RPM International (RPM) 10-K 14 Aug 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	Aug. 14, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-May-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'RPM	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'RPM INTERNATIONAL INC/DE/	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000110621	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--05-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	133,509,649	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$5,185,763,391

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$332,868	$343,554
Trade accounts receivable (less allowances of $27,641 and $28,904, respectively)	873,946	787,517
Inventories	613,644	548,680
Deferred income taxes	22,281	36,210
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	219,556	169,956
Total current assets	2,062,295	1,885,917
Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost	1,191,676	1,128,123
Allowance for depreciation and amortization	-658,871	-635,760
Property, plant and equipment, net	532,805	492,363
Other Assets	'	'
Goodwill	1,147,374	1,113,831
Other intangible assets, net of amortization	459,536	459,613
Deferred income taxes, non-current	7,943	5,676
Other	168,412	163,447
Total other assets	1,783,265	1,742,567
Total Assets	4,378,365	4,120,847
Current Liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	525,680	478,185
Current portion of long-term debt	5,662	4,521
Accrued compensation and benefits	173,846	154,844
Accrued loss reserves	27,487	27,591
Other accrued liabilities	204,411	262,889
Total current liabilities	937,086	928,030
Long-Term Liabilities	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,345,965	1,369,176
Other long-term liabilities	466,659	417,160
Deferred income taxes	50,061	51,548
Total long-term liabilities	1,862,685	1,837,884
Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $0.01; authorized 50,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01; authorized 300,000 shares; issued 138,039 and outstanding 133,273 as of May 2014; issued 136,913 and outstanding 132,596 as of May 2013	1,333	1,326
Paid-in capital	790,102	763,505
Treasury stock, at cost	-85,400	-72,494
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)	-156,882	-159,253
Retained earnings	833,691	667,774
Total RPM International Inc. stockholders' equity	1,382,844	1,200,858
Noncontrolling interest	195,750	154,075
Total Equity	1,578,594	1,354,933
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$4,378,365	$4,120,847

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Trade accounts receivable, allowances	$27,641	$28,904
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, authorized	50,000	50,000
Preferred stock, issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized	300,000	300,000
Common stock, issued	138,039	136,913
Common stock, outstanding	133,273	132,596

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14		31-May-13		31-May-12
Net Sales	$4,376,353	[1]	$4,078,655	[1]	$3,777,416	[1]
Cost of Sales	2,500,585		2,375,936		2,235,153
Gross Profit	1,875,768		1,702,719		1,542,263
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	1,390,128		1,309,235		1,155,714
Loss Contingency	'		65,134		'
Restructuring Expense	243		20,072		'
Interest Expense	80,951		79,846		72,045
Investment (Income), Net	-15,715		-6,178		-4,186
Other (Income) Expense, Net	-4,083		57,719		-9,599
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	424,487	[2]	176,891	[2]	328,289	[2]
Provision for Income Taxes	118,503		67,040		94,526
Net Income	305,984		109,851		233,763
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	14,324		11,248		17,827
Net Income Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders	$291,660		$98,603		$215,936
Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding:	'		'		'
Basic	129,438		128,956		128,130
Diluted	132,288		129,801		128,717
Earnings per Share of Common Stock Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders:	'		'		'
Basic	$2.20		$0.75		$1.65
Diluted	$2.18		$0.74		$1.65
Cash Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock	$0.95		$0.89		$0.86
[1]	It is not practicable to obtain the information needed to disclose revenues attributable to each of our product lines.
