KMG Chemicals 10-Q 12 Mar 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Mar. 12, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Trading Symbol	'KMG	'
Entity Registrant Name	'KMG CHEMICALS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001028215	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--07-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	11,620,626

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$14,960	$13,949
Accounts receivable	'	'
Trade, net of allowances of $250 at January 31, 2014 and $224 at July 31, 2013	39,560	41,935
Other	3,366	4,210
Inventories, net	52,120	53,387
Current deferred tax assets	620	1,400
Prepaid expenses and other	2,053	3,955
Total current assets	112,679	118,836
Property, plant and equipment, net	96,390	96,688
Deferred tax assets	984	1,069
Goodwill	11,105	10,929
Intangible assets, net	29,006	29,261
Restricted cash	1,000	1,000
Other assets, net	4,376	4,232
Total assets	255,540	262,015
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	30,200	35,492
Accrued liabilities	15,465	10,351
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,000	'
Total current liabilities	65,665	45,843
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	59,000	85,000
Deferred tax liabilities	9,297	11,462
Other long-term liabilities	2,458	2,470
Total liabilities	136,420	144,775
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 11,614,246 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2014 and 11,522,321 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2013	116	115
Additional paid-in capital	28,151	26,689
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	-2,504
Retained earnings	90,853	92,940
Total stockholders' equity	119,120	117,240
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$255,540	$262,015

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowances for accounts receivables	$250	$224
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	11,614,246	11,522,321
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,614,246	11,522,321

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Net sales	$84,253	$56,959	$177,813	$122,295
Cost of sales	59,063	41,238	127,056	86,486
Gross profit	25,190	15,721	50,757	35,809
Distribution expenses	12,892	5,922	25,004	12,975
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,870	6,603	20,270	12,534
Restructuring charges	4,031	'	4,031	'
Operating income (loss)	-1,603	3,196	1,452	10,300
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-661	-395	-1,324	-806
Other, net	-120	-76	-435	-126
Total other expense, net	-781	-471	-1,759	-932
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-2,384	2,725	-307	9,368
Provision for income taxes	-360	-1,070	-1,085	-3,505
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-2,744	1,655	-1,392	5,863
Discontinued operations	'	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations, before income taxes	'	-52	'	-154
Income tax benefit	'	15	'	51
Loss from discontinued operations	'	-37	'	-103
Net income (loss)	($2,744)	$1,618	($1,392)	$5,760
Basic	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	($0.24)	$0.14	($0.12)	$0.51
Loss from discontinued operations	'	'	'	($0.01)
Net income (loss)	($0.24)	$0.14	($0.12)	$0.50
Diluted	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	($0.24)	$0.14	($0.12)	$0.51
Loss from discontinued operations	'	'	'	($0.01)
Net income (loss)	($0.24)	$0.14	($0.12)	$0.50
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic	11,613	11,480	11,594	11,458
Diluted	11,613	11,578	11,594	11,571

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Net income (loss)	($2,744)	$1,618	($1,392)	$5,760
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation gain	364	895	2,504	1,967
Total other comprehensive income	364	895	2,504	1,967
Total comprehensive income (loss)	($2,380)	$2,513	$1,112	$7,727

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income (loss)	($1,392,000)	$5,760,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	7,011,000	3,504,000
Non-cash restructuring charges	771,000	'
Amortization of loan costs included in interest expense	30,000	31,000
Stock-based compensation expense	1,434,000	297,000
Bad debt expense	130,000	77,000
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory	38,000	-301,000
Loss on disposal of property	63,000	9,000
Loss on sale of animal health business	'	57,000
Deferred income taxes	940,000	-5,000
Tax benefit from stock-based awards	-328,000	-436,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'
Accounts receivable - trade	2,578,000	4,437,000
Accounts receivable - other	140,000	-2,617,000
Inventories	1,733,000	-1,687,000
Other current and noncurrent assets	1,812,000	791,000
Accounts payable	-5,817,000	-742,000
Accrued liabilities and other	2,633,000	-559,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	11,776,000	8,616,000
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-5,307,000	-2,772,000
Disposals of property, plant and equipment	17,000	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,290,000	-2,772,000
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Net payments under revolving credit agreement	-6,000,000	-2,000,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	'	70,000
Tax benefit from stock-based awards	328,000	436,000
Payment of dividends	-695,000	-687,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-6,367,000	-2,181,000
Effect of exchange rate changes of cash	892,000	191,000
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,011,000	3,854,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	13,949,000	1,633,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	14,960,000	5,487,000
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information	'	'
Cash paid for interest	1,304,000	777,000
Cash paid for income taxes	382,000	4,403,000
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment through accounts payable	$682,000	'

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2013, which has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements, and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting. As permitted under those requirements, certain footnotes or other financial information that are normally required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. The Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading and in the opinion of management reflect all adjustments, including those of a normal recurring nature, that are necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results of operations to be expected for the full year. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2013.
	These condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared using certain estimates by management and include the accounts of KMG Chemicals, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Acquisitions	'
	2. Acquisitions
	On May 31, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of the ultra pure chemicals (“UPC”) business subsidiaries of OM Group, with facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Singapore. The purchase price was $62.6 million. The subsidiaries sell high purity and ultra purity, wet process chemicals to the semiconductor industry.
	The following table summarizes the acquired assets and assumed liabilities and the preliminary acquisition accounting for the fair value of the assets and liabilities recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at the acquisition date (in thousands):
	Cash	$	689
	Accounts receivable		14,698
	Inventory		11,047
	Other current assets		1,963
	Property, plant and equipment		28,939
	Intangible assets:
	Value of product qualifications		12,800
	Non-compete agreement		1,900
	Transition services		154
	Total intangible assets		14,854
	Total assets acquired	$	72,190
	Current liabilities	$	11,401
	Other long-term liabilities		5,326
	Total liabilities assumed		16,727
	Net assets acquired	$	55,463
	The Company recognized goodwill associated with the acquisition which represented the value of the assembled workforce and expected synergies from combining operations. The goodwill recognized in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets is as follows (in thousands):
	Carrying value at July 31, 2013	$	7,150
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		176
	Carrying value at January 31, 2014	$	7,326

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
	3. Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share have been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share have been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive common shares. The following table presents information necessary to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		January 31,						January 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(2,744	)	$	1,655		$	(1,392	)	$	5,863
	Loss from discontinued operations		—			(37	)		—			(103	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(2,744	)	$	1,618		$	(1,392	)	$	5,760
	Weighted average shares outstanding-basic		11,613			11,480			11,594			11,458
	Dilutive effect of options and stock awards		—			98			—			113
	Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted		11,613			11,578			11,594			11,571
	Basic earnings per share
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	(0.24	)	$	0.14		$	(0.12	)	$	0.51
	Basic earnings per share on loss from discontinued operations		—			—			—			(0.01	)
	Basic earnings per share	$	(0.24	)	$	0.14		$	(0.12	)	$	0.5
	Diluted earnings per share
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	(0.24	)	$	0.14		$	(0.12	)	$	0.51
	Diluted earnings per share on loss from discontinued operations		—			—			—			(0.01	)
	Diluted earnings per share	$	(0.24	)	$	0.14		$	(0.12	)	$	0.5
	Outstanding stock-based awards are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share under the treasury stock method, if including them would be anti-dilutive. There were an average of approximately 30,000 shares and 21,000 shares of potentially dilutive securities not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended January 31, 2014, and there were an average of 3,700 shares and 1,900 shares of potentially dilutive shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended January 31, 2013. Potentially dilutive shares are not included in the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding due to a loss from continuing operations for the three and six months ended January 31, 2014.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Inventories	'
	4. Inventories
	Inventories are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		January 31,			July 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	8,293		$	8,003
	Work in process		1,458			1,382
	Supplies		1,666			1,730
	Finished products		40,936			42,452
	Less: reserve for inventory obsolescence		(233	)		(180	)
	Inventories, net	$	52,120		$	53,387

