KMG Chemicals 10-Q 10 Dec 14 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Dec. 08, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Oct-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2015	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
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	'	11,664,930

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$19,731	$19,252
Accounts receivable	'	'
Trade, net of allowances of $270 at October 31, 2014 and $272 at July 31, 2014	41,768	40,176
Other	2,245	1,904
Inventories, net	45,143	45,268
Current deferred tax assets	1,485	1,577
Prepaid expenses and other	2,946	3,476
Total current assets	113,318	111,653
Property, plant and equipment, net	88,524	92,450
Deferred tax assets	442	442
Goodwill	12,235	12,595
Intangible assets, net	27,416	28,353
Restricted cash	1,000	1,000
Other assets, net	4,976	4,365
Total assets	247,911	250,858
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	40,321	36,690
Accrued liabilities	17,128	16,986
Employee incentive accrual	5,972	4,575
Total current liabilities	63,421	58,251
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	56,000	60,000
Deferred tax liabilities	8,570	9,881
Other long-term liabilities	2,425	2,520
Total liabilities	130,416	130,652
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, 11,659,001 shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2014 and 11,649,001 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2014	116	116
Additional paid-in capital	29,314	28,886
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,329	645
Retained earnings	91,394	90,559
Total stockholders’ equity	117,495	120,206
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$247,911	$250,858

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowances for accounts receivables	$270	$272
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	11,659,001	11,649,001
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,659,001	11,649,001

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales	$90,779	$93,560
Cost of sales	63,188	67,993
Gross profit	27,591	25,567
Distribution expenses	12,999	12,112
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,200	10,400
Restructuring charges	577	'
Realignment charges	1,996	'
Operating income	2,819	3,055
Other income (expense)	'	'
Interest expense, net	-803	-663
Other, net	-28	-315
Total other expense, net	-831	-978
Income before income taxes	1,988	2,077
Provision for income taxes	-803	-725
Net income	$1,185	$1,352
Earnings per share	'	'
Net income per common share basic	$0.10	$0.12
Net income per common share diluted	$0.10	$0.12
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'
Basic	11,658	11,575
Diluted	11,696	11,610

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$1,185	$1,352
Other comprehensive income	'	'
Foreign currency translation income (loss)	-3,974	2,140
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,974	2,140
Total comprehensive income (loss)	($2,789)	$3,492

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income	$1,185	$1,352
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	3,430	3,464
Depreciation related to restructuring and realignment	2,589	'
Amortization of loan costs included in interest expense	27	15
Stock-based compensation expense	436	1,243
Bad debt expense	'	111
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory	221	-41
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property	-2	4
Deferred income taxes	-1,141	-820
Tax benefit from stock-based awards	-9	-217
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'
Accounts receivable — trade	-2,398	-1,182
Accounts receivable — other	-373	999
Inventories	-826	4,890
Other current and noncurrent assets	-139	1,910
Accounts payable	4,486	-9,806
Accrued liabilities and other	2,099	2,068
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,585	3,990
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-4,184	-2,665
Disposals of property, plant and equipment	10	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-4,174	-2,665
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Net payments under revolving credit agreement	-43,100	-2,000
Principal payments on term loan	-20,000	'
Borrowings under new credit facility	59,100	'
Tax benefit from stock-based awards	9	217
Payment of dividends	-349	-347
Net cash used in financing activities	-4,340	-2,130
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-592	266
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	479	-539
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,252	13,949
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	19,731	13,410
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information	'	'
Cash paid for interest	757	669
Cash paid for income taxes	1,149	160
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment through accounts payable	$960	$815

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2014, 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, 2014.
	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.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	2. 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. There were approximately 38,000 and 35,000 dilutive shares related to stock-based awards for the three months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	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 no such potentially dilutive securities that were not included for the three months ended October 31, 2014. There were 12,065 shares of potentially dilutive securities not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended October 31, 2013.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	3. Inventories
	Inventories are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		October 31,			July 31,
		2014			2014
	Raw materials	$	8,553		$	7,914
	Work in process		1,371			1,508
	Supplies		1,744			1,793
	Finished products		33,750			34,343
	Less: reserve for inventory obsolescence		(275	)		(290	)
	Inventories, net	$	45,143		$	45,268

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	4. Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		October 31,			July 31,
		2014			2014
	Land	$	14,917		$	15,763
	Buildings and improvements		42,343			42,664
	Equipment		78,914			77,557
	Leasehold improvements		177			143
			136,351			136,127
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(57,851	)		(52,972	)
			78,500			83,155
	Construction-in-progress		10,024			9,295
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	88,524		$	92,450

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2014

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

'

Stock-Based Compensation

'

5. 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 2014. The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs of approximately $436,000 and $1.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company also recognized the related tax benefits of $161,000 and $436,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Stock-based compensation costs are recorded under selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

As of October 31, 2014, the unrecognized compensation costs related to stock-based awards was approximately $1.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

Stock Options

The Company did not grant any stock options during the three months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013. There were no stock options outstanding as of July 31, 2014. There were 33,000 options exercised in the three months ended October 31, 2013, with an intrinsic value of $625,000.

Performance Shares

On August 1, 2014, there were 250,944 non-vested performance shares outstanding which reflected the maximum number of shares under the awards. No performance share awards vested during the three months ended October 31, 2014. As of October 31, 2014, the non-vested performance-based stock awards consisted of Series 1 awards granted to certain executives and employees in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 as summarized below reflecting the target number of shares under the awards.