[2]	The presentation includes a reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, a measure defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, to EBIT.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Net income	$305,984	$109,851	$233,763
Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax:	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	14,272	-7,963	-112,668
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Liabilities	'	'	'
Net Loss Arising During the Period	-33,040	27,514	-138,634
Prior Service Cost Arising During the Period	1,087	'	'
Less: Amortization of Prior Service Cost Included in Net Periodic Pension Cost	200	310	276
Less: Amortization of Net Gain (Loss) and Settlement Recognition	16,086	20,412	10,693
Effect of Exchange Rates on Amounts Included for Pensions	140	529	4,500
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments	-15,527	48,765	-123,165
Unrealized Gains on Available-For-Sale Securities	'	'	'
Unrealized Holding Gains During the Period	4,368	7,967	-21,030
Less: Reclassification Adjustments for Gains Included in Net Income	1,220	-1,953	1,043
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities	5,588	6,014	-19,987
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	-1,463	-15	-6,590
Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax	2,870	46,801	-262,410
Income Tax Expense Related to Components of Other Comprehensive Income	4,976	-19,470	50,565
Other Comprehensive Income, After Tax	7,846	27,331	-211,845
Comprehensive Income	313,830	137,182	21,918
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	19,799	19,939	-10,052
Comprehensive Income Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders	$294,031	$117,243	$31,970

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$305,984	$109,851	$233,763
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation	58,543	55,715	51,939
Amortization	31,526	30,621	24,084
Impairment on investment in Kemrock	'	51,092	'
Loss Contingency	'	65,134	'
Asset impairment charge	'	7,416	'
Other-than-temporary impairments on marketable securities	161	14,279	1,604
Deferred income taxes	6,572	-40,991	-7,088
Stock-based compensation expense	23,568	17,145	13,904
Other	-1,833	-2,190	-6,590
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect from purchases and sales of businesses:	'	'	'
Decrease (increase) in receivables	-79,080	-6,853	-36,791
Decrease (increase) in inventory	-59,001	-40,079	-14,856
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current and long-term assets	-12,586	2,236	24,897
Increase in accounts payable	42,216	70,803	31,202
(Decrease) increase in accrued compensation and benefits	19,193	-8,399	11,299
(Decrease) in accrued loss reserves	-146	-1,847	-3,489
Increase in other accrued liabilities	14,855	61,035	-31,998
(Decrease) in contingent payment	-63,014	'	'
Other	-8,809	-16,514	2,992
Cash From Operating Activities	278,149	368,454	294,872
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-93,792	-91,367	-71,615
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-39,248	-397,425	-163,414
Purchase of marketable securities	-83,536	-106,301	-69,824
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	62,896	106,509	51,415
Proceeds from sales of assets and businesses	2,794	128	2,171
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	'	'	-32,529
Other	1,175	11,052	16,474
Cash (Used For) Investing Activities	-149,711	-477,404	-267,322
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Additions to long-term and short-term debt	208,582	300,902	27,894
Reductions of long-term and short-term debt	-215,105	-49,376	-36,128
Cash dividends	-125,743	-117,647	-112,153
Repurchase of stock	-12,907	-3,013	-6,985
Exercise of stock options	7,930	7,284	9,931
Cash From (Used For) Financing Activities	-137,243	138,150	-117,441
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	-1,881	-1,614	-29,152
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-10,686	27,586	-119,043
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	343,554	315,968	435,011
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	332,868	343,554	315,968
Cash paid during the year for:	'	'	'
Interest	81,505	77,869	70,517
Income taxes	103,338	106,043	96,067
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Debt from business combinations	'	$1,377	$3,858

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Paid-In Capital	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total RPM International Inc. Equity	Non-Controlling Interests
In Thousands
Beginning Balance at May. 31, 2011	$1,387,368	$1,306	$735,245	($62,495)	$6,073	$583,035	$1,263,164	$124,204
Beginning Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2011	'	130,580	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	233,763	'	'	'	'	215,936	215,936	17,827
Other comprehensive income	-211,845	'	'	'	-183,966	'	-183,966	-27,879
Dividends paid	-112,153	'	'	'	'	-112,153	-112,153	'
Other noncontrolling interest activity	'	'	-16,175	'	'	'	-16,175	16,175
Shares repurchased (in shares)	'	-165	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares repurchased	-3,008	-2	2	-3,008	'	'	-3,008	'
Stock option exercises (in shares)	'	577	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises	6,599	6	7,311	-718	'	'	6,599	'
Stock option compensation	3,991	'	3,991	'	'	'	3,991	'
Restricted stock award compensation (in shares)	'	563	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock award compensation	9,268	6	12,521	-3,259	'	'	9,268	'
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2012	1,313,983	1,316	742,895	-69,480	-177,893	686,818	1,183,656	130,327
Ending Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2012	'	131,555	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	109,851	'	'	'	'	98,603	98,603	11,248
Other comprehensive income	27,331	'	'	'	18,640	'	18,640	8,691
Dividends paid	-117,647	'	'	'	'	-117,647	-117,647	'
Other noncontrolling interest activity	'	'	-3,809	'	'	'	-3,809	3,809
