cost of goods sold.

Advertising Costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred, except catalog and mailer costs as outlined above. Advertising expense for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were $79,326, $72,000, and $77,395, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation — The Company has an incentive stock plan under which the Board of Directors may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to employees. Additionally, the Company has a nonqualified stock option plan for non-employee directors under which stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock are available for grant. The stock options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a three-year period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. Stock options issued under these plans, referred to herein as “service-based” stock options, generally expire 10 years from the date of grant. The Company also grants stock options to certain executives and key management employees that vest upon meeting certain financial performance conditions over the vesting schedule described above; these options are referred to herein as “performance-based” stock options. Performance-based stock options expire 10 years from the date of grant. Restricted shares have an issuance price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. The Company granted restricted shares in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2011 that have an issuance price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. The restricted shares granted in fiscal 2008 were amended in fiscal 2011 to allow for vesting after either a five-year period or a seven-year period based upon both performance and service conditions. The restricted shares granted in fiscal 2011 vest ratably at the end of years 3, 4 and 5 upon meeting certain performance and service conditions. The restricted shares granted in fiscal 2008 and 2011 are referred to herein as “performance-based restricted shares.”

As of July 31, 2011, the Company has reserved 5,799,017 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for outstanding stock options and restricted shares and 737,000 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for future issuance of stock options and restricted shares under the various plans. The Company uses treasury stock or will issue new Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to deliver shares under these plans.

The Company recognizes the compensation cost of all share-based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. Total stock compensation expense recognized by the Company during the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $9,830 ($5,996 net of taxes), $9,721 ($5,930 net of taxes), and $7,731 ($4,716 net of taxes), respectively. As of July 31, 2011, total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation awards was $18,551 pre-tax, net of estimated forfeitures, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

The Company has estimated the fair value of its performance-based and service-based option awards granted after August 1, 2005 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model are reflected in the following table:


	2011						2010						2009
	Performance-						Performance-						Performance-
	Based			Service-Based			Based			Service-Based			Based		Service-Based
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions	Options			Options			Options			Options			Options		Options
Expected term (in years)		6.57			5.91			6.57			5.94			N/A		5.96
Expected volatility		39.39	%		40.22	%		38.72	%		39.88	%		N/A		36.07	%
Expected dividend yield		1.96	%		1.94	%		3.02	%		3.01	%		N/A		2.03	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.35	%		1.65	%		3.03	%		2.63	%		N/A		1.75	%
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date	$	28.43		$	29.13		$	28.73		$	28.68			N/A	$	21.26
Weighted-average exercise price	$	28.35		$	29.13		$	29.78		$	28.68			N/A	$	21.26
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$	9.87		$	9.59		$	8.70		$	8.77			N/A	$	6.30

The Company uses historical data regarding stock option exercise behaviors to estimate the expected term of options granted based on the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s historical dividend payments and historical yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the grant date for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the option. The market value is calculated as the average of the high and the low stock price on the date of grant.

Effective July 20, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the fiscal 2008 performance-based restricted shares to provide for an additional two-year vesting period. These awards originally vested five years from the grant date upon meeting certain financial performance and service conditions. This modification resulted in a one-time cumulative reduction of $1.2 million to share-based compensation expense in order to align the expense recognition with the amended vesting terms. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the other three named executive officers currently have the following performance-based restricted shares affected by this amendment: Frank M. Jaehnert, 50,000 shares; Thomas J. Felmer, 35,000 shares; Peter C. Sephton, 35,000 shares; Matthew O. Williamson, 35,000 shares; and Robert L. Tatterson, 20,000 shares.

The Company granted 100,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock to Frank M. Jaehnert, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer in August of 2010, with a grant price and fair value of $28.35 per share. The Company also granted 210,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock during fiscal 2008, with a grant price and fair value of $32.83. As of July 31, 2011, 310,000 performance-based restricted shares were outstanding.

The Company granted 465,000 performance-based stock options during fiscal 2011, with a weighted average exercise price of $28.35 and a weighted average fair value of $9.87. The Company also granted 900,500 service-based stock options during fiscal 2011, with a weighted average exercise price of $29.13 and a weighted average fair value of $9.59.

Research and Development — Amounts expended for research and development are expensed as incurred.

Other comprehensive income — Other comprehensive income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, net unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges and net investment hedges, and the unamortized gain on the post-retirement medical, dental and vision plans net of their related tax effects.

The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the periods presented.


				Amortization
				of gain on
				post-
	Unrealized			retirement			Foreign			Accumulated
	(loss) gain on			medical,			currency			other
	cash flow			dental and			translation			comprehensive
	hedges			vision plan			adjustments			income
Beginning balance, July 31, 2008	$	(971	)	$	2,493		$	126,639		$	128,161
Current-period change		918			(551	)		(75,477	)		(75,110	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2009	$	(53	)	$	1,942		$	51,162		$	53,051

Current-period change		(268	)		(585	)		(1,293	)		(2,146	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2010	$	(321	)	$	1,357		$	49,869		$	50.905

Current-period change		(833	)		831			62,995			62,993

Ending balance, July 31, 2011	$	(1,154	)	$	2,188		$	112,864		$	113,898

The increase in accumulated other comprehensive income for the year ended July 31, 2011 as compared to the years ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 was primarily due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against other currencies. The foreign currency translation adjustments line in the table above includes the impact of foreign currency translation in addition to the settlements of the net investment hedges, net of tax.

Foreign Currency Translation — Foreign currency assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars at end of period rates of exchange, and income and expense accounts are translated at the weighted average rates of exchange for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income.

Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if sustaining those positions is more likely than not. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs.

Risk Management Activities — The Company is exposed to market risk, such as changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Foreign Currency Hedging —The objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management is to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions and minimize the foreign currency translation impact on the Company’s foreign operations. While the Company’s risk management objectives and strategies are driven from an economic perspective, the Company attempts, where possible and practical, to ensure that the hedging strategies it engages in qualify for hedge accounting and result in accounting treatment where the earnings effect of the hedging instrument provides substantial offset (in the same period) to the earnings effect of the hedged item. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to protect against exposure resulting from transactions in a currency differing from the respective functional currency.

The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate at a future date, with maturities of less than 18 months. These instruments may or may not qualify as hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities based upon the intended objective of the contract. The fair value of these instruments at July 31, 2011 and 2010 was a liability of $6,109 and $673, respectively. As of July 31, 2011, the notional amount of these outstanding forward exchange contracts was $80.8 million. See Note 12 for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities.

The Company has designated a portion of its foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For these instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. At July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, unrealized losses of $1,535 and $493 have been included in OCI, respectively. All balances are expected to be reclassified from OCI to earnings during the next fifteen months when the hedged transactions impact earnings.

The Company has designated a portion of its foreign exchange contracts as net investment hedges of the Company’s net investments in European foreign operations and recorded these contracts at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For net investment hedges that meet the effectiveness requirements, the net gains or losses attributable to changes in spot exchange rates are recorded in cumulative translation within other comprehensive income. Any ineffective portions are to be recognized in earnings. Recognition in earnings of amounts previously recorded in cumulative translation is limited to circumstances such as complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the hedged foreign operation. At July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, unrealized losses of $4,589 and unrealized gains of $6,248 have been included in OCI, respectively.

The Company also utilizes Euro-denominated debt designated as hedge instruments to hedge portions of the Company’s net investments in European foreign operations. As of July 31, 2011, the Company had €75.0 million foreign denominated debt outstanding designated as a net investment hedge of the Company’s net investment in its European foreign operations. See Note 12 for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. For net investment hedges that meet the effectiveness requirements, the net gains or losses attributable to changes in spot exchange rates are recorded in cumulative translation within other comprehensive income. Any ineffective portions are to be recognized in earnings. Recognition in earnings of amounts previously recorded in cumulative translation is limited to circumstances such as complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the hedged foreign operation. At July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, unrealized losses of $13,070 and $2,833 have been included in OCI, respectively.

The Company also enters into forward exchange contracts to create economic hedges to manage foreign exchange risk exposure. The fair value of these instruments at July 31, 2011 and 2010 was $1 and $40, respectively. The Company has not designated these derivative contracts as hedge transactions, and accordingly, the mark-to-market impact of these derivatives is recorded each period in current earnings.

Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis. Gains or losses on the derivative related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings. The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009.

New Accounting Standards — In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended its authoritative guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income, requiring entities to present items of net income and other comprehensive income either in one continuous statement or in two separate consecutive statements. This guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2013 first quarter. The Company has evaluated the impact of adopting this guidance but believes that it will result only in changes in the presentation of its financial statements and will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In May 2011, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to fair value measurements to provide a consistent definition and measurement of fair value, as well as similar disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This guidance clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and expands the existing disclosure requirements. This guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2012 third quarter. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows, but may require certain additional disclosures.

In December 2010, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, consideration should be made as to whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. This guidance becomes effective for the Company in fiscal 2012. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Acquisitions and Divestitures [Abstract]

Acquisitions and Divestitures

2. Acquisitions and Divestitures

The Company completed one business acquisition during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 and three business acquisitions during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010. The Company did not complete any business acquisitions during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009. All of these transactions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting; therefore, the results of the acquired operations are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements only since their acquisition dates.

The Company also divested of one business during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011. The Company did not complete any divestitures during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2010 or 2009.

Fiscal 2011

In November 2010, the Company acquired ID Warehouse, based in New South Wales, Australia for $7,970. ID Warehouse offers security identification and visitor management products including identification card printers, access control cards, wristbands, tamper-evident security seals and identification accessories. The business is included in the Company’s Asia-Pacific segment. The purchase price allocation resulted in $4,792 assigned to goodwill, $1,846 assigned to customer relationships, and $487 assigned to non-compete agreements. The amounts assigned to the customer relationships and non-compete agreements are being amortized over 10 and 5 years, respectively. The Company expects the acquisition to further strengthen its position in the people identification business in Australia and the segment.

The following table summarizes the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition:


Current assets net of cash	$	1,876
Property, plant & equipment		415
Goodwill		4,792
Customer relationships		1,846
Non-compete agreements		487

Total assets acquired net of cash		9,416
Liabilities assumed		1,446

Net assets acquired	$	7,970

The results of the operations of the acquired business have been included since the date of acquisition in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Pro forma information related to the acquisition of ID Warehouse was not included because the impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations is considered to be immaterial.

In December 2010, the Company sold its Teklynx business, a barcode software company. The Teklynx business had operations primarily in the Company’s Americas and Europe segments. The Company received proceeds of $12,980, net of cash retained in the business. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $4,394, which was accounted for in “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” (“SG&A”) on the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended July 31, 2011. The divestiture of the Teklynx business was part of the Company’s continued long-term growth strategy to focus the Company’s energies and resources on growth of the Company’s core business.

Fiscal 2010

In March 2010, the Company acquired Securimed SAS (“Securimed”), based in Coudekerque, France for $10,132. Securimed is a leading French supplier and distributor of customized first-aid kits and supplies, and related healthcare products including personal protection, disinfection and hygiene products, diagnosis materials, and products for emergency response. The Securimed business is included in the Company’s Europe segment.

In December 2009, the Company acquired Stickolor Industria e Comercio de Auto Adesivos Ltda. (“Stickolor”), based in Saõ Paulo, Brazil for $18,459. Stickolor manufactures screen-printed custom labels, overlays and nameplates for automobiles, tractors, motorcycles, electronics, white goods and general industrial markets. The Stickolor business is included in the Company’s Americas segment.

In October 2009, the Company acquired certain assets of the Welco division of Welconstruct Group Limited, based in the United Kingdom for $1,840. The Welco division conducts a direct marketing business consisting of sales of storage, handling, office and workplace products, and equipment via catalog and the internet to industrial and commercial markets under the name and title “Welco.” The Welco business is included in the Company’s Europe segment.

The following table summarizes the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisitions.


Current assets net of cash	$	5,313
Property, plant & equipment		743
Goodwill		20,266
Customer relationships		7,970
Trademarks		1,340

Total assets acquired net of cash		35,632
Liabilities assumed		5,201

Net assets acquired	$	30,431

Purchased identifiable intangible assets for the three business acquisitions closed during the twelve months ended July 31, 2010 totaled $9,310 and will be amortized on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from three to ten years.

The results of the operations of the acquired businesses have been included since the respective dates of acquisition in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Pro forma information related to the acquisitions during the twelve months ended July 31, 2010 is not included because the impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations is considered to be immaterial.

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

3. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company provides postretirement medical, dental and vision benefits (the “Plan”) for eligible regular full and part-time domestic employees (including spouses) outlined by the plan. Postretirement benefits are provided only if the employee was hired prior to April 1, 2008, and retires on or after attainment of age 55 with 15 years of credited service. Credited service begins accruing at the later of age 40 or date of hire. All active employees first eligible to retire after July 31, 1992, are covered by an unfunded, contributory postretirement healthcare plan where employer contributions will not exceed a defined dollar benefit amount, regardless of the cost of the program. Employer contributions to the plan are based on the employee’s age and service at retirement.

The accounting guidance on defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans requires full recognition of the funded status of defined benefit and other postretirement plans on the balance sheet as an asset or a liability. The guidance also continues to require that unrecognized prior service costs/credits, gains/losses, and transition obligations/assets be recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, thus not changing the income statement recognition rules for such plans.

The Plan is unfunded and recorded as a liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2011 and 2010. The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the Plan’s accumulated benefit obligations during the years ended July 31:


	2011			2010
Obligation at beginning of year	$	15,277		$	14,311
Service cost		666			662
Interest cost		694			795
Actuarial (gain)/loss		(955	)		967
Benefit payments		(671	)		(834	)
Plan amendments		—			(169	)
Settlements		—			(455	)

Obligation at end of fiscal year	$	15,011		$	15,277

The voluntary retiree medical savings account plan was terminated effective December 31, 2009. Employer match account balances were prorated and paid to participants through a settlement of $455, and the remaining reduction in the liability resulted in a plan amendment of $169 as of July 31, 2010.

As of July 31, 2011 and 2010, amounts recognized as liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of:


	2011		2010
Current liability	$	1,054	$	1,060
Noncurrent liability		13,957		14,217

	$	15,011	$	15,277

As of July 31, 2011 and 2010, pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of:


	2011		2010
Net actuarial gain	$	3,131	$	2,252
Prior service credit		503		585

	$	3,634	$	2,837

Net periodic benefit cost for the Plan for fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009 includes the following components:


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost included the following components:
Service cost — benefits attributed to service during the period	$	666		$	662		$	672
Prior service credit		(82	)		(64	)		(70	)
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation		694			795			842
Amortization of unrecognized gain		(76	)		(206	)		(308	)
Curtailment loss		—			—			393

Periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	1,202		$	1,187		$	1,529

The estimated actuarial gain and prior service credit that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic postretirement benefit cost over the next fiscal year are $178 and $82, respectively. The termination of the voluntary retiree medical savings account plan resulted in a reduction in the liability for the one-time settlement of $455 and the one-time plan amendment of $169 as of July 31, 2010. The reduction in workforce resulted in a one-time curtailment gain of $679 and the accelerated recognition of the previously unrecognized prior service cost of $106, offset by a one-time separation benefit charge of $1,178, resulting in a net curtailment loss of $393 as of July 31, 2009.

The following assumptions were used in accounting for the Plan:


	2011			2010			2009
Weighted average discount rate used in determining accumulated postretirement benefit obligation liability		4.5	%		4.5	%		5.5	%
Weighted average discount rate used in determining net periodic benefit cost		4.5	%		5.5	%		6.8	%
Assumed health care trend rate used to measure APBO at July 31		8.0	%		8.0	%		8.0	%
Rate to which cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)		5.5	%		5.5	%		5.5	%
Fiscal year the ultimate trend rate is reached		2017			2016			2015

The assumed health care cost trend rate has a significant effect on the amounts reported for the Plan. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:


	One-Percentage		One-Percentage
	Point Increase		Point Decrease
Effect on future service and interest cost	$	13	$	(12	)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at July 31, 2011		185		(170	)

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid during the years ending July 31:


2012	$	1,054
2013		1,084
2014		1,148
2015		1,234
2016		1,304
2017 through 2021		7,791

The Company has retirement and profit-sharing plans covering substantially all full-time domestic employees and certain of its foreign subsidiaries. Contributions to the plans are determined annually or quarterly, according to the respective plans, based on earnings of the respective companies and employee contributions. At July 31, 2011 and 2010, $7,293 and $7,540, respectively, of accrued retirement and profit-sharing contributions were included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company also has deferred compensation plans for directors, officers and key executives which are discussed below. At July 31, 2011 and 2010, $12,299 and $10,398, respectively, of deferred compensation was included in current and other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

During fiscal 1998, the Company adopted a new deferred compensation plan that invests solely in shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. Participants in a predecessor phantom stock plan were allowed to convert their balances in the old plan to this new plan. The new plan was funded initially by the issuance of shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to a Rabbi Trust. All deferrals into the new plan result in purchases of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock by the Rabbi Trust. No deferrals are allowed into a predecessor plan. Shares held by the Rabbi Trust are distributed to participants upon separation from the Company as defined in the plan agreement.