Target

Expected

Series

Award

Grant Date

Measurement

Percentage of

Shares Expected

Date of Grant

Award

Shares

Fair Value

Period Ending

Vesting(1)

to Vest

Fiscal Year 2014 Awards

2/25/14

Series 1

127,315

$

14.88

7/31/16

Forfeitures(2)

(3,686

)

Total

123,629

80

%

98,903

Fiscal Year 2013 Awards

12/4/12

Series 1

141,059

$

18.75

7/31/15

Forfeitures(2)

(85,209

)

Total

55,850

0

%

—

-1

The percentage vesting for performance share awards is currently estimated at 80.0% and 0.0% of the target award for the fiscal year 2014 and 2013 awards, respectively.

-2

Forfeitures include certain Series 1 awards that were granted in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 to certain employees that were forfeited at the termination of their employment.

Series 1: For the fiscal year 2014 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 earnings per share. 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. 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 October 31, 2014, and reflects the percentage of shares projected to vest for the respective awards at the end of their measurement periods. For the fiscal year 2014 awards, shares vested may increase to a maximum of 150.0% of the target award on achievement of maximum performance objectives. For the fiscal year 2013 awards, the target award is equal to the maximum award.

Series 3:  The table does not include certain performance-based awards to be granted to Christopher T. Fraser according to his employment agreement as of September 24, 2013. Awards to Mr. Fraser for fiscal year 2015 included (i) a performance-based Series 3 award for 10,000 shares of common stock (at maximum) having performance requirement related to debt payments during fiscal year 2015, and (ii) a performance-based Series 3 award for 4,000 shares of common stock having certain organizational objectives as a performance requirement, and in each case such awards vest and are measured over a one year period beginning August 1, 2014 and ending July 31, 2015. As of October 31, 2014, the Series 3 awards to Mr. Fraser are expected to vest at 100%.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of performance awards outstanding was $15.10 and $14.88 at October 31, 2014 and August 1, 2014, respectively.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the performance-based awards granted during the three months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 was $16.65 and $14.88, respectively.

Time Based Shares

A summary of activity for time-based stock awards for the three months ended October 31, 2014 is presented below:

Shares

Weighted-Average Grant-Date

Fair Value

Non-vested on August 1, 2014

50,100

$

19.19

Granted (1)

7,929

17.23

Vested(2)

(11,929

)

19.9

Non-vested on October 31, 2014

46,100

18.67

-1

Includes 2,000 shares granted to certain executives and employees which generally vest over one or two year service periods from the grant date or commencement of their employment, and 5,929 shares granted to non-employee directors on October 31, 2014 for service for the three months ended October 31, 2014.

-2

Includes 5,929 shares granted to non-employee directors on October 31, 2014, for service for the three months ended October 31, 2014. 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.  Includes 6,000 shares granted to Christopher T. Fraser that vested on September 24, 2014.

The total fair value of shares vested during the three months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $237,000 and $1.3 million, respectively.  The amount for fiscal year 2013 includes $1.1 million for shares granted to Mr. Fraser upon becoming President and CEO.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of awards forfeited during the three months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 was $14.88 and $17.10, respectively.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
	6. Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Number of Years		31-Oct-14
		Weighted							Foreign
		Average							Currency
		Amortization		Original		Accumulated			Translation		Carrying
		Period		Cost		Amortization			Adjustment		Amount
	Intangible assets subject to amortization: (range of
	useful life):
	Electronic chemicals-related contracts (5-8 years)		6.6	$	2,204	$	(632	)	$	9	$	1,581
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents		12		117		(69	)		—		48
	(10-15 years)
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications		14.1		14,100		(2,764	)		347		11,683
	(5-15 years)
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13.1	$	16,421	$	(3,465	)	$	356		13,312
	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										$	27,416
		Number of Years		31-Jul-14
		Weighted							Foreign
		Average							Currency
		Amortization		Original		Accumulated			Translation		Carrying
		Period		Cost		Amortization			Adjustment		Amount
	Intangible assets subject to amortization: (range of
	useful life):
	Electronic chemicals-related contracts (5-8 years)		6.6	$	2,204	$	(559	)	$	79	$	1,724
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents		12		117		(67	)		—		50
	(10-15 years)
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications		14.1		14,100		(2,426	)		801		12,475
	(5-15 years)
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13.1	$	16,421	$	(3,052	)	$	880		14,249
	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										$	28,353
	Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense was approximately $414,000 and $487,000 for the three month periods ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Dividends