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	5. Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		January 31,			July 31,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	15,898		$	15,620
	Buildings and improvements		42,478			41,273
	Equipment		73,510			66,807
	Leasehold improvements		143			143
			132,029			123,843
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(43,738	)		(36,933	)
			88,291			86,910
	Construction-in-progress		8,099			9,778
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	96,390		$	96,688

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	6. Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has stock-based incentive plans which are described in more detail in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2013. The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs of approximately $191,000 and $116,000 for the three months and $1.4 million and $297,000 for the six months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company also recognized the related tax benefits of $108,000 and $43,000, respectively, for the three months and $544,000 and $109,000 for the six months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Stock-based compensation costs are recorded under selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss).
	As of January 31, 2014, the unrecognized compensation costs related to stock-based awards was approximately $662,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.7 years.
	A summary of stock option and stock activity is presented below.
	Stock Options
	A summary of activity for the six months ended January 31, 2014 is presented below. No options were granted in the first six months of fiscal years 2014 or 2013:
			Shares			Weighted-
						Average
						Exercise Price
	Outstanding on August 1, 2013			58,000		$	4.03
	Granted			—			—
	Exercised			(58,000	)		4.03
	Forfeited/expired			—			—
	Outstanding on January 31, 2014			—			—
	No stock options were outstanding at January 31, 2014.
	There were 25,000 and 58,000 stock options exercised in the three and six months ended January 31, 2014, respectively, with an intrinsic value of $327,000 and $952,000, respectively. There were 80,000 options exercised in the three and six months ended January 31, 2013 with and intrinsic value of $1.1 million.
	Performance Shares
	On August 1, 2013, there were 154,758 non-vested performance shares outstanding which reflected the maximum number of shares under the awards. There were no shares granted or vested under performance awards during the six months ended January 31, 2014. As of January 31, 2014, the non-vested performance-based stock awards consisted of Series 1 and Series 2 awards granted to certain executives and employees in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, as summarized below.
	Date of Grant		Series			Maximum		Grant Date		Measurement		Expected			Shares Expected
			Award			Award		Fair Value		Period Ending		Percentage of			to Vest
						(Shares)(1)						Vesting
	Fiscal Year 2013 Awards
	12/4/12			Series 1			58,600	$	18.75		7/31/15		15	%		8,790
							58,600									8,790
	Fiscal Year 2012 Awards
	2/27/12			Series 1			300	$	18.08		7/31/14		10	%		30
	2/27/12			Series 2			200	$	18.08		7/31/14		0	%		—
							500									30
	10/28/11			Series 1			13,800	$	15.3		7/31/14		10	%		1,380
	10/28/11			Series 2			9,200	$	15.3		7/31/14		0	%		—
							23,000									1,380
	10/11/11			Series 1			16,658	$	14.16		7/31/14		10	%		1,666
	10/11/11			Series 2			11,105	$	14.16		7/31/14		0	%		—
							27,763									1,666
	Total						109,863									11,866
	-1	The table does not include awards of 23,242 and 12,992 in Series 1 awards (at maximum) in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 8,661 (at maximum) in Series 2 awards in fiscal year 2012, all of which were forfeited during the three months ended January 31, 2014.
	Series 1: For the fiscal year 2013 awards, vesting is subject to performance requirements composed of certain objectives including average annual return on invested capital and annual compound growth rate in the Company’s diluted earnings per share. For the fiscal year 2012 award, vesting for the Series 1 awards is subject to a performance requirement composed of certain earnings per share or revenue growth objectives and average annual return on invested capital measured across a three year period. These objectives are measured quarterly using the Company’s budget, actual results and long-term projections. For each of the Series 1 awards, the expected percentage of vesting is evaluated through January 31, 2014, and reflects the percentage of shares projected to vest for the respective awards at the end of their measurement periods.
	Series 2: Vesting for the Series 2 awards is subject to performance requirements pertaining to the growth rate in the Company’s basic earnings per share over a three year period. The achievement of performance requirements is measured quarterly using the Company’s budget, actual results and long-term projections. For fiscal year 2012 awards, the expected percentage of vesting is evaluated through January 31, 2014, and reflects the percentage of shares projected to vest for the respective awards at the end of their measurement periods.
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of performance awards outstanding was $17.70 and $17.66 at January 31, 2014 and August 1, 2013, respectively.
	The table does not include performance-based Series 1 awards granted on February 25, 2014 by the Company’s board of directors to Christopher T. Fraser and certain other executives and employees for an aggregate of 192,344 shares of common stock (at maximum) for fiscal year 2014. Vesting for the fiscal year 2014 Series 1 awards is subject to a performance requirement composed of certain earnings per share or revenue growth objectives and average annual return on invested capital measured across a three year period beginning August 1, 2013 and ending July 31, 2016. In addition, Mr. Fraser was granted (i) a performance-based Series 3 award for 10,000 shares of common stock (at maximum) having the same performance requirement, and (ii) a performance-based Series 1 award for 4,000 shares of common stock (at maximum) having certain personal objectives as a performance requirement, and in each case such awards vest and are measured over a one year period beginning August 1, 2013 and ending July 31, 2014. The grant date fair value of the performance-based awards for fiscal year 2014 was $14.88. The expected percentage of vesting and the percentage of shares projected to vest for the respective awards at the end of their measurement periods will be evaluated quarterly.
	Time Based Shares
	A summary of activity for time-based stock awards for the six months ended January 31, 2014 is presented below:
			Shares			Weighted-Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair Value
	Non-vested on August 1, 2013			—
	Granted (1)			45,508		$	21.12
	Vested			(15,508	)		19.28
	Non-vested on January 31, 2014			30,000			22.07
	-1	Reflects 6,380 shares, 4,000 shares and 5,128 shares granted to non-employee directors on January 31, 2014, October 31, 2013 and August 27, 2013 respectively, for service for the three months ended January 31, 2014, for the two months ended October 31, 2013 and the three months ended August 31, 2013, respectively. The shares vest on the date of grant and the Company recognizes compensation expense related to the awards over the respective service periods in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, the Company granted a time-based award for 30,000 shares to Christopher T. Fraser, when he became the Company’s full-time President and CEO on September 24, 2013. These time-based shares vest in equal installments of 6,000 shares each over one, two, three, four and five years from the date of grant. Compensation expense will be recorded over the vesting period using the straight-line method. The September 24, 2013 grant date fair value was approximately $662,000 using the Company’s closing stock price of $22.07 on the grant date.
	The table does not include awards granted on February 25, 2014 to certain executives and employees of time-based awards for an aggregate of 21,600 shares of common stock (at maximum), vesting in general over one, two or three year periods from the employment of the executives or from the grant date. The grant date fair value of the shares and the performance-based awards was $14.88.
	Mr. Fraser was granted 50,000 shares upon becoming President and CEO. The shares vested on the date of grant on September 24, 2013, and the Company recognized compensation expense of the grant date fair value of $1.1 million based on the closing stock price on that date.
	The total fair value of shares vested during the six months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $1.4 million and $243,000, respectively.
	The Company’s board of directors granted 4,900 shares of common stock to certain employees on February 25, 2014. These shares were vested on the date of grant.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets	'
	7. Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Number of Years		January 31, 2014
		Weighted		Original		Accumulated			Foreign		Carrying
		Average		Cost		Amortization			Currency		Amount
		Amortization							Translation
		Period							Adjustment
	Intangible assets subject to amortization: (range of useful life):
	Electronic chemicals-related contracts (5-8 years)		6.6	$	2,204	$	(383	)	$	47	$	1,868
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents (10-15 years)		12		117		(62	)		—		55
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications (5-15 years)		14.1		14,100		(1,728	)		607		12,979
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13.1	$	16,421	$	(2,173	)	$	654		14,902
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	Creosote product registrations											5,339
	Penta product registrations											8,765
	Total intangible assets not subject to amortization											14,104
	Total intangible assets, net										$	29,006
		Number of Years		July 31, 2013
		Weighted		Original		Accumulated			Carrying
		Average		Cost		Amortization			Amount
		Amortization
		Period
	Intangible assets subject to amortization: (range of useful life):
	Electronic chemicals-related contracts (5-8 years)		6.5	$	2,297	$	(253	)	$	2,044
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents (10-15 years)		12		117		(57	)		60
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications (5-15 years)		14.1		14,100		(1,047	)		13,053
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13	$	16,514	$	(1,357	)		15,157
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	Creosote product registrations									5,339
	Penta product registrations									8,765
	Total intangible assets not subject to amortization									14,104
	Total intangible assets, net								$	29,261
	Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense was approximately $475,000 and $73,000 for the three month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $962,000 and $150,000 for the six month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Dividends

