KMG Chemicals 10-Q 12 Mar 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 11, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	KMG
Entity Registrant Name	KMG CHEMICALS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1028215
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-24
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,680,940

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$10,490	$19,252
Accounts receivable
Trade, net of allowances of $246 at January 31, 2015 and $272 at July 31, 2014	37,202	40,176
Other	2,446	1,904
Inventories, net	40,491	45,268
Current deferred tax assets	1,353	1,577
Prepaid expenses and other	2,282	3,476
Assets held for sale	2,445
Total current assets	96,709	111,653
Property, plant and equipment, net	80,936	92,450
Deferred tax assets	442	442
Goodwill	11,101	12,595
Intangible assets, net	21,117	28,353
Restricted cash	1,000	1,000
Other assets, net	4,815	4,365
Total assets	216,120	250,858
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	28,897	36,690
Accrued liabilities	17,536	16,986
Employee incentive accrual	2,991	4,575
Total current liabilities	49,424	58,251
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	39,000	60,000
Deferred tax liabilities	7,839	9,881
Other long-term liabilities	1,949	2,520
Total liabilities	98,212	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, 11,670,329 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2015 and 11,649,001 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2014	116	116
Additional paid-in capital	30,015	28,886
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-8,757	645
Retained earnings	96,534	90,559
Total stockholders’ equity	117,908	120,206
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$216,120	$250,858

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowances for accounts receivables	$246	$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	11,670,329	11,649,001
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,670,329	11,649,001

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$79,762	$84,253	$170,541	$177,813
Cost of sales	51,207	59,063	114,395	127,056
Gross profit	28,555	25,190	56,146	50,757
Distribution expenses	13,022	12,892	26,021	25,004
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,707	9,870	18,907	20,270
Restructuring charges	296	4,031	873	4,031
Realignment charges	2,363		4,359
Operating income (loss)	3,167	-1,603	5,986	1,452
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	-184	-661	-987	-1,324
Gain on sale of creosote distribution business, net	5,682		5,682
Other, net	-131	-120	-159	-435
Total other income (expense), net	5,367	-781	4,536	-1,759
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,534	-2,384	10,522	-307
Provision for income taxes	-3,044	-360	-3,847	-1,085
Net income (loss)	$5,490	($2,744)	$6,675	($1,392)
Earnings per share
Net income (loss) per common share basic	$0.47	($0.24)	$0.57	($0.12)
Net income (loss) per common share diluted	$0.47	($0.24)	$0.57	($0.12)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	11,669	11,613	11,664	11,594
Diluted	11,759	11,613	11,728	11,594

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$5,490	($2,744)	$6,675	($1,392)
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation income (loss)	-5,428	364	-9,402	2,504
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-5,428	364	-9,402	2,504
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$62	($2,380)	($2,727)	$1,112

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$6,675	($1,392)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	6,767	7,011
Non-cash restructuring and realignment charges	4,930	771
Amortization of loan costs	69	30
Stock-based compensation expense	1,138	1,434
Bad debt expense		130
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory	431	38
Loss on disposal of property		63
Gain on sale of creosote distribution business	-5,682
Deferred income taxes	-2,272	940
Tax benefit from stock-based awards	-9	-328
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable — trade	1,057	2,578
Accounts receivable — other	-615	140
Inventories	-319	1,733
Other current and noncurrent assets	276	1,812
Accounts payable	-6,357	-5,817
Accrued liabilities and other	367	2,633
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,456	11,776
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-7,036	-5,307
Disposals of property, plant and equipment	91	17
Proceeds from sale of creosote distribution business	15,062
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	8,117	-5,290
Cash flows from financing activities
Net payments under revolving credit agreement	-41,100	-6,000
Principal payments on term loan	-20,000
Borrowings under New Credit Facility	59,100
Payments under New Credit Facility	-19,000
Tax benefit from stock-based awards	9	328
Payment of dividends	-700	-695
Net cash used in financing activities	-21,691	-6,367
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-1,644	892
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-8,762	1,011
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,252	13,949
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	10,490	14,960
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest	983	1,304
Cash paid for income taxes	3,076	382
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment through accounts payable	$1,279	$682

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU No. 2014-08”).  ASU No. 2014-08 limits discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results when any of the following occurs: a) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale; b) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale; or c) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale.  ASU No. 2014-08 also requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations.  ASU No. 2014-08 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014.  Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company early adopted ASU No. 2014-08 for the reporting period beginning November 1, 2014.  As a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2014-08, results of operations for properties that are classified as held for sale in the ordinary course of business on or subsequent to November 1, 2014 would generally be included in continuing operations on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, to the extent such disposals did not meet the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation. Additionally, any gain or loss on sale of real estate that does not meet the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation would be included in income from continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations.