Dividends	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Dividends [Abstract]	'
Dividends	'
	7. Dividends
	Dividends of approximately $349,000 ($0.03 per share) and $347,000 ($0.03 per share) were declared and paid in the first quarter of fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	8. Segment Information
	The Company has two reportable segments — electronic chemicals and wood treating chemicals.
			Three Months Ended
			October 31,
			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Electronic chemicals		$	66,323		$	64,452
	Wood treating chemicals			24,427			29,064
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	90,750		$	93,516
	Depreciation and amortization
	Electronic chemicals		$	3,202		$	3,247
	Wood treating chemicals			96			98
	Other			132			119
	Total consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	3,430		$	3,464
	Segment income from operations (1)
	Electronic chemicals		$	4,121		$	3,338
	Wood treating chemicals			2,585			2,505
	Total segment income from operations		$	6,706		$	5,843
	-1	Segment income from operations includes allocated corporate overhead expenses.
	Corporate overhead expenses allocated to segment income from operations for the three months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			October 31,
			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Electronic chemicals		$	2,391		$	1,973
	Wood treating chemicals			934			1,060
	Total corporate overhead expense allocation		$	3,325		$	3,033
	A reconciliation of total segment information to consolidated amounts is as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			October 31,
			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	90,750		$	93,516
	Other			29			44
	Net sales		$	90,779		$	93,560
	Segment income from operations
	Total segment income from operations		$	6,706		$	5,843
	Other corporate expense (1)			(1,314	)		(2,788	)
	Restructuring and realignment charges			(2,573	)		—
	Operating income			2,819			3,055
	Interest expense, net			(803	)		(663	)
	Other expense, net			(28	)		(315	)
	Income from continuing operations before		$	1,988		$	2,077
	income taxes
	-1	Other corporate expense primarily represents employee stock-based compensation expenses and those expenses associated with the Company’s operation as a public company, such as board compensation, audit expense, fees related to the listing of our stock, and expenses incurred to pursue acquisition opportunities.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	9. Long-Term Debt
	The Company’s debt as of October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		October 31,			July 31,
		2014			2014
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Senior secured debt:
	Note purchase agreement, maturing on	$	—		$	20,000
	December 31, 2014, interest rate of 7.43%
	Revolving loan facility, maturing on		—			40,000
	April 30, 2018, variable interest rates based on LIBOR
	plus 2.0% at July 31, 2014
	Revolving loan facility, maturing on		56,000			—
	October 9, 2019, variable interest rates based on LIBOR
	plus 1.125 % at October 31, 2014
	Total debt		56,000			60,000
	Current maturities of long-term debt		—			—
	Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	56,000		$	60,000
	On October 9, 2014, the Company refinanced its existing revolving loan facility and entered into a new credit facility (the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is now with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Prior to that refinancing, the Company’s indebtedness included a revolving loan facility and a note purchase agreement. The amount outstanding on the prior revolving loan facility was $40.0 million at July 31, 2014. Advances under the prior revolving loan bore interest at 2.155% as of July 31, 2014. The note purchase agreement was for $20.0 million. Advances under the note purchase agreement bore interest at 7.43% per annum.
	The initial advance under the New Credit Facility was used to repay in full the $20.0 million outstanding indebtedness under the Company’s note purchase agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Life Insurance Company, and the Company refinanced $38.0 million then outstanding under its existing revolving loan facility. The Company incurred approximately $693,000 in fees and expenses related to the New Credit Facility. Additionally, the Company paid $288,000 for a make-whole charge for the early repayment of the note purchase agreement.
	The New Credit Facility provides for a revolving loan up to $150.0 million, including an accordion feature that allows for an additional revolving loan increase of up to an additional $100.0 million with approval from the lenders. The amount available under the New Credit Facility at October 31, 2014 was limited, however, by a loan covenant restriction related to the ratio of funded debt to EBITDA. Taking that restriction into account, at October 31, 2014 the Company could draw approximately an additional $47.7 million on its revolving loan. The maturity date for the New Credit Facility is October 9, 2019.
	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 3.00 to 1.0		1.875	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.75 to 1.0, but less than 3.00 to 1.0		1.625	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.50 to 1.0, but less than 2.75 to 1.0		1.5	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.25 to 1.0, but less than 2.50 to 1.0		1.375	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.00 to 1.0, but less than 2.25 to 1.0		1.25	%
	Equal to or greater than 1.50 to 1.0, but less than 2.00 to 1.0		1.125	%
	Less than 1.50 to 1.0		1	%
	Advances under the revolving loan bear interest at 1.28% as of October 31, 2014. The Company will also incur an unused commitment fee on the unused amount of commitments under the New Credit Facility from 0.30% to 0.15%, based on the ratio of funded debt to EBITDA.
	Loans under the New Credit Facility are secured by the Company’s assets, including inventory, accounts receivable, equipment, intangible assets, and real property. The New Credit Facility has restrictive covenants, including that the Company must maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.5 to 1.0 or greater, a ratio of funded debt to EBITDA (as adjusted for non-cash and unusual, non-recurring, and certain acquisition and integration costs) of 3.25 to 1.0 (with a step-up to 3.5 to 1.0 during an acquisition period with lender consent) and a current ratio of at least 1.5 to 1.0.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	10. 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 month period ended October 31, 2014 is 40.4%, primarily due to the valuation allowances recorded during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 against the Company’s current operating losses for its Italian subsidiary, as a result of the restructuring of those operations. Excluding the Italian results and discrete benefits, the estimated annual effective tax rate on ordinary income is 33.7% for the three month period ended October 31, 2014. For the three month period ended October 31, 2013, the overall effective rate was 34.9%. In addition, the Company recognized $124,000 of discrete items net benefits in the three months ended October 31, 2014.