Dividends	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Dividends	'
	8. Dividends
	Dividends of approximately $348,000 ($0.03 per share) and $345,000 ($0.03 per share) were declared and paid in the second quarter of fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. Dividends of approximately $695,000 ($0.06 per share) and $687,000 ($0.06 per share) were declared and paid in the first six months of fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. A dividend of $0.03 per share was approved by the Company’s board of directors on February 25, 2014 to be paid on March 21, 2014 to shareholders of record on March 10, 2014.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Information	'
	9. Segment Information
	The Company has two reportable segments — electronic chemicals and wood treating chemicals.
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Electronic chemicals		$	61,428		$	35,647		$	125,880		$	75,154
	Wood treating chemicals			22,795			21,183			51,859			46,883
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	84,223		$	56,830		$	177,739		$	122,037
	Depreciation and amortization
	Electronic chemicals		$	3,345		$	1,539		$	6,592		$	3,089
	Wood treating chemicals			98			105			196			212
	Other			104			103			223			203
	Total consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	3,547		$	1,747		$	7,011		$	3,504
	Segment income from operations (1)
	Electronic chemicals		$	2,995		$	2,429		$	6,333		$	7,501
	Wood treating chemicals			1,111			2,220			3,616			5,586
	Total segment income from operations		$	4,106		$	4,649		$	9,949		$	13,087
	-1	Segment income from operations includes allocated corporate overhead expenses.
	Corporate overhead expenses allocated to segment income from operations for the three and six months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Electronic chemicals		$	2,465		$	1,228		$	4,438		$	2,631
	Wood treating chemicals			1,070			1,087			2,130			2,232
	Total corporate overhead expense allocation		$	3,535		$	2,315		$	6,568		$	4,863
	A reconciliation of total segment information to consolidated amounts is as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	84,223		$	56,830		$	177,739		$	122,037
	Other			30			129			74			258
	Net sales		$	84,253		$	56,959		$	177,813		$	122,295
	Segment income from operations
	Total segment income from operations		$	4,106		$	4,649		$	9,949		$	13,087
	Other corporate expense (1)			(1,678	)		(1,453	)		(4,466	)		(2,787	)
	Restructuring charges			(4,031	)		—			(4,031	)		—
	Operating income (loss)			(1,603	)		3,196			1,452			10,300
	Interest expense, net			(661	)		(395	)		(1,324	)		(806	)
	Other expense, net			(120	)		(76	)		(435	)		(126	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		$	(2,384	)	$	2,725		$	(307	)	$	9,368
	-1	Other corporate expense primarily represents employee stock-based compensation expenses and those public entity expenses such as board compensation, audit expense, fees related to the listing of our stock, and expenses incurred to pursue acquisition opportunities. Other corporate expense includes $2.1 million of other professional services and $1.4 million of stock based compensation, for the first six months of fiscal year 2014.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Long-Term Debt	'
	10. Long-Term Debt
	The Company’s debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		January 31,			July 31,
		2014			2013
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Senior secured debt:
	Note purchase agreement, maturing on December 31, 2014, interest rate of 7.43%	$	20,000		$	20,000
	Revolving loan facility, maturing on April 30, 2018, variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus 1.50% at January 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013		59,000			65,000
	Total debt		79,000			85,000
	Current maturities of long-term debt		20,000			—
	Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	59,000		$	85,000
	To finance the acquisition of the electronic chemicals business in December 2007, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement and a note purchase agreement. The amended and restated credit agreement is now with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and with Bank of America, N.A. The note purchase agreement is now with The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Life Insurance Company.
	Initially, the amended and restated credit agreement included a revolving loan facility and a term loan facility. The term loan was paid off in fiscal year 2012, and that aspect of the facility has been removed. The Company amended these facilities several times, most recently in April and in May 2013 to increase the amount that may be borrowed under the revolving loan up to $110.0 million, to include an accordion feature that allows for an additional revolving loan increase of up to $25.0 million with approval from the Company’s lenders, and to extend the maturity date of the revolving loan facility to April 30, 2018, with mandatory reduction in revolving loan commitment of $10.0 million each year from September 30, 2014 to September 30, 2017 totaling $40.0 million. The matrix for the calculation of interest payable on the revolving loan facility and the method for the calculation of the fixed charge coverage ratio were also revised.
	The revolving loan bears interest at a varying rate of LIBOR plus a margin based on our funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”).
	Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	Margin
	Equal to or greater than 2.5 to 1.0		2.25	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.0 to 1.0, but less than 2.5 to 1.0		2	%
	Equal to or greater than 1.5 to 1.0, but less than 2.0 to 1.0		1.75	%
	Less than 1.5 to 1.0		1.5	%
	Advances outstanding under the revolving loan bear interest at 1.71% and 1.69% as of January 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively. The amount outstanding on the revolving loan at January 31, 2014 was $59.0 million, and an additional $3.5 million is reserved for outstanding letters of credit. The amount that may be borrowed under the revolving facility is limited by a covenant for funded debt to pro-forma earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation, and at January 31, 2014 that limitation restricts the Company’s borrowing capacity to $13.9 million.
	The note purchase agreement is for $20.0 million. Advances under the note purchase agreement mature on December 31, 2014, and bear interest at 7.43% per annum. Principal is payable at maturity. At January 31, 2014, $20.0 million was outstanding under the note purchase agreement.
	Loans under the amended and restated credit agreement and the note purchase agreement are secured by the Company’s assets, including inventory, accounts receivable, equipment, intangible assets, and real property. The credit facility and the note purchase agreement have restrictive covenants, including that the Company must maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.5 to 1.0 or below, a ratio of funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation (as adjusted for extraordinary items, with lender consent) of 3.0 to 1.0 or below, and a current ratio of at least 1.5 to 1.0.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Taxes	'
	11. Income Taxes
	Income tax expense for the interim periods was computed using the effective tax rate based on the application of an estimated annual effective income tax rate applied to year-to-date income before income tax expense. In determining the estimated annual effective income tax rate, we analyze various factors, including forecasts of projected annual earnings and the ability to use tax credits and net operating loss carry forwards. The overall effective income tax rate for the three and six month periods ended January 31, 2014 is (15.1%) and (353.4%), primarily due to the valuation allowances recorded against the Company’s current and prior period operating losses for its Italian subsidiary, as a result of the restructuring of those operations. Excluding the Italian results, the effective tax rate on ordinary income is 31.4% and 33.4% for the three and six month periods ended January 31, 2014, respectively. For the three and six month periods ended January 31, 2013, the effective rate for continuing operations was 39.3% and 37.4%. In general, differences between the effective tax rates and the rate of 35.0%, excluding for the effect of restructuring charges and operational results in Italy, are primarily due to foreign and state income taxes, and the distribution of income between the U.S. and foreign operations.