Stock option exercises (in shares)	'	431	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises	2,858	4	4,788	-1,934	'	'	2,858	'
Stock option compensation	1,318	'	1,318	'	'	'	1,318	'
Restricted stock award compensation (in shares)	'	610	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock award compensation	17,239	6	18,313	-1,080	'	'	17,239	'
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2013	1,354,933	1,326	763,505	-72,494	-159,253	667,774	1,200,858	154,075
Ending Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2013	'	132,596	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	305,984	'	'	'	'	291,660	291,660	14,324
Other comprehensive income	7,846	'	'	'	2,371	'	2,371	5,475
Dividends paid	-125,743	'	'	'	'	-125,743	-125,743	'
Other noncontrolling interest activity	'	'	-21,876	'	'	'	-21,876	21,876
Stock option exercises (in shares)	'	404	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises	-462	4	3,920	-4,386	'	'	-462	'
Stock option compensation	6,894	'	6,894	'	'	'	6,894	'
Restricted stock award compensation (in shares)	'	273	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock award compensation	16,164	3	24,681	-8,520	'	'	16,164	'
Equity component convertible bond	13,470	'	13,470	'	'	'	13,470	'
Deferred financing convertible bond	-492	'	-492	'	'	'	-492	'
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2014	$1,578,594	$1,333	$790,102	($85,400)	($156,882)	$833,691	$1,382,844	$195,750
Ending Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2014	'	133,273	'	'	'	'	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	NOTE A — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	1) Consolidation, Noncontrolling Interests and Basis of Presentation
	Our financial statements include all of our majority-owned subsidiaries, except for certain subsidiaries that were deconsolidated on May 31, 2010 (please refer to Note A[2]). We account for our investments in less-than-majority-owned joint ventures, for which we have the ability to exercise significant influence, under the equity method. Effects of transactions between related companies, except for certain subsidiaries that were deconsolidated, are eliminated in consolidation.
	Our business is dependent on external weather factors. Historically, we have experienced strong sales and net income in our first, second and fourth fiscal quarters comprising the three-month periods ending August 31, November 30 and May 31, respectively, with weaker performance in our third fiscal quarter (December through February).
	Noncontrolling interests are presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements as if parent company investors (controlling interests) and other minority investors (noncontrolling interests) in partially owned subsidiaries have similar economic interests in a single entity. As a result, investments in noncontrolling interests are reported as equity in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, our Consolidated Financial Statements include 100% of a controlled subsidiary’s earnings, rather than only our share. Transactions between the parent company and noncontrolling interests are reported in equity as transactions between stockholders, provided that these transactions do not create a change in control.
	2) Deconsolidation of Specialty Products Holding Corp. (“SPHC”)
	On May 31, 2010, Bondex International, Inc. (“Bondex”) and its parent, SPHC, filed Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”). SPHC is our wholly owned subsidiary. In accordance with ASC 810, when a subsidiary becomes subject to the control of a government, court, administrator, or regulator, deconsolidation of that subsidiary is generally required. We therefore deconsolidated SPHC and its subsidiaries from our balance sheet as of May 31, 2010, and eliminated the results of SPHC’s operations from our results of operations beginning on that date. We believe we have no responsibility for liabilities of SPHC and Bondex. As a result of the Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings, on a prospective basis we will continue to account for our investment in SPHC under the cost method.
	We had a net receivable from SPHC at May 31, 2010, that we expect may change before the bankruptcy proceedings have been finalized. The potential change relates to our indemnification of an insurer on appeal bonds pertaining to Bondex’s appeal of two asbestos cases that had been underway prior to the bankruptcy filing, neither of which are material in amount. During our fiscal 2012, one of the appeal bonds was satisfied, and during fiscal 2013, the remaining appeal bond was satisfied. Included in the net amount due from SPHC are receivables and payables, which we concluded we have the right to report as a net amount based on several factors, including the fact that all amounts are determinable, the balances are due to and from our subsidiaries, and we have been given reasonable assurance that netting the applicable receivables and payables would remain legally enforceable. We analyzed our net investment in SPHC as of May 31, 2010, which included a review of our advances to SPHC, an assessment of the collectibility of our net receivables due from SPHC, and a computation of the gain to be recorded upon deconsolidation based on the carrying amount of our investment in SPHC. In accordance with GAAP, the gain on deconsolidation related to the carrying amount of net assets of SPHC at May 31, 2010, was calculated in accordance with ASC 810-10-40-5, as follows:
		a)	the aggregate of (1) the fair value of consideration received, (2) the fair value of any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary at the date the subsidiary is deconsolidated, and (3) the carrying amount of any noncontrolling interest in the former subsidiary; less
		b)	the carrying amount of the former subsidiary’s assets and liabilities.