Litigation_and_Other_Contingen

Litigation and Other Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Litigation and Other Contingencies	'
	11. 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.
	The Company’s subsidiary in Italy is contesting two cases in the Provincial Tax Court in Milan, Italy. In the first case the Company disputes income tax assessments by the taxing authority for 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 $2.2 million, including interest and penalties through October 31, 2014 (at an exchange rate of 1.261 $/€). The Company had a liability for an uncertain tax position for items in the amount of $115,000 and $326,000 as of October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014, respectively. In the second case, the Company’s subsidiary is contesting the assessment of additional registration tax. The taxing authority is asserting an increased valuation of assets purchased from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. in December 2007 on which registration tax is payable. The amount of this assessment, including interest and penalties through October 31, 2014, is €791,000 (or approximately $998,000 at an exchange rate of 1.261 $/€). The Provincial Tax Court issued a ruling on October 13, 2014 agreeing with the Company’s position in the income tax assessment case. That ruling is subject to appeal by the taxing authority. The Company intends to vigorously pursue its position before the court in both cases, but the ultimate outcome of this litigation is subject to uncertainty.
	The EPA has listed the Star Lake Canal Superfund Site in Port Neches and Groves, Texas on the National Priorities List. In 2005, the EPA and certain potentially responsible parties entered an administrative order on consent which required the implementation of a remedial investigation and feasibility study. We understand that these studies were completed by mid-2012. EPA prepared a Record of Decision, selecting a remedy of excavation and disposal of soil and/or sediment, containment with soil, clay and/or armor caps and monitored natural recovery. In 2002, the Company had received a letter from the EPA addressed to Idacon, Inc. (f/k/a Sonford Chemical Company) notifying Idacon of potential liability under CERCLA in connection with this site, and Idacon sold substantially all of its assets to one of our subsidiaries in 1988. In October 2014, the Company’s subsidiary, KMG-Bernuth, received a letter from EPA notifying it of potential liability under CERCLA, and inviting it to enter into negotiations to pay for or perform the selected remedy. The Company is in the process of meeting with EPA and other parties to assess any potential liability. No assurance can be given that the EPA will not designate the Company’s subsidiary as a potentially responsible party.
	On October 24, 2014, we were notified by Stella-Jones Corporation that effective immediately it was terminating the agreement we had to supply it with creosote. Stella-Jones claimed it was entitled to repudiate the contract because it believed that we would be unable to supply the contract volume in the future. We had informed Stella-Jones that that we would be able to supply the required quantity and that it had no right to terminate the agreement. Because Stella-Jones did not retract its termination of the agreement, we have accepted their termination as final. Nevertheless, Stella-Jones has continued to purchase creosote from us on a spot basis after the termination of the agreement. We will pursue any and all remedies available to us but no assurance can be given that the termination of the agreement will not have a material adverse effect on the operations and financial performance of our wood treating chemicals business.
	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_and_Realignment_

Restructuring and Realignment Events	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Realignment Events	'
	12. Restructuring and Realignment Events
	As part of global restructuring of its electronic chemicals operations, the Fremont, California manufacturing site acquired in the acquisition from OM Group has been closed, and production has been shifted primarily to the Company’s Hollister, California and Pueblo, Colorado facilities. The Company has announced that it will close a facility in Milan, Italy, and shift production to facilities in France and the United Kingdom. The Company will continue to operate a warehouse facility in Milan. The Company estimates that restructuring charges, exclusive of accelerated depreciation, will range between $7.0 million and $9.0 million cumulatively over fiscal years 2014 and 2015, and that accelerated depreciation with respect to the closed facilities will be approximately $4.0 million over those two fiscal years.
	At October 31, 2014, the accrued liability associated with restructuring and other related charges consisted of the following:
		Employee			Decommissioning
		Costs			and Environmental			Other			Total
	Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	$	1,888		$	810		$	27		$	2,725
	Charges		—			—			—			—
	Payments		—			(435	)		—			(435	)
	Adjustment		(120	)		(79	)		(2	)		(201	)
	Accrued liability at October 31, 2014	$	1,768		$	296		$	25		$	2,089
	Total accelerated depreciation related to the closure of the Fremont and Milan facilities for the three months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $631,000 and $0, respectively.
	In October 2014, the Company announced a realignment of its hydrofluoric acid business. The Company will not renew the toll manufacturing agreement under which hydrofluoric acid products are produced for the Company by Chemtrade Logistics (“Chemtrade”) at its Bay Point, California facility (the agreement had formerly been with General Chemical). Certain manufacturing equipment at the Bay Point facility had been acquired by the Company in 2007, when the electronic chemicals business of General Chemical was purchased. That equipment has been used for hydrofluoric acid production by Chemtrade. Under the manufacturing agreement, the Company is obligated to pay or reimburse Chemtrade for certain costs associated with the cessation of operations at Bay Point, including certain employee costs and the decommissioning, dismantling and removal of the Company’s manufacturing equipment at the site. The Company estimates that it will incur charges of $2.5 - $4.0 million for decontamination, decommissioning and dismantling, and $2.5 - $2.8 million for accelerated depreciation. Additionally, the Company is obligated to pay certain employee costs that the Company estimates at $0.75 million. In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 the Company recorded $1.9 million of accelerated depreciation.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		October 31,			July 31,
		2014			2014
	Raw materials	$	8,553		$	7,914
	Work in process		1,371			1,508
	Supplies		1,744			1,793
	Finished products		33,750			34,343
	Less: reserve for inventory obsolescence		(275	)		(290	)
	Inventories, net	$	45,143		$	45,268