During fiscal 2002, the Company adopted a new deferred compensation plan that allows future contributions to be invested in shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or in certain other investment vehicles. Prior deferred compensation deferrals must remain in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. All participant deferrals into the new plan result in purchases of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or certain other investment vehicles by the Rabbi Trust. Balances held by the Rabbi Trust are distributed to participants upon separation from the Company as defined in the plan agreement. On May 1, 2006, the plan was amended to require that deferrals into the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock must remain in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and be distributed in shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock.

The amounts charged to expense for the retirement and profit sharing described above were $14,911, $12,547, and $11,765 during the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

4. Income Taxes

Income (loss) before income taxes consists of the following:


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011		2010		2009
United States	$	29,913	$	4,423	$	(383	)
Other Nations		114,145		104,979		97,655

Total	$	144,058	$	109,402	$	97,272

Income taxes consist of the following:


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Current income tax expense:
United States	$	5,784		$	474		$	3,486
Other Nations		37,384			32,800			31,223
States (U.S.)		399			1,006			1,081

		43,567			34,280			35,790

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:
United States		(5,161	)		(4,604	)		(7,633	)
Other Nations		(3,746	)		(1,942	)		(1,693	)
States (U.S.)		746			(288	)		686

		(8,161	)		(6,834	)		(8,640	)

Total	$	35,406		$	27,446		$	27,150

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the recognition of revenues and expenses for financial statement and income tax purposes.

The approximate tax effects of temporary differences are as follows:


	July 31, 2011
	Assets			Liabilities			Total
Inventories	$	5,328		$	(37	)	$	5,291
Prepaid catalog costs		18			(3,038	)		(3,020	)
Employee benefits		892			—			892
Accounts receivable		1,979			(75	)		1,904
Other, net		8,429			(2,363	)		6,066

Current		16,646			(5,513	)		11,133

Fixed Assets		2,189			(7,672	)		(5,483	)
Intangible Assets		1,964			(33,798	)		(31,834	)
Capitalized R&D expenditures		2,807			—			2,807
Deferred compensation		23,654			—			23,654
Postretirement benefits		6,764			—			6,764
Tax credit carry-forwards and net operating losses		62,638			—			62,638
Less valuation allowance		(27,476	)		—			(27,476	)
Other, net		2,453			—			2,453

Noncurrent		74,993			(41,470	)		33,523

Total	$	91,639		$	(46,983	)	$	44,656


	July 31, 2010
	Assets			Liabilities			Total
Inventories	$	6,666		$	—		$	6,666
Prepaid catalog costs		16			(2,299	)		(2,283	)
Employee benefits		1,910			7			1,917
Accounts receivable		2,033			—			2,033
Other, net		6,512			(1,519	)		4,993

Current		17,137			(3,811	)		13,326

Fixed Assets		1,734			(9,270	)		(7,536	)
Intangible Assets		1,970			(26,969	)		(24,999	)
Capitalized R&D expenditures		7,953			—			7,953
Deferred compensation		22,100			—			22,100
Postretirement benefits		7,573			—			7,573
Tax credit carry-forwards and net operating losses		48,140			—			48,140
Less valuation allowance		(27,510	)		—			(27,510	)
Other, net		199			(6,429	)		(6,230	)

Noncurrent		62,159			(42,668	)		19,491

Total	$	79,296		$	(46,479	)	$	32,817

Tax loss carry-forwards at July 31, 2011 are comprised of:

•

Foreign net operating loss carry-forwards of $84,182, of which $73,388 have no expiration date and the remainder of which expire within the next 5 years.

•

State net operating loss carry-forwards of $71,880, which expire from 2014 to 2030.

•

Foreign tax credit carry-forwards of $28,304, which expire from 2018 to 2021.

•

State research and development credit carry-forwards of $346, which expire from 2017 to 2029.

The valuation allowance decreased by $34 during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 and increased by $1,840 during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010. If realized or reversed in future periods, substantially all of the valuation allowance would impact the income tax rate.

Rate Reconciliation

A reconciliation of the tax computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes to the total income tax expense is as follows:


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Tax at statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		0.0	%		0.6	%		1.6	%
International rate differential		(6.3	)%		(9.8	)%		(8.6	)%
Non-creditable withholding taxes		0.8	%		1.8	%		—
Rate variances arising from foreign subsidiary distributions		(6.5	)%		(2.6	)%		(3.4	)%
Adjustments to tax accruals and reserves		3.8	%		(0.5	)%		5.8	%
Research and development tax credits		(1.1	)%		(0.3	)%		(1.5	)%
Other, net		(1.1	)%		0.9	%		(1.0	)%

Effective tax rate		24.6	%		25.1	%		27.9	%

The Company is eligible for tax holidays on the earnings of certain subsidiaries in Asia, including China, India, Thailand, and the Philippines. The benefits realized as a result of these tax holidays reduced the consolidated effective tax rate by approximately 1.5%, 2.3%, and 3.3% during the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. These tax holidays are in the process of expiring and are anticipated to be fully exhausted by March 31, 2014.

Uncertain Tax Positions

On August 1, 2007, the Company adopted guidance regarding uncertain tax positions. The guidance requires application of a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and derecognition of tax positions.

A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) is as follows:


Balance at July 31, 2008	$	16,017
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2,526
Additions for tax positions of prior years(1)		4,056
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(934	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(944	)
Settlements with tax authorities		60
Cumulative Translation Adjustments and other		(1,319	)

Balance at July 31, 2009	$	19,462

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		1,989
Additions for tax positions of prior years		3,934
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(6,672	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(194	)
Settlements with tax authorities		(1,054	)
Cumulative Translation Adjustments and other		203

Balance at July 31, 2010	$	17,668

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		5,147
Additions for tax positions of prior years		2,387
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(291	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(2,803	)
Settlements with tax authorities		(728	)
Cumulative Translation Adjustments and other		963

Balance at July 31, 2011	$	22,343


(1)		Includes acquisitions.

With the exception of Cumulative Translation Adjustments, the entire amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective income tax rate.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes on the consolidated statements of income.

Interest expense is recognized on the amount of potentially underpaid taxes associated with the Company’s tax positions, beginning in the first period in which interest starts accruing under the respective tax law and continuing until the tax positions are settled. During the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, the Company recognized a $990 reduction in interest expense, and a $33 and $427 increase in interest expense, respectively, and $500, $780 and $414 of penalties, respectively, related to the reserve for uncertain tax positions, net of amounts reversing due to reductions for tax positions of prior years, statute of limitations, and settlements. At July 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had $1,507 and $2,473, respectively, accrued for interest on unrecognized tax benefits. Penalties are accrued if the tax position does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid the payment of a penalty. At July 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had $2,229 and $1,592, respectively, accrued for penalties on unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company estimates that it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits may be reduced by $2,351 within twelve months as a result of the resolution of worldwide tax matters, tax audit settlements, and/or statute expirations.

During the year ended July 31, 2011, the Company recognized tax benefits associated with certain international and domestic tax positions being resolved and the lapse of statutes of limitations.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S., various state, and foreign jurisdictions. The following table summarizes the open tax years for the Company’s major jurisdictions:


Jurisdiction		Open Tax Years
United States — Federal		F’09 — F’11
France		F’08 — F’11
Germany		F’03 — F’11
United Kingdom		F’09 — F’11

Unremitted Earnings

The Company does not provide for U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative earnings of non-U.S. affiliates and associated companies that have been reinvested indefinitely. These earnings relate to ongoing operations and at July 31, 2011, were approximately $455,812. These earnings have been reinvested in non-U.S. business operations and the Company does not intend to repatriate these earnings to fund U.S. operations. It is not practicable to determine the income tax liability that would be payable if such earnings were not indefinitely reinvested.

Long-Term Obligations

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Long-Term Obligations [Abstract]

Long-Term Obligations

5. Long-Term Obligations

On May 13, 2010, the Company completed a private placement of €75.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to accredited institutional investors. The €75.0 million of senior notes consists of €30.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.71% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, due May 13, 2017 and €45.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.24% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, due May 13, 2020, with interest payable on the notes semiannually. This private placement was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The notes were not registered for resale and may not be resold absent such registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state securities laws. The notes have certain prepayment penalties for repaying them prior to maturity. The notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. These unsecured notes were issued pursuant to a note purchase agreement, dated May 13, 2010.

During fiscal 2004 through fiscal 2007, the Company completed three private placement note issuances totaling $500 million in ten-year fixed rate notes with varying maturity dates to institutional investors at interest rates varying from 5.14% to 5.33%. The notes must be repaid equally over seven years, with initial payment due dates ranging from 2008 to 2011, with interest payable on the notes due semiannually on various dates throughout the year, which began in December 2004. The private placements were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The notes were not registered for resale and may not be resold absent such registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state securities laws. The notes have certain prepayment penalties for repaying them prior to the maturity date. Under the debt agreement, the Company made scheduled principal payments of $21.4 million, $44.9 million, and $61.3 million during the years ended July 31, 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. In June 2009, the Company also completed a cash tender offer to purchase approximately $65.8 million of its outstanding notes at par without penalty.

On October 5, 2006, the Company entered into a $200 million multi-currency revolving loan agreement with a group of five banks that replaced the Company’s previous credit agreement. At the Company’s option, and subject to certain standard conditions, the available amount under the credit facility may be increased from $200 million up to $300 million. Under the credit agreement, the Company has the option to select either a base interest rate (based upon the higher of the federal funds rate plus one-half of 1% or the prime rate of Bank of America) or a Eurocurrency interest rate (at the LIBOR rate plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio). A commitment fee is payable on the unused amount of the facility. The agreement restricts the amount of certain types of payments, including dividends, which can be made annually up to $50 million plus an amount equal to 75% of consolidated net income for the prior fiscal year of the Company. The Company believes that based on historic dividend practice, this restriction would not impede the Company in following a similar dividend practice in the future. On March 18, 2008, the Company entered into an amendment to the revolving loan agreement which extended the maturity date from October 5, 2011 to March 18, 2013. All other terms of the revolving loan agreement remained the same. As of July 31, 2011, there were no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility.

The Company’s debt and revolving loan agreements require it to maintain certain financial covenants. The Company’s June 2004, February 2006, March 2007, and May 2010 private placement debt agreements require the Company to maintain a ratio of debt to the trailing twelve months EBITDA, as defined in the debt agreements, of not more than a 3.5 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio). As of July 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenant of the June 2004, February 2006, March 2007, and May 2010 private placement debt agreements, with the ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined by the agreements, equal to 1.7 to 1.0. Additionally, the Company’s October 2006 revolving loan agreement, as amended and extended in May 2008, requires the Company to maintain a ratio of debt to trailing twelve months EBITDA, as defined by the debt agreement, of not more than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio. The revolving loan agreement requires the Company’s trailing twelve months earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). As of July 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of the revolving loan agreement, with the ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined by the agreement, equal to 1.8 to 1.0 and the interest expense coverage ratio equal to 7.8 to 1.0.

Long-term obligations consist of the following as of July 31:


	2011			2010
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2017 at a fixed rate of 3.71%	$	43,194		$	45,615
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2020 at a fixed rate of 4.24%		64,791			52,132
USD-denominated notes payable through 2014 at a fixed rate of 5.14%		56,250			75,000
USD-denominated notes payable through 2016 at a fixed rate of 5.30%		130,714			156,857
USD-denominated notes payable through 2017 at a fixed rate of 5.33%		98,229			114,600

	$	393,178		$	444,204

Less current maturities	$	(61,264	)	$	(61,264	)

	$	331,914		$	382,940

The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term obligations, based on the quoted market prices for similar issues and on the current rates offered for debt of similar maturities, was $416,694 and $467,479 at July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, respectively, as compared to the carrying value of $393,178 and $444,204 at July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, respectively.

Maturities on long-term debt are as follows:


Years Ending July 31,
2012	$	61,264
2013		61,264
2014		61,264
2015		42,514
2016		42,514
Thereafter		124,358

Total	$	393,178

The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $1,466, and $1,564 at July 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Stockholder's Investment

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Stockholder's Investment [Abstract]

Stockholder's Investment

6. Stockholders’ Investment

Information as to the Company’s capital stock at July 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:


	July 31, 2011						July 31, 2010
	Shares		Shares		(thousands)		Shares		Shares		(thousands)
	Authorized		Issued		Amount		Authorized		Issued		Amount
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value		5,000,000						5,000,000
Cumulative Preferred Stock: 6% Cumulative		5,000						5,000
1972 Series		10,000						10,000
1979 Series		30,000						30,000
Common Stock, $.01 par value:
Class A Nonvoting		100,000,000		51,261,487	$	513		100,000,000		51,261,487	$	513
Class B Voting		10,000,000		3,538,628		35		10,000,000		3,538,628		35

					$	548					$	548

Before any dividend may be paid on the Class B Common Stock, holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive an annual, noncumulative cash dividend of $.01665 per share. Thereafter, any further dividend in that fiscal year must be paid on each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on an equal basis.

Other than as required by law, holders of the Class A Common Stock are not entitled to any vote on corporate matters, unless, in each of the three preceding fiscal years, the $.01665 preferential dividend described above has not been paid in full. Holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share for the entire fiscal year immediately following the third consecutive fiscal year in which the preferential dividend is not paid in full. Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and for all other purposes.

Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, and after distribution of any amounts due to holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock, holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive the sum of $0.835 per share before any payment or distribution to holders of the Class B Common Stock. Thereafter, holders of the Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive a payment or distribution of $0.835 per share. Thereafter, holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock share equally in all payments or distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

The preferences in dividends and liquidation rights of the Class A Common Stock over the Class B Common Stock will terminate at any time that the voting rights of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock become equal.

During fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized share repurchase plans for the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. The share repurchase plans were implemented by purchasing shares in the open market or privately negotiated transaction, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company’s stock-based plans and for other corporate purposes. The Company reacquired approximately 102,067, 1,345,000 and 1,349,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock for $2.5 million, $40.3 million and $42.2 million in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, in connection with its stock repurchase plans. The Company did not reacquire any shares in fiscal 2011. As of July 31, 2011, there remained 204,133 shares to purchase in connection with this share repurchase plan.

The following is a summary of other activity in stockholders’ investment for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009:


	Unearned						Shares Held
	Restricted			Deferred			in Rabbi
	Stock			Compensation			Trust, at cost			Total
Balances at July 31, 2008	$	(6,182	)	$	13,643		$	(12,956	)	$	(5,495	)

Shares at July 31, 2008					690,539			690,539

Sale of shares at cost		—			(1,655	)		1,223			(432	)
Purchase of shares at cost		—			1,294			(1,294	)		—
Amortization of restricted stock		1,435			—			—			1,435

Balances at July 31, 2009	$	(4,747	)	$	13,282		$	(13,027	)	$	(4,492	)

Shares at July 31, 2009					671,650			671,650

Sale of shares at cost		—			(1,247	)		1,536			289
Purchase of shares at cost		—			813			(813	)		—
Amortization of restricted stock		1,374			—			—			1,374

Balances at July 31, 2010	$	(3,373	)	$	12,848		$	(12,304	)	$	(2,829	)

Shares at July 31, 2010					614,988			614,988

Sale of shares at cost		—			(1,421	)		1,375			(46	)
Purchase of shares at cost		—			666			(666	)		—
Issuance of restricted stock		(2,835	)		—			—			(2,835	)
Amortization of restricted stock		846			—			—			846

Balances at July 31, 2011	$	(5,362	)	$	12,093		$	(11,595	)	$	(4,864	)

Shares at July 31, 2011					560,078			560,078

Prior to 2002, all Brady Corporation deferred compensation was invested in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. In 2002, the Company adopted a new deferred compensation plan which allowed investing in other investment funds in addition to the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. Under this plan, participants were allowed to transfer funds between the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and the other investment funds. On May 1, 2006 the plan was amended with the provision that deferrals into the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock must remain in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and be distributed in shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. At July 31, 2011, the deferred compensation balance in stockholders’ investment represents the investment at the original cost of shares held in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for the deferred compensation plan prior to 2002 and the investment at the cost of shares held in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for the plan subsequent to 2002, adjusted for the plan amendment on May 1, 2006. The balance of shares held in the Rabbi Trust represents the investment in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock at the original cost of all the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock held in deferred compensation plans.

The Company’s Employee Monthly Stock Investment Plan (the “Investment Plan”) provides that eligible employees may authorize a fixed dollar amount between $20 and $500 per month to be deducted from their pay. The funds deducted are forwarded to the Investment Plan administrator and are used to purchase the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock at the market price. As part of the Investment Plan, Brady pays all brokerage fees for stock purchases and dividend reinvestments.