Disposition_of_Business

Disposition of Business	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposition of Business	2. Disposition of Business
	On January 16, 2015, the Company sold its creosote distribution business, part of the wood treating chemicals segment, to Koppers Inc. pursuant to an asset purchase agreement. The transaction closed concurrently with the signing of the asset purchase agreement. Assets that were sold in the transaction included the Company’s United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) registrations for creosote, creosote inventory, railcar and tank terminal leases and various customer agreements. The sale price for the assets was approximately $15.1 million.
	The following table summarizes the cost of assets sold in conjunction with the sale of the creosote distribution business:
	Creosote product registrations	$	5,339
	Inventory		3,009
	Other assets		168
		$	8,516
	The Company allocated goodwill of approximately $662,000 within the wood treating segment to the sale of the creosote distribution business. The Company recognized a gain of $5.7 million on the sale of the creosote distribution business, net of closing and other transaction expenses.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
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. There were approximately 90,000 and approximately 64,000 dilutive shares related to stock-based awards for the three and six months ended January 31, 2015. 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.
	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 and six months ended January 31, 2015. There were 30,000 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.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	4. Inventories
	Inventories are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		January 31,			July 31,
		2015			2014
	Raw materials	$	7,487		$	7,914
	Work in process		1,218			1,508
	Supplies		1,700			1,793
	Finished products		30,695			34,343
	Less: reserve for inventory obsolescence		(609	)		(290	)
	Inventories, net	$	40,491		$	45,268

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
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,
		2015			2014
	Land	$	13,544		$	15,763
	Buildings and improvements		38,418			42,664
	Equipment		77,559			77,557
	Leasehold improvements		177			143
			129,698			136,127
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(60,335	)		(52,972	)
			69,363			83,155
	Construction-in-progress		11,573			9,295
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	80,936		$	92,450
	The Company’s facility in Elwood, Kansas is classified as assets held for sale on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2015. The facility was sold for $2.5 million, which approximated the carrying value of the assets.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2015

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

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 2014. The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs of approximately $702,000 and $191,000 for the three months and $1.1 million and $1.4 million for the six months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The amount recognized in the first six months of fiscal year 2014 includes $1.1 million for shares granted to Christopher T. Fraser upon becoming President and CEO. The Company also recognized the related tax benefits of $272,000 and $108,000 for the three months and $433,000 and $544,000 for the six months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015, the unrecognized compensation costs related to stock-based awards was approximately $5.0 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

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 six months ended January 31, 2015. As of January 31, 2015, the non-vested performance-based stock awards consisted of Series 1 awards granted to certain executives and employees in fiscal years 2015 and 2014 as summarized below reflecting the target number of shares under the awards. The Series 1 awards granted in fiscal year 2013 are not expected to vest at this time.

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 2015 Awards

12/9/14

Series 1

103,499

$

17.81

7/31/17

Forfeitures(2)

0

Total

103,499

154

%

159,181

Fiscal Year 2014 Awards

2/25/14

Series 1

127,315

$

14.88

7/31/16

Forfeitures(2)

(3,686

)

Total

123,629

100

%

123,629

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 154.0%, 100.0% and 0.0% of the target award for the fiscal year 2015, 2014 and 2013 awards, respectively.

-2

Forfeitures include 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 2015, 2014 and 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 January 31, 2015, and reflects the percentage of shares projected to vest for the respective awards at the end of their measurement periods. For the fiscal year 2015 and 2014 awards, shares vested may increase to a maximum of 167.0% and 150.0%, respectively, 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 2: None outstanding.

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 January 31, 2015, the Series 3 awards to Mr. Fraser are expected to vest at 100%.

The weighted-average per share grant-date fair value of target award shares for performance awards outstanding was $16.53 and $14.88 at January 31, 2015 and August 1, 2014, respectively.

The weighted-average per share grant-date fair value of the target award shares for performance-based awards granted during the six months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $17.67 and $16.65, respectively.

Time Based Shares

A summary of activity for time-based stock awards for the six months ended January 31, 2015 is presented below:

Shares

Weighted-Average Grant-Date

Fair Value

Non-vested on August 1, 2014

50,100

$

19.19

Granted (1)

49,091

18.04

Vested(2)

(21,592

)

19.16

Non-vested on January 31, 2015

77,599

18.47

-1

Includes 3,000 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 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors on January 31, 2015 for service for the six months ended January 31, 2015. Also includes 34,499 shares granted to certain executives which vest over a service period of three years beginning on August 1, 2014.

-2

Includes 5,663 and 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors for service for the three and six months ended January 31, 2015. 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.  The vested amount includes 6,000 shares granted to Mr. Fraser and 4,000 shares granted to certain other executives of the Company that vested.

The total fair value of shares vested under timed based awards during the six months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $414,000 and $1.4 million, respectively.  The amount in the first six months of fiscal year 2014 includes $1.1 million for shares granted to Mr. Fraser upon becoming President and CEO.