Litigation_and_Other_Contingen

Litigation and Other Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Litigation and Other Contingencies	'
	12. Litigation and Other Contingencies
	The Company is subject to contingencies, including litigation relating to environmental laws and regulations, commercial disputes and other matters. Certain of these contingencies are discussed below. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies is subject to significant uncertainty, and should the Company fail to prevail in any of them or should several of them be resolved against the Company in the same reporting period, these matters could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the consolidated financial statements. The ultimate outcome of these matters, however, cannot be determined at this time, nor can the amount of any potential loss be reasonably estimated, and as a result except where indicated no amounts have been recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	The Company records legal costs associated with loss contingencies as expenses in the period in which they are incurred.
	A lawsuit was filed against the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, KMG de Mexico, relating to the title to the land on which its facility in Matamoros is located. The plaintiffs claim that their title to the land is superior to the person from whom our subsidiary bought the land. The plaintiffs are seeking to have our subsidiary’s purchase overturned, and to recover the land and certain improvements or their value. The lawsuit was initially filed in 1998 in Matamoros, Mexico under Adolfo Cazares Rosas, et al vs. KMG de Mexico and Guillermo Villarreal. In January 2008, the case was sent by the appeals court back to the lower court to obtain additional factual information, and on April 20, 2009 the plaintiffs were required to re-file the case in the First Civil Court in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico as Adolfo Cazares, Luis Escudero and Juan Cue vs. KMG de Mexico and Guillermo Villarreal. In June 2011 the lower court ruled against KMG de Mexico, and held that the plaintiffs had superior title to the land, but that verdict was overturned on appeal in May 2012, and the case will be returned to the trial court for further action. The Company intends to continue to vigorously defend KMG de Mexico.
	The Company’s subsidiary in Italy has filed suit in the Provincial Tax Court in Milan, Italy to contest assessments by the taxing authority in Italy pertaining to the three year period ended July 31, 2011. In the aggregate, the amount of the assessments, including interest and penalties, is €1.8 million. If all the adjustments are sustained, the additional liability for the years 2009 through 2011 would total approximately $2.4 million, including interest and penalties through January 31, 2014 (at an exchange rate of 1.35 $/€). The Company recorded a liability for an uncertain tax position for items in the amount of $437,000. The Company intends to vigorously pursue its position before the court, but the ultimate outcome of this litigation is subject to uncertainty.
	The Company’s subsidiary in Italy has filed suit in the Provincial Court in Milan, Italy to contest the assessment of additional registration tax against the Company’s subsidiary in Italy based on an increased valuation of assets purchased from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. in December 2007. The amount of the assessment, including interest and penalties through January 31, 2014, is €781,000 (or approximately $1.1 million, at an exchange rate of 1.35 $/€). The ultimate outcome of this assessment is subject to uncertainty.
	The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations and potential liabilities relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety including, among other things, the cleanup of contaminated sites, the treatment, storage and disposal of wastes, the emission of substances into the air or waterways, and various health and safety matters. The Company expects to incur substantial costs for ongoing compliance with such laws and regulations. The Company may also face governmental or third-party claims, or otherwise incur costs, relating to cleanup of, or for injuries resulting from, contamination at sites associated with past and present operations. The Company accrues for environmental liabilities when a determination can be made that they are probable and reasonably estimable.

Restructuring_Events

Restructuring Events	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Restructuring Events	'
	13. Restructuring Events
	In October 2013, the Company announced that as part of global restructuring of its electronic chemicals operations, the Fremont, California manufacturing site acquired in the acquisition from OM Group will be closed, and production shifted primarily to the Company’s Hollister, California and Pueblo, Colorado facilities. In November 2013, the Company announced that it will close its manufacturing facility in Milan, Italy, and shift production to facilities in France and the United Kingdom. The Company will continue to operate the warehouse facility in Milan. Total costs related to restructuring accrued for the three and six months ended January 31, 2014 was approximately $4.0 million. Restructuring charges in the second quarter and in the first six months of fiscal year 2014 included approximately $2.5 million in employee costs, $700,000 in decommissioning and environmental expense and $800,000 in accelerated depreciation with respect to property, plant and equipment at the facilities to be closed.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Summary of Acquired Assets and Assumed Liabilities and Preliminary Acquisition Accounting for Fair Value of Assets Recognized	'
	The following table summarizes the acquired assets and assumed liabilities and the preliminary acquisition accounting for the fair value of the assets and liabilities recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at the acquisition date (in thousands):
	Cash	$	689
	Accounts receivable		14,698
	Inventory		11,047
	Other current assets		1,963
	Property, plant and equipment		28,939
	Intangible assets:
	Value of product qualifications		12,800
	Non-compete agreement		1,900
	Transition services		154
	Total intangible assets		14,854
	Total assets acquired	$	72,190
	Current liabilities	$	11,401
	Other long-term liabilities		5,326
	Total liabilities assumed		16,727
	Net assets acquired	$	55,463
Goodwill Recognized	'
	The goodwill recognized in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets is as follows (in thousands):
	Carrying value at July 31, 2013	$	7,150
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		176
	Carrying value at January 31, 2014	$	7,326