The Company has an incentive stock plan under which the Board of Directors may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to employees. Additionally, the Company has a nonqualified stock option plan for non-employee directors under which stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock are available for grant. The options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a three-year period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. Options issued under these plans, referred to herein as “service-based” options, generally expire 10 years from the date of grant. The Company also grants stock options to certain executives and key management employees that vest upon meeting certain financial performance conditions over the vesting schedule described above. These options are referred to herein as “performance-based” options. Performance-based stock options expire 10 years from the date of grant. Restricted shares have an issuance price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. The shares generally vest at the end of either a five-year or seven-year period upon meeting certain financial performance conditions. These shares are referred to herein as “performance-based restricted shares.”

As of July 31, 2011, the Company has reserved 5,799,017 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for outstanding stock options and restricted shares and 737,000 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock remain for future issuance of stock options and restricted shares under the various plans. The Company uses treasury stock or will issue new Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to deliver shares under these plans.

Changes in the options are as follows:


						Weighted
						Average
			Options			Exercise
	Option Price		Outstanding			Price
Balance, July 31, 2008	$	9.59 – $40.37		3,985,205		$	29.43

Options granted		17.23 – 35.42		614,000			21.26
Options exercised		9.59 – 38.19		(138,934	)		15.75
Options cancelled		20.95 – 38.31		(479,665	)		35.02

Balance, July 31, 2009	$	13.31-$40.37		3,980,606		$	27.96

Options granted		24.78 – 33.28		1,446,500			29.08
Options exercised		14.16 – 31.54		(241,403	)		18.16
Options cancelled		15.28 – 38.31		(76,967	)		31.91

Balance, July 31, 2010	$	13.31-$40.37		5,108,736		$	28.69

Options granted		28.35 – 37.95		1,365,500			28.86
Options exercised		14.16 – 29.78		(417,888	)		19.62
Options cancelled		16.39 – 38.31		(330,331	)		31.37

Balance, July 31, 2011	$	13.31 – $40.37		5,726,017		$	29.24

The total fair value of options vested during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $6,822, $5,548, and $6,559, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $5,701, $3,004, and $2,156, respectively.

There were 3,316,815, 3,100,955, and 2,831,311 options exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $29.83, $28.85, and $27.46 at July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. The cash received from the exercise of options during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $8,193, $3,717, and $1,683, respectively. The tax benefit on options exercised during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $682, $866, and $779, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at July 31, 2011:


							Options Outstanding and
	Options Outstanding						Exercisable
			Weighted Average		Weighted		Shares		Weighted
	Number of Shares		Remaining		Average		Exercisable		Average
Range of	Outstanding at		Contractual Life		Exercise		at July 31,		Exercise
Exercise Prices	July 31, 2011		(in years)		Price		2011		Price
Up to $14.99		200,000		1.6	$	13.31		200,000	$	13.31
$15.00 to $29.99		3,900,515		7.2		26.68		1,516,313		24.07
$30.00 and up		1,625,502		5.0		37.33		1,600,502		37.34

Total		5,726,017		6.4		29.24		3,316,815		29.83

As of July 31, 2011, the aggregate intrinsic value (defined as the amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of an option) of options outstanding and the options exercisable was $14,864 and $11,727, respectively.

Effective July 20, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the fiscal 2008 performance-based restricted shares to provide for an additional two year vesting period. These awards originally vested five years from the grant date upon meeting certain financial performance and service conditions. This modification resulted in a one-time,$1.2 million reduction in share-based compensation expense to align the expense recognition with the amended vesting terms. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the other three named executive officers currently have the following performance-based restricted shares affected by this amendment: Frank M. Jaehnert, 50,000 shares; Thomas J. Felmer, 35,000 shares; Peter C. Sephton, 35,000 shares; Matthew O. Williamson, 35,000 shares; and Robert L. Tatterson, 20,000 shares.

The Company granted 100,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock to Frank M. Jaehnert, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, in August of 2010, with a grant price and fair value of $28.35. The Company also granted 210,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock during fiscal 2008, with a grant price and fair value of $32.83. As of July 31, 2011, 310,000 performance-based restricted shares were outstanding.

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Segment Information [Abstract]

Segment Information

7. Segment Information

The Company evaluates short-term segment performance based on segment profit or loss and customer sales. Corporate long-term performance is evaluated based on shareholder value enhancement (“SVE”), which incorporates the cost of capital as a hurdle rate for capital expenditures, new product development, and acquisitions. Segment profit or loss does not include certain administrative costs, such as the cost of finance, information technology, human resources, and executive leadership which are managed as global functions. Restructuring charges, equity compensation costs, interest, investment and other income and income taxes are also excluded when evaluating segment performance.

The Company is organized and managed on a geographic basis by region. Each of these regions, Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific, has a President that reports directly to the Company’s chief operating decision maker, its Chief Executive Officer. Each region has its own distinct operations, is managed locally by its own management team, maintains its own financial reports and is evaluated based on regional segment profit. The Company has determined that these regions comprise its operating and reportable segments based on the information used by the Chief Executive Officer to allocate resources and assess performance.

Intersegment sales and transfers are recorded at cost plus a standard percentage markup. Intercompany profit is eliminated in consolidation. It is not practicable to disclose enterprise-wide revenue from external customers on the basis of product or service.


									Corporate
									and
	Americas		Europe		Asia-Pacific		Total Region		Eliminations			Total Company
Year ended July 31, 2011:
Revenues from external customers	$	577,428	$	404,955	$	357,214	$	1,339,597	$	—		$	1,339,597
Intersegment revenues		41,638		3,054		24,500		69,192		(69,192	)		—
Depreciation and amortization expense		15,682		8,147		15,515		39,344		9,483			48,827
Segment profit		145,516		112,047		50,105		307,668		(15,742	)		291,926
Assets		735,003		333,977		389,465		1,458,445		403,060			1,861,505
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment		8,212		2,626		8,620		19,458		1,074			20,532

Year ended July 31, 2010:
Revenues from external customers	$	551,185	$	380,121	$	327,790	$	1,259,096	$	—		$	1,259,096
Intersegment revenues		43,136		4,456		18,188		65,780		(65,780	)		—
Depreciation and amortization expense		21,142		8,088		15,749		44,979		8,043			53,022
Segment profit		125,169		103,316		52,105		280,590		(14,131	)		266,459
Assets		754,753		313,204		362,653		1,430,610		315,921			1,746,531
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment		8,502		1,535		9,946		19,983		6,313			26,296

Year ended July 31, 2009:
Revenues from external customers	$	534,440	$	367,156	$	307,106	$	1,208,702	$	—		$	1,208,702
Intersegment revenues		45,853		4,310		18,534		68,697		(68,697	)		—
Depreciation and amortization expense		22,022		8,467		15,957		46,446		8,405			54,851
Segment profit		114,404		99,875		42,575		256,854		(7,952	)		248,902
Assets		703,559		298,717		341,605		1,343,881		239,386			1,583,267
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment		8,422		3,326		5,848		17,596		6,431			24,027


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net income reconciliation:
Total profit for reportable segments	$	307,668		$	280,590		$	256,854
Corporate and eliminations		(15,742	)		(14,131	)		(7,952	)
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs		(120,546	)		(121,689	)		(102,680	)
Restructuring costs		(9,188	)		(15,314	)		(25,849	)
Investment and other income — net		3,990			1,168			1,800
Interest expense		(22,124	)		(21,222	)		(24,901	)

Income before income taxes		144,058			109,402			97,272
Income taxes		(35,406	)		(27,446	)		(27,150	)

Net income	$	108,652		$	81,956		$	70,122


	Revenues*									Long-Lived Assets**
	Years Ended July 31,									As of Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009			2011		2010		2009
Geographic information:
United States	$	535,412		$	521,318		$	510,703		$	488,571	$	507,481	$	519,932
China		164,640			156,842			199,893			118,945		118,953		123,078
Other		708,737			646,716			566,589			422,703		391,214		375,905
Eliminations		(69,192	)		(65,780	)		(68,483	)		—		—		—

Consolidated total	$	1,339,597		$	1,259,096		$	1,208,702		$	1,030,219	$	1,017,648	$	1,018,915


*		Revenues are attributed based on country of origin.

**		Long-lived assets consist of property, plant, and equipment, other intangible assets and goodwill.

Net Income Per Common Share

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Common Share

8. Net Income Per Common Share

Net income per Common Share is computed by dividing net income (after deducting restricted stock dividends and the applicable preferential Class A Common Stock dividends) by the weighted average Common Shares outstanding of 52,639,355 for 2011, 52,402,387 for 2010, and 52,558,657 for 2009. The preferential dividend on the Class A Common Stock of $.01665 per share has been added to the net income per Class A Common Share for all years presented.

In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance addressing whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting, and therefore need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share. This guidance requires that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends be considered participating securities in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. The Company adopted the guidance during the first quarter of fiscal 2010. As a result, the dividends on the Company’s performance-based restricted shares are included in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the respective periods presented.

Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows:


	Years ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Numerator
Net income (numerator for basic and diluted Class A net income per share)	$	108,652		$	81,956		$	70,122
Less:
Restricted stock dividends		(223	)		(147	)		(144	)

Numerator for basic and diluted Class A net income per share	$	108,429		$	81,809		$	69,978

Less:
Preferential dividends		(820	)		(816	)		(823	)
Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options		(6	)		(11	)		(11	)

Numerator for basic and diluted Class B net income per share	$	107,603		$	80,982		$	69,144

Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income per share for both Class A and B		52,639			52,402			52,559
Plus: effect of dilutive stock options		494			544			307

Denominator for diluted net income per share for both Class A and B		53,133			52,946			52,866

Class A common stock net income per share calculation:
Basic	$	2.06		$	1.56		$	1.33
Diluted	$	2.04		$	1.55		$	1.32
Class B common stock net income per share calculation:
Basic	$	2.04		$	1.55		$	1.32
Diluted	$	2.03		$	1.53		$	1.31

Options to purchase 3,049,611, 2,832,337, and 2,764,308 shares of Class A common stock were excluded from the computations of diluted net income per share for years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

9. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company has entered into various non-cancellable operating lease agreements. Rental expense charged to operations on a straight-line basis was $22,213, $23,712, and $25,971 for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Future minimum lease payments required under such leases in effect at July 31, 2011 are as follows, for the years ending July 31:


2012	$	18,350
2013		12,636
2014		10,667
2015		7,338
2016		5,478
Thereafter		2,557

	$	57,026

In the normal course of business, the Company is named as a defendant in various lawsuits in which claims are asserted against the Company. In the opinion of management, the liabilities, if any, which may ultimately result from lawsuits are not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

10. Fair Value Measurements

The Company adopted new accounting guidance on fair value measurements on August 1, 2008 as it relates to financial assets and liabilities. The Company adopted the new accounting guidance on fair value measurements for its nonfinancial assets and liabilities on August 1, 2009. The accounting guidance applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, defines fair value based upon an exit price model, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands the applicable disclosure requirements. The accounting guidance indicates, among other things, that a fair value measurement assumes that a transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

The accounting guidance on fair value measurements establishes a fair market value hierarchy for the pricing inputs used to measure fair market value. The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair market value are classified in one of the following categories:

Level 1 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical instruments as of the reporting date.

Level 2 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models for which pricing inputs were either directly or indirectly observable.

Level 3 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models with significant unobservable pricing inputs and which result in the use of management estimates.

The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at July 31, 2011, and July 31, 2010, according to the valuation techniques the Company used to determine their fair values.


	Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs
	Considered as
	Quoted Prices
	in Active
	Markets		Significant
	for		Other		Significant
	Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Assets		Inputs		Inputs		Fair		Balance Sheet
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Value		Classification
July 31, 2011:
Trading Securities	$	10,897	$	—	$	—	$	10,897	Other assets
Foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges		—		16		—		16	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Foreign exchange contracts		—		3		—		3	Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total Assets	$	10,897	$	19	$	—	$	10,916

Foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges	$	—	$	830	$	—	$	830	Other current liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts — net investment hedges		—		5,295		—		5,295	Other current liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts		—		2		—		2	Other current liabilities
Foreign currency denominated debt — net investment hedge		—		107,985		—		107,985	Long term obligations, less current maturities

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	114,112	$	—	$	114,112


July 31, 2010:
Trading Securities	$	8,757	$	—	$	—	$	8,757	Other assets
Foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges		—		156		—		156	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Foreign exchange contracts		—		24		—		24	Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total Assets	$	8,757	$	180	$	—	$	8,937

Foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges	$	—	$	829	$	—	$	829	Other current liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts		—		64		—		64	Other current liabilities
Foreign currency denominated debt — net investment hedge		—		97,747		—		97,747	Long term obligations, less current maturities

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	98,640	$	—	$	98,640

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Trading Securities: The Company’s deferred compensation investments consist of investments in mutual funds. These investments were classified as Level 1 as the shares of these investments trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable the Company to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Foreign currency exchange contacts: The Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts were classified as Level 2, as the fair value was based on the present value of the future cash flows using external models that use observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves and foreign currency exchange rates. See Note 12, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities” for additional information.

Foreign currency denominated debt — net investment hedge: The Company’s foreign currency denominated debt designated as a net investment hedge was classified as Level 2, as the fair value was based on the present value of the future cash flows using external models that use observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves and foreign currency exchange rates. See Note 12, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities” for additional information.

There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value hierarchy levels, outlined above, during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011 and 2010.

The Company’s financial instruments, other than those presented in the disclosures above, include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term and long-term debt. See Note 5, “Long-Term Obligations” for fair value of long-term debt. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

Disclosures for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, but are recognized and disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, were required prospectively beginning August 1, 2009. During fiscal 2011, the Company had no significant measurements of assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition other than for the acquisition of ID Warehouse and divestiture of the Teklynx business. See Note 2, “Acquisitions and Divestitures” for further information. The Company also tested goodwill and intangible assets for impairment during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for further information.

Restructuring

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Restructuring [Abstract]

Restructuring

11. Restructuring

In fiscal 2009, in response to the global economic downturn, the Company took several measures to address its cost structure. In addition to a company-wide salary freeze and decreased discretionary spending, the Company reduced its workforce by 25%. The Company reduced its workforce through voluntary and involuntary separation programs, voluntary retirement programs, and facility consolidations. As a result of these actions, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $25,849 in fiscal 2009. The restructuring charges included $21,279 of employee separation costs, $2,101 of non-cash fixed asset write-offs, $1,194 of other facility closure related costs, and $1,275 of contract termination costs. Of the $25,849 of restructuring charges recorded during the year ended July 31, 2009, $13,928 was incurred in the Americas, $7,730 was incurred in Europe, and $4,191 was incurred in Asia-Pacific.

In fiscal 2010, the Company continued the execution of its restructuring actions announced in fiscal 2009. As a result of these actions, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $15,314 in fiscal 2010. The restructuring charges included $10,850 of employee separation costs, $2,260 of non-cash fixed asset write-offs, $1,493 of other facility closure related costs, and $711 of contract termination costs. Of the $15,314 of restructuring charges recorded during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, $7,158 was incurred in the Americas, $5,350 was incurred in Europe, and $2,806 was incurred in Asia-Pacific.

In fiscal 2011, the Company continued executing its restructuring actions initiated in the prior periods and recorded restructuring charges of $9,188. The fiscal 2011 restructuring charges consisted of $6,341 of employee separation costs, $2,155 of non-cash fixed asset write-offs, $449 of other facility closure related costs, and $243 of contract termination costs. Of the $9,188 of restructuring charges recorded during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, $5,445 was incurred in the Americas, $3,340 was incurred in Europe, and $403 was incurred in Asia-Pacific. The costs related to these restructuring activities have been recorded on the consolidated statements of income as restructuring charges. The Company expects the majority of the remaining cash payments to be made within the next twelve months.

A reconciliation of the Company’s restructuring activity for fiscal 2009, 2010 and 2011 is as follows:


	Employee			Asset
	Related			Write-offs			Other			Total
Beginning balance, July 31, 2008	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Restructuring charge		21,279			2,101			2,469			25,849
Non-cash write-offs		(368	)		(2,101	)					(2,469	)
Other separation benefits		(1,178	)								(1,178	)
Cash payments		(15,288	)		—			(1,592	)		(16,880	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2009	$	4,445		$	—		$	877		$	5,322

Restructuring charge		10,850			2,260			2,204			15,314
Non-cash write-offs		—			(2,260	)		—			(2,260	)
Cash payments		(9,240	)		—			(2,975	)		(12,215	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2010	$	6,055		$	—		$	106		$	6,161

Restructuring charge		6,341			2,155			692			9,188
Non-cash write-offs		—			(2,155	)		—			(2,155	)
Cash payments		(10,189	)		—			(749	)		(10,938	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2011	$	2,207		$	—		$	49		$	2,256

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Derivatives and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

12. Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions and net investments. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate at a future date, with maturities of 18 months or less, which qualify as either cash flow hedges or net investment hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The primary objectives of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management are to minimize the impact of currency movements due to transactions in other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currency and to minimize the impact of currency movements on the Company’s net investment denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange currency contracts. As of July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, the notional amount of outstanding forward exchange contracts was $80,807 and $45,328, respectively.

