
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                          11,424
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  135,862
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,926
<INVENTORY>                                    141,762
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               305,985
<PP&E>                                         255,653
<DEPRECIATION>                                  54,067
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 595,100
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          142,221
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           308
<OTHER-SE>                                     251,794
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   595,100
<SALES>                                        683,999
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               683,999
<CGS>                                          479,469
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  603,424
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   865
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,346
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 66,364
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,723
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,641
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,641
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.36


</TABLE>
