Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (Composition Of Property, Plant And Equipment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Supplementary Balance Sheet Information
Land and land improvements	$ 271,742	$ 270,382
Buildings and building improvements	801,582	769,382
Machinery and equipment	539,983	512,144
Furniture and fixtures	215,862	198,566
Software	64,408	56,498
Vehicles	40,627	35,447
Construction in progress	34,638	31,197
Gross property, plant and equipment	1,968,842	1,873,616
Accumulated depreciation	(947,106)	(846,226)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 1,021,736	$ 1,027,390

Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of real estate held for productive use. This excludes land held for sale and alterations to land which improves its potential for use. Generally consisting of items having limited lives, such as walkways, driveways, fences, and parking lots, such improvements are depreciated over the useful lives of the subject assets.

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Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets that include automobiles and trucks.

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The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

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Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets that include building structures held for productive use including any addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, such as interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing.

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The gross amount of capitalized computer software costs as of the balance sheet date.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived assets under construction that include construction costs to date on capital projects that have not been completed and assets being constructed that are not ready to be placed into service.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets commonly used in offices and stores. Examples include desks, chairs, and store fixtures.

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Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets used in the production process to produce goods and services.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. This can include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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Tangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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