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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Jul. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations — Brady Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products and people. The ability to provide customers with a broad range of proprietary, customized, and diverse products for use in various applications, along with a commitment to quality and service, a global footprint, and multiple sales channels, have made Brady a world leader in many of its markets. Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Brady Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in the associated company where the Company has significant influence and generally 20% to 50% ownership interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates — The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"), which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly-liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Concentration of Credit Risk — The Company places temporary cash investments with global financial institutions of high credit quality. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of its financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution. In addition, the Company has a broad customer base representing many diverse industries throughout the globe. Consequently, no significant concentration of credit risk is considered to exist. Accounts Receivables — Accounts receivables are stated at net realizable value. Specific customer reserves are made during review of significant outstanding balances due, in which customer creditworthiness and current economic trends may indicate that it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. In addition, general reserves are made for the remainder of accounts receivable based on historical loss experience, the age of the delinquent receivable balances due, and economic conditions. Accounts receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $7,157 and $5,005 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and include material, labor, and overhead. Cost has been determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for certain inventories in the U.S. (14.7% of total inventories at July 31, 2020, and 13.4% of total inventories at July 31, 2019) and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods for other inventories. Had all inventories been accounted for on a FIFO basis instead of on a LIFO basis, the carrying value of inventories would have increased by $7,195 and $7,259 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Inventories consist of the following as of July 31:
| 2020 |  | 2019
Finished products | $ | 85,547 |  |  | $ | 77,532 |
Work-in-process | 24,044 |  |  | 20,515 |
Raw materials and supplies | 26,071 |  |  | 21,990 |
Total inventories | $ | 135,662 |  |  | $ | 120,037 |
Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective asset. The estimated useful lives range from 3 to 33 years as shown below. Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of July 31:
| Range of Useful Lives |  | 2020 |  | 2019
Land |  |  | $ | 9,960 |  |  | $ | 9,752 |
Buildings and improvements | 10 to 33 Years |  | 105,129 |  |  | 99,685 |
Machinery and equipment | 3 to 10 Years |  | 267,795 |  |  | 266,991 |
Construction in progress |  |  | 8,432 |  |  | 7,500 |
Property, plant and equipment—gross |  |  | 391,316 |  |  | 383,928 |
Accumulated depreciation |  |  | (276,248) |  |  | (273,880) |
Property, plant and equipment—net |  |  | $ | 115,068 |  |  | $ | 110,048 |
Depreciation expense was $18,218, $18,023, and $19,009 for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Goodwill — The Company evaluates the carrying amount of goodwill annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate the goodwill might be impaired. The Company completes impairment reviews for its reporting units using a fair-value method based on management's judgments and assumptions. When performing its annual impairment assessment, the Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill assigned to each of its reporting units by comparing the estimated fair value of the respective reporting unit to the carrying value, including goodwill. The Company estimates fair value utilizing the income approach and the market approach. The income approach requires management to make a number of assumptions and estimates for each reporting unit, including projected future operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, working capital levels, income tax rates, and a weighted-average cost of capital reflecting the specific risk profile of the respective reporting unit. The market approach estimates fair value using performance multiples of comparable publically-traded compa nies. In the event the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, including goodwill, an impairment loss, if any, is recognized for the difference between the implied fair value and the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill. The annual impairment testing performed on May 1, 2020, indicated that all reporting units with remaining goodwill had a fair value substantially in excess of its carrying value. No goodwill impairment charges were recognized during the year ended July 31, 2020. Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets — Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as well as goodwill are not subject to amortization. These assets are assessed for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate the asset may not be recoverable or that the remaining estimated useful life may warrant revision. In addition, the Company performs qualitative assessments on a quarterly basis of significant events and circumstances, such as historical and current results, assumptions regarding future performance, and strategic initiatives and overall economic factors. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of the asset to the carrying value. Fair value is estimated using the income approach based upon current sales projections applying the relief from royalty method. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets, operating lease assets, and property, plant, and equipment, for recoverability by comparing an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows, derived from internal forecasts, over the remaining life of the primary asset to the carrying amount of the asset group. To the extent the undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. Indicators of impairment primarily in the WPS segment consisted of a decline in sales in certain of its businesses resulting from the economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of impairment assessments performed, impairment charges of $13,821 were recognized in connection with writing down the carrying values of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets to their respective fair values during the year ended July 31, 2020. Refer to Note 3, "Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets" for further information regarding impairment charges during fiscal 2020. Leases — The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at contract inception. The contract is considered to contain a lease if it provides the Company with the right to direct the use of and the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from an identified asset in exchange for consideration. The Company recognizes a right-of-use ("ROU") asset and lease liability for its lease commitments with initial terms greater than one year. The initial measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of future lease payments over the expected lease term. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made on or before the commencement date, initial direct costs incurred, and is reduced by any lease incentives received. Some of the Company’s leases include options to extend the lease agreement, of which the exercise is at the Company’s sole discretion. The majority of renewal options are not included in the calculation of ROU assets and liabilities as they are not reasonably certain to be exercised. Some of the Company's lease agreements include rental payments that are adjusted periodically for inflation or the change in an index or rate. These variable lease payments are generally excluded from the initial measurement of the ROU asset and lease liability and are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The Company has lease agreements that include both lease and non-lease components, which the Company has elected to account for as a single lease component. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company determines the present value of future lease payments using its incremental borrowing rate, as the discount rate implicit within the Company’s leases generally cannot be readily determined. The incremental borrowing rate is estimated based on the sovereign credit rating for the countries in which the Company has its largest operations, adjusted for several factors, such as internal credit spread, lease terms, and other market information available at the lease commencement date. As of July 31, 2020, all leases are accounted for as operating leases, with lease expense being recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating leases are reflected in “Operating lease assets,” “Current operating lease liabilities,” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating lease expense is recognized in either cost of goods sold or selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, based on the nature of the lease. ROU assets are evaluated for impairment in the same manner as long-lived assets. Impairment charges of $2,475 were recognized related to operating lease assets during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. Refer to Note 3, "Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets" for additional information regarding the impairment charges recognized. Revenue Recognition — The majority of the Company’s revenue relates to the sale of identification solutions and workplace safety products to customers. The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which was adopted on August 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Revenue is recognized when control of the product or service transfers to the customer in an amount that represents the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those products and services. The Company considers control to have transferred when legal title, physical possession, and the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the asset have transferred to the customer and the collection of the transaction price is reasonably assured, most of which occur upon shipment or delivery of goods to customers. Given the nature of the Company’s business, revenue recognition practices do not contain estimates that materially affect the results of operations, with the exception of estimated customer returns and credit memos. The Company records an allowance for estimated product returns and credit memos using the expected value method based on historical experience, which is recognized as a deduction from net sales at the time of sale. As of July 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a reserve for estimated product returns and credit memos of $6,295 and $5,796, respectively. Sales Incentives — The Company accounts for cash consideration (such as sales incentives, rebates, and cash discounts) given to its customers or resellers as a reduction of revenue. Sales incentives for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were $38,476, $40,811, and $40,671, respectively. Shipping and Handling Costs — Shipping and handling fees billed to a customer in a sale transaction are reported as net sales and the related costs incurred for shipping and handling are reported in cost of goods sold. Advertising Costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $63,482, $62,454, and $67,429, respectively. Stock-Based Compensation — The Company measures and recognizes the compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees and directors based on estimated grant-date fair values. The Black-Scholes option valuation model is used to determine the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant. The Company recognizes the compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, of all share-based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. If it is determined that it is unlikely the award will vest, the expense recognized to date for the award is reversed in the period in which this is evident and the remaining expense is not recorded. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of assumptions which determine the fair value of stock-based awards. 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 the grant. Refer to No te 7, “Stockholders' Equity” for more information regarding the Company’s incentive stock plans. Research and Development — Amounts expended for research and development are expensed as incurred. Other Comprehensive Income — Other comprehensive income consists of net unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges, the unamortized gain on defined-benefit pension plans net of their related tax effects, and foreign currency translation adjustments, which includes the impact of foreign currency translations and the settlements of net investment hedges. Foreign Currency Translation — The assets and liabilities of subsidiaries whose functional currency is a currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated into United States dollars at end of period rates of exchange, and income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates of exchange for the period. Resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income. Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740 "Income Taxes." Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to be realized or settled. Valuation allowances are established when it is estimated that it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company recognizes the benefit of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the tax authority. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs. Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company believes that the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current liabilities) approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Refer to Note 6, "Debt" for more information regarding the fair value of long-term debt and Note 13, "Fair Value Measurements" for information regarding fair value measurements. 