The Company hedges a portion of known exposure using forward exchange contracts. Main exposures are related to transactions denominated in the British Pound, the Euro, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to protect against exposure resulting from sales and identified inventory or other asset purchases.

The Company has designated a portion of its foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For these instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. At July 31, 2011 and 2010, unrealized losses of $1,535 and $493 have been included in OCI, respectively. All balances are expected to be reclassified from OCI to earnings during the next fifteen months when the hedged transactions impact earnings.

At July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, the Company had $16 and $156 of forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, the Company had $830 and $829, respectively, of forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges included in “Other current liabilities” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, the U.S. dollar equivalent of these outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts totaled $30,519 and $32,020, respectively, including contracts to sell Euros, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, British Pounds, U.S. Dollars, and Swiss Franc.

On May 13, 2010, the Company completed the private placement of €75.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to accredited institutional investors. This Euro-denominated debt obligation was designated as a net investment hedge to hedge portions of the Company’s net investment in Euro-denominated foreign operations. As net investment hedges, the currency effects of the debt obligations are reflected in the foreign currency translation adjustments component of accumulated other comprehensive income where they offset gains and losses recorded on the Company’s net investment in Euro-denominated operations. The Company’s foreign denominated debt obligations are valued under a market approach using publicized spot prices.

During the three and twelve month period ended July 31, 2011, the Company used forward foreign exchange currency contracts designated as net investment hedges to hedge portions of the Company’s net investments in Euro-denominated foreign operations. For hedges that meet the effectiveness requirements, the net gains or losses attributable to changes in spot exchange rates are recorded in the foreign exchange translation adjustment component of accumulated other comprehensive income where it offsets gains and losses recorded on the Company’s net investment in Euro-denominated foreign operations. Any ineffective portions are recognized in earnings. Recognition in earnings of amounts previously recorded in cumulative translation is limited to circumstances such as complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the hedged foreign operation. At July 31, 2011, the Company had $5,295 of forward foreign exchange currency contracts designated as net investment hedges included in “Other current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At July 31, 2011, the U.S dollar equivalent of these outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts totaled $50,000. There were no forward foreign exchange contracts designated as net investment hedges outstanding as of July 31, 2010.

Fair values of derivative instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:


	Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
	July 31, 2011			July 31, 2010			July 31, 2011			July 31, 2010
Derivatives designated as	Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet
hedging instruments	Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value
Cash flow hedges
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	16	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	156	Other current liabilities	$	830	Other current liabilities	$	829

Net investment hedges
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Other current liabilities	$	5,295	Other current liabilities	$	—

Foreign currency denominated debt	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Long term obligations, less current maturities	$	107,985	Long term obligations, less current maturities	$	97,747

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	16		$	156		$	114,110		$	98,576

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	3	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	24	Other current liabilities	$	2	Other current liabilities	$	64

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	3		$	24		$	2		$	64

The pre-tax effects of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Income consisted of the following:


								Amount of Gain
								or (Loss)						Location of	Amount of Gain
	Amount of Gain or (Loss)							Reclassified From						Gain or (Loss)	or (Loss)
	Recognized in OCI on						Location of Gain or	Accumulated OCI						Recognized in	Recognized in
	Derivative						(Loss) Reclassified	Into Income						Income on	Income on Derivative
Derivatives in	(Effective Portion)						From Accumulated	(Effective Portion)						Derivative	(Ineffective Portion)
Cash Flow Hedging	As of July 31,						OCI into Income	Year Ended July 31,						(Ineffective	Year Ended July 31,
Relationships	2011			2010			(Effective Portion)	2011			2010			Portion)	2011		2010
Foreign exchange contracts	$	(1,535	)	$	(493	)	Cost of goods sold	$	(1,781	)	$	(80	)	Cost of goods sold	$	—	$	—

Total	$	(1,535	)	$	(493	)		$	(1,781	)	$	(80	)		$	—	$	—

The pre-tax effects of derivative instruments designated as net investment hedges on the Consolidated Balance Sheet consisted of the following:


								Amount of Gain
								or (Loss)				Location of	Amount of Gain
	Amount of Gain or (Loss)							Reclassified From				Gain or (Loss)	or (Loss)
	Recognized in OCI on						Location of Gain or	Accumulated OCI				Recognized in	Recognized in
Derivatives in	Derivative						(Loss) Reclassified	Into Income				Income on	Income on Derivative
Net Investment	(Effective Portion)						From Accumulated	(Effective Portion)				Derivative	(Ineffective Portion)
Hedging	As of July 31,						OCI into Income	Year Ended July 31,				(Ineffective	Year Ended July 31,
Relationships	2011			2010			(Effective Portion)	2011		2010		Portion)	2011		2010
Foreign exchange contracts	$	(4,589	)	$	6,248		Investment and other income — net	$	—	$	—	Investment and other income — net	$	—	$	—

Foreign currency denominated debt	$	(13,070	)	$	(2,833	)	Investment and other income — net	$	—	$	—	Investment and other income — net	$	—	$	—

Total	$	(17,659	)	$	3,415			$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—

The pre-tax effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income consisted of the following:


	Location of Gain or	Amount of Gain or
	(Loss) Recognized	(Loss) Recognized in
	in Income on	Income on Derivative
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Derivative	2011			2010
Foreign exchange contracts	Other income (expense)	$	(945	)	$	(40	)

Total		$	(945	)	$	(40	)

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

13. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information


	Quarters
	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Total
2011
Net Sales	$	329,588	$	329,009	$	337,896	$	343,104	$	1,339,597
Gross Margin		164,512		159,010		167,638		165,036		656,196
Operating Income*		41,603		37,080		40,871		42,638		162,192
Net Income		26,281		24,199		28,589		29,583		108,652
Net Income Per Class A Common Share:
Basic	$	0.50	$	0.46	$	0.54	$	0.56	$	2.06
Diluted **		0.50		0.46		0.54		0.56		2.04
2010
Net Sales	$	318,486	$	295,829	$	321,887	$	322,894	$	1,259,096
Gross Margin		157,443		146,918		160,197		158,739		623,297
Operating Income*		35,557		23,902		35,914		34,083		129,456
Net Income		21,668		15,001		23,695		21,592		81,956
Net Income Per Class A Common Share:
Basic	$	0.41	$	0.29	$	0.45	$	0.41	$	1.56
Diluted **		0.41		0.29		0.45		0.41		1.55


*		Fiscal 2011 had before tax restructuring charges by quarter of $3,641, $2,134, $1,211, and $2,202 for a total of $9,188. Fiscal 2010 had before tax restructuring charges by quarter of $3,601, $3,649, $2,347, and $5,717 for a total of $15,314.

**		The sum of the quarters does not equal the year-to-date total due to rounding.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS


	Year ended July 31,
Description	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands)
Valuation accounts deducted in balance sheet from assets to which they apply — Accounts receivable — allowance for doubtful accounts:
Balances at beginning of period	$	7,137		$	7,931		$	10,059
Additions — Charged to expense		1,287			2,005			1,278
Due to acquired businesses		52			80			—
Deductions — Bad debts written off, net of recoveries		(2,293	)		(2,879	)		(3,406	)

Balances at end of period	$	6,183		$	7,137		$	7,931

Inventory — reserve for slow-moving inventory:
Balances at beginning of period	$	15,944		$	22,288		$	22,148
Additions — Charged to expense		3,750			1,646			5,138
Due to acquired businesses		632			129			—
Deductions — Inventory write-offs		(7,317	)		(8,119	)		(4,998	)

Balances at end of period	$	13,009		$	15,944		$	22,288

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation

Use of Estimates

Subsequent Events

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Cash Equivalents

Accounts Receivables

Inventories

Plant, Property, and Equipment


Asset Category	Range of Useful Lives
Buildings and improvements		10 to 33 Years
Computer systems	5 Years
Machinery and equipment		3 to 10 Years

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:


							Asia-
	Americas			Europe			Pacific		Total
Balance as of July 31, 2009	$	410,135		$	166,251		$	174,787	$	751,173

Current year acquisitions		13,370			6,896			—		20,266
Translation adjustments and other		1,513			(9,958	)		5,606		(2,839	)

Balance as of July 31, 2010	$	425,018		$	163,189		$	180,393	$	768,600

Current year acquisitions		—			—			4,792		4,792
Current year divestitures		(3,696	)		(8,380	)		—		(12,076	)
Translation adjustments and other		4,256			16,429			18,342		39,027

Balance as of July 31, 2011	$	425,578		$	171,238		$	203,527	$	800,343


	July 31, 2011									July 31, 2010
	Weighted									Weighted
	Average		Gross							Average		Gross
	Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book		Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book
	Period (Years)		Amount		Amortization			Value		Period (Years)		Amount		Amortization			Value
Amortized other intangible assets:
Patents		5	$	9,784	$	(8,556	)	$	1,228		5	$	9,314	$	(7,855	)	$	1,459
Trademarks and other		7		9,448		(6,599	)		2,849		7		8,823		(5,685	)		3,138
Customer relationships		7		165,566		(119,977	)		45,589		7		152,720		(95,996	)		56,724
Non-compete agreements and other		4		16,432		(15,760	)		672		4		15,239		(14,356	)		883
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Trademarks and tradenames		N/A		39,623		—			39,623		N/A		41,342		—			41,342

Total			$	240,853	$	(150,892	)	$	89,961			$	227,438	$	(123,892	)	$	103,546

Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets

Impairment of Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

Catalog Costs and Related Amortization

Revenue Recognition

Sales Incentives

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

Advertising Costs

Stock-Based Compensation


	2011						2010						2009
	Performance-						Performance-						Performance-
	Based			Service-Based			Based			Service-Based			Based		Service-Based
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions	Options			Options			Options			Options			Options		Options
Expected term (in years)		6.57			5.91			6.57			5.94			N/A		5.96
Expected volatility		39.39	%		40.22	%		38.72	%		39.88	%		N/A		36.07	%
Expected dividend yield		1.96	%		1.94	%		3.02	%		3.01	%		N/A		2.03	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.35	%		1.65	%		3.03	%		2.63	%		N/A		1.75	%
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date	$	28.43		$	29.13		$	28.73		$	28.68			N/A	$	21.26
Weighted-average exercise price	$	28.35		$	29.13		$	29.78		$	28.68			N/A	$	21.26
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$	9.87		$	9.59		$	8.70		$	8.77			N/A	$	6.30

Research and Development

Research and Development — Amounts expended for research and development are expensed as incurred.

Other comprehensive income

The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the periods presented.


				Amortization
				of gain on
				post-
	Unrealized			retirement			Foreign			Accumulated
	(loss) gain on			medical,			currency			other
	cash flow			dental and			translation			comprehensive
	hedges			vision plan			adjustments			income
Beginning balance, July 31, 2008	$	(971	)	$	2,493		$	126,639		$	128,161
Current-period change		918			(551	)		(75,477	)		(75,110	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2009	$	(53	)	$	1,942		$	51,162		$	53,051

Current-period change		(268	)		(585	)		(1,293	)		(2,146	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2010	$	(321	)	$	1,357		$	49,869		$	50.905

Current-period change		(833	)		831			62,995			62,993

Ending balance, July 31, 2011	$	(1,154	)	$	2,188		$	112,864		$	113,898

Foreign Currency Translation

Income Taxes

Risk Management Activities

Foreign Currency Hedging

New Accounting Standards

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) [Abstract]

Property Plant And Equipment Estimated Useful Lives


Asset Category	Range of Useful Lives
Buildings and improvements		10 to 33 Years
Computer systems	5 Years
Machinery and equipment		3 to 10 Years

Goodwill


							Asia-
	Americas			Europe			Pacific		Total
Balance as of July 31, 2009	$	410,135		$	166,251		$	174,787	$	751,173

Current year acquisitions		13,370			6,896			—		20,266
Translation adjustments and other		1,513			(9,958	)		5,606		(2,839	)

Balance as of July 31, 2010	$	425,018		$	163,189		$	180,393	$	768,600

Current year acquisitions		—			—			4,792		4,792
Current year divestitures		(3,696	)		(8,380	)		—		(12,076	)
Translation adjustments and other		4,256			16,429			18,342		39,027

Balance as of July 31, 2011	$	425,578		$	171,238		$	203,527	$	800,343

Other Intangible Assets


	July 31, 2011									July 31, 2010
	Weighted									Weighted
	Average		Gross							Average		Gross
	Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book		Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book
	Period (Years)		Amount		Amortization			Value		Period (Years)		Amount		Amortization			Value
Amortized other intangible assets:
Patents		5	$	9,784	$	(8,556	)	$	1,228		5	$	9,314	$	(7,855	)	$	1,459
Trademarks and other		7		9,448		(6,599	)		2,849		7		8,823		(5,685	)		3,138
Customer relationships		7		165,566		(119,977	)		45,589		7		152,720		(95,996	)		56,724
Non-compete agreements and other		4		16,432		(15,760	)		672		4		15,239		(14,356	)		883
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Trademarks and tradenames		N/A		39,623		—			39,623		N/A		41,342		—			41,342

Total			$	240,853	$	(150,892	)	$	89,961			$	227,438	$	(123,892	)	$	103,546

Stock Option Assumptions


	2011						2010						2009
	Performance-						Performance-						Performance-
	Based			Service-Based			Based			Service-Based			Based		Service-Based
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions	Options			Options			Options			Options			Options		Options
Expected term (in years)		6.57			5.91			6.57			5.94			N/A		5.96
Expected volatility		39.39	%		40.22	%		38.72	%		39.88	%		N/A		36.07	%
Expected dividend yield		1.96	%		1.94	%		3.02	%		3.01	%		N/A		2.03	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.35	%		1.65	%		3.03	%		2.63	%		N/A		1.75	%
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date	$	28.43		$	29.13		$	28.73		$	28.68			N/A	$	21.26
Weighted-average exercise price	$	28.35		$	29.13		$	29.78		$	28.68			N/A	$	21.26
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$	9.87		$	9.59		$	8.70		$	8.77			N/A	$	6.30

Components of Comprehensive Income


				Amortization
				of gain on
				post-
	Unrealized			retirement			Foreign			Accumulated
	(loss) gain on			medical,			currency			other
	cash flow			dental and			translation			comprehensive
	hedges			vision plan			adjustments			income
Beginning balance, July 31, 2008	$	(971	)	$	2,493		$	126,639		$	128,161
Current-period change		918			(551	)		(75,477	)		(75,110	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2009	$	(53	)	$	1,942		$	51,162		$	53,051

Current-period change		(268	)		(585	)		(1,293	)		(2,146	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2010	$	(321	)	$	1,357		$	49,869		$	50.905

Current-period change		(833	)		831			62,995			62,993

Ending balance, July 31, 2011	$	(1,154	)	$	2,188		$	112,864		$	113,898

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables) [Abstract]

Summary of the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition


Current assets net of cash	$	1,876
Property, plant & equipment		415
Goodwill		4,792
Customer relationships		1,846
Non-compete agreements		487

Total assets acquired net of cash		9,416
Liabilities assumed		1,446

Net assets acquired	$	7,970


Current assets net of cash	$	5,313
Property, plant & equipment		743
Goodwill		20,266
Customer relationships		7,970
Trademarks		1,340

Total assets acquired net of cash		35,632
Liabilities assumed		5,201

Net assets acquired	$	30,431

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables) [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes In Plans Accumulated Benefit Obligations


	2011			2010
Obligation at beginning of year	$	15,277		$	14,311
Service cost		666			662
Interest cost		694			795
Actuarial (gain)/loss		(955	)		967
Benefit payments		(671	)		(834	)
Plan amendments		—			(169	)
Settlements		—			(455	)

Obligation at end of fiscal year	$	15,011		$	15,277

Schedule of Amounts Recognized as Liabilities in the Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets


	2011		2010
Current liability	$	1,054	$	1,060
Noncurrent liability		13,957		14,217

	$	15,011	$	15,277

Schedule of Amounts Recognized as Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets


	2011		2010
Net actuarial gain	$	3,131	$	2,252
Prior service credit		503		585

	$	3,634	$	2,837

Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost included the following components:
Service cost — benefits attributed to service during the period	$	666		$	662		$	672
Prior service credit		(82	)		(64	)		(70	)
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation		694			795			842
Amortization of unrecognized gain		(76	)		(206	)		(308	)
Curtailment loss		—			—			393

Periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	1,202		$	1,187		$	1,529

Schedule of Assumptions Used


	2011			2010			2009
Weighted average discount rate used in determining accumulated postretirement benefit obligation liability		4.5	%		4.5	%		5.5	%
Weighted average discount rate used in determining net periodic benefit cost		4.5	%		5.5	%		6.8	%
Assumed health care trend rate used to measure APBO at July 31		8.0	%		8.0	%		8.0	%
Rate to which cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)		5.5	%		5.5	%		5.5	%
Fiscal year the ultimate trend rate is reached		2017			2016			2015

Schedule of the Effect of a One Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates


	One-Percentage		One-Percentage
	Point Increase		Point Decrease
Effect on future service and interest cost	$	13	$	(12	)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at July 31, 2011		185		(170	)

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments


2012	$	1,054
2013		1,084
2014		1,148
2015		1,234
2016		1,304
2017 through 2021		7,791

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Income Taxes (Tables) [Abstract]

Income (loss) Before Income Taxes


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011		2010		2009
United States	$	29,913	$	4,423	$	(383	)
Other Nations		114,145		104,979		97,655

Total	$	144,058	$	109,402	$	97,272

Income Tax Expense


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Current income tax expense:
United States	$	5,784		$	474		$	3,486
Other Nations		37,384			32,800			31,223
States (U.S.)		399			1,006			1,081

		43,567			34,280			35,790

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:
United States		(5,161	)		(4,604	)		(7,633	)
Other Nations		(3,746	)		(1,942	)		(1,693	)
States (U.S.)		746			(288	)		686

		(8,161	)		(6,834	)		(8,640	)

Total	$	35,406		$	27,446		$	27,150

Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities


	July 31, 2011
	Assets			Liabilities			Total
Inventories	$	5,328		$	(37	)	$	5,291
Prepaid catalog costs		18			(3,038	)		(3,020	)
Employee benefits		892			—			892
Accounts receivable		1,979			(75	)		1,904
Other, net		8,429			(2,363	)		6,066

Current		16,646			(5,513	)		11,133

Fixed Assets		2,189			(7,672	)		(5,483	)
Intangible Assets		1,964			(33,798	)		(31,834	)
Capitalized R&D expenditures		2,807			—			2,807
Deferred compensation		23,654			—			23,654
Postretirement benefits		6,764			—			6,764
Tax credit carry-forwards and net operating losses		62,638			—			62,638
Less valuation allowance		(27,476	)		—			(27,476	)
Other, net		2,453			—			2,453

Noncurrent		74,993			(41,470	)		33,523

Total	$	91,639		$	(46,983	)	$	44,656


	July 31, 2010
	Assets			Liabilities			Total
Inventories	$	6,666		$	—		$	6,666
Prepaid catalog costs		16			(2,299	)		(2,283	)
Employee benefits		1,910			7			1,917
Accounts receivable		2,033			—			2,033
Other, net		6,512			(1,519	)		4,993

Current		17,137			(3,811	)		13,326

Fixed Assets		1,734			(9,270	)		(7,536	)
Intangible Assets		1,970			(26,969	)		(24,999	)
Capitalized R&D expenditures		7,953			—			7,953
Deferred compensation		22,100			—			22,100
Postretirement benefits		7,573			—			7,573
Tax credit carry-forwards and net operating losses		48,140			—			48,140
Less valuation allowance		(27,510	)		—			(27,510	)
Other, net		199			(6,429	)		(6,230	)

Noncurrent		62,159			(42,668	)		19,491

Total	$	79,296		$	(46,479	)	$	32,817

Reconciliation of Effective Income Tax Rate


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Tax at statutory rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		0.0	%		0.6	%		1.6	%
International rate differential		(6.3	)%		(9.8	)%		(8.6	)%
Non-creditable withholding taxes		0.8	%		1.8	%		—
Rate variances arising from foreign subsidiary distributions		(6.5	)%		(2.6	)%		(3.4	)%
Adjustments to tax accruals and reserves		3.8	%		(0.5	)%		5.8	%
Research and development tax credits		(1.1	)%		(0.3	)%		(1.5	)%
Other, net		(1.1	)%		0.9	%		(1.0	)%

Effective tax rate		24.6	%		25.1	%		27.9	%

Uncertain Tax Positions


Balance at July 31, 2008	$	16,017
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2,526
Additions for tax positions of prior years(1)		4,056
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(934	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(944	)
Settlements with tax authorities		60
Cumulative Translation Adjustments and other		(1,319	)

Balance at July 31, 2009	$	19,462

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		1,989
Additions for tax positions of prior years		3,934
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(6,672	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(194	)
Settlements with tax authorities		(1,054	)
Cumulative Translation Adjustments and other		203

Balance at July 31, 2010	$	17,668

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		5,147
Additions for tax positions of prior years		2,387
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(291	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(2,803	)
Settlements with tax authorities		(728	)
Cumulative Translation Adjustments and other		963

Balance at July 31, 2011	$	22,343


(1)		Includes acquisitions.

Open tax years for Company's major jurisdictions


Jurisdiction		Open Tax Years
United States — Federal		F’09 — F’11
France		F’08 — F’11
Germany		F’03 — F’11
United Kingdom		F’09 — F’11

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Long-Term Obligations (Tables) [Abstract]

Long-term obligations


	2011			2010
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2017 at a fixed rate of 3.71%	$	43,194		$	45,615
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2020 at a fixed rate of 4.24%		64,791			52,132
USD-denominated notes payable through 2014 at a fixed rate of 5.14%		56,250			75,000
USD-denominated notes payable through 2016 at a fixed rate of 5.30%		130,714			156,857
USD-denominated notes payable through 2017 at a fixed rate of 5.33%		98,229			114,600

	$	393,178		$	444,204

Less current maturities	$	(61,264	)	$	(61,264	)

	$	331,914		$	382,940

Maturities on long-term debt


Years Ending July 31,
2012	$	61,264
2013		61,264
2014		61,264
2015		42,514
2016		42,514
Thereafter		124,358

Total	$	393,178

Stockholder's Investment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Stockholder's Investment (Tables) [Abstract]

Schedule of Capital Units


	July 31, 2011						July 31, 2010
	Shares		Shares		(thousands)		Shares		Shares		(thousands)
	Authorized		Issued		Amount		Authorized		Issued		Amount
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value		5,000,000						5,000,000
Cumulative Preferred Stock: 6% Cumulative		5,000						5,000
1972 Series		10,000						10,000
1979 Series		30,000						30,000
Common Stock, $.01 par value:
Class A Nonvoting		100,000,000		51,261,487	$	513		100,000,000		51,261,487	$	513
Class B Voting		10,000,000		3,538,628		35		10,000,000		3,538,628		35

					$	548					$	548

Schedule of Stockholders' Investment


	Unearned						Shares Held
	Restricted			Deferred			in Rabbi
	Stock			Compensation			Trust, at cost			Total
Balances at July 31, 2008	$	(6,182	)	$	13,643		$	(12,956	)	$	(5,495	)

Shares at July 31, 2008					690,539			690,539

Sale of shares at cost		—			(1,655	)		1,223			(432	)
Purchase of shares at cost		—			1,294			(1,294	)		—
Amortization of restricted stock		1,435			—			—			1,435

Balances at July 31, 2009	$	(4,747	)	$	13,282		$	(13,027	)	$	(4,492	)

Shares at July 31, 2009					671,650			671,650

Sale of shares at cost		—			(1,247	)		1,536			289
Purchase of shares at cost		—			813			(813	)		—
Amortization of restricted stock		1,374			—			—			1,374

Balances at July 31, 2010	$	(3,373	)	$	12,848		$	(12,304	)	$	(2,829	)

Shares at July 31, 2010					614,988			614,988

Sale of shares at cost		—			(1,421	)		1,375			(46	)
Purchase of shares at cost		—			666			(666	)		—
Issuance of restricted stock		(2,835	)		—			—			(2,835	)
Amortization of restricted stock		846			—			—			846

Balances at July 31, 2011	$	(5,362	)	$	12,093		$	(11,595	)	$	(4,864	)

Shares at July 31, 2011					560,078			560,078

Schedule of Stock Option Activity


						Weighted
						Average
			Options			Exercise
	Option Price		Outstanding			Price
Balance, July 31, 2008	$	9.59 – $40.37		3,985,205		$	29.43

Options granted		17.23 – 35.42		614,000			21.26
Options exercised		9.59 – 38.19		(138,934	)		15.75
Options cancelled		20.95 – 38.31		(479,665	)		35.02

Balance, July 31, 2009	$	13.31-$40.37		3,980,606		$	27.96

Options granted		24.78 – 33.28		1,446,500			29.08
Options exercised		14.16 – 31.54		(241,403	)		18.16
Options cancelled		15.28 – 38.31		(76,967	)		31.91

Balance, July 31, 2010	$	13.31-$40.37		5,108,736		$	28.69

Options granted		28.35 – 37.95		1,365,500			28.86
Options exercised		14.16 – 29.78		(417,888	)		19.62
Options cancelled		16.39 – 38.31		(330,331	)		31.37

Balance, July 31, 2011	$	13.31 – $40.37		5,726,017		$	29.24

Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding


							Options Outstanding and
	Options Outstanding						Exercisable
			Weighted Average		Weighted		Shares		Weighted
	Number of Shares		Remaining		Average		Exercisable		Average
Range of	Outstanding at		Contractual Life		Exercise		at July 31,		Exercise
Exercise Prices	July 31, 2011		(in years)		Price		2011		Price
Up to $14.99		200,000		1.6	$	13.31		200,000	$	13.31
$15.00 to $29.99		3,900,515		7.2		26.68		1,516,313		24.07
$30.00 and up		1,625,502		5.0		37.33		1,600,502		37.34

Total		5,726,017		6.4		29.24		3,316,815		29.83

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Segment Information (Tables) [Abstract]

Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information


									Corporate
									and
	Americas		Europe		Asia-Pacific		Total Region		Eliminations			Total Company
Year ended July 31, 2011:
Revenues from external customers	$	577,428	$	404,955	$	357,214	$	1,339,597	$	—		$	1,339,597
Intersegment revenues		41,638		3,054		24,500		69,192		(69,192	)		—
Depreciation and amortization expense		15,682		8,147		15,515		39,344		9,483			48,827
Segment profit		145,516		112,047		50,105		307,668		(15,742	)		291,926
Assets		735,003		333,977		389,465		1,458,445		403,060			1,861,505
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment		8,212		2,626		8,620		19,458		1,074			20,532

Year ended July 31, 2010:
Revenues from external customers	$	551,185	$	380,121	$	327,790	$	1,259,096	$	—		$	1,259,096
Intersegment revenues		43,136		4,456		18,188		65,780		(65,780	)		—
Depreciation and amortization expense		21,142		8,088		15,749		44,979		8,043			53,022
Segment profit		125,169		103,316		52,105		280,590		(14,131	)		266,459
Assets		754,753		313,204		362,653		1,430,610		315,921			1,746,531
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment		8,502		1,535		9,946		19,983		6,313			26,296

Year ended July 31, 2009:
Revenues from external customers	$	534,440	$	367,156	$	307,106	$	1,208,702	$	—		$	1,208,702
Intersegment revenues		45,853		4,310		18,534		68,697		(68,697	)		—
Depreciation and amortization expense		22,022		8,467		15,957		46,446		8,405			54,851
Segment profit		114,404		99,875		42,575		256,854		(7,952	)		248,902
Assets		703,559		298,717		341,605		1,343,881		239,386			1,583,267
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment		8,422		3,326		5,848		17,596		6,431			24,027

Net income reconciliation


	Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net income reconciliation:
Total profit for reportable segments	$	307,668		$	280,590		$	256,854
Corporate and eliminations		(15,742	)		(14,131	)		(7,952	)
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs		(120,546	)		(121,689	)		(102,680	)
Restructuring costs		(9,188	)		(15,314	)		(25,849	)
Investment and other income — net		3,990			1,168			1,800
Interest expense		(22,124	)		(21,222	)		(24,901	)

Income before income taxes		144,058			109,402			97,272
Income taxes		(35,406	)		(27,446	)		(27,150	)

Net income	$	108,652		$	81,956		$	70,122

Geographic information


	Revenues*									Long-Lived Assets**
	Years Ended July 31,									As of Years Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009			2011		2010		2009
Geographic information:
United States	$	535,412		$	521,318		$	510,703		$	488,571	$	507,481	$	519,932
China		164,640			156,842			199,893			118,945		118,953		123,078
Other		708,737			646,716			566,589			422,703		391,214		375,905
Eliminations		(69,192	)		(65,780	)		(68,483	)		—		—		—

Consolidated total	$	1,339,597		$	1,259,096		$	1,208,702		$	1,030,219	$	1,017,648	$	1,018,915


*		Revenues are attributed based on country of origin.

**		Long-lived assets consist of property, plant, and equipment, other intangible assets and goodwill.

Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Net Income Per Common Share (Tables) [Abstract]

Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share


	Years ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Numerator
Net income (numerator for basic and diluted Class A net income per share)	$	108,652		$	81,956		$	70,122
Less:
Restricted stock dividends		(223	)		(147	)		(144	)

Numerator for basic and diluted Class A net income per share	$	108,429		$	81,809		$	69,978

Less:
Preferential dividends		(820	)		(816	)		(823	)
Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options		(6	)		(11	)		(11	)

Numerator for basic and diluted Class B net income per share	$	107,603		$	80,982		$	69,144

Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income per share for both Class A and B		52,639			52,402			52,559
Plus: effect of dilutive stock options		494			544			307

Denominator for diluted net income per share for both Class A and B		53,133			52,946			52,866

Class A common stock net income per share calculation:
Basic	$	2.06		$	1.56		$	1.33
Diluted	$	2.04		$	1.55		$	1.32
Class B common stock net income per share calculation:
Basic	$	2.04		$	1.55		$	1.32
Diluted	$	2.03		$	1.53		$	1.31

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) [Abstract]

Schedule of Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Leases


2012	$	18,350
2013		12,636
2014		10,667
2015		7,338
2016		5,478
Thereafter		2,557

	$	57,026

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements (Tables) [Abstract]

Financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis


	Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs
	Considered as
	Quoted Prices
	in Active
	Markets		Significant
	for		Other		Significant
	Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Assets		Inputs		Inputs		Fair		Balance Sheet
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Value		Classification
July 31, 2011:
Trading Securities	$	10,897	$	—	$	—	$	10,897	Other assets
Foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges		—		16		—		16	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Foreign exchange contracts		—		3		—		3	Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total Assets	$	10,897	$	19	$	—	$	10,916

Foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges	$	—	$	830	$	—	$	830	Other current liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts — net investment hedges		—		5,295		—		5,295	Other current liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts		—		2		—		2	Other current liabilities
Foreign currency denominated debt — net investment hedge		—		107,985		—		107,985	Long term obligations, less current maturities

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	114,112	$	—	$	114,112


July 31, 2010:
Trading Securities	$	8,757	$	—	$	—	$	8,757	Other assets
Foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges		—		156		—		156	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Foreign exchange contracts		—		24		—		24	Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total Assets	$	8,757	$	180	$	—	$	8,937

Foreign exchange contracts — cash flow hedges	$	—	$	829	$	—	$	829	Other current liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts		—		64		—		64	Other current liabilities
Foreign currency denominated debt — net investment hedge		—		97,747		—		97,747	Long term obligations, less current maturities

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	98,640	$	—	$	98,640

Restructuring (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Restructuring (Tables) [Abstract]

Restructuring reserve roll forward


	Employee			Asset
	Related			Write-offs			Other			Total
Beginning balance, July 31, 2008	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Restructuring charge		21,279			2,101			2,469			25,849
Non-cash write-offs		(368	)		(2,101	)					(2,469	)
Other separation benefits		(1,178	)								(1,178	)
Cash payments		(15,288	)		—			(1,592	)		(16,880	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2009	$	4,445		$	—		$	877		$	5,322

Restructuring charge		10,850			2,260			2,204			15,314
Non-cash write-offs		—			(2,260	)		—			(2,260	)
Cash payments		(9,240	)		—			(2,975	)		(12,215	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2010	$	6,055		$	—		$	106		$	6,161

Restructuring charge		6,341			2,155			692			9,188
Non-cash write-offs		—			(2,155	)		—			(2,155	)
Cash payments		(10,189	)		—			(749	)		(10,938	)

Ending balance, July 31, 2011	$	2,207		$	—		$	49		$	2,256

Derivatives And Hedging Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Derivatives And Hedging Activities (Tables) [Abstract]

Fair values of derivative instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets


	Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
	July 31, 2011			July 31, 2010			July 31, 2011			July 31, 2010
Derivatives designated as	Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet
hedging instruments	Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value
Cash flow hedges
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	16	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	156	Other current liabilities	$	830	Other current liabilities	$	829

Net investment hedges
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Other current liabilities	$	5,295	Other current liabilities	$	—

Foreign currency denominated debt	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Long term obligations, less current maturities	$	107,985	Long term obligations, less current maturities	$	97,747

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	16		$	156		$	114,110		$	98,576

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	3	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	24	Other current liabilities	$	2	Other current liabilities	$	64