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table presents information necessary to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		January 31,						January 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(2,744	)	$	1,655		$	(1,392	)	$	5,863
	Loss from discontinued operations		—			(37	)		—			(103	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(2,744	)	$	1,618		$	(1,392	)	$	5,760
	Weighted average shares outstanding-basic		11,613			11,480			11,594			11,458
	Dilutive effect of options and stock awards		—			98			—			113
	Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted		11,613			11,578			11,594			11,571
	Basic earnings per share
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	(0.24	)	$	0.14		$	(0.12	)	$	0.51
	Basic earnings per share on loss from discontinued operations		—			—			—			(0.01	)
	Basic earnings per share	$	(0.24	)	$	0.14		$	(0.12	)	$	0.5
	Diluted earnings per share
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	(0.24	)	$	0.14		$	(0.12	)	$	0.51
	Diluted earnings per share on loss from discontinued operations		—			—			—			(0.01	)
	Diluted earnings per share	$	(0.24	)	$	0.14		$	(0.12	)	$	0.5

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Inventories	'
	Inventories are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		January 31,			July 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	8,293		$	8,003
	Work in process		1,458			1,382
	Supplies		1,666			1,730
	Finished products		40,936			42,452
	Less: reserve for inventory obsolescence		(233	)		(180	)
	Inventories, net	$	52,120		$	53,387

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	'
	Property, plant and equipment and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		January 31,			July 31,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	15,898		$	15,620
	Buildings and improvements		42,478			41,273
	Equipment		73,510			66,807
	Leasehold improvements		143			143
			132,029			123,843
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(43,738	)		(36,933	)
			88,291			86,910
	Construction-in-progress		8,099			9,778
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	96,390		$	96,688

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Stock Option Activity Associated with Employee Compensation	'
	A summary of activity for the six months ended January 31, 2014 is presented below. No options were granted in the first six months of fiscal years 2014 or 2013:
			Shares			Weighted-
						Average
						Exercise Price
	Outstanding on August 1, 2013			58,000		$	4.03
	Granted			—			—
	Exercised			(58,000	)		4.03
	Forfeited/expired			—			—
	Outstanding on January 31, 2014			—			—
Summary of Performance Based Stock Awards Granted	'
	There were no shares granted or vested under performance awards during the six months ended January 31, 2014. As of January 31, 2014, the non-vested performance-based stock awards consisted of Series 1 and Series 2 awards granted to certain executives and employees in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, as summarized below.
	Date of Grant		Series			Maximum		Grant Date		Measurement		Expected			Shares Expected
			Award			Award		Fair Value		Period Ending		Percentage of			to Vest
						(Shares)(1)						Vesting
	Fiscal Year 2013 Awards
	12/4/12			Series 1			58,600	$	18.75		7/31/15		15	%		8,790
							58,600									8,790
	Fiscal Year 2012 Awards
	2/27/12			Series 1			300	$	18.08		7/31/14		10	%		30
	2/27/12			Series 2			200	$	18.08		7/31/14		0	%		—
							500									30
	10/28/11			Series 1			13,800	$	15.3		7/31/14		10	%		1,380
	10/28/11			Series 2			9,200	$	15.3		7/31/14		0	%		—
							23,000									1,380
	10/11/11			Series 1			16,658	$	14.16		7/31/14		10	%		1,666
	10/11/11			Series 2			11,105	$	14.16		7/31/14		0	%		—
							27,763									1,666
	Total						109,863									11,866
	-1	The table does not include awards of 23,242 and 12,992 in Series 1 awards (at maximum) in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 8,661 (at maximum) in Series 2 awards in fiscal year 2012, all of which were forfeited during the three months ended January 31, 2014.
Summary of Activity for Time-Based Stock Awards	'
	A summary of activity for time-based stock awards for the six months ended January 31, 2014 is presented below:
			Shares			Weighted-Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair Value
	Non-vested on August 1, 2013			—
	Granted (1)			45,508		$	21.12
	Vested			(15,508	)		19.28
	Non-vested on January 31, 2014			30,000			22.07
	-1	Reflects 6,380 shares, 4,000 shares and 5,128 shares granted to non-employee directors on January 31, 2014, October 31, 2013 and August 27, 2013 respectively, for service for the three months ended January 31, 2014, for the two months ended October 31, 2013 and the three months ended August 31, 2013, respectively. The shares vest on the date of grant and the Company recognizes compensation expense related to the awards over the respective service periods in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, the Company granted a time-based award for 30,000 shares to Christopher T. Fraser, when he became the Company’s full-time President and CEO on September 24, 2013. These time-based shares vest in equal installments of 6,000 shares each over one, two, three, four and five years from the date of grant. Compensation expense will be recorded over the vesting period using the straight-line method. The September 24, 2013 grant date fair value was approximately $662,000 using the Company’s closing stock price of $22.07 on the grant date.

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Number of Years		January 31, 2014
		Weighted		Original		Accumulated			Foreign		Carrying
		Average		Cost		Amortization			Currency		Amount
		Amortization							Translation
		Period							Adjustment
	Intangible assets subject to amortization: (range of useful life):
	Electronic chemicals-related contracts (5-8 years)		6.6	$	2,204	$	(383	)	$	47	$	1,868
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents (10-15 years)		12		117		(62	)		—		55
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications (5-15 years)		14.1		14,100		(1,728	)		607		12,979
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13.1	$	16,421	$	(2,173	)	$	654		14,902
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	Creosote product registrations											5,339
	Penta product registrations											8,765
	Total intangible assets not subject to amortization											14,104
	Total intangible assets, net										$	29,006
		Number of Years		July 31, 2013
		Weighted		Original		Accumulated			Carrying
		Average		Cost		Amortization			Amount
		Amortization
		Period
	Intangible assets subject to amortization: (range of useful life):
	Electronic chemicals-related contracts (5-8 years)		6.5	$	2,297	$	(253	)	$	2,044
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents (10-15 years)		12		117		(57	)		60
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications (5-15 years)		14.1		14,100		(1,047	)		13,053
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13	$	16,514	$	(1,357	)		15,157
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	Creosote product registrations									5,339
	Penta product registrations									8,765
	Total intangible assets not subject to amortization									14,104
	Total intangible assets, net								$	29,261

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Information	'
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Electronic chemicals		$	61,428		$	35,647		$	125,880		$	75,154
	Wood treating chemicals			22,795			21,183			51,859			46,883
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	84,223		$	56,830		$	177,739		$	122,037
	Depreciation and amortization
	Electronic chemicals		$	3,345		$	1,539		$	6,592		$	3,089
	Wood treating chemicals			98			105			196			212
	Other			104			103			223			203
	Total consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	3,547		$	1,747		$	7,011		$	3,504
	Segment income from operations (1)
	Electronic chemicals		$	2,995		$	2,429		$	6,333		$	7,501
	Wood treating chemicals			1,111			2,220			3,616			5,586
	Total segment income from operations		$	4,106		$	4,649		$	9,949		$	13,087
	-1	Segment income from operations includes allocated corporate overhead expenses.
Overhead Expenses Allocated to Segment Income	'
	Corporate overhead expenses allocated to segment income from operations for the three and six months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Electronic chemicals		$	2,465		$	1,228		$	4,438		$	2,631
	Wood treating chemicals			1,070			1,087			2,130			2,232
	Total corporate overhead expense allocation		$	3,535		$	2,315		$	6,568		$	4,863
Reconciliation of Total Segment to Consolidated Amounts	'
	A reconciliation of total segment information to consolidated amounts is as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	84,223		$	56,830		$	177,739		$	122,037
	Other			30			129			74			258
	Net sales		$	84,253		$	56,959		$	177,813		$	122,295
	Segment income from operations
	Total segment income from operations		$	4,106		$	4,649		$	9,949		$	13,087
	Other corporate expense (1)			(1,678	)		(1,453	)		(4,466	)		(2,787	)
	Restructuring charges			(4,031	)		—			(4,031	)		—
	Operating income (loss)			(1,603	)		3,196			1,452			10,300
	Interest expense, net			(661	)		(395	)		(1,324	)		(806	)
	Other expense, net			(120	)		(76	)		(435	)		(126	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		$	(2,384	)	$	2,725		$	(307	)	$	9,368
	-1	Other corporate expense primarily represents employee stock-based compensation expenses and those public entity expenses such as board compensation, audit expense, fees related to the listing of our stock, and expenses incurred to pursue acquisition opportunities. Other corporate expense includes $2.1 million of other professional services and $1.4 million of stock based compensation, for the first six months of fiscal year 2014.