The weighted-average per share grant-date fair value of awards forfeited during the six months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $14.88 and $17.10, respectively.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	7. Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Number of Years		31-Jan-15
		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		6.6	$	2,204	$	(702	)	$	(79	)	$	1,423
	(5-8 years)
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents		12		117		(72	)		—			45
	(10-15 years)
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications		14.1		14,100		(3,093	)		(123	)		10,884
	(5-15 years)
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13.1	$	16,421	$	(3,867	)	$	(202	)	$	12,352
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	Penta product registrations												8,765
	Total intangible assets not subject to amortization												8,765
	Total intangible assets, net											$	21,117
		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 $401,000 and $475,000 for the three month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively and $815,000 and $962,000 for the six month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Dividends

Dividends	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Dividends [Abstract]
Dividends	8. Dividends
	Dividends of approximately $351,000 ($0.03 per share) and $348,000 ($0.03 per share) were declared and paid in the second quarter of fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. Dividends of approximately $700,000 ($0.03 per share) and $695,000 ($0.03 per share) were declared and paid in the first six months of fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. A dividend of $0.03 per share was approved by the Company’s board of directors on February 24, 2015 to be paid on March 20, 2015 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2015.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
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,
			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Electronic chemicals		$	66,595		$	61,428		$	132,918		$	125,880
	Wood treating chemicals			13,136			22,795			37,563			51,859
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	79,731		$	84,223		$	170,481		$	177,739
	Depreciation and amortization
	Electronic chemicals		$	3,126		$	3,345		$	6,328		$	6,592
	Wood treating chemicals			97			98			193			196
	Other			114			104			246			223
	Total consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	3,337		$	3,547		$	6,767		$	7,011
	Segment income from operations (1)
	Electronic chemicals		$	5,570		$	2,995		$	9,691		$	6,333
	Wood treating chemicals			1,595			1,111			4,180			3,616
	Total segment income from operations		$	7,165		$	4,106		$	13,871		$	9,949
	-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, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Electronic chemicals		$	2,999		$	2,465		$	5,390		$	4,438
	Wood treating chemicals			1,173			1,070			2,107			2,130
	Total corporate overhead expense allocation		$	4,172		$	3,535		$	7,497		$	6,568
	A reconciliation of total segment information to consolidated amounts is as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	79,731		$	84,223		$	170,481		$	177,739
	Other			31			30			60			74
	Net sales		$	79,762		$	84,253		$	170,541		$	177,813
	Segment income from operations
	Total segment income from operations		$	7,165		$	4,106		$	13,871		$	9,949
	Other corporate expense (1)			(1,339	)		(1,678	)		(2,653	)		(4,466	)
	Restructuring and realignment charges			(2,659	)		(4,031	)		(5,232	)		(4,031	)
	Operating income (loss)			3,167			(1,603	)		5,986			1,452
	Interest expense, net			(184	)		(661	)		(987	)		(1,324	)
	Other income (expense), net			5,551			(120	)		5,523			(435	)
	(Including gain on sale of creosote
	distribution business)
	Income before income taxes		$	8,534		$	(2,384	)	$	10,522		$	(307	)
	-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	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	10. Long-Term Debt
	The Company’s debt as of January 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31,			July 31,
		2015			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		39,000			—
	October 9, 2019, variable interest rates based on LIBOR
	plus 1.125% at January 31, 2015
	Total debt		39,000			60,000
	Current maturities of long-term debt		—			—
	Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	39,000		$	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 January 31, 2015 was limited, however, by a loan covenant restriction related to the ratio of funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). Taking that restriction into account, at January 31, 2015 the Company could draw approximately an additional $76.7 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 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 1.30% as of January 31, 2015. 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	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
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, 2015 is 35.7% and 36.6%, respectively, including the valuation allowances recorded during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 against the Company’s current operating losses for its Italian subsidiary. For the three and six months periods ended January 31, 2014, the overall effective income tax rate was (15.1)% and (353.6)%.
	Excluding the Italian results and discrete benefits, the estimated annual effective tax rate on ordinary income is 35.4% and 35.0% for the three and six month periods ended January 31, 2015, respectively. Excluding the Italian results and discrete benefits, for the three and six month periods ended January 31, 2014 the overall effective rate was 31.4% and 33.4%, respectively. In addition, the Company recognized $220,000 of discrete items net benefits in the six months ended January 31, 2015.