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
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):
		October 31,			July 31,
		2014			2014
	Land	$	14,917		$	15,763
	Buildings and improvements		42,343			42,664
	Equipment		78,914			77,557
	Leasehold improvements		177			143
			136,351			136,127
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(57,851	)		(52,972	)
			78,500			83,155
	Construction-in-progress		10,024			9,295
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	88,524		$	92,450

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2014

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

'

Summary of Performance Based Stock Awards Granted

'

As of October 31, 2014, the non-vested performance-based stock awards consisted of Series 1 awards granted to certain executives and employees in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 as summarized below reflecting the target number of shares under the awards

Target

Expected

Series

Award

Grant Date

Measurement

Percentage of

Shares Expected

Date of Grant

Award

Shares

Fair Value

Period Ending

Vesting(1)

to Vest

Fiscal Year 2014 Awards

2/25/14

Series 1

127,315

$

14.88

7/31/16

Forfeitures(2)

(3,686

)

Total

123,629

80

%

98,903

Fiscal Year 2013 Awards

12/4/12

Series 1

141,059

$

18.75

7/31/15

Forfeitures(2)

(85,209

)

Total

55,850

0

%

—

-1

The percentage vesting for performance share awards is currently estimated at 80.0% and 0.0% of the target award for the fiscal year 2014 and 2013 awards, respectively.

-2

Forfeitures include certain Series 1 awards that were granted in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 to certain employees that were forfeited at the termination of their employment.

Summary of Activity for Time-Based Stock Awards

'

A summary of activity for time-based stock awards for the three months ended October 31, 2014 is presented below:

Shares

Weighted-Average Grant-Date

Fair Value

Non-vested on August 1, 2014

50,100

$

19.19

Granted (1)

7,929

17.23

Vested(2)

(11,929

)

19.9

Non-vested on October 31, 2014

46,100

18.67

-1

Includes 2,000 shares granted to certain executives and employees which generally vest over one or two year service periods from the grant date or commencement of their employment, and 5,929 shares granted to non-employee directors on October 31, 2014 for service for the three months ended October 31, 2014.

-2

Includes 5,929 shares granted to non-employee directors on October 31, 2014, for service for the three months ended October 31, 2014. 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.  Includes 6,000 shares granted to Christopher T. Fraser that vested on September 24, 2014.

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Number of Years		31-Oct-14
		Weighted							Foreign
		Average							Currency
		Amortization		Original		Accumulated			Translation		Carrying
		Period		Cost		Amortization			Adjustment		Amount
	Intangible assets subject to amortization: (range of
	useful life):
	Electronic chemicals-related contracts (5-8 years)		6.6	$	2,204	$	(632	)	$	9	$	1,581
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents		12		117		(69	)		—		48
	(10-15 years)
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications		14.1		14,100		(2,764	)		347		11,683
	(5-15 years)
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13.1	$	16,421	$	(3,465	)	$	356		13,312
	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										$	27,416
		Number of Years		31-Jul-14
		Weighted							Foreign
		Average							Currency
		Amortization		Original		Accumulated			Translation		Carrying
		Period		Cost		Amortization			Adjustment		Amount
	Intangible assets subject to amortization: (range of
	useful life):
	Electronic chemicals-related contracts (5-8 years)		6.6	$	2,204	$	(559	)	$	79	$	1,724
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents		12		117		(67	)		—		50
	(10-15 years)
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications		14.1		14,100		(2,426	)		801		12,475
	(5-15 years)
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13.1	$	16,421	$	(3,052	)	$	880		14,249
	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										$	28,353

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	The Company has two reportable segments — electronic chemicals and wood treating chemicals.
			Three Months Ended
			October 31,
			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Electronic chemicals		$	66,323		$	64,452
	Wood treating chemicals			24,427			29,064
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	90,750		$	93,516
	Depreciation and amortization
	Electronic chemicals		$	3,202		$	3,247
	Wood treating chemicals			96			98
	Other			132			119
	Total consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	3,430		$	3,464
	Segment income from operations (1)
	Electronic chemicals		$	4,121		$	3,338
	Wood treating chemicals			2,585			2,505
	Total segment income from operations		$	6,706		$	5,843
	-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 months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			October 31,
			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Electronic chemicals		$	2,391		$	1,973
	Wood treating chemicals			934			1,060
	Total corporate overhead expense allocation		$	3,325		$	3,033
Reconciliation of Total Segment to Consolidated Amounts	'
	A reconciliation of total segment information to consolidated amounts is as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			October 31,
			2014			2013
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	90,750		$	93,516
	Other			29			44
	Net sales		$	90,779		$	93,560
	Segment income from operations
	Total segment income from operations		$	6,706		$	5,843
	Other corporate expense (1)			(1,314	)		(2,788	)
	Restructuring and realignment charges			(2,573	)		—
	Operating income			2,819			3,055
	Interest expense, net			(803	)		(663	)
	Other expense, net			(28	)		(315	)
	Income from continuing operations before		$	1,988		$	2,077
	income taxes
	-1	Other corporate expense primarily represents employee stock-based compensation expenses and those expenses associated with the Company’s operation as a public company, such as board compensation, audit expense, fees related to the listing of our stock, and expenses incurred to pursue acquisition opportunities.