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Debt	'
	The Company’s debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		January 31,			July 31,
		2014			2013
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Senior secured debt:
	Note purchase agreement, maturing on December 31, 2014, interest rate of 7.43%	$	20,000		$	20,000
	Revolving loan facility, maturing on April 30, 2018, variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus 1.50% at January 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013		59,000			65,000
	Total debt		79,000			85,000
	Current maturities of long-term debt		20,000			—
	Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	59,000		$	85,000
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	'
	The revolving loan bears interest at a varying rate of LIBOR plus a margin based on our funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”).
	Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	Margin
	Equal to or greater than 2.5 to 1.0		2.25	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.0 to 1.0, but less than 2.5 to 1.0		2	%
	Equal to or greater than 1.5 to 1.0, but less than 2.0 to 1.0		1.75	%
	Less than 1.5 to 1.0		1.5	%

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (Om Group Incorporation, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-13
Om Group Incorporation	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business acquisition, purchase price	$62.60

Summary_of_Acquired_Assets_and

Summary of Acquired Assets and Assumed Liabilities and Preliminary Acquisition Accounting for Fair Value of Assets Recognized (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash	$689
Accounts receivable	14,698
Inventory	11,047
Other current assets	1,963
Property, plant and equipment	28,939
Intangible assets:	'
Intangible assets	14,854
Total assets acquired	72,190
Current liabilities	11,401
Other long-term liabilities	5,326
Total liabilities assumed	16,727
Net assets acquired	55,463
Value of product qualifications	'
Intangible assets:	'
Intangible assets	12,800
Non-compete agreement	'
Intangible assets:	'
Intangible assets	1,900
Transition services	'
Intangible assets:	'
Intangible assets	$154

Goodwill_Recognized_Detail

Goodwill Recognized (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Om Group Incorporation
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Carrying value at July 31, 2013	$11,105	$10,929	$7,150
Foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	176
Carrying value at January 31, 2014	$11,105	$10,929	$7,326

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Per

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Components Of Basic And Diluted Earning Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	($2,744)	$1,655	($1,392)	$5,863
Loss from discontinued operations	'	-37	'	-103
Net income (loss)	($2,744)	$1,618	($1,392)	$5,760
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic	11,613	11,480	11,594	11,458
Dilutive effect of options and stock awards	'	98	'	113
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted	11,613	11,578	11,594	11,571
Basic earnings per share	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	($0.24)	$0.14	($0.12)	$0.51
Basic earnings per share on loss from discontinued operations	'	'	'	($0.01)
Basic earnings per share	($0.24)	$0.14	($0.12)	$0.50
Diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	($0.24)	$0.14	($0.12)	$0.51
Diluted earnings per share on loss from discontinued operations	'	'	'	($0.01)
Diluted earnings per share	($0.24)	$0.14	($0.12)	$0.50

Earnings_per_Share_Additional_

Earnings per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Number of shares potentially dilutive securities not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share	30,000	3,700	21,000	1,900

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Raw materials	$8,293	$8,003
Work in process	1,458	1,382
Supplies	1,666	1,730
Finished products	40,936	42,452
Less: reserve for inventory obsolescence	-233	-180
Inventories, net	$52,120	$53,387

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_a

Property, Plant, and Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Land	$15,898	$15,620
Buildings and improvements	42,478	41,273
Equipment	73,510	66,807
Leasehold improvements	143	143
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	132,029	123,843
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-43,738	-36,933
Property Plant And Equipment Excluding Construction In Progress, Total	88,291	86,910
Construction-in-progress	8,099	9,778
Property, plant and equipment, net	$96,390	$96,688

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Dec. 04, 2012

Feb. 27, 2012

Oct. 28, 2011

Oct. 11, 2011

Jan. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Feb. 25, 2014

Dec. 04, 2012

Feb. 27, 2012

Oct. 28, 2011

Oct. 11, 2011

Feb. 25, 2014

Sep. 24, 2013

Feb. 25, 2014

Feb. 25, 2014

Sep. 24, 2013

Feb. 25, 2014

Feb. 25, 2014

Feb. 25, 2014

Feb. 25, 2014

Feb. 25, 2014

Outstanding Stock Option

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Time Based Awards

President And Chief Executive Officer

President And Chief Executive Officer

President And Chief Executive Officer

President And Chief Executive Officer

President And Chief Executive Officer And Certain Other Executives And Employees

Certain Employees

Certain executives and employees

Certain executives and employees

Certain executives and employees

Subsequent Event

Series Award One

Series Award One

Series Award One

Series Award One

Subsequent Event

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Common Stock

Performance Shares

Time Based Awards

Time Based Awards

Time Based Awards

Time Based Awards

Series Award One

Series Award Three

Series Award One

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Minimum

Maximum

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognized stock based compensation cost

$191,000

$116,000

$1,434,000

$297,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation, related tax benefits

108,000

43,000

544,000

109,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation costs related to outstanding stock awards

662,000

'

662,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost

'

'

'

'

'2 years 8 months 12 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of options exercised

25,000

80,000

58,000

80,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of option exercised

327,000

1,100,000

952,000

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Performance shares outstanding, non vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

154,758

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant date fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$17.70

$17.66

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Award (Shares)

'

'

'

'

'

58,600

[1]

500

[1]

23,000

[1]

27,763

[1]

109,863

[1]

'

'

58,600

[1]

300

[1]

13,800

[1]

16,658

[1]

'

'

4,000

10,000

50,000

192,344

4,900

21,600

'

'

Share based compensation award measurement period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'1 year

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation award measurement beginning Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Aug-13

1-Aug-13

'

1-Aug-13

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation award measurement ending Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Jul-15

31-Jul-14

31-Jul-14

31-Jul-14

'

'

31-Jul-14

31-Jul-14

'

31-Jul-16

'

'

'

'

Grant Date Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14.88

$18.75

$18.08

$15.30

$14.16

$14.88

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Award (Shares) vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'1 year

'3 years

Grant date fair value amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of shares vested

'

'

$1,400,000

$243,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

The table does not include awards of 23,242 and 12,992 in Series 1 awards (at maximum) in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 8,661 (at maximum) in Series 2 awards in fiscal year 2012, all of which were forfeited during the three months ended January 31, 2014.