Litigation_and_Other_Contingen

Litigation and Other Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
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.
	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 $2.0 million, including interest and penalties through January 31, 2015 (at an exchange rate of 1.132 $/€). The Company had a liability for an uncertain tax position for items in the amount of $101,000 and $326,000 as of January 31, 2015 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 January 31, 2015, is €795,000 (or approximately $900,000  at an exchange rate of 1.132 $/€). 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 taxing authority has until April 2015 to file an appeal. 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. The Company understands 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.  The EPA has estimated that the remediation will cost approximately $22.0 million. 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 approximately seven other parties to assess their respective potential liability. No assurance can be given that the EPA will not designate the Company’s subsidiary as a potentially responsible party and no assurance can be given that the Company will not incur substantial expense to resolve this matter.
	On October 24, 2014, the Company was notified by Stella-Jones Corporation that effective immediately it was terminating the supply agreement that the Company had with Stella-Jones for creosote. Earlier in the year, the agreement had been extended to June 30, 2017. Stella-Jones claimed it was entitled to repudiate the contract because it believed that the Company would be unable to supply the contract volume in the future. The Company had repeatedly informed Stella-Jones that the Company would be able to supply the required quantity, and told Stella-Jones that it had no right to terminate the agreement. After the termination of the agreement, Stella-Jones continued to purchase creosote from the Company on a spot basis prior to the Company’s sale of its creosote business to Koppers, Inc. Stella-Jones claims that the Company owes approximately $2.4 million for rebates on purchases of creosote in the third and fourth calendar quarters of 2014 prior to the termination. The Company has accrued $1.9 million in rebates for the third calendar quarter of 2014, but payment was withheld when Stella-Jones terminated the agreement. The Company asserts that there was no basis for early termination of the agreement, and further asserts that, because of the early termination of the agreement, Stella-Jones did not achieve the minimum purchase amount for calendar year 2014, and that no rebates are owed by it for the year. The Company is seeking repayment of rebates already paid to Stella-Jones for the first and second quarters of calendar 2014 of approximately $2.7 million. The Company will pursue any and all remedies available to it for the termination of the agreement, but the ultimate outcome of this matter 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_and_Realignment_

Restructuring and Realignment Events	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Realignment Events	13. 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 also announced that it will close a facility in Milan, Italy, and shift production to facilities in France and the United Kingdom. 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, 2015 and 2016. Accelerated depreciation with respect to the closed facilities has been completed and totaled $3.3 million cumulatively for fiscal year 2014 and year-to-date fiscal year 2015.
	At January 31, 2015, 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		—			90			11			101
	Payments		(726	)		(549	)		—			(1,275	)
	Adjustment		(267	)		(97	)		(14	)		(378	)
	Accrued liability at January 31, 2015	$	895		$	254		$	24		$	1,173
	Total accelerated depreciation related to the closure of the Fremont and Milan facilities for the three and six months ended January 31, 2015 was approximately $227,000 and $858,000, respectively, and was approximately $800,000 for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2014.
	In October 2014, the Company announced a realignment of its hydrofluoric acid business. The Company did 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 total charges of between $3.5 million and $4.3 million for decommissioning, decontamination and dismantling. All assets have been fully depreciated as of January 31, 2015. Additionally, the Company is obligated to pay certain employee costs that the Company estimates at $0.8 million. In addition, during the second quarter and first six months of fiscal year 2015 the Company recorded $2.2 million and $4.1 million of accelerated depreciation, respectively.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	14. Subsequent Events
	The Company had retained the real estate and building of its facility in Elwood, Kansas when its animal health business was sold in 2012. The current tenant, Ritepack, Inc., exercised its option to purchase the facility. The sale price was $2.5 million, payable in cash on the closing date, which approximated the Company’s carrying value of the property. The sale of the facility closed on February 26, 2015. The facility is presented as assets held for sale on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2015.

Disposition_of_Business_Schedu

Disposition of Business - Schedule of Cost of Assets Sold (Table)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Cost of Assets Sold	The following table summarizes the cost of assets sold in conjunction with the sale of the creosote distribution business:
	Creosote product registrations	$	5,339
	Inventory		3,009
	Other assets		168
		$	8,516

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		January 31,			July 31,
		2015			2014
	Raw materials	$	7,487		$	7,914
	Work in process		1,218			1,508
	Supplies		1,700			1,793
	Finished products		30,695			34,343
	Less: reserve for inventory obsolescence		(609	)		(290	)
	Inventories, net	$	40,491		$	45,268

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant, and Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization
		January 31,			July 31,
		2015			2014
	Land	$	13,544		$	15,763
	Buildings and improvements		38,418			42,664
	Equipment		77,559			77,557
	Leasehold improvements		177			143
			129,698			136,127
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(60,335	)		(52,972	)
			69,363			83,155
	Construction-in-progress		11,573			9,295
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	80,936		$	92,450