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	3		$	24		$	2		$	64

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges


								Amount of Gain
								or (Loss)						Location of	Amount of Gain
	Amount of Gain or (Loss)							Reclassified From						Gain or (Loss)	or (Loss)
	Recognized in OCI on						Location of Gain or	Accumulated OCI						Recognized in	Recognized in
	Derivative						(Loss) Reclassified	Into Income						Income on	Income on Derivative
Derivatives in	(Effective Portion)						From Accumulated	(Effective Portion)						Derivative	(Ineffective Portion)
Cash Flow Hedging	As of July 31,						OCI into Income	Year Ended July 31,						(Ineffective	Year Ended July 31,
Relationships	2011			2010			(Effective Portion)	2011			2010			Portion)	2011		2010
Foreign exchange contracts	$	(1,535	)	$	(493	)	Cost of goods sold	$	(1,781	)	$	(80	)	Cost of goods sold	$	—	$	—

Total	$	(1,535	)	$	(493	)		$	(1,781	)	$	(80	)		$	—	$	—

Pre-tax effects of derivative instruments designated as net investment hedges


								Amount of Gain
								or (Loss)				Location of	Amount of Gain
	Amount of Gain or (Loss)							Reclassified From				Gain or (Loss)	or (Loss)
	Recognized in OCI on						Location of Gain or	Accumulated OCI				Recognized in	Recognized in
Derivatives in	Derivative						(Loss) Reclassified	Into Income				Income on	Income on Derivative
Net Investment	(Effective Portion)						From Accumulated	(Effective Portion)				Derivative	(Ineffective Portion)
Hedging	As of July 31,						OCI into Income	Year Ended July 31,				(Ineffective	Year Ended July 31,
Relationships	2011			2010			(Effective Portion)	2011		2010		Portion)	2011		2010
Foreign exchange contracts	$	(4,589	)	$	6,248		Investment and other income — net	$	—	$	—	Investment and other income — net	$	—	$	—

Foreign currency denominated debt	$	(13,070	)	$	(2,833	)	Investment and other income — net	$	—	$	—	Investment and other income — net	$	—	$	—

Total	$	(17,659	)	$	3,415			$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges


	Location of Gain or	Amount of Gain or
	(Loss) Recognized	(Loss) Recognized in
	in Income on	Income on Derivative
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Derivative	2011			2010
Foreign exchange contracts	Other income (expense)	$	(945	)	$	(40	)

Total		$	(945	)	$	(40	)

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Quarterly Financial Information (Tables) [Abstract]

Schedule of Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information


	Quarters
	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Total
2011
Net Sales	$	329,588	$	329,009	$	337,896	$	343,104	$	1,339,597
Gross Margin		164,512		159,010		167,638		165,036		656,196
Operating Income*		41,603		37,080		40,871		42,638		162,192
Net Income		26,281		24,199		28,589		29,583		108,652
Net Income Per Class A Common Share:
Basic	$	0.50	$	0.46	$	0.54	$	0.56	$	2.06
Diluted **		0.50		0.46		0.54		0.56		2.04
2010
Net Sales	$	318,486	$	295,829	$	321,887	$	322,894	$	1,259,096
Gross Margin		157,443		146,918		160,197		158,739		623,297
Operating Income*		35,557		23,902		35,914		34,083		129,456
Net Income		21,668		15,001		23,695		21,592		81,956
Net Income Per Class A Common Share:
Basic	$	0.41	$	0.29	$	0.45	$	0.41	$	1.56
Diluted **		0.41		0.29		0.45		0.41		1.55


*		Fiscal 2011 had before tax restructuring charges by quarter of $3,641, $2,134, $1,211, and $2,202 for a total of $9,188. Fiscal 2010 had before tax restructuring charges by quarter of $3,601, $3,649, $2,347, and $5,717 for a total of $15,314.

**		The sum of the quarters does not equal the year-to-date total due to rounding.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Jul. 31, 2011 Year
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Range of Useful Lives, Minimum	3
Range of Useful Lives, Maximum	33
Building and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Range of Useful Lives, Minimum	10
Range of Useful Lives, Maximum	33
Computer systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Range of Useful Lives, Average	5
Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Range of Useful Lives, Minimum	3
Range of Useful Lives, Maximum	10

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 768,600	$ 751,173
Current year acquisitions	4,792	20,266
Current year divestitures	(12,076)
Translation adjustments and other	39,027	(2,839)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	800,343	768,600
Americas [Member]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	425,018	410,135
Current year acquisitions		13,370
Current year divestitures	(3,696)
Translation adjustments and other	4,256	1,513
Goodwill, Ending Balance	425,578	425,018
Europe [Member]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	163,189	166,251
Current year acquisitions		6,896
Current year divestitures	(8,380)
Translation adjustments and other	16,429	(9,958)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	171,238	163,189
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	180,393	174,787
Current year acquisitions	4,792
Translation adjustments and other	18,342	5,606
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 203,527	$ 180,393

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($)
Amortized other intangible assets:
Accumulated Amortization	$ (150,892)	$ (123,892)
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount	240,853	227,438
Accumulated Amortization	(150,892)	(123,892)
Net Book Value	89,961	103,546
Trademarks [Member]
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Unamortized other intangible assets	$ 39,623	$ 41,342
Patents [Member]
Amortized other intangible assets:
Amortized other intangible assets, weighted average amortization period (years)	5	5
Amortized other intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 9,784	$ 9,314
Accumulated Amortization	(8,556)	(7,855)
Amortized other intangible assets, net book value	1,228	1,459
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Accumulated Amortization	$ (8,556)	$ (7,855)
Trademarks and other [Member]
Amortized other intangible assets:
Amortized other intangible assets, weighted average amortization period (years)	7	7
Amortized other intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 9,448	$ 8,823
Accumulated Amortization	(6,599)	(5,685)
Amortized other intangible assets, net book value	2,849	3,138
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Accumulated Amortization	$ (6,599)	$ (5,685)
Customer relationships [Member]
Amortized other intangible assets:
Amortized other intangible assets, weighted average amortization period (years)	7	7
Amortized other intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 165,566	$ 152,720
Accumulated Amortization	(119,977)	(95,996)
Amortized other intangible assets, net book value	45,589	56,724
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Accumulated Amortization	$ (119,977)	$ (95,996)
Non-compete agreements and other [Member]
Amortized other intangible assets:
Amortized other intangible assets, weighted average amortization period (years)	4	4
Amortized other intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 16,432	$ 15,239
Accumulated Amortization	(15,760)	(14,356)
Amortized other intangible assets, net book value	672	883
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Accumulated Amortization	$ (15,760)	$ (14,356)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3)	Jul. 31, 2011 Year shares / $	Jul. 31, 2010 Year shares / $	Jul. 31, 2009 Year shares / $
Performance Based Options [Member]
Stock Option Assumptions
Expected term (in years) \| Year	6.57	6.57
Expected volatility	39.39%	38.72%
Expected dividend yield	1.96%	3.02%
Risk-free interest rate	2.35%	3.03%
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date	shares / $ 28.43	shares / $ 28.73
Weighted-average exercise price	28.35	29.78
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	shares / $ 9.87	shares / $ 8.70
Stock Based Options [Member]
Stock Option Assumptions
Expected term (in years) \| Year	5.91	5.94	5.96
Expected volatility	40.22%	39.88%	36.07%
Expected dividend yield	1.94%	3.01%	2.03%
Risk-free interest rate	1.65%	2.63%	1.75%
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date	shares / $ 29.13	shares / $ 28.68	shares / $ 21.26
Weighted-average exercise price	29.13	28.68	21.26
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	shares / $ 9.59	shares / $ 8.77	shares / $ 6.30

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$ (321)	$ (53)	$ (971)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	1,357	1,942	2,493
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	49,869	51,162	126,639
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Beginning Balance	50,905	53,051	128,161
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	112,864	49,869	51,162
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Ending Balance	113,898	50,905	53,051
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	2,188	1,357	1,942
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(1,154)	(321)	(53)
Amortization of gain on post-retirement medical, dental and vision plan	831	(585)	(551)
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges	(833)	(268)	918
Foreign currency translation adjustments	62,995	(1,293)	(75,477)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 62,993	$ (2,146)	$ (75,110)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 shares / $	Aug. 31, 2010 shares	Jan. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011 EUR (€) shares / $ shares	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) Year shares	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($) shares / $ shares	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2009 USD ($) shares / $ shares	Jul. 31, 2009 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2008 USD ($) shares	Oct. 31, 2011 shares / $	Sep. 10, 2011 shares	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) shares
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents									$ 314,840	$ 314,840	$ 188,156	$ 188,156	$ 258,355			$ 389,971
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Increase in goodwill								$ 4,792		20,266
Increase in goodwill attributed to allocation of purchase price									$ 20,266	$ 20,266						$ 4,792
Current year divestitures								$ 12,076
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options \| shares							3,316,815		3,100,955	3,100,955	2,831,311	2,831,311				3,316,815
Options Outstanding, Granted \| shares								1,365,500		1,446,500		614,000
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized for repurchase \| shares															2,000,000
Allowances for doubtful accounts									$ 7,137	$ 7,137						$ 6,183
Percentage of maximum customer's shares in company's consolidated net sales								10.00%		10.00%		10.00%
Percentage of maximum customer's shares in company's consolidated accounts receivable							10.00%		10.00%	10.00%						10.00%
Percentage of LIFO inventory							16.00%		20.00%	20.00%						16.00%
Increase in carrying value of inventory due to change in accounting method									$ 9,178	$ 9,178						$ 9,168
Estimated useful lives range, minimum \| Year								3
Estimated useful lives range, maximum \| Year								33
Depreciation expense of leasehold improvements								$ 28,997		31,560		$ 32,023
Increase in goodwill due to acquisition and net effects of foreign currency translation								31,743		17,427
Decrease in goodwill due to net effect of foreign currency translation								(39,027)		2,839
Amortization of Intangible Assets								19,830		21,462		22,828
Projected Future amortization expense, year one								16,883
Projected Future amortization expense, year two								11,029
Projected Future amortization expense, year three								5,946
Projected Future amortization expense, year four								5,540
Projected Future amortization expense, year five								4,353
Prepaid catalog costs included in prepaid expenses and other current assets									11,496	11,496						11,892
Sales reserve									3,963	3,963						4,491
Advertising expense								79,326		72,000		77,395
Share-based Compensation								9,830		9,721		7,731
Stock based compensation, net of tax								$ 5,996		5,930		$ 4,716
Unrealized compensation cost related to share-based compensation, pre tax																18,551
Weighted Average Period Net of Forfeitures \| Year								2.2
No of Years Extended Performance Based Stock Options				10 years	5 years
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure									673	673						6,109
Notional amount of outstanding foreign exchange contracts																80,800
Unrealized losses on hedged transactions									493	493						1,535
Net Investment hedges of the Company's investments									6,248	6,248						4,589
Unrealized losses of hedge instruments									2,833	2,833						13,070
Foreign exchange risk exposure fair value									$ 40	$ 40						$ 1
Performance Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance Based Stock Options Granted \| shares								465,000
Weighted-average exercise price \| shares / $							shares / $ 28.35		$ 29.78
Weighted-average fair value of options granted \| shares / $							9.87		8.70
Stock Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average exercise price \| shares / $							29.13		28.68		$ 21.26
Weighted-average fair value of options granted \| shares / $							9.59		$ 8.77		6.30
Service Based Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance Based Stock Options Granted \| shares								900,500
Weighted-average exercise price \| shares / $							29.13
Weighted-average fair value of options granted \| shares / $							9.59
Performance Based Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance Based Stock Options Granted \| shares													210,000
Weighted-average exercise price \| shares / $							28.35
Weighted-average fair value of options granted \| shares / $							shares / $ 28.35
Performance based restricted share outstanding \| shares							310,000									310,000
Stock based compensation, net of tax								$ 1,200
Frank M. Jaehnert
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options \| shares							50,000									50,000
Frank M. Jaehnert \| Performance Based Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance Based Stock Options Granted \| shares		100,000						100,000
Thomas J. Felmer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options \| shares							35,000									35,000
Peter C. Sephton
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options \| shares							35,000									35,000
Matthew O. Williamson
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options \| shares							35,000									35,000
Robert L.Tatterson
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options \| shares							20,000		20,000	20,000						20,000
Variable Rate Demand Obligation [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents									$ 66,100	$ 66,100
Foreign Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign denominated debt outstanding \| €							shares / $ 75.0
Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends \| shares / $	shares / $ 0.74						shares / $ 0.72		$ 0.70		$ 0.68
Outstanding stock options and restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock \| shares							5,799,017									5,799,017
Future issuance of stock option and restricted shares \| shares							737,000									737,000
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividend Payable \| shares / $														shares / $ 0.185
Percentage Increase in dividends paid								2.80%
Welco [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Increase in goodwill						$ 778
Stickolor [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Increase in goodwill					$ 13,370
Securimed [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Increase in goodwill				$ 6,118
ID Warehouse [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Increase in goodwill			$ 4,792
Teklynx [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current year divestitures			$ 12,076

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Summary of the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisitions
Current assets net of cash	$ 1,876	$ 5,313
Property, plant & equipment	415	743
Goodwill	4,792	20,266
Total assets acquired net of cash	9,416	35,632
Liabilities assumed	1,446	5,201
Net cash paid for acquisitions	7,970	30,431
Customer relationships [Member]
Summary of the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisitions
Other intangible assets	1,846	7,970
Trademarks [Member]
Summary of the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisitions
Other intangible assets		$ 1,340
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Summary of the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisitions
Other intangible assets	$ 487

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) Year	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($)
Acquisitions and Divestitures (Textuals) [Abstract]
Purchase price of acquisition					$ 7,970	$ 30,431
Range of amortization of intangible assets, minimum years \| Year					5
Range of amortization of intangible assets, maximum years \| Year					10
Divestiture of business, net of cash retained in business					$ 12,980
Gain on the sale of business					4,394
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill					4,792	20,266
Stickolor [Member]
Acquisitions and Divestitures (Textuals) [Abstract]
Purchase price of acquisition			$ 18,459
Securimed [Member]
Acquisitions and Divestitures (Textuals) [Abstract]
Purchase price of acquisition		$ 10,132
Welco [Member]
Acquisitions and Divestitures (Textuals) [Abstract]
Purchase price of acquisition				$ 1,840
Securimed, Stickolor and Welco [Member]
Acquisitions and Divestitures (Textuals) [Abstract]
Purchased identifiable intangible assets to be amortized						9,310
ID Warehouse [Member]
Acquisitions and Divestitures (Textuals) [Abstract]
Purchase price of acquisition	$ 7,970
Teklynx [Member]
Acquisitions and Divestitures (Textuals) [Abstract]
Divestiture of business, net of cash retained in business					12,980
Gain on the sale of business					4,394
Customer relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets					1,846	$ 7,970
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets					$ 487

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Schedule of Changes In Plans Accumulated Benefit Obligations
Obligation at beginning of year	$ 15,277	$ 14,311
Service cost	666	662	$ 672
Interest cost	694	795	842
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(955)	967
Benefit payments	(671)	(834)
Plan amendments		(169)
Settlements		(455)
Obligation at end of fiscal year	$ 15,011	$ 15,277	$ 14,311

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Schedule of Amounts Recognized as Liabilities in the Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets
Current liability	$ 1,054	$ 1,060
Noncurrent liability	13,957	14,217
Total Liabilities	15,011	15,277
Schedule of Amounts Recognized as Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets
Net actuarial gain	3,131	2,252
Prior service credit	503	585
Total	$ 3,634	$ 2,837

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs
Service cost - benefits attributed to service during the period	$ 666	$ 662	$ 672
Prior service cost	(82)	(64)	(70)
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	694	795	842
Amortization of unrecognized gain	(76)	(206)	(308)
Curtailment loss			393
Periodic postretirement benefit cost	$ 1,202	$ 1,187	$ 1,529
Schedule of Assumptions Used
Weighted average discount rate used in determining accumulated postretirement benefit obligation liability	4.50%	4.50%	5.50%
Weighted average discount rate used in determining net periodic benefit cost	4.50%	5.50%	6.80%
Assumed health care trend rate used to measure APBO at July 31	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
Rate to which cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Fiscal year the ultimate trend rate is reached	2017	2016	2015

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Schedule of the Effect of a One Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on future service and interest cost	$ 13
Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on future service and interest cost	(12)
Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at July 31, 2010	185
Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at July 31, 2010	(170)
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments
2012	1,054
2013	1,084
2014	1,148
2015	1,234
2016	1,304
2017 through 2021	$ 7,791

Employee Benefit Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Employee Benefit Plans (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount paid to participants in settlement		$ 455
Reduction of liability due to one-time plan amendment		169
Other separation benefits		1,178	$ 1,178
Estimated actuarial gain to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic postretirement benefit cost over the next fiscal year	$ 178
Estimated prior service credit to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic postretirement benefit cost over the next fiscal year	82
Curtailment gain due to reduction in workforce		679
Unrecognized prior service cost		106
Curtailment loss			393
Accrued profit-sharing included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities	7,293	7,540
Deferred compensation included in current and other long term liabilities	12,299	10,398
Expense for the retirement and profit sharing	$ 14,552	$ 12,547	$ 11,765

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Income (loss) before income taxes
United States	$ 29,913	$ 4,423	$ (383)
Other Nations	114,145	104,979	97,655
Income before income taxes	$ 144,058	$ 109,402	$ 97,272