Stock_Option_Activity_Associat

Stock Option Activity Associated with Employee Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Shares	'	'	'	'
Outstanding on August 1, 2013	'	'	58,000	'
Granted	'	'	'	'
Exercised	-25,000	-80,000	-58,000	-80,000
Forfeited/expired	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	'
Outstanding on August 1, 2013	'	'	$4.03	'
Granted	'	'	'	'
Exercised	'	'	$4.03	'
Forfeited/expired	'	'	'	'

Summary_of_Performance_Based_S

Summary of Performance Based Stock Awards Granted (Detail) (Performance Shares, USD $)	3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended
	Dec. 04, 2012		Feb. 27, 2012		Oct. 28, 2011		Oct. 11, 2011		Jan. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Maximum Award (Shares)	58,600	[1]	500	[1]	23,000	[1]	27,763	[1]	109,863	[1]
Actual Shares Vested or Shares Projected to Vest	8,790		30		1,380		1,666		11,866
Series Award One	'		'		'		'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Grant Dates	4-Dec-12		27-Feb-12		28-Oct-11		11-Oct-11		'
Maximum Award (Shares)	58,600	[1]	300	[1]	13,800	[1]	16,658	[1]	'
Grant Date Fair Value	18.75		18.08		15.3		14.16		'
Measurement Period Ending	31-Jul-15		31-Jul-14		31-Jul-14		31-Jul-14		'
Actual or Expected Percentage of Vesting	15.00%		10.00%		10.00%		10.00%		'
Actual Shares Vested or Shares Projected to Vest	8,790		30		1,380		1,666		'
Series Award Two	'		'		'		'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Grant Dates	'		27-Feb-12		28-Oct-11		11-Oct-11		'
Maximum Award (Shares)	'		200	[1]	9,200	[1]	11,105	[1]	'
Grant Date Fair Value	'		18.08		15.3		14.16		'
Measurement Period Ending	'		31-Jul-14		31-Jul-14		31-Jul-14		'
Actual or Expected Percentage of Vesting	'		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		'
[1]	The table does not include awards of 23,242 and 12,992 in Series 1 awards (at maximum) in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 8,661 (at maximum) in Series 2 awards in fiscal year 2012, all of which were forfeited during the three months ended January 31, 2014.

Summary_of_Performance_Based_S1

Summary of Performance Based Stock Awards Granted (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Vice President and Chief Financial Officer)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Series Award One	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum Award (Shares)	23,242	12,992
Series Award Two	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum Award (Shares)	'	8,661

Summary_of_Activity_for_TimeBa

Summary of Activity for Time-Based Stock Awards (Detail) (Time Based Shares, USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Aug. 27, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014
Time Based Shares	'	'	'	'
Non-vested Shares	'	'	'	'
Granted	4,000	6,380	5,128	45,508	[1]
Vested	'	'	'	-15,508
Non-vested on January 31, 2014	'	30,000	'	30,000
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'	'	'	'
Granted	'	'	'	$21.12	[1]
Vested	'	'	'	$19.28
Non-vested on January 31, 2014	'	$22.07	'	$22.07
[1]	Reflects 6,380 shares, 4,000 shares and 5,128 shares granted to non-employee directors on January 31, 2014, October 31, 2013 and August 27, 2013 respectively, for service for the three months ended January 31, 2014, for the two months ended October 31, 2013 and the three months ended August 31, 2013, respectively. The shares vest on the date of grant and the Company recognizes compensation expense related to the awards over the respective service periods in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, the Company granted a time-based award for 30,000 shares to Christopher T. Fraser, when he became the Company's full-time President and CEO on September 24, 2013. These time-based shares vest in equal installments of 6,000 shares each over one, two, three, four and five years from the date of grant. Compensation expense will be recorded over the vesting period using the straight-line method. The September 24, 2013 grant date fair value was approximately $662,000 using the Company's closing stock price of $22.07 on the grant date.

Summary_of_Activity_for_TimeBa1

Summary of Activity for Time-Based Stock Awards (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Aug. 27, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014		Sep. 24, 2013	Sep. 24, 2013	Sep. 24, 2013
	Time Based Shares	Time Based Shares	Time Based Shares	Time Based Shares		Time Based Shares	President And Chief Executive Officer	President And Chief Executive Officer
								Time Based Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'		'	'	'
Granted	4,000	6,380	5,128	45,508	[1]	'	'	30,000
Grant Date	31-Oct-13	31-Jan-14	27-Aug-13	31-Jan-14		'	'	'
Share based compensation award vesting period	'	'	'	'		'	'	'5 years
Share based compensation award, Grant date fair value amount	'	'	'	'		$662,000	$1,100,000	'
Closing stock price	'	'	'	'		$22.07	'	'
Time-based shares vest in equal installment of shares each over one, two, three, four and five years	'	'	'	6,000		'	'	'
[1]	Reflects 6,380 shares, 4,000 shares and 5,128 shares granted to non-employee directors on January 31, 2014, October 31, 2013 and August 27, 2013 respectively, for service for the three months ended January 31, 2014, for the two months ended October 31, 2013 and the three months ended August 31, 2013, respectively. The shares vest on the date of grant and the Company recognizes compensation expense related to the awards over the respective service periods in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, the Company granted a time-based award for 30,000 shares to Christopher T. Fraser, when he became the Company's full-time President and CEO on September 24, 2013. These time-based shares vest in equal installments of 6,000 shares each over one, two, three, four and five years from the date of grant. Compensation expense will be recorded over the vesting period using the straight-line method. The September 24, 2013 grant date fair value was approximately $662,000 using the Company's closing stock price of $22.07 on the grant date.

Intangible_Assets_Detail

Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Years Weighted Average Amortization Period	'13 years 1 month 6 days	'13 years
Original Cost	$16,421	$16,514
Accumulated Amortization	-2,173	-1,357
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	654	'
Carrying Amount	14,902	15,157
Total intangible assets not subject to amortization	14,104	14,104
Total intangible assets, net	29,006	29,261
Creosote product registrations	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total intangible assets not subject to amortization	5,339	5,339
Penta product registrations	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total intangible assets not subject to amortization	8,765	8,765
Electronic chemicals-related contracts	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Years Weighted Average Amortization Period	'6 years 7 months 6 days	'6 years 6 months
Original Cost	2,204	2,297
Accumulated Amortization	-383	-253
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	47	'
Carrying Amount	1,868	2,044
Electronic chemicals-related contracts | Minimum	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'5 years	'5 years
Electronic chemicals-related contracts | Maximum	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'8 years	'8 years
Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Years Weighted Average Amortization Period	'12 years	'12 years
Original Cost	117	117
Accumulated Amortization	-62	-57
Carrying Amount	55	60
Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents | Minimum	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'10 years	'10 years
Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents | Maximum	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'15 years	'15 years
Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Years Weighted Average Amortization Period	'14 years 1 month 6 days	'14 years 1 month 6 days
Original Cost	14,100	14,100
Accumulated Amortization	-1,728	-1,047
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	607	'
Carrying Amount	$12,979	$13,053
Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications | Minimum	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'5 years	'5 years
Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications | Maximum	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'15 years	'15 years