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Performance Based Stock Awards Granted
					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 2015 Awards
	12/9/14		Series 1			103,499			$	17.81	7/31/17
			Forfeitures(2)			0
	Total					103,499							154	%		159,181
	Fiscal Year 2014 Awards
	2/25/14		Series 1			127,315			$	14.88	7/31/16
			Forfeitures(2)			(3,686	)
	Total					123,629							100	%		123,629
	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 154.0%, 100.0% and 0.0% of the target award for the fiscal year 2015, 2014 and 2013 awards, respectively.
	-2	Forfeitures include 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 six months ended January 31, 2015 is presented below:
			Shares				Weighted-Average Grant-Date
							Fair Value
	Non-vested on August 1, 2014			50,100			$	19.19
	Granted (1)			49,091				18.04
	Vested(2)			(21,592	)			19.16
	Non-vested on January 31, 2015			77,599				18.47
	-1	Includes 3,000 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 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors on January 31, 2015 for service for the six months ended January 31, 2015. Also includes 34,499 shares granted to certain executives which vest over a service period of three years beginning on August 1, 2014.
	-2	Includes 5,663 and 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors for service for the three and six months ended January 31, 2015. 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.  The vested amount includes 6,000 shares granted to Mr. Fraser and 4,000 shares granted to certain other executives of the Company that vested.

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Number of Years		31-Jan-15
		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		6.6	$	2,204	$	(702	)	$	(79	)	$	1,423
	(5-8 years)
	Electronic chemicals-related trademarks and patents		12		117		(72	)		—			45
	(10-15 years)
	Electronic chemicals-value of product qualifications		14.1		14,100		(3,093	)		(123	)		10,884
	(5-15 years)
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization		13.1	$	16,421	$	(3,867	)	$	(202	)	$	12,352
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	Penta product registrations												8,765
	Total intangible assets not subject to amortization												8,765
	Total intangible assets, net											$	21,117
		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)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	The Company has two reportable segments — electronic chemicals and wood treating chemicals.
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Electronic chemicals		$	66,595		$	61,428		$	132,918		$	125,880
	Wood treating chemicals			13,136			22,795			37,563			51,859
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	79,731		$	84,223		$	170,481		$	177,739
	Depreciation and amortization
	Electronic chemicals		$	3,126		$	3,345		$	6,328		$	6,592
	Wood treating chemicals			97			98			193			196
	Other			114			104			246			223
	Total consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	3,337		$	3,547		$	6,767		$	7,011
	Segment income from operations (1)
	Electronic chemicals		$	5,570		$	2,995		$	9,691		$	6,333
	Wood treating chemicals			1,595			1,111			4,180			3,616
	Total segment income from operations		$	7,165		$	4,106		$	13,871		$	9,949
	-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, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Electronic chemicals		$	2,999		$	2,465		$	5,390		$	4,438
	Wood treating chemicals			1,173			1,070			2,107			2,130
	Total corporate overhead expense allocation		$	4,172		$	3,535		$	7,497		$	6,568
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,
			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(Amounts in thousands)
	Sales
	Total sales for reportable segments		$	79,731		$	84,223		$	170,481		$	177,739
	Other			31			30			60			74
	Net sales		$	79,762		$	84,253		$	170,541		$	177,813
	Segment income from operations
	Total segment income from operations		$	7,165		$	4,106		$	13,871		$	9,949
	Other corporate expense (1)			(1,339	)		(1,678	)		(2,653	)		(4,466	)
	Restructuring and realignment charges			(2,659	)		(4,031	)		(5,232	)		(4,031	)
	Operating income (loss)			3,167			(1,603	)		5,986			1,452
	Interest expense, net			(184	)		(661	)		(987	)		(1,324	)
	Other income (expense), net			5,551			(120	)		5,523			(435	)
	(Including gain on sale of creosote
	distribution business)
	Income before income taxes		$	8,534		$	(2,384	)	$	10,522		$	(307	)
	-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)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	The Company’s debt as of January 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31,			July 31,
		2015			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		39,000			—
	October 9, 2019, variable interest rates based on LIBOR
	plus 1.125% at January 31, 2015
	Total debt		39,000			60,000
	Current maturities of long-term debt		—			—
	Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	39,000		$	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 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)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Accrued Liability Associated with Restructuring and Other Related Charges	At January 31, 2015, 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		—			90			11			101
	Payments		(726	)		(549	)		—			(1,275	)
	Adjustment		(267	)		(97	)		(14	)		(378	)
	Accrued liability at January 31, 2015	$	895		$	254		$	24		$	1,173

Disposition_of_Business_Additi

Disposition of Business - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 16, 2015
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups [Line Items]
Sale price for the assets		$15,100,000
Creosote Distribution Business
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups [Line Items]
Sale price for the assets	8,516,000
Goodwill written off on sale of business	662,000
Gain on sale of business	$5,700,000

Disposition_of_Business_Schedu1

Disposition of Business - Schedule of Cost of Assets Sold (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 16, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups [Line Items]
Total	$15,100
Creosote Distribution Business
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups [Line Items]
Creosote product registrations		5,339
Inventory		3,009
Other assets		168
Total		$8,516