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	The Company’s debt as of October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		October 31,			July 31,
		2014			2014
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Senior secured debt:
	Note purchase agreement, maturing on	$	—		$	20,000
	December 31, 2014, interest rate of 7.43%
	Revolving loan facility, maturing on		—			40,000
	April 30, 2018, variable interest rates based on LIBOR
	plus 2.0% at July 31, 2014
	Revolving loan facility, maturing on		56,000			—
	October 9, 2019, variable interest rates based on LIBOR
	plus 1.125 % at October 31, 2014
	Total debt		56,000			60,000
	Current maturities of long-term debt		—			—
	Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	56,000		$	60,000
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 3.00 to 1.0		1.875	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.75 to 1.0, but less than 3.00 to 1.0		1.625	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.50 to 1.0, but less than 2.75 to 1.0		1.5	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.25 to 1.0, but less than 2.50 to 1.0		1.375	%
	Equal to or greater than 2.00 to 1.0, but less than 2.25 to 1.0		1.25	%
	Equal to or greater than 1.50 to 1.0, but less than 2.00 to 1.0		1.125	%
	Less than 1.50 to 1.0		1	%

Restructuring_and_Realignment_1

Restructuring and Realignment Events (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liability associated with Restructuring and Other Related Charges	'
	At October 31, 2014, the accrued liability associated with restructuring and other related charges consisted of the following:
		Employee			Decommissioning
		Costs			and Environmental			Other			Total
	Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	$	1,888		$	810		$	27		$	2,725
	Charges		—			—			—			—
	Payments		—			(435	)		—			(435	)
	Adjustment		(120	)		(79	)		(2	)		(201	)
	Accrued liability at October 31, 2014	$	1,768		$	296		$	25		$	2,089

Earnings_per_Share_Additional_

Earnings per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Number of dilutive shares related to stock-based awards	38,000	35,000
Number of shares potentially dilutive securities not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share	0	12,065

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$8,553	$7,914
Work in process	1,371	1,508
Supplies	1,744	1,793
Finished products	33,750	34,343
Less: reserve for inventory obsolescence	-275	-290
Inventories, net	$45,143	$45,268

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_a

Property, Plant, and Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$136,351	$136,127
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-57,851	-52,972
Property Plant And Equipment Excluding Construction In Progress, Total	78,500	83,155
Construction-in-progress	10,024	9,295
Property, plant and equipment, net	88,524	92,450
Land	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	14,917	15,763
Buildings and improvements	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	42,343	42,664
Equipment	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	78,914	77,557
Leasehold improvements	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$177	$143

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

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

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Aug. 01, 2014

Feb. 25, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Feb. 25, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

President And Chief Executive Officer

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Time Based Shares

Time Based Shares

Time Based Shares

President And Chief Executive Officer

President And Chief Executive Officer

President And Chief Executive Officer

Two Thousand Four Long Term Incentive Plan

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognized stock based compensation cost

$436,000

$1,243,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation, related tax benefits

161,000

436,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation costs related to outstanding stock awards

1,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost

'1 year 9 months 18 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted, options

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock option outstanding

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of options exercised

'

33,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of option exercised

'

625,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares outstanding, non vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,944

'

'

'

46,100

'

50,100

Awards vested

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,929

[1]

'

'

Maximum award, as a percentage of target award.

'

'

150.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Target Award Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

123,629

55,850

'

4,000

'

10,000

7,929

[2]

'

'

Vesting percentage of awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant date fair value

'

'

'

'

$15.10

'

'

'

$14.88

'

'

'

$18.67

'

$19.19

Grant Date Fair Value

'

'

'

'

$16.65

$14.88

'

'

'

'

'

'

$17.23

[2]

'

'

Total fair value of shares vested

237,000

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grant date fair value amount

'

'

'

$1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant date fair value of performance share awards forfeited

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14.88

$17.10

'

[1]

Includes 5,929 shares granted to non-employee directors on October 31, 2014, for service for the three months ended October 31, 2014. 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. Includes 6,000 shares granted to Christopher T. Fraser that vested on September 24, 2014.

[2]

Includes 2,000 shares granted to certain executives and employees which generally vest over one or two year service periods from the grant date or commencement of their employment, and 5,929 shares granted to non-employee directors on October 31, 2014 for service for the three months ended October 31, 2014.

Summary_of_Performance_Based_S

Summary of Performance Based Stock Awards Granted (Detail) (Performance Shares, USD $)	0 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 25, 2014		Dec. 04, 2012		Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014		Jul. 31, 2013
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'		'	'	'		'
Target Award Shares, forfeited	-3,686	[1]	-85,209	[1]	'	'	'		'
Target Award Shares	'		'		'	'	123,629		55,850
Grant Date Fair Value	'		'		$16.65	$14.88	'		'
Expected Percentage of Vesting	'		'		'	'	80.00%	[2]	0.00%	[2]
Shares Expected to Vest	'		'		98,903	'	'		'
Series Award One	'		'		'	'	'		'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'		'	'	'		'
Grant Dates	25-Feb-14		4-Dec-12		'	'	'		'
Target Award Shares	127,315		141,059		'	'	'		'
Grant Date Fair Value	14.88		18.75		'	'	'		'
Measurement Period Ending	31-Jul-16		31-Jul-15		'	'	'		'
[1]	(1) Forfeitures include certain Series 1 awards that were granted in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 to certain employees that were forfeited at the termination of their employment.
[2]	The percentage vesting for performance share awards is currently estimated at 80.0% and 0.0% of the target award for the fiscal year 2014 and 2013 awards, respectively.