Income Taxes (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Current income tax expense:
United States	$ 5,784	$ 474	$ 3,486
Other Nations	37,384	32,800	31,223
States (U.S.)	399	1,006	1,081
Total current income tax expense	43,567	34,280	35,790
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:
United States	(5,161)	(4,604)	(7,633)
Other Nations	(3,746)	(1,942)	(1,693)
States (U.S.)	746	(288)	686
Total deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(8,161)	(6,834)	(8,640)
Total	35,406	27,446	$ 27,150
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Inventories, Assets	5,328	6,666
Prepaid catalog costs, Assets	18	16
Employee benefits, Assets	892	1,910
Accounts receivable, Assets	1,979	2,033
Other, net, Assets	8,429	6,512
Current, Assets	16,646	17,137
Fixed Assets, Assets	2,189	1,734
Intangible Assets, Assets	1,964	1,970
Capitalized R&D expenditures, Assets	2,807	7,953
Deferred compensation, Assets	23,654	22,100
Postretirement benefits, Assets	6,764	7,573
Tax credit carry-forwards and net operating losses, Assets	62,638	48,140
Less valuation allowance, Assets	(27,476)	(27,510)
Other, net, Noncurrent Assets	2,453	199
Noncurrent, Assets	74,993	62,159
Total, Assets	91,639	79,296
Inventories, Liabilities	(37)	0
Prepaid catalog costs, Liabilities	(3,038)	(2,299)
Employee benefits, Liabilities	0	7
Accounts receivable, Liabilities	(75)	0
Other, net, Liabilities	(2,363)	(1,519)
Current, Liabilities	(5,513)	(3,811)
Less valuation allowance, Liabilities	0	0
Postretirement benefits, Liabilities	0	0
Intangible Assets, Liabilities	(33,798)	(26,969)
Fixed Assets, Liabilities	(7,672)	(9,270)
Deferred compensation, Liabilities	0	0
Capitalized R&D expenditures, Liabilities	0	0
Tax credit carry-forwards and net operating losses, Liabilities	0	0
Other, net, Noncurrent Liabilities	0	(6,429)
Noncurrent, Liabilities	(41,470)	(42,668)
Total, Liabilities	(46,983)	(46,479)
Inventories, Total	5,291	6,666
Prepaid catalog costs, Total	(3,020)	(2,283)
Employee benefits, Total	892	1,917
Accounts receivable, Total	1,904	2,033
Other, net, Total	6,066	4,993
Current, Total	11,133	13,326
Fixed Assets, Total	(5,483)	(7,536)
Intangible Assets, Total	(31,832)	(24,999)
Capitalized R&D expenditures, Total	2,807	7,953
Deferred compensation, Total	23,654	22,100
Postretirement benefits, Total	6,764	7,573
Tax credit carry-forwards and net operating losses, Total	62,638	48,140
Less valuation allowance, Total	(27,476)	(27,510)
Other, net, Noncurrent Total	2,453	(6,230)
Noncurrent, Total	33,523	19,491
Total	$ 44,656	$ 32,817

Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Reconciliation of Effective Income Tax Rate
Tax at statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	0.00%	0.60%	1.60%
International rate differential	(6.30%)	(9.80%)	(8.60%)
Non-creditable withholding taxes	0.80%	1.80%
Rate variances arising from foreign subsidiary distributions	(6.50%)	(2.60%)	(3.40%)
Adjustments to tax accruals and reserves	3.80%	(0.50%)	5.80%
Research and development tax credits	(1.10%)	(0.30%)	(1.50%)
Other, net	(1.10%)	0.90%	(1.00%)
Effective tax rate	24.60%	25.10%	27.90%
Uncertain Tax Positions
Beginning Balance	$ 17,668	$ 19,462	$ 16,017
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	5,147	1,989	2,526
Additions for tax positions of prior years	2,387	3,934	4,056
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(291)	(6,672)	(934)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(2,803)	(194)	(944)
Settlements with tax authorities	(728)	(1,054)	60
Cumulative Translation Adjustments and other	963	203	(1,319)
Ending Balance	$ 22,343	$ 17,668	$ 19,462

Income Taxes (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details 3)	Jul. 31, 2011
United States Federal [Member]
Open tax years for Company's major jurisdictions
Open tax years for Company's major jurisdictions	F’09 — F’11
France [Member]
Open tax years for Company's major jurisdictions
Open tax years for Company's major jurisdictions	F’08 — F’11
Germany [Member]
Open tax years for Company's major jurisdictions
Open tax years for Company's major jurisdictions	F’03 — F’11
United Kingdom [Member]
Open tax years for Company's major jurisdictions
Open tax years for Company's major jurisdictions	F’09 — F’11

Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]
Foreign net operating loss carry-forwards	$ 84,182
Foreign net operating loss carry-forwards with no expiration date	$ 73,388
Number of years to expire in foreign net operating loss carry-forwards	Next 5 Years
State net operating loss carry-forwards	$ 71,880
Number of years to expire in State net operating loss carry-forwards	from 2014-2030
Foreign tax credit carry-forwards	$ 28,304
Number of years to expire in foreign tax credit carry-forwards	from 2018-2021
State research and development credit carry-forwards	$ 346
Number of years to expire in state research and development credit carry-forwards	from 2017 to 2029
Valuation allowance increased/ decreased	$ (34)	$ 1,840
Percentage of as result of tax holidays reduced consolidated effective tax rate	1.50%	2.30%	3.30%
Total unrecognized tax benefits	$ 22,343	$ 17,668
Recognition of interest expense	(990)	33	$ 427
Recognition of penalties	500	780	$ 414
Accrual of interest on unrecognized tax benefits	1,507	2,473
Accrual for penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	2,229	$ 1,592
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible, amount of unrecorded benefit within twelve months	2,351
Earnings relate to ongoing operations	$ 455,812

Long-Term Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Schedule of Long-Term Debt
Long-term obligations	$ 393,178	$ 444,204
Less current maturities	(61,264)	(61,264)
Excluding Current Maturities	331,914	382,940
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2017 at a fixed rate of 3.71% [Member]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt
Long-term obligations	43,194	45,615
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2020 at a fixed rate of 4.24%[Member]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt
Long-term obligations	64,791	52,132
USD-denominated notes payable through 2014 at a fixed rate of 5.14% [Member]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt
Long-term obligations	56,250	75,000
USD-denominated notes payable through 2016 at a fixed rate of 5.30%[Member]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt
Long-term obligations	130,714	156,857
USD-denominated notes payable through 2017 at a fixed rate of 5.33% [Member]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt
Long-term obligations	$ 98,229	$ 114,600

Long-Term Obligations (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt
2012	$ 61,264
2013	61,264
2014	61,264
2015	42,514
2016	42,514
Thereafter	124,358
Total	$ 393,178	$ 444,204

Long-Term Obligations (Details Textual) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2009 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2007 USD ($) PrivatePlacement	May 13, 2010 EUR (€)	Oct. 05, 2006 USD ($) Banks
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Debt to EBITDA		1.7 to 1.0
Scheduled principal payments		$ 61,264	$ 44,893	$ 87,224
EBIT to interest expense ratio related to debt agreement		equal to 7.8 to 1.0
Total number of Private placement from 2004 to 2007 \| PrivatePlacement					3
Aggregate principal amount of private placement note issuances in ten-year fixed rate notes with varying maturity dates					$ 500,000
Interest rate on total private placement note					from 5.14% to 5.33%
Debt Instrument, Payment Terms		repaid equally over seven years, with initial payment due dates ranging from 2008 to 2011, with interest payable
Interest payable on notes		semianually
Interest payment starts		December 2004
Multi-currency revolving loan agreement							$ 200,000
Number of Banks under multi-currency revolving loan agreement \| Banks							5
Increased available amount under the credit facility							$ 300,000
Interest rate terms option under the credit agreement		either a base interest rate -based upon the higher of the federal funds rate plus one-half of 1% or the prime rate of Bank of America) or a Eurocurrency interest rate -at the LIBOR rate plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio)
Payment restriction							annually to $50 million plus an amount equal to 75% of consolidated net income for the prior fiscal year of the Company
Extended amendment maturity date to the revolving loan agreement		from October 5, 2011 to March 18, 2013
Long Term Debt Obligation at Fair Value		$ 416,694	467,479
Long Term Debt Obligation at Carrying Value		$ 393,178	444,204
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes under private placement \| €						€ 75.0
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2017 at a fixed rate of 3.71% [Member]
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes under private placement \| €						30.0
Interest rate on senior notes		3.71%
Long Term Debt Obligation at Carrying Value		$ 43,194	45,615
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2020 at a fixed rate of 4.24%[Member]
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes under private placement \| €						€ 45.0
Interest rate on senior notes		4.24%
Long Term Debt Obligation at Carrying Value		$ 64,791	52,132
USD-denominated notes payable through 2014 at a fixed rate of 5.14% [Member]
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Interest rate on senior notes		5.14%
Long Term Debt Obligation at Carrying Value		$ 56,250	75,000
USD-denominated notes payable through 2016 at a fixed rate of 5.30%[Member]
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Interest rate on senior notes		5.30%
Long Term Debt Obligation at Carrying Value		$ 130,714	156,857
USD-denominated notes payable through 2017 at a fixed rate of 5.33% [Member]
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Interest rate on senior notes		5.33%
Long Term Debt Obligation at Carrying Value		$ 98,229	114,600
Senior Unsecured Notes Prepayment Penalties [Member]
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Scheduled principal payments		$ 61,300	44,900	$ 21,400
Senior Unsecured Notes Without Penalty [Member]
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Scheduled principal payments	$ 65,800
Line of Credit [Member]
Long-Term Obligations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Debt to EBITDA		equal to 1.8 to 1.0					not more than a 3.0 to 1.0
EBIT to interest expense ratio related to debt agreement							not less than a 3.0 to 1.0
Outstanding letters of credit		$ 1,466	$ 1,564

Stockholder's Investment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Schedule of Capital Units
Amount	$ 548	$ 548
Preferred Stock, $.01 par [Member]
Schedule of Capital Units
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Cumulative Preferred Stock: 6% Cumulative [Member]
Schedule of Capital Units
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
1972 Series [Member]
Schedule of Capital Units
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	10,000	10,000
1979 Series [Member]
Schedule of Capital Units
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	30,000	30,000
Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Schedule of Capital Units
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	51,261,487	51,261,487
Amount	$ 513	$ 513
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capital Units
Common stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	3,538,628	3,538,628
Amount	$ 35	$ 35

Stockholder's Investment (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2008
Schedule of Stockholders' Investment
Beginning balance, Value	$ (2,829)	$ (4,492)	$ (5,495)
Sale of shares at cost	(46)	289	(432)
Issuance of restricted stock	(2,835)
Amortization of restricted stock	846	1,374	1,435
Ending balance, Value	(4,864)	(2,829)	(4,492)
Unearned Restricted Stock [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders' Investment
Beginning balance, Value	(3,373)	(4,747)	(6,182)
Issuance of restricted stock	(2,835)
Amortization of restricted stock	846	1,374	1,435
Ending balance, Value	(5,362)	(3,373)	(4,747)
Deferred Compensation [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders' Investment
Beginning balance, Value	$ 12,847	$ 13,282	$ 13,643
Beginning balance, shares	614,988	671,650	690,539
Sale of shares at cost	$ (1,421)	$ (1,247)	$ (1,655)
Purchase of shares at cost	$ 666	813	1,294
Ending balance, shares	560,078
Ending balance, Value	$ 12,092
Shares Held Rabbi Trust At Cost [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders' Investment
Beginning balance, Value	(12,304)	$ (13,027)	$ (12,956)
Beginning balance, shares		614,988	671,650	690,539
Sale of shares at cost	1,375	$ 1,536	$ 1,223
Purchase of shares at cost	$ (666)	$ (813)	$ (1,294)
Ending balance, shares	560,078
Ending balance, Value	$ (11,595)

Stockholder's Investment (Details 2) - shares / $	12 Months Ended
Stockholder's Investment (Details 2) - shares / $	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Schedule of Stock Option Activity
Option Price, Lower Range, Beginning Period	shares / $ 13.31	shares / $ 13.31	shares / $ 9.59
Option Price, Upper Range, Beginning Balance	40.37	40.37	40.37
Options granted, Option Price, Lower Range	28.35	24.78	17.23
Options granted, Option Price, Upper Range	37.95	33.28	35.42
Options Exercises, Option Price, Lower Range	14.16	14.16	9.59
Options Exercises, Option Price, Upper Range	29.78	31.54	38.19
Options cancelled, Option Price, Lower Range	16.39	15.28	20.95
Options cancelled, Option Price, Upper Range	38.31	38.31	38.31
Option Price, Lower Range, Ending Period	13.31	13.31	13.31
Option Price, Upper Range, Ending Balance	shares / $ 40.37	shares / $ 40.37	shares / $ 40.37
Options Outstanding, Beginning Balance	5,108,736	3,980,606	3,985,205
Options Outstanding, Granted	1,365,500	1,446,500	614,000
Options Outstanding, Exercised	(417,888)	(241,403)	(138,934)
Options Outstanding, Cancelled	(330,331)	(76,967)	(479,665)
Options Outstanding, Ending Balance	5,726,017	5,108,736	3,980,606
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	shares / $ 28.86	shares / $ 29.08	shares / $ 21.26
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	19.62	18.16	15.75
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cancelled	31.37	31.91	35.02
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	shares / $ 29.24	shares / $ 28.69	shares / $ 27.96

Stockholder's Investment (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
Stockholder's Investment (Details 3)	Jul. 31, 2011 Year shares / $ shares	Jul. 31, 2010 shares / $ shares	Jul. 31, 2009 shares / $ shares	Jul. 31, 2008 shares / $
Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding
Options Outstanding, Beginning Balance \| shares	5,108,736
Option Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| Year	6.4
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	shares / $ 29.24	shares / $ 28.69	shares / $ 27.96	shares / $ 29.43
Options exercisable with weighted average, shares \| shares	3,316,815	3,100,955	2,831,311
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	shares / $ 29.83	shares / $ 28.85	shares / $ 27.46
Up to $14.99 [Member]
Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding
Option Price, Upper Range	shares / $ 14.99
Option Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| Year	1.6
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	shares / $ 13.31
Options exercisable with weighted average, shares \| shares	200,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	shares / $ 13.31
$15.00 to $29.99 [Member]
Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding
Option Price, Lower Range	15.00
Option Price, Upper Range	shares / $ 29.99
Option Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| Year	7.2
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	shares / $ 26.68
Options exercisable with weighted average, shares \| shares	1,516,313
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	shares / $ 24.07
$30.00 and up [Member]
Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding
Option Price, Lower Range	shares / $ 30.00
Option Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life \| Year	5.0
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	shares / $ 37.33
Options exercisable with weighted average, shares \| shares	1,600,502
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	shares / $ 37.34

Stockholder's Investment (Details Textual)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Stockholder's Investment (Details Textual)	Aug. 31, 2010 shares / $ shares	Jul. 31, 2011 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2010 shares / $ shares	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2009 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2008 shares / $ shares	Jul. 31, 2008 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2009 shares / $ shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding stock options and restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock				5,108,736			3,985,205	3,985,205	5,726,017	3,980,606
Stockholder's Investment Investment (Textuals) [Abstract]
Employees authorized to deduct pay monthly Under employee monthly stock investment plan, minimum \| $			$ 20
Employees authorized to deduct pay monthly Under employee monthly stock investment plan, maximum \| $			500
Total fair value of options vested \| $			6,822,000		$ 5,548,000	$ 6,559,000
Total intrinsic value of options exercised \| $			5,701,000		3,004,000	2,156,000
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options				3,100,955					3,316,815	2,831,311
Weighted average exercise price \| shares / $		shares / $ 29.83		shares / $ 28.85						shares / $ 27.46
Proceeds from issuance of common stock \| $			8,193,000		3,717,000	1,683,000
Tax benefit on options exercised \| $			682,000		$ 866,000	$ 779,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of the number of options outstanding \| $									$ 14,864,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of the number of options exercisable \| $			$ 11,727,000
Frank M. Jaehnert
Stockholder's Investment Investment (Textuals) [Abstract]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options									50,000
Thomas J. Felmer
Stockholder's Investment Investment (Textuals) [Abstract]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options									35,000
Robert L.Tatterson
Stockholder's Investment Investment (Textuals) [Abstract]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options				20,000					20,000
Peter C. Sephton
Stockholder's Investment Investment (Textuals) [Abstract]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options									35,000
Matthew O. Williamson
Stockholder's Investment Investment (Textuals) [Abstract]
Exercisable Performance Based Stock Options									35,000
Service Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award expiring period from grant date			10 years
Performance Based [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award expiring period from grant date			10years
Performance Based Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award expiring period from grant date			five-year or seven-year
Share-based compensation expense \| $			$ 1,200,000
Weighted-average fair value of options granted \| shares / $		28.35
Weighted-average exercise price \| shares / $		28.35
Performance-based restricted shares								210,000
Grant price and fair value of restricted shares \| shares / $	shares / $ 28.35						shares / $ 32.83
Performance-based restricted shares outstanding									310,000
Performance Based Restricted Shares [Member] \| Frank M. Jaehnert
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance-based restricted shares	100,000		100,000
Performance Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of options granted \| shares / $		9.87		shares / $ 8.70
Weighted-average exercise price \| shares / $		28.35		shares / $ 29.78
Performance-based restricted shares			465,000
Service Based Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of options granted \| shares / $		9.59
Weighted-average exercise price \| shares / $		29.13
Performance-based restricted shares			900,500
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Noncumulative cash dividend \| shares / $		0.01665
Amount of per share dividend entitled to common stock holders after distribution of Cumulative Preferred Stock holders in case of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company \| shares / $		0.835
Shares reacquired in connection with its repurchase plan					102,067	1,345,000		1,349,000
Value of reacquired shares in connection with its repurchase plan \| $					$ 2,500,000	$ 40,300,000		$ 42,200,000
Remained Shares to repurchase in connection with its repurchase plan									204,133
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Amount of per share dividend entitled to common stock holders after distribution of Cumulative Preferred Stock holders in case of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company \| shares / $		shares / $ 0.835
Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock option vest ratably period			Generally vest ratably over a three-year period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years
Outstanding stock options and restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock									5,799,017
Future issuance of stock options and restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock remain									737,000

Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Intersegment information
Revenues from external customers	$ 343,104	$ 337,896	$ 329,009	$ 329,588	$ 322,894	$ 321,887	$ 295,829	$ 318,486	$ 1,339,597	$ 1,259,096	$ 1,208,702
Depreciation and amortization expense									48,827	53,022	54,851
Segment Profit									291,926	266,459	248,902
Assets	1,861,505				1,746,531				1,861,505	1,746,531	1,583,267
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment									20,532	26,296	24,027
Americas [Member]
Intersegment information
Revenues from external customers									577,428	551,185	534,440
Intersegment revenues									41,638	43,136	45,853
Depreciation and amortization expense									15,682	21,142	22,022
Segment Profit									145,516	125,169	114,404
Assets	735,003				754,753				735,003	754,753	703,559
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment									8,212	8,502	8,422
Europe [Member]
Intersegment information
Revenues from external customers									404,955	380,121	367,156
Intersegment revenues									3,054	4,456	4,310
Depreciation and amortization expense									8,147	8,088	8,467
Segment Profit									112,047	103,316	99,875
Assets	333,977				313,204				333,977	313,204	298,717
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment									2,626	1,535	3,326
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Intersegment information
Revenues from external customers									357,214	327,790	307,106
Intersegment revenues									24,500	18,188	18,534
Depreciation and amortization expense									15,515	15,749	15,957
Segment Profit									50,105	52,105	42,575
Assets	389,465				362,653				389,465	362,653	341,605
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment									8,620	9,946	5,848
Total Region [Member]
Intersegment information
Revenues from external customers									1,339,597	1,259,096	1,208,702
Intersegment revenues									69,192	65,780	68,697
Depreciation and amortization expense									39,344	44,979	46,446
Segment Profit									307,668	280,590	256,854
Assets	1,458,445				1,430,610				1,458,445	1,430,610	1,343,881
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment									19,458	19,983	17,596
Corporate and Eliminations [Member]
Intersegment information
Intersegment revenues									(69,192)	(65,780)	(68,697)
Depreciation and amortization expense									9,483	8,043	8,405
Segment Profit									(15,742)	(14,131)	(7,952)
Assets	$ 403,060				$ 315,921				403,060	315,921	239,386
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment									$ 1,074	$ 6,313	$ 6,431

Segment Information (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Segment Information (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Net income reconciliation:
Total profit for reportable segments									$ 307,668	$ 280,590	$ 256,854
Corporate and eliminations									291,926	266,459	248,902
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs									(120,546)	(121,689)	(102,680)
Restructuring costs	$ (2,202)	$ (1,211)	$ (2,134)	$ (3,641)	$ (5,717)	$ (2,347)	$ (3,649)	$ (3,601)	(9,188)	(15,314)	(25,849)
Investment and other income - net									3,990	1,168	1,800
Interest expense									(22,124)	(21,222)	(24,901)
Income before income taxes									144,058	109,402	97,272
Income taxes									(35,406)	(27,446)	(27,150)
Net income	$ 29,583	$ 28,589	$ 24,199	$ 26,281	$ 21,592	$ 23,695	$ 15,001	$ 21,668	108,652	81,956	70,122
Corporate and Eliminations [Member]
Net income reconciliation:
Corporate and eliminations									$ (15,742)	$ (14,131)	$ (7,952)

Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Individual Foreign Countries [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Revenue Attributed to Entity's Country of Domicile									$ 535,412	$ 521,318	$ 510,703
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Revenue Eliminations									(69,192)	(65,780)	(68,483)
Net sales	$ 343,104	$ 337,896	$ 329,009	$ 329,588	$ 322,894	$ 321,887	$ 295,829	$ 318,486	1,339,597	1,259,096	1,208,702
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Entity's Country of Domicile	488,571				507,481				488,571	507,481	519,932
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long Lived Assets in Foreign Countries Eliminations	0				0				$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Consolidated total									1030219	1017648	1018915
China [Member]
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Individual Foreign Countries [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries									$ 164,640	$ 156,842	$ 199,893
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	118,945				118,953				118,945	118,953	123,078
Other [Member]
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Individual Foreign Countries [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries									708,737	646,716	566,589
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	$ 422,703				$ 391,214				$ 422,703	$ 391,214	$ 375,905

Net Income Per Common Share (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
Net Income Per Common Share (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2011 shares / $	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2011 shares / $	Jan. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2010 shares / $	Oct. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2010 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2010 shares / $	Apr. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2010 shares / $	Jan. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2009 shares / $	Oct. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2010 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2009 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2009 USD ($) shares
Numerator
Net income		$ 29,583		$ 28,589		$ 24,199		$ 26,281		$ 21,592		$ 23,695		$ 15,001		$ 21,668		$ 108,652		$ 81,956		$ 70,122
Restricted Stock Dividends																		(223)		(147)		(144)
Preferential dividends																		(820)		(816)		(823)
Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options																		$ (6)		$ (11)		$ (11)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income per share for both Class A and B \| shares																		52,639,355		52,402,387		52,558,657
Plus: effect of dilutive stock options \| shares																		494,000		544,000		307,000
Denominator for diluted net income per share for both Class A and B \| shares																		53,133,000		52,946,000		52,866,000
Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Numerator
Numerator for basic and diluted Class net income per share																		$ 108,429		$ 81,809		$ 69,978
Common stock net income per share calculation:
Basic \| shares / $	shares / $ 0.56		shares / $ 0.54		shares / $ 0.46		shares / $ 0.50		shares / $ 0.41		shares / $ 0.45		shares / $ 0.29		shares / $ 0.41		shares / $ 2.06		shares / $ 1.56		shares / $ 1.33
Diluted \| shares / $	shares / $ 0.56		shares / $ 0.54		shares / $ 0.46		shares / $ 0.50		shares / $ 0.41		shares / $ 0.45		shares / $ 0.29		shares / $ 0.41		2.04		1.55		1.32
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Numerator
Numerator for basic and diluted Class net income per share																		$ 107,603		$ 80,982		$ 69,144
Common stock net income per share calculation:
Basic \| shares / $																	2.04		1.55		1.32
Diluted \| shares / $																	shares / $ 2.03		shares / $ 1.53		shares / $ 1.31

Net Income Per Common Share (Details Textual) - shares / $	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Net Income Per Common Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Basic	52,639,355	52,402,387	52,558,657
Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Additional Net Income Per Common Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Preferential dividend on common stock per share	shares / $ 0.01665	shares / $ 0.01665	shares / $ 0.01665
Common stock of Class A shares excluded from computations of diluted net income per share	3,049,611	2,832,337	2,764,308

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Schedule of Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Leases
2012	$ 18,350
2013	12,636
2014	10,667
2015	7,338
2016	5,478
Thereafter	2,557
Total	57,026
Commitments and Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Rental expenses charged to operations related to non cancellable lease agreements	$ 22,213	$ 23,712	$ 25,971

Restructuring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Restructuring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Restructuring reserve roll forward
Beginning balance				$ 6,161				$ 5,322	$ 6,161	$ 5,322	$ 0
Restructuring charges	$ 2,202	$ 1,211	$ 2,134	3,641	$ 5,717	$ 2,347	$ 3,649	3,601	9,188	15,314	25,849
Non-cash write-offs									(2,155)	(2,260)	(2,469)
Other separation benefits										(1,178)	(1,178)
Cash payments									(10,938)	(12,215)	(16,880)
Ending balance	2,256				6,161				2,256	6,161	5,322
Employee Related [Member]
Restructuring reserve roll forward
Beginning balance				6,055				4,445	6,055	4,445	0
Restructuring charges									6,341	10,850	21,279
Non-cash write-offs											(368)
Other separation benefits											(1,178)
Cash payments									(10,189)	(9,240)	(15,288)
Ending balance	2,207				6,055				2,207	6,055	4,445
Asset Write-offs [Member]
Restructuring reserve roll forward
Beginning balance				0				0	0	0	0
Restructuring charges									2,155	2,260	2,101
Non-cash write-offs									(2,155)	(2,260)	(2,101)
Ending balance					0					0	0
Other [Member]
Restructuring reserve roll forward
Beginning balance				$ 106				$ 877	106	877	0
Restructuring charges									692	2,204	2,469
Cash payments									(749)	(2,975)	(1,592)
Ending balance	$ 49				$ 106				$ 49	$ 106	$ 877

Restructuring (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Restructuring (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Restructuring (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	$ 2,202	$ 1,211	$ 2,134	$ 3,641	$ 5,717	$ 2,347	$ 3,649	$ 3,601	$ 9,188	$ 15,314	$ 25,849
Percentage reduction in workforce through restructuring programs											25.00%
Americas [Member]
Restructuring (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring charges									5,445	7,158	$ 13,928
Europe [Member]
Restructuring (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring charges									3,340	5,350	7,730
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Restructuring (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring charges									403	2,806	4,191
Employee Related [Member]
Restructuring (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring charges									6,341	10,850	21,279
Contract termination [Member]
Restructuring (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring charges									243	711	1,275
Other facility closure related cost [Member]
Restructuring (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring charges									449	1,493	1,194
Asset Write-offs [Member]
Restructuring (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring charges									$ 2,155	$ 2,260	$ 2,101

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Fair Values of derivative instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument, fair value	$ 16	$ 156
Derivative asset not designated as hedging instrument, fair value	3	24
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument, fair value	114,110	98,576
Derivative liability not designated as hedging instrument, fair value	2	64
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Fair Values of derivative instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument, fair value	0
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument, fair value		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Fair Values of derivative instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument, fair value	16	156
Derivative asset not designated as hedging instrument, fair value	3	24
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Foreign Currency Denominated Debt [Member] \| Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Fair Values of derivative instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Derivative asset designated as hedging instrument, fair value	0	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Fair Values of derivative instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument, fair value	5,295	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Values of derivative instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument, fair value	5,295
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Fair Values of derivative instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument, fair value	830	829
Derivative liability not designated as hedging instrument, fair value	2	64
Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] \| Foreign Currency Denominated Debt [Member] \| Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Fair Values of derivative instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Derivative liability designated as hedging instrument, fair value	$ 107,985	$ 97,747

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 1) - Cash Flow Hedging [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	$ (1,535)	$ (493)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified From Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	(1,781)	(80)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	0	0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	(1,535)	(493)
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Cost of goods sold [Member]
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified From Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	(1,781)	(80)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	$ 0	$ 0

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 2) - Net Investment Hedging [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Pre-tax effects of derivative instruments as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	$ (17,659)	$ 3,415
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified From Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	0	0
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	0	0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Pre-tax effects of derivative instruments as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	(4,589)	6,248
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Investment and other income - net [Member]
Pre-tax effects of derivative instruments as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified From Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	0	0
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	0	0
Foreign Currency Denominated Debt [Member]
Pre-tax effects of derivative instruments as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	(13,070)	(2,833)
Foreign Currency Denominated Debt [Member] \| Investment and other income - net [Member]
Pre-tax effects of derivative instruments as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified From Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	0	0
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	$ 0	$ 0

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 3) - Nondesignated [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	$ (754)	$ (40)
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Other income (expense) [Member]
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	$ (754)	$ (40)

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details Textual) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($)	May 13, 2010 EUR (€)
Additional Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges	$ 16	$ 156
Forward exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments	3	24
Forward exchange contracts designated as hedge instruments	114,110	98,576
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Notional amount of outstanding forward exchange contracts	80,807	45,328
Unrealized losses on foreign currency cash flow hedges expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months	1,535	493
Outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts including certain specific contracts	30,519	32,020
Outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts	50,000
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Private Placement in Euros/Dollars \| €			€ 75.0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Additional Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Forward exchange contracts designated as hedge instruments	5,295
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Additional Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Forward exchange contracts designated as hedge instruments	830	829
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]
Additional Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges	16	156
Forward exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments	$ 3	$ 24

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2011 shares / $	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2011 shares / $	Jan. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2010 shares / $	Oct. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2010 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2010 shares / $	Apr. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2010 shares / $	Jan. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2009 shares / $	Oct. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2010 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2009 shares / $	Jul. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Schedule of Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
Net sales		$ 343,104		$ 337,896		$ 329,009		$ 329,588		$ 322,894		$ 321,887		$ 295,829		$ 318,486		$ 1,339,597		$ 1,259,096		$ 1,208,702
Gross margin		165,036		167,638		159,010		164,512		158,739		160,197		146,918		157,443		656,196		623,297		577,583
Operating income		42,638		40,871		37,080		41,603		34,083		35,914		23,902		35,557		162,192		129,456		120,373
Net income		29,583		28,589		24,199		26,281		21,592		23,695		15,001		21,668		108,652		81,956		70,122
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Before tax restructuring charges		$ 2,202		$ 1,211		$ 2,134		$ 3,641		$ 5,717		$ 2,347		$ 3,649		$ 3,601		$ 9,188		$ 15,314		$ 25,849
Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Net Income Per Class A Common Share:
Basic \| shares / $	shares / $ 0.56		shares / $ 0.54		shares / $ 0.46		shares / $ 0.50		shares / $ 0.41		shares / $ 0.45		shares / $ 0.29		shares / $ 0.41		shares / $ 2.06		shares / $ 1.56		shares / $ 1.33
Diluted \| shares / $	shares / $ 0.56		shares / $ 0.54		shares / $ 0.46		shares / $ 0.50		shares / $ 0.41		shares / $ 0.45		shares / $ 0.29		shares / $ 0.41		shares / $ 2.04		shares / $ 1.55		shares / $ 1.32

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Accounts receivable - allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 7,137	$ 7,931	$ 10,059
Additions - Charged to expense	1,287	2,005	1,278
Due to acquired businesses	52	80
Deductions - write-offs	(2,293)	(2,879)	(3,406)
Ending Balance	6,183	7,137	7,931
Inventory - reserve for slow-moving inventory [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	15,944	22,288	22,148
Additions - Charged to expense	3,750	1,646	5,138
Due to acquired businesses	632	129
Deductions - write-offs	(7,317)	(8,119)	(4,998)
Ending Balance	$ 13,009	$ 15,944	$ 22,288

Label	Element	Value
Range Fourteen [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	200,000
Range Fifteen [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	3,900,515
Range Sixteen [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	1,625,502

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 10,916	$ 8,937
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total Liabilities	114,112	98,640
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total Liabilities	114,112	98,640
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total Assets	10,897	8,757
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total Assets	19	180
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total Assets	0	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts		64
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	2
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Foreign exchange contracts - cash flow hedges [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	830	829
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Foreign currency denominated debt - net investment hedge [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	5,295
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts		0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign exchange contracts - cash flow hedges [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign currency denominated debt - net investment hedge [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts		64
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	2
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign exchange contracts - cash flow hedges [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	830	829
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign currency denominated debt - net investment hedge [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	5,295
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts		0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign exchange contracts - cash flow hedges [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign currency denominated debt - net investment hedge [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0
Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] \| Foreign currency denominated debt - net investment hedge [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	107,985	97,747
Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts		0
Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign currency denominated debt - net investment hedge [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0
Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts		97,747
Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign currency denominated debt - net investment hedge [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	107,985
Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts		0
Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign currency denominated debt - net investment hedge [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0
Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Trading Securities	10,897	8,757
Other Assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Trading Securities	10,897	8,757
Other Assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Other Assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	3	24
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Foreign exchange contracts - cash flow hedges [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	16	156
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign exchange contracts - cash flow hedges [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	3	24
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign exchange contracts - cash flow hedges [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	16	156
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign exchange contracts - cash flow hedges [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	$ 0	$ 0