Earnings_per_Share_Additional_

Earnings per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Number of dilutive shares related to stock-based awards	90,000		64,000
Number of shares potentially dilutive securities not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share	0	30,000	0	21,000

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$7,487	$7,914
Work in process	1,218	1,508
Supplies	1,700	1,793
Finished products	30,695	34,343
Less: reserve for inventory obsolescence	-609	-290
Inventories, net	$40,491	$45,268

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_a

Property, Plant, and Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$129,698	$136,127
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-60,335	-52,972
Property plant and equipment excluding construction in progress	69,363	83,155
Construction-in-progress	11,573	9,295
Property, plant and equipment, net	80,936	92,450
Land
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	13,544	15,763
Buildings and improvements
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	38,418	42,664
Equipment
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	77,559	77,557
Leasehold improvements
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$177	$143

Recovered_Sheet1

Property, Plant, and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (Facility in Elwood, Kansas, USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Facility in Elwood, Kansas
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Facility sold, amount	$2.50

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

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

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2015

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2015

Jan. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2015

Jul. 31, 2013

Feb. 25, 2014

Aug. 01, 2014

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

Recognized stock based compensation cost

$702,000

$191,000

$1,138,000

$1,434,000

Share based compensation, related tax benefits

272,000

108,000

433,000

544,000

Unrecognized compensation costs related to outstanding stock awards

5,000,000

5,000,000

Weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost

2 years 2 months 12 days

Maximum award, as a percentage of target award.

150.00%

Performance based awards vesting beginning period

1-Aug-14

Performance based awards vesting ending period

31-Jul-15

Scenario, Forecast

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

Maximum award, as a percentage of target award.

167.00%

Performance Shares

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

Shares outstanding, non vested

250,944

Awards vested

0

Target Award Shares

123,629

103,499

55,850

Vesting percentage of awards

100.00%

[1]

154.00%

[1]

0.00%

[1]

Weighted average per share grant date fair value

$16.53

$16.53

$14.88

Grant Date Fair Value

$17.67

$16.65

Time Based Shares

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

Shares outstanding, non vested

77,599

77,599

50,100

Awards vested

21,592

[2]

Target Award Shares

49,091

[3]

Weighted average per share grant date fair value

$18.47

$18.47

19.19

Grant Date Fair Value

$18.04

[3]

Total fair value of shares vested

414,000

1,400,000

Weighted average per share grant date fair value of awards forfeited

$14.88

$17.10

Christopher T. Fraser

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

Grant date fair value amount

1,100,000

1,100,000

Christopher T. Fraser | Performance Shares

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

Vesting percentage of awards

100.00%

Christopher T. Fraser | Performance Shares | Two Thousand Four Long Term Incentive Plan

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

Target Award Shares

10,000

Christopher T. Fraser | Performance Shares | Certain Organizational Objectives

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

Target Award Shares

4,000

Christopher T. Fraser | Time Based Shares

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

Grant date fair value amount

$1,100,000

$1,100,000

[1]

The percentage vesting for performance share awards is currently estimated at 154.0%, 100.0% and 0.0% of the target award for the fiscal year 2015, 2014 and 2013 awards, respectively.

[2]

Includes 5,663 and 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors for service for the three and six months ended January 31, 2015. 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. The vested amount includes 6,000 shares granted to Mr. Fraser and 4,000 shares granted to certain other executives of the Company that vested.

[3]

Includes 3,000 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 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors on January 31, 2015 for service for the six months ended January 31, 2015. Also includes 34,499 shares granted to certain executives which vest over a service period of three years beginning on August 1, 2014.

Summary_of_Performance_Based_S

Summary of Performance Based Stock Awards (Detail) (Performance Shares, USD $)

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 09, 2014

Feb. 25, 2014

Dec. 04, 2012

Jan. 31, 2015

Jan. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2015

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

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

Target Award Shares, forfeited

0

[1]

-3,686

[1]

-85,209

[1]

Target Award Shares

103,499

123,629

55,850

Grant Date Fair Value

$17.67

$16.65

Expected Percentage of Vesting

154.00%

[2]

100.00%

[2]

0.00%

[2]

Shares Expected to Vest

159,181

123,629

0

Series Award One

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

Grant Dates

9-Dec-14

25-Feb-14

4-Dec-12

Target Award Shares

103,499

127,315

141,059

Grant Date Fair Value

17.81

14.88

18.75

Measurement Period Ending

31-Jul-17

31-Jul-16

31-Jul-15

[1]

(1) Forfeitures include 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 154.0%, 100.0% and 0.0% of the target award for the fiscal year 2015, 2014 and 2013 awards, respectively.