Summary_of_Performance_Based_S1

Summary of Performance Based Stock Awards Granted (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Performance Shares)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Performance Shares	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Vesting percentage of awards, as percentage of target award	80.00%	0.00%

Summary_of_Activity_for_TimeBa

Summary of Activity for Time-Based Stock Awards (Detail) (Time Based Shares, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Time Based Shares	'
Non-vested Shares	'
Non-vested on August 1, 2014	50,100
Granted	7,929	[1]
Vested	-11,929	[2]
Non-vested on October 31, 2014	46,100
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'
Non-vested on August 1, 2014	$19.19
Granted	$17.23	[1]
Vested	$19.90	[2]
Non-vested on October 31, 2014	$18.67
[1]	Includes 2,000 shares granted to certain executives and employees which generally vest over one or two year service periods from the grant date or commencement of their employment, and 5,929 shares granted to non-employee directors on October 31, 2014 for service for the three months ended October 31, 2014.
[2]	Includes 5,929 shares granted to non-employee directors on October 31, 2014, for service for the three months ended October 31, 2014. 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. Includes 6,000 shares granted to Christopher T. Fraser that vested on September 24, 2014.

Summary_of_Activity_for_TimeBa1

Summary of Activity for Time-Based Stock Awards (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Time Based Shares	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Time based stock awards granted	7,929	[1]
Time Based Shares | Certain executives and employees	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Time based stock awards granted	2,000
Time Based Shares | Non Employee Director	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Time based stock awards granted	5,929
Time Based Awards | Non Employee Director	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Time based stock awards granted	6,000
Time Based Awards | Non Employee Director | Grant One	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Grant Date	31-Oct-14
Time Based Awards | President And Chief Executive Officer | Grant One	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Time based stock awards granted	5,929
[1]	Includes 2,000 shares granted to certain executives and employees which generally vest over one or two year service periods from the grant date or commencement of their employment, and 5,929 shares granted to non-employee directors on October 31, 2014 for service for the three months ended October 31, 2014.

Intangible_Assets_Detail

Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Years Weighted Average Amortization Period	'13 years 1 month 6 days	'13 years 1 month 6 days
Original Cost	$16,421	$16,421
Accumulated Amortization	-3,465	-3,052
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	356	880
Carrying Amount	13,312	14,249
Total intangible assets not subject to amortization	14,104	14,104
Total intangible assets, net	27,416	28,353
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 7 months 6 days
Original Cost	2,204	2,204
Accumulated Amortization	-632	-559
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	9	79
Carrying Amount	1,581	1,724
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	-69	-67
Carrying Amount	48	50
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	-2,764	-2,426
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	347	801
Carrying Amount	$11,683	$12,475

Intangible_Assets_Parenthetica

Intangible Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
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 | 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 | 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_Asset_Additional_In

Intangible Asset - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Amortization expense	$414,000	$487,000

Dividends_Additional_Informati

Dividends - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Dividends [Abstract]	'	'
Dividend paid	$349,000	$347,000
Dividend per share	$0.03	$0.03

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segment	2

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Total sales for reportable segments	$90,779		$93,560
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	3,430		3,464
Total segment income from operations	2,819		3,055
Operating Segments	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Total sales for reportable segments	90,750		93,516
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	3,430		3,464
Total segment income from operations	6,706	[1]	5,843	[1]
Operating Segments | Electronic Chemicals	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Total sales for reportable segments	66,323		64,452
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	3,202		3,247
Total segment income from operations	4,121	[1]	3,338	[1]
Operating Segments | Wood Treating Chemicals	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Total sales for reportable segments	24,427		29,064
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	96		98
Total segment income from operations	2,585	[1]	2,505	[1]
Other	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Total sales for reportable segments	29		44
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	$132		$119
[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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total corporate overhead expense allocation	$3,325	$3,033
Operating Segments | Electronic Chemicals	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total corporate overhead expense allocation	2,391	1,973
Operating Segments | Wood Treating Chemicals	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total corporate overhead expense allocation	$934	$1,060

Reconciliation_of_Total_Segmen

Reconciliation of Total Segment to Consolidated Amounts (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Net sales	$90,779		$93,560
Total segment income from operations	2,819		3,055
Other corporate expense	-1,314	[1]	-2,788	[1]
Restructuring and realignment charges	-2,573		'
Interest expense, net	-803		-663
Other expense, net	-28		-315
Income before income taxes	1,988		2,077
Operating Segments	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Net sales	90,750		93,516
Total segment income from operations	6,706	[2]	5,843	[2]
Other	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Net sales	$29		$44
[1]	Other corporate expense primarily represents employee stock-based compensation expenses and those expenses associated with the Company’s operation as a public company, such as board compensation, audit expense, fees related to the listing of our stock, and expenses incurred to pursue acquisition opportunities.
[2]	Segment income from operations includes allocated corporate overhead expenses.