	In determining the carrying value of any retained noncontrolling investment in SPHC at the date of deconsolidation we considered several factors, including analyses of cash flows combined with various assumptions relating to the future performance of this entity and a discounted value of SPHC’s recorded asbestos-related contingent obligations based on information available to us as of the date of deconsolidation. The discounted cash flow approach relies primarily on Level 3 unobservable inputs, whereby expected future cash flows are discounted using a rate that includes assumptions regarding an entity’s average cost of debt and equity, incorporates expected future cash flows based on internal business plans, and applies certain assumptions about risk and uncertainties due to the bankruptcy filing. Our estimates are based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which by nature are uncertain and unpredictable. As a result of this analysis, we determined that the carrying value of our retained interest in SPHC approximated zero.
	As a result of the combined analyses of each of the components of our net investment in SPHC, we recorded a net loss of approximately $7.9 million, which was reflected in Other Expense, Net, during the fourth fiscal quarter of the year ended May 31, 2010. No changes have been made to these amounts through May 31, 2014.
	3) Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date the Consolidated Financial Statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
	4) Acquisitions/Divestitures
	We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date.
	During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014, we completed four acquisitions. Two of the current-year acquisitions report through our consumer reportable segment, which included the following: a producer of specialty primers based in Westlake, Ohio; and a producer and marketer of premium concrete and wood deck floor coatings based in St. Paul, Minnesota. The other two product line acquisitions report through our industrial reportable segment and included the following: a Nova Scotia limited company that patented structural fibers used to replace steel fibers, welded wire mesh and conventional reinforcing bars in a wide variety of applications; and a producer of terrazzo tile, cork and rubber/cork floor tiles headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania.
	During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013, we completed six acquisitions. Two of those acquisitions report through our consumer reportable segment, which included the following: a producer and marketer of innovative and unique exterior wood deck and concrete restoration systems based in Clarkston, Georgia; and a manufacturer of nail care enamels, coatings components and related products for the personal care industry located in Paterson, New Jersey. The remaining product line acquisitions report through our industrial reportable segment, and include our acquisition of a manufacturer of rolled asphalt roofing materials, waterproofing products, chemical admixtures and industrial epoxy flooring systems located in Cacapava, Brazil; and three smaller businesses.
	The purchase price for each acquisition has been allocated to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition. Final determinations of the purchase price allocation for these acquisitions have been completed, and are aggregated by year of purchase in the following table:
			Fiscal 2014 Acquisitions						Fiscal 2013 Acquisitions
	(In thousands)		Weighted-			Total			Weighted-			Total
			Average						Average
			Intangible						Intangible
			Asset						Asset
			Amortization						Amortization
			Life (In						Life (In
			Years)						Years)
	Current assets					$	10,874					$	67,397
	Property, plant and equipment						4,234						46,306
	Goodwill			N/A			21,296			N/A			260,789
	Tradenames - indefinite lives			N/A			2,000			N/A			38,448
	Other intangible assets			14			19,462			9			103,593
	Other long-term assets						—						8,171
	Total Assets Acquired					$	57,866					$	524,704
	Liabilities assumed						(18,361	)					(120,372	)
	Net Assets Acquired					$	39,505	(1)				$	404,332	(2)
	-1	Figure includes cash acquired of $0.3 million.
	-2	Figure includes cash acquired of $6.9 million.
	Our Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the results of operations of acquired businesses as of their respective dates of acquisition. Pro-forma results of operations for the years ended May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013 were not materially different from reported results and, consequently, are not presented.
	5) Foreign Currency
	The functional currency for each of our foreign subsidiaries is its principal operating currency. Accordingly, for the periods presented, assets and liabilities have been translated using exchange rates at year end, while income and expense for the periods have been translated using a weighted-average exchange rate.
	The resulting translation adjustments have been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity, and will be included in net earnings only upon the sale or liquidation of the underlying foreign investment, neither of which is contemplated at this time. Transaction gains and losses have been immaterial during the past three fiscal years.
	6) Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of the statement of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We do not believe we are exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value.
	7) Property, Plant & Equipment
	May 31,		2014			2013
	(In thousands)
	Land		$	50,245		$	45,281
	Buildings and leasehold improvements			328,269			311,869
	Machinery and equipment			813,162			770,973
	Total property, plant and equipment, at cost			1,191,676			1,128,123
	Less: allowance for depreciation and amortization			658,871			635,760
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	532,805		$	492,363
	We review long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying values of these assets may not be recoverable. For assets that are to be held and used, an impairment charge is recognized when the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with the asset or group of assets are less than their carrying value. If impairment exists, an adjustment is made to write the asset down to its fair value, and a loss is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value. Fair values are determined based on quoted market values, discounted cash flows, internal appraisals or external appraisals, as applicable. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their carrying value or estimated net realizable value.
	Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the following ranges of useful lives:
	Land improvements		3 to 30 years
	Buildings and improvements		3 to 50 years
	Machinery and equipment		1 to 30 years
	Total depreciation expense for each fiscal period includes the charges to income that result from the amortization of assets recorded under capital leases.
	8) Revenue Recognition
	Revenues are recognized when realized or realizable, and when earned. In general, this is when title and risk of loss pass to the customer. Further, revenues are realizable when we have persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement, the product has been shipped or the services have been provided to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. We reduce our revenues for estimated customer returns and allowances, certain rebates, sales incentives, and promotions in the same period the related sales are recorded.
	We also record revenues generated under long-term construction contracts, mainly in connection with the installation of specialized roofing and flooring systems, and related services. Certain long-term construction contracts are accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, and therefore we record contract revenues and related costs as our contracts progress. This method recognizes the economic results of contract performance on a timelier basis than does the completed-contract method; however, application of this method requires reasonably dependable estimates of progress toward completion, as well as other dependable estimates. When reasonably dependable estimates cannot be made, or if other factors make estimates doubtful, the completed-contract method is applied. Under the completed-contract method, billings and costs are accumulated on the balance sheet as the contract progresses, but no revenue is recognized until the contract is complete or substantially complete.
	9) Shipping Costs
Shipping costs paid to third-party shippers for transporting products to customers are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. For the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, shipping costs were $133.0 million, $125.6 million and $112.0 million, respectively.
10) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable
An allowance for anticipated uncollectible trade receivable amounts is established using a combination of specifically identified accounts to be reserved and a reserve covering trends in collectibility. These estimates are based on an analysis of trends in collectability and past experience, but are primarily made up of individual account balances identified as doubtful based on specific facts and conditions. Receivable losses are charged against the allowance when we confirm uncollectibility. Actual collections of trade receivables could differ from our estimates due to changes in future economic or industry conditions or specific customer’s financial conditions. For the periods ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, bad debt expense approximated $7.6 million, $18.8 million and $5.8 million, respectively. Included in bad debt expense during fiscal 2013 is $9.0 million recognized for amounts written off in relation to our loan to Kemrock.
11) Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis and market being determined on the basis of replacement cost or net realizable value. Inventory costs include raw materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. We review the net realizable value of our inventory in detail on an on-going basis, with consideration given to various factors, which include our estimated reserves for excess, obsolete, slow moving or distressed inventories. If actual market conditions differ from our projections, and our estimates prove to be inaccurate, write-downs of inventory values and adjustments to cost of sales may be required. Historically, our inventory reserves have approximated actual experience. Inventories were composed of the following major classes:
May 31,		2014			2013
(In thousands)
Raw material and supplies		$	213,981		$	185,590
Finished goods			399,663			363,090
Total Inventory		$	613,644		$	548,680
12) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350 and account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the entities acquired are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets.
We performed the required annual goodwill impairment assessments as of the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter at the reporting unit level. Our reporting units have been identified at the component level, which is the operating segment level or one level below. First, we assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The traditional two-step quantitative process is required only if we conclude that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. However, we have an unconditional option to bypass a qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the traditional two-step quantitative analysis. We applied both the qualitative and traditional two-step quantitative processes during our annual goodwill impairment assessment performed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.
The traditional two-step quantitative goodwill impairment assessment involves estimating the fair value of a reporting unit and comparing it with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, additional steps are followed to determine and recognize, if appropriate, an impairment loss. Calculating the fair value of the reporting units requires our significant use of estimates and assumptions. We estimate the fair values of our reporting units by applying a combination of third-party market-value indicators, when observable market data is available, and discounted future cash flows to each of our reporting unit’s projected EBITDA. In applying this methodology, we rely on a number of factors, including actual and forecasted operating results and market data. As a result of the assessments performed for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no indicators of impairment, including no reporting units that were at risk of failing step one of the traditional two-step quantitative analysis.
Additionally, we test all indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually. We perform the required annual impairment assessments as of the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter. During fiscal 2013, we adopted new FASB guidance that simplifies how an entity tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. It provides an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount.