Summary_of_Performance_Based_S1

Summary of Performance Based Stock Awards (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Scenario, Forecast)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Scenario, Forecast
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected Percentage of Vesting	154.00%	100.00%	0.00%

Summary_of_Activity_for_TimeBa

Summary of Activity for Time-Based Stock Awards (Detail) (Time Based Shares, USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Time Based Shares
Non-vested Shares
Non-vested on August 1, 2014	50,100
Granted	49,091	[1]
Vested	-21,592	[2]
Non-vested on January 31, 2015	77,599
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Non-vested on August 1, 2014	$19.19
Granted	$18.04	[1]
Vested	$19.16	[2]
Non-vested on January 31, 2015	$18.47
[1]	Includes 3,000 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 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors on January 31, 2015 for service for the six months ended January 31, 2015. Also includes 34,499 shares granted to certain executives which vest over a service period of three years beginning on August 1, 2014.
[2]	Includes 5,663 and 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors for service for the three and six months ended January 31, 2015. 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. The vested amount includes 6,000 shares granted to Mr. Fraser and 4,000 shares granted to certain other executives of the Company that vested.

Summary_of_Activity_for_TimeBa1

Summary of Activity for Time-Based Stock Awards (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015
Time Based Shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time based stock awards granted		49,091	[1]
Time based stock awards Vested		21,592	[2]
Time Based Shares | Certain executives and employees
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time based stock awards granted		3,000
Time Based Shares | Certain executives and employees | Minimum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards granted, vesting period		1 year
Time Based Shares | Certain executives and employees | Maximum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards granted, vesting period		2 years
Time Based Shares | Non Employee Director
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time based stock awards granted		11,592
Time Based Shares | Certain Executives
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time based stock awards granted		34,499
Stock awards granted, vesting period		3 years
Time Based Awards | Non Employee Director
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time based stock awards Vested	5,663	11,592
Time Based Awards | Certain Executives
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time based stock awards Vested		4,000
Time Based Awards | Christopher T. Fraser
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time based stock awards Vested		6,000
[1]	Includes 3,000 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 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors on January 31, 2015 for service for the six months ended January 31, 2015. Also includes 34,499 shares granted to certain executives which vest over a service period of three years beginning on August 1, 2014.
[2]	Includes 5,663 and 11,592 shares granted to non-employee directors for service for the three and six months ended January 31, 2015. 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. The vested amount includes 6,000 shares granted to Mr. Fraser and 4,000 shares granted to certain other executives of the Company that vested.

Intangible_Assets_Detail

Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	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	-3,867	-3,052
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	-202	880
Carrying Amount	12,352	14,249
Total intangible assets not subject to amortization	8,765	14,104
Total intangible assets, net	21,117	28,353
Penta product registrations
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets not subject to amortization	8,765	8,765
Creosote product registrations
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets not subject to amortization		5,339
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	-702	-559
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	-79	79
Carrying Amount	1,423	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	-72	-67
Carrying Amount	45	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	-3,093	-2,426
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	-123	801
Carrying Amount	$10,884	$12,475

Intangible_Assets_Parenthetica

Intangible Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
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
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

Intangible_Asset_Additional_In

Intangible Asset - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$401	$475	$815	$962

Dividends_Additional_Informati

Dividends - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 24, 2015
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividend paid	$351	$348	$700	$695
Dividend per share	$0.03	$0.03	$0.03	$0.03
Dividends payable declared date	24-Feb-15
Dividends payable payment date	20-Mar-15
Dividends payable record date	9-Mar-15
Subsequent Event
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends payable amount per share					$0.03

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segment	2

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales for reportable segments	$79,762		$84,253		$170,541		$177,813
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization					6,767		7,011
Total segment income from operations	3,167		-1,603		5,986		1,452
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales for reportable segments	79,731		84,223		170,481		177,739
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	3,337		3,547		6,767		7,011
Total segment income from operations	7,165	[1]	4,106	[1]	13,871	[1]	9,949	[1]
Operating Segments | Electronic chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales for reportable segments	66,595		61,428		132,918		125,880
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	3,126		3,345		6,328		6,592
Total segment income from operations	5,570	[1]	2,995	[1]	9,691	[1]	6,333	[1]
Operating Segments | Wood Treating Chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales for reportable segments	13,136		22,795		37,563		51,859
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	97		98		193		196
Total segment income from operations	1,595	[1]	1,111	[1]	4,180	[1]	3,616	[1]
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales for reportable segments	31		30		60		74
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization	$114		$104		$246		$223
[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, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total corporate overhead expense allocation	$4,172	$3,535	$7,497	$6,568
Operating Segments | Electronic chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total corporate overhead expense allocation	2,999	2,465	5,390	4,438
Operating Segments | Wood Treating Chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total corporate overhead expense allocation	$1,173	$1,070	$2,107	$2,130