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 income effect of the hedged item. The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges are recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and are reclassified into the same income statement line item in the period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects income. Refer to Note 14, "Derivatives and Hedging Activities" for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. New Accounting Standards Adopted Standards In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" ("ASC 842"), which replaced the former lease accounting standards. The update requires, among other items, lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from most leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements," which provides, among other items, an additional transition method allowing a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings during the period of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 (and related updates) effective August 1, 2019, using the optional transition method provided in ASU 2018-11 to apply this guidance to the impacted lease population at the date of initial application. Results for reporting periods beginning after August 1, 2019, are presented under ASU 2016-02, while comparative prior period amounts have not been restated and continue to be presented under accounting standards in effect during those periods. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted within the new standard, which among other things, allows the Company to carryforward the historical lease accounting of expired or existing leases with respect to lease identification, lease classification and accounting treatment for initial direct costs as of the adoption date. The Company also elected the practical expedient related to lease versus nonlease components, allowing the Company to recognize lease and nonlease components as a single lease. Lastly, the Company elected the hindsight practical expedient, allowing the Company to use hindsight in determining the lease term and assessing impairment of right-of-use assets when transitioning to ASC 842. The Company has made a policy election not to capitalize leases with an initial term of 12 months or less. Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company recorded additional operating lease assets and liabilities of $55,984 and $58,544, respectively, as of August 1, 2019, which included operating lease assets and liabilities of $9,769 and $9,674, respectively, for leases that commenced on the adoption date of August 1, 2019. No cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings was recognized upon adoption of the new standard. Adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on the Company's cash flows or operating results. Refer to Note 4 "Leases" for add itional information and required disclosures under the new standard. In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which simplifies and reduces the complexity of the hedge accounting requirements and better aligns an entity's financial reporting for hedging relationships with its risk management activities. The guidance is effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2017-12 effective August 1, 2019, using the required modified retrospective adoption approach to apply this guidance to existing hedging relationships as of the adoption date, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Standards not yet adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. Current guidance requires the recognition of credit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflects losses once the losses are probable. Under ASU 2016-13, the Company will be required to use a current expected credit loss model ("CECL") that will immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables. The CECL model uses a broader range of reasonable and supportable information in the development of credit loss estimates. This guidance becomes effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective August 1, 2020, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." The new guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance, effective August 1, 2020. This guidance will only impact the Company's consolidated financial statements if there is a future impairment of goodwill. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)." The new guidance removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 such as recognizing deferred taxes for equity investments, the incremental approach to performing intraperiod tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The standard also simplifies accounting for income taxes under U.S. GAAP by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of deferred taxes for goodwill, the allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group and requiring that an entity reflect the effect of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after Dec ember 15, 2020, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting." Subject to meeting certain criteria, the new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions to applying contract modification accounting under existing U.S. GAAP, to address the expected phase out of the London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") by the end of 2021. This guidance is effective upon issuance and allows application to contract changes as early as January 1, 2020. Some of the Company's contracts with respect to its borrowing agreements already contain comparable alternative reference rates that would automatically take effect upon the phasing out of LIBOR. The Company is in the process of reviewing its bank facilities and commercial contracts that utilize LIBOR as the reference rate and is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted | Standards not yet adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. Current guidance requires the recognition of credit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflects losses once the losses are probable. Under ASU 2016-13, the Company will be required to use a current expected credit loss model ("CECL") that will immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables. The CECL model uses a broader range of reasonable and supportable information in the development of credit loss estimates. This guidance becomes effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective August 1, 2020, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." The new guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance, effective August 1, 2020. This guidance will only impact the Company's consolidated financial statements if there is a future impairment of goodwill. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)." The new guidance removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 such as recognizing deferred taxes for equity investments, the incremental approach to performing intraperiod tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The standard also simplifies accounting for income taxes under U.S. GAAP by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of deferred taxes for goodwill, the allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group and requiring that an entity reflect the effect of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after Dec ember 15, 2020, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting." Subject to meeting certain criteria, the new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions to applying contract modification accounting under existing U.S. GAAP, to address the expected phase out of the London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") by the end of 2021. This guidance is effective upon issuance and allows application to contract changes as early as January 1, 2020. Some of the Company's contracts with respect to its borrowing agreements already contain comparable alternative reference rates that would automatically take effect upon the phasing out of LIBOR. The Company is in the process of reviewing its bank facilities and commercial contracts that utilize LIBOR as the reference rate and is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures

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