The annual impairment assessment involves estimating the fair value of each indefinite-lived asset and comparing it with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, we record an impairment loss equal to the difference. Calculating the fair value of the indefinite-lived assets requires our significant use of estimates and assumptions. We estimate the fair values of our intangible assets by applying a relief-from-royalty calculation, which includes discounted future cash flows related to each of our intangible asset’s projected revenues. In applying this methodology, we rely on a number of factors, including actual and forecasted revenues and market data. As a result of the assessments performed for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no indicators of impairment.
Should the future earnings and cash flows at our reporting units decline and/or discount rates increase, future impairment charges to goodwill and other intangible assets may be required.
13) Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are charged to operations when incurred and are included in SG&A expenses. For the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, advertising costs were $49.6 million, $43.2 million and $34.1 million, respectively.
14) Research and Development
Research and development costs are charged to operations when incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The amounts charged to expense for the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $54.6 million, $49.3 million and $45.4 million, respectively.
15) Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to our employees and directors, which may include restricted stock, stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). We measure stock-based compensation cost at the date of grant, based on the estimated fair value of the award. We recognize the cost as expense on a straight-line basis (net of estimated forfeitures) over the related vesting period. Refer to Note I, “Stock-Based Compensation,” for further information.
16) Investment (Income), Net
Investment (income), net, consists of the following components:
Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
(In thousands)
Interest (income)		$	(6,327	)	$	(6,814	)	$	(5,031	)
Loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities			(7,353	)		(11,664	)		862
Other-than-temporary impairment on securities			161			14,279			1,604
Dividend (income)			(2,196	)		(1,979	)		(1,621	)
Investment (income), net		$	(15,715	)	$	(6,178	)	$	(4,186	)
17) Other (Income) Expense, Net
Other (income) expense, net, consists of the following components:
Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
(In thousands)
Royalty (income), net		$	(1,195	)	$	(2,069	)	$	(1,520	)
Loss on Brazil operational repositioning			—			6,087
Loss on Kemrock conversion option			—			9,030
(Income) loss related to unconsolidated equity affiliates			(2,888	)		44,671			(8,079	)
Other (income) expense, net		$	(4,083	)	$	57,719		$	(9,599	)
Equity in Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
Beginning with our fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, we began purchasing shares of Kemrock Industries and Exports Limited (“Kemrock”) common stock. By May 31, 2011, we had acquired a total of approximately 3.2 million shares of Kemrock common stock, for an accumulated cost of approximately $24.2 million, which represented approximately 18% of Kemrock’s outstanding shares at that time. Our investment in Kemrock common stock had been classified in other long-term assets on our balance sheet and included with available-for-sale securities, which are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices.
During fiscal 2012, we purchased approximately 870,000 additional shares of Kemrock common stock, which increased our ownership to 23% of Kemrock’s outstanding shares. Also during fiscal 2012, we entered into a GDR Purchase Agreement with Kemrock, whereby we purchased from Kemrock 693,072 GDRs of Kemrock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $7.2 million. We account for our investment in the Kemrock GDRs as common stock equivalents within our total investment in Kemrock. Lastly, during fiscal 2012, we invested $22.7 million in 5.5% convertible bonds issued by Kemrock. The bonds are convertible into ordinary shares or GDRs, each representing one ordinary share of Kemrock stock, and may be converted at any time on or after June 4, 2012 and up to the close of business on June 12, 2017.
Due to the presumption under GAAP that an entity with an ownership percentage greater than 20% has significant influence, and no other factors would refute that presumption, we changed our accounting for this investment to the equity method. Adjustments are made to our investment in order to recognize our share of Kemrock’s earnings as they occur, rather than as dividends or other distributions are received. Any changes in our proportionate share of the underlying equity of Kemrock, which could result from their issuance of additional equity securities, are recognized as increases or decreases in shareholders’ equity, net of any related tax effects.
We account for our equity method investment in Kemrock under ASC 323, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” As outlined in ASC 323-10-35-32, a decline in the quoted market price below the carrying amount, when combined with other evidence of a loss in value, may be indicative of a loss in value that is other than temporary. In consideration of all available evidence to evaluate the realizable value of our equity investment, including a decline in the market price of shares of Kemrock stock, the financial condition and near term prospects of Kemrock, and the overall economic situation in India, we determined that it was appropriate to record an impairment loss during fiscal 2013 of approximately $55.9 million on our equity method investment, which is classified in other (income) expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We also recorded a loss of approximately $13.7 million for the write-down of our investment in Kemrock convertible bonds, which is classified in investment (income) expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Our investment in Kemrock had no carrying value at May 31, 2014 or 2013.