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, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$79,762		$84,253		$170,541		$177,813
Total segment income from operations	3,167		-1,603		5,986		1,452
Other corporate expense	-1,339	[1]	-1,678	[1]	-2,653	[1]	-4,466	[1]
Restructuring and realignment charges	-2,659		-4,031		-5,232		-4,031
Interest expense, net	-184		-661		-987		-1,324
Other income (expense), net (Including gain on sale of creosote distribution business)	5,551		-120		5,523		-435
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,534		-2,384		10,522		-307
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	79,731		84,223		170,481		177,739
Total segment income from operations	7,165	[2]	4,106	[2]	13,871	[2]	9,949	[2]
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$31		$30		$60		$74
[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 $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$39,000	$60,000
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	39,000	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	$39,000

Debt_Parenthetical_Detail

Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Senior Secured Debt)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015
Note Purchase Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan maturity date	31-Dec-14
Note purchase agreement interest rate	7.43%	7.43%
Revolving loan facility, maturing on April 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan maturity date	30-Apr-18
Variable interest rate	2.00%
Revolving loan facility, maturing on October 9, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan maturity date		9-Oct-19
Variable interest rate		1.13%

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 09, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt		$39,000,000	$60,000,000
Repayments of secured debt		20,000,000
Line of credit facility, outstanding	38,000,000
Fixed charge coverage ratio		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
Note Purchase Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of secured debt		20,000,000
Fees and expenses related to new credit facility	693,000
Penalty for the early repayment of the note	288,000
Revolving Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument variable rate		1.30%
Revolving Loan Facility | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of unused commitment fee on unused amount of commitments under revolving loan facility		0.30%
Revolving Loan Facility | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of unused commitment fee on unused amount of commitments under revolving loan facility		0.15%
Senior Secured Debt | Note Purchase Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt			20,000,000
Note purchase agreement interest rate		7.43%	7.43%
Loan maturity date			31-Dec-14
Senior Secured Debt | Revolving loan facility, maturing on April 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt			40,000,000
Debt instrument variable rate			2.16%
Loan maturity date			30-Apr-18
Senior Secured Debt | Revolving loan facility, maturing on October 9, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt		39,000,000
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		9-Oct-19
Amount available under revolving facility		$76,700,000

Ratio_of_Funded_Debt_to_Ebitda

Ratio of Funded Debt to Ebitda (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	35.70%	-15.10%	36.60%	-353.60%
Discrete items net benefits			$220
Effective Income Tax Rate Excluding Restructuring Charges And Operational Results In Italy
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	35.40%	31.40%	35.00%	33.40%

Litigation_and_Other_Contingen1

Litigation and Other Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Tax Assessment July Thirty First Two Thousand And Eleven	Tax Assessment July Thirty First Two Thousand And Eleven	Tax Assessment December Two Thousand And Seven	Tax Assessment December Two Thousand And Seven	Provincial Court in Milan, Italy	Provincial Court in Milan, Italy
					Case	USD ($)	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]
Number of cases contested by subsidiary in the Provincial Tax Court in Milan, Italy					2
Proposed adjustment from taxing authorities resulting additional income tax										$2,000,000	€ 1,800,000
Foreign currency exchange rate, translation						1.132		1.132
Liability for uncertain tax positions in Italy						101,000	326,000	900,000	795,000
EPA estimated remediation cost					22,000,000
Rebates on purchases of creosote	2,400,000	2,400,000
Repayment of rebates			2,700,000	2,700,000
Rebates, accrued		$1,900,000

Restructuring_and_Realignment_2

Restructuring and Realignment Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	24 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Closed Facilities
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation	$3,300,000
Closed Facilities | Minimum
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Estimated restructuring charges over fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016	7,000,000	7,000,000		7,000,000
Closed Facilities | Maximum
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Estimated restructuring charges over fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016	9,000,000	9,000,000		9,000,000
Fremont And Milan Facilities
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation		227,000	800,000	858,000	800,000
Hydrofluoric Acid Business
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation		2,200,000		4,100,000
Severance Costs						800,000
Hydrofluoric Acid Business | Minimum
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Estimated restructuring charges over fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016						3,500,000
Hydrofluoric Acid Business | Maximum
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Estimated restructuring charges over fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016						$4,300,000

Restructuring_and_Realignment_3

Restructuring and Realignment Events - Accrued Liability Associated with Restructuring and Other Related Charges (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	$2,725
Charges	101
Payments	-1,275
Adjustment	-378
Accrued liability at January 31, 2015	1,173
Employee costs
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	1,888
Payments	-726
Adjustment	-267
Accrued liability at January 31, 2015	895
Decommissioning and Environmental
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	810
Charges	90
Payments	-549
Adjustment	-97
Accrued liability at January 31, 2015	254
Other
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued liability at August 1, 2014	27
Charges	11
Adjustment	-14
Accrued liability at January 31, 2015	$24

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Animal Health Business, Kansas Facility, Ritepack Inc, USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 26, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Disposal Date	26-Feb-15
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sale price		$2.50