Intangible_Assets_Parenthetica

Intangible Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Minimum | Electronic chemicals-related contracts	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'5 years	'5 years
Minimum | Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'10 years	'10 years
Minimum | Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'5 years	'5 years
Maximum | Electronic chemicals-related contracts	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'8 years	'8 years
Maximum | Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'15 years	'15 years
Maximum | Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Range of useful life	'15 years	'15 years

Intangible_Asset_Additional_In

Intangible Asset - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Amortization expense	$475,000	$73,000	$962,000	$150,000

Dividends_Additional_Informati

Dividends - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Feb. 25, 2014
					Subsequent Event
					Dividend Declared
Dividends [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend paid	$348,000	$345,000	$695,000	$687,000	'
Dividend per share	$0.03	$0.03	$0.06	$0.06	'
Dividend payable amount per share	'	'	'	'	$0.03
Dividend payable declared date	'	'	'	'	25-Feb-14
Dividend payable payment date	'	'	'	'	21-Mar-14
Dividend payable record date	'	'	'	'	10-Mar-14

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013		Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	$84,253		$56,959		$177,813		$122,295
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	'		'		7,011		3,504
Operating income (loss)	-1,603		3,196		1,452		10,300
Operating Segments	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	84,223		56,830		177,739		122,037
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	3,547		1,747		7,011		3,504
Operating income (loss)	4,106	[1]	4,649	[1]	9,949	[1]	13,087	[1]
Operating Segments | Electronic Chemicals	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	61,428		35,647		125,880		75,154
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	3,345		1,539		6,592		3,089
Operating income (loss)	2,995	[1]	2,429	[1]	6,333	[1]	7,501	[1]
Operating Segments | Wood Treating Chemicals	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	22,795		21,183		51,859		46,883
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	98		105		196		212
Operating income (loss)	1,111	[1]	2,220	[1]	3,616	[1]	5,586	[1]
Operating Segments | Other	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	$104		$103		$223		$203
[1]	Segment income from operations includes allocated corporate overhead expenses.

Overhead_Expenses_Allocated_to

Overhead Expenses Allocated to Segment Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total corporate overhead expense allocation	$3,535	$2,315	$6,568	$4,863
Operating Segments | Electronic Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total corporate overhead expense allocation	2,465	1,228	4,438	2,631
Operating Segments | Wood Treating Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total corporate overhead expense allocation	$1,070	$1,087	$2,130	$2,232

Reconciliation_of_Total_Segmen

Reconciliation of Total Segment to Consolidated Amounts (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013		Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	$84,253		$56,959		$177,813		$122,295
Other corporate expense	-1,678	[1]	-1,453	[1]	-4,466	[1]	-2,787	[1]
Restructuring charges	-4,031		'		-4,031		'
Operating income (loss)	-1,603		3,196		1,452		10,300
Interest expense, net	-661		-395		-1,324		-806
Other expense, net	-120		-76		-435		-126
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-2,384		2,725		-307		9,368
Operating Segments	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	84,223		56,830		177,739		122,037
Operating income (loss)	4,106	[2]	4,649	[2]	9,949	[2]	13,087	[2]
Other	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	$30		$129		$74		$258
[1]	Other corporate expense primarily represents employee stock-based compensation expenses and those public entity expenses such as board compensation, audit expense, fees related to the listing of our stock, and expenses incurred to pursue acquisition opportunities. Other corporate expense includes $2.1 million of other professional services and $1.4 million of stock based compensation, for the first six months of fiscal year 2014.
[2]	Segment income from operations includes allocated corporate overhead expenses.

Reconciliation_of_Total_Segmen1

Reconciliation of Total Segment to Consolidated Amounts (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share based compensation	$191,000	$116,000	$1,434,000	$297,000
Other	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Professional fees	'	'	2,100,000	'
Share based compensation	'	'	$1,400,000	'

Debt_Detail

Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$79,000	$85,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,000	'
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	59,000	85,000
Senior Secured Debt | Note Purchase Agreement	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	20,000	20,000
Senior Secured Debt | Revolving Loan Facility	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$59,000	$65,000

Debt_Parenthetical_Detail

Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Note Purchase Agreement | Senior Secured Debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loan maturity date	31-Dec-14	'
Note purchase agreement interest rate	7.43%	'
Revolving Loan Facility	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loan maturity date	30-Apr-18	'
Revolving Loan Facility | Senior Secured Debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loan maturity date	30-Apr-18	'
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Revolving Loan Facility | Senior Secured Debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Variable interest rate	1.50%	1.50%

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$79,000,000	$85,000,000
Ratio of funded debt to EBITDA maximum	3	'
Ratio of funded debt to EBITDA minimum	1	'
Fixed charge coverage ratio maximum	1.5	'
Fixed charge coverage ratio minimum	1	'
Current ratio	150.00%	'
Revolving Loan Facility	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount to be borrowed under revolving loan facility	110,000,000	'
Line Of Credit Facility additional revolving loan increase	25,000,000	'
Loan maturity date	30-Apr-18	'
Reduction in revolving loan commitment	40,000,000	'
Senior Secured Debt | Revolving Loan Facility	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loan maturity date	30-Apr-18	'
Debt instrument variable rate	1.71%	1.69%
Revolving loan outstanding including letter of credit	59,000,000	'
Letter of credit outstanding	3,500,000	'
Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity	13,900,000	'
Long-term debt	59,000,000	65,000,000
Senior Secured Debt | Note Purchase Agreement	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loan maturity date	31-Dec-14	'
Long-term debt	20,000,000	20,000,000
Note purchase agreement interest rate	7.43%	'
Each Year from September Twenty Fourteen To September Twenty Seventeen | Revolving Loan Facility	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Reduction in revolving loan commitment	$10,000,000	'

Ratio_of_Funded_Debt_to_Ebitda

Ratio of Funded Debt to Ebitda (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Range One	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Margin	2.25%
Range Two	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Margin	2.00%
Range Three	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Margin	1.75%
Range Four	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Margin	1.50%

Ratio_of_Funded_Debt_to_Ebitda1

Ratio of Funded Debt to Ebitda (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Range One | Minimum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2.5
Range Two | Minimum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2
Range Two | Maximum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2.5
Range Three | Minimum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	1.5
Range Three | Maximum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2
Range Four | Maximum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	1.5

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Effective tax rate for continuing operations	-15.10%	39.30%	-353.40%	37.40%
Statutory tax rate	35.00%	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Excluding Restructuring Charges And Operational Results In Italy	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate for continuing operations	31.40%	'	33.40%	'

Litigation_and_Other_Contingen1

Litigation and Other Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	Provincial Court in Milan, Italy	Provincial Court in Milan, Italy	Tax Assessment of Additional Registration Tax in December 2007	Tax Assessment of Additional Registration Tax in December 2007
		USD ($)	EUR (€)	Provincial Court in Milan, Italy	Provincial Court in Milan, Italy
				USD ($)	EUR (€)
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Proposed adjustment from taxing authorities resulting additional income tax	'	$2,400,000	€ 1,800,000	$1,100,000	€ 781,000
Foreign currency exchange rate, translation	1.35	'	'	'	'
Liability for uncertain tax positions in Italy	$437,000	'	'	'	'

Restructuring_Events_Additiona

Restructuring Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring charges	$4,031,000	$4,031,000
Employee costs	2,500,000	2,500,000
Decommissioning and environmental expense	700,000	700,000
Facilities closing cost	$800,000	$800,000