Loss on Repositioning of Operations in Brazil
During fiscal 2013, we completed a definitive plan to substantially liquidate our StonCor Brazil subsidiary, a small flooring business in Brazil with sales, income and assets that amounted to significantly less than 1% of our consolidated sales, income and assets in any given year, in order to leverage the substantial sales force, manufacturing facilities, broad distribution network and entrepreneurial management team of our Viapol subsidiary, which was acquired in June 2012. The acquisition of Viapol has given us the critical mass needed to sell construction products in Brazil, including RPM’s existing flooring brands such as Stonhard and Flowcrete. Viapol has the local manufacturing capabilities and technically skilled salespeople required to sell epoxy and polyurethane flooring in Brazil where we previously lacked a significant presence.
As a result of our repositioning of certain of our industrial segment operations in Brazil, we incurred a loss of approximately $6.1 million. Included in the loss was the impact of an adjustment for accumulated foreign currency translation. This non-cash charge was previously recorded as an unrealized foreign exchange loss in our currency translation account as a component of other comprehensive income.
18) Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is calculated using the liability method. Under the liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and the amounts used for income tax purposes and for certain changes in valuation allowances. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce certain deferred tax assets when, in our estimation, it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.
As of May 31, 2014, it is possible that we could repatriate approximately $50.0 million of undistributed foreign earnings in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the estimated tax impact, $2.5 million, of this potential repatriation has been reflected in our current results. We have not provided for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes on the remaining foreign subsidiaries’ undistributed earnings of approximately $1.2 billion because such earnings have been retained and reinvested by the subsidiaries as of May 31, 2014. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes, which may become payable if the remaining undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries were paid to us as dividends. The additional income taxes and applicable withholding taxes that would result had such earnings actually been repatriated are not practically determinable.
19) Earnings Per Share of Common Stock
Earnings per share (EPS) is computed using the two-class method. The two-class method determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends and dividend equivalents and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings. Our unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends are considered participating securities. Basic EPS of common stock is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS of common stock is computed on the basis of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential shares of common stock outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential shares of common stock include outstanding stock options, stock awards and convertible notes. See Note K, “Earnings Per Share of Common Stock,” for additional information.
20) Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2013, the FASB further amended the disclosure requirements for comprehensive income. The update requires companies to disclose items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income in a single location either in the notes to the consolidated financial statements or parenthetically on the face of the Statements of Operations. The change is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012, and is to be applied prospectively. Our adoption of these provisions on June 1, 2013 did not affect our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or liquidity as it is disclosure-related only.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard for virtually all industries in U.S. GAAP. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is prohibited. We have not yet determined the effects, if any, adoption of this update may have on our consolidated financial statements.

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Restructuring	'
	NOTE B — RESTRUCTURING
	We record restructuring charges associated with management-approved restructuring plans to either reorganize one or more of our business segments, or to remove duplicative headcount and infrastructure associated with our businesses. Restructuring charges can include severance costs to eliminate a specified number of employees, infrastructure charges to vacate facilities and consolidate operations, and contract cancellation costs. Restructuring charges are recorded based upon planned employee termination dates and site closure and consolidation plans. The timing of associated cash payments is dependent upon the type of restructuring charge and can extend over a multi-year period. We record the short-term portion of our restructuring liability in Other accrued liabilities and the long-term portion, if any, in Other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Fiscal 2013 Plans
	In May 2013, we approved a restructuring plan for one of our consumer operating segments designed to eliminate duplicative processes and overhead and to exit certain processes and product lines. This restructuring plan allows management to refocus its attention on faster growing brands within the consumer operating segment. In connection with this plan, we recorded aggregate charges of approximately $15.6 million during the year ended May 31, 2013, of which approximately $8.2 million related to the elimination of 133 positions and approximately $7.4 million resulted from the shutdown of two manufacturing facilities. The facilities have been closed and are awaiting sale. Related severance payments will be paid in full by approximately the third quarter of fiscal 2015. In addition, there were approximately $3.9 million of inventory markdowns, which were reflected in Cost of Sales in our Consolidated Statements of Income during the year ended May 31, 2013.