Debt_Detail

Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$56,000	$60,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	56,000	60,000
Senior Secured Debt | Note Purchase Agreement	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	'	20,000
Senior Secured Debt | Revolving loan facility, maturing on April 30, 2018	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	'	40,000
Senior Secured Debt | Revolving loan facility, maturing on October 9, 2019	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$56,000	'

Debt_Parenthetical_Detail

Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Senior Secured Debt)	1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
	Note Purchase Agreement	Note Purchase Agreement	Revolving loan facility, maturing on April 30, 2018	Revolving loan facility, maturing on October 9, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loan maturity date	31-Dec-14	'	30-Apr-18	9-Oct-19
Note purchase agreement interest rate	7.43%	7.43%	'	'
Variable interest rate	'	'	2.00%	1.13%

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Oct. 09, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 09, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 09, 2014

Note Purchase Agreement

Note Purchase Agreement

Revolving Loan Facility

Revolving Loan Facility

Revolving Loan Facility

Senior Secured Debt

Senior Secured Debt

Senior Secured Debt

Senior Secured Debt

Senior Secured Debt

Maximum

Minimum

Note Purchase Agreement

Note Purchase Agreement

Revolving loan facility, maturing on April 30, 2018

Revolving loan facility, maturing on October 9, 2019

Revolving loan facility, maturing on October 9, 2019

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

'

$56,000,000

$60,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$20,000,000

'

$40,000,000

$56,000,000

'

Debt instrument variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

1.28%

'

'

'

'

2.16%

'

'

Note purchase agreement interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.43%

7.43%

'

'

'

Repayments of secured debt

'

20,000,000

'

'

20,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount to be borrowed under revolving loan facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

Amount of cash available under contractual agreement with lender's approval

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

Loan maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Dec-14

'

30-Apr-18

9-Oct-19

'

Amount available under revolving facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47,700,000

'

Line of credit facility, outstanding

38,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fees and expenses related to new credit facility

'

'

'

693,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Penalty for the early repayment of the note

'

'

'

$288,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of unused commitment fee on unused amount of commitments under revolving loan facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.30%

0.15%

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed charge coverage ratio maximum

'

1.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ratio of funded debt to EBITDA maximum

'

3.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current ratio

'

1.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ratio of funded debt to EBITDA maximum, step-up during an acquisition period with lender's consent

'

3.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ratio_of_Funded_Debt_to_Ebitda

Ratio of Funded Debt to Ebitda (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Range One	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Variable interest rate	1.88%
Range Two	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Variable interest rate	1.63%
Range Three	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Variable interest rate	1.50%
Range Four	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Variable interest rate	1.38%
Range Five	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Variable interest rate	1.25%
Range Six	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Variable interest rate	1.13%
Range Seven	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Variable interest rate	1.00%

Ratio_of_Funded_Debt_to_Ebitda1

Ratio of Funded Debt to Ebitda (Parenthetical) (Detail)	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 09, 2014
Range One | Minimum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	3
Range Two | Minimum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2.75
Range Two | Maximum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	3
Range Three | Minimum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2.5
Range Three | Maximum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2.75
Range Four | Minimum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2.25
Range Four | Maximum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2.5
Range Five | Minimum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2
Range Five | Maximum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2.25
Range Six | Minimum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	1.5
Range Six | Maximum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	2
Range Seven | Maximum	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA	1.5

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Effective income tax rate	40.40%	34.90%
Discrete items net benefits	$124,000	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Excluding Restructuring Charges And Operational Results In Italy	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Effective income tax rate	33.70%	'

Litigation_and_Other_Contingen1

Litigation and Other Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
	Tax Assessment July Thirty First Two Thousand And Eleven	Tax Assessment July Thirty First Two Thousand And Eleven	Tax Assessment December Two Thousand And Seven	Tax Assessment December Two Thousand And Seven	Provincial Court in Milan, Italy	Provincial Court in Milan, Italy
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	Tax Assessment July Thirty First Two Thousand And Eleven	Tax Assessment July Thirty First Two Thousand And Eleven
					USD ($)	EUR (€)
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proposed adjustment from taxing authorities resulting additional income tax	'	'	'	'	$2,200,000	€ 1,800,000
Foreign currency exchange rate, translation	1.261	'	1.261	1.261	'	'
Liability for uncertain tax positions in Italy	$115,000	$326,000	$998,000	€ 791,000	'	'

Restructuring_and_Realignment_2

Restructuring and Realignment Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended					24 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015
		Fremont And Milan Facilities	Fremont And Milan Facilities	Hydrofluoric Acid Business	Minimum	Minimum	Maximum	Maximum	Scenario, Forecast	Scenario, Forecast	Scenario, Forecast
					Decontamination Decommissioning And Dismantling	Accelerated Depreciation	Decontamination Decommissioning And Dismantling	Accelerated Depreciation		Minimum	Maximum
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated restructuring charges over fiscal years 2014 and 2015	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$7,000,000	$9,000,000
Accelerated depreciation	'	631,000	0	1,900,000	'	'	'	'	4,000,000	'	'
Other estimated realignment charges	'	'	'	'	2,500,000	'	4,000,000	'	'	'	'
Accelerated depreciation	'	'	'	'	'	2,500,000	'	2,800,000	'	'	'
Severance Costs	$750,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Restructuring_and_Realignment_3

Restructuring and Realignment Events - Accrued Liability associated with Restructuring and Other Related Charges (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'
Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	$2,725
Charges	0
Payments	-435
Adjustment	-201
Accrued liability at October 31, 2014	2,089
Employee costs	'
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'
Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	1,888
Charges	0
Adjustment	-120
Accrued liability at October 31, 2014	1,768
Decommissioning and Environmental	'
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'
Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	810
Charges	0
Payments	-435
Adjustment	-79
Accrued liability at October 31, 2014	296
Other	'
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'
Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	27
Charges	0
Adjustment	-2
Accrued liability at October 31, 2014	$25