	Additionally, one of our industrial operating businesses adopted a restructuring plan designed to simplify business processes, accelerate innovation and deliver better results for customers, employees and stockholders. This plan eliminated approximately 34 positions. Severance payments will be paid out in full generally by the first half of fiscal 2015. In connection with the plan, we recorded aggregate charges of approximately $4.5 million during the year ended May 31, 2013, all of which relates to workforce reductions.
	The following table includes the changes in our accrued restructuring balances:
	(In thousands)	Employee			Other			Total
		Severance
	Balance at May 31, 2013	$	12,656		$	397		$	13,053
	Charge to expense		(243	)		—			(243	)
	Cash payments		(10,688	)		(40	)		(10,728	)
	Noncash and foreign exchange impacts		357			24			381
	Balance at May 31, 2014	$	2,082		$	381		$	2,463

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	NOTE C – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by reportable segment, for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Industrial		Consumer		Total
		Segment		Segment
	Balance as of June 1, 2012	$	465,891	$	383,455	$	849,346
	Acquisitions		98,718		162,071		260,789
	Translation adjustments		209		3,487		3,696
	Balance as of May 31, 2013		564,818		549,013		1,113,831
	Acquisitions		3,147		18,149		21,296
	Translation adjustments		4,193		8,054		12,247
	Balance as of May 31, 2014	$	572,158	$	575,216	$	1,147,374
	Total accumulated impairment losses were $14.9 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013, which was recorded during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 by our industrial reportable segment.
	Other intangible assets consist of the following major classes:
	(In thousands)	Amortization		Gross		Accumulated		Net Other
		Period (In		Carrying		Amortization		Intangible
		Years)		Amount				Assets
	As of May 31, 2014
	Amortized intangible assets
	Formulae		3 to 33	$	226,200	$	124,413	$	101,787
	Customer-related intangibles		3 to 33		201,968		80,667		121,301
	Trademarks/names		3 to 40		33,219		15,435		17,784
	Other		2 to 40		57,476		30,329		27,147
	Total Amortized Intangibles				518,863		250,844		268,019
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets
	Trademarks/names				191,517				191,517
	Total Other Intangible Assets			$	710,380	$	250,844	$	459,536
	As of May 31, 2013
	Amortized intangible assets
	Formulae		3 to 33	$	216,418	$	113,315	$	103,103
	Customer-related intangibles		3 to 33		196,376		66,077		130,299
	Trademarks/names		2 to 40		30,223		13,222		17,001
	Other		1 to 40		48,817		27,046		21,771
	Total Amortized Intangibles				491,834		219,660		272,174
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets
	Trademarks/names				187,439				187,439
	Total Other Intangible Assets			$	679,273	$	219,660	$	459,613
	The aggregate intangible asset amortization expense for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $28.2 million, $27.7 million and $21.4 million, respectively. For the next five fiscal years, we estimate annual intangible asset amortization expense related to our existing intangible assets to approximate the following: 2015 — $26.5 million, 2016 — $25.6 million, 2017 — $25.1 million, 2018 — $24.4 million and 2019 — $23.1 million.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Marketable Securities	'
	NOTE D – MARKETABLE SECURITIES
	The following tables summarize marketable securities held at May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013 by asset type:
		Available-For-Sale Securities
	(In thousands)	Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized			Unrealized			(Net
				Gains			Losses			Carrying
										Amount)
	May 31, 2014
	Equity securities:
	Stocks - foreign	$	984	$	669		$	(20	)	$	1,633
	Stocks - domestic		31,071		8,965			(132	)		39,904
	Mutual funds - foreign		30,541		2,799			—			33,340
	Mutual funds - domestic		44,242		1,790			(1,109	)		44,923
	Total equity securities		106,838		14,223			(1,261	)		119,800
	Fixed maturity:
	U.S. treasury and other government		21,156		152			(164	)		21,144
	Corporate bonds		1,544		212			—			1,756
	Foreign bonds		37		3			—			40
	Mortgage-backed securities		85		55			—			140
	Total fixed maturity securities		22,822		422			(164	)		23,080
	Total	$	129,660	$	14,645		$	(1,425	)	$	142,880
		Available-For-Sale Securities
	(In thousands)	Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized			Unrealized			(Net
				Gains			Losses			Carrying
										Amount)
	May 31, 2013
	Equity securities:
	Stocks - foreign	$	1,090	$	244		$	—		$	1,334
	Stocks - domestic		24,492		5,265			(392	)		29,365
	Mutual funds - foreign		18,328		1,901			(7	)		20,222
	Mutual funds - domestic		39,184		679			(492	)		39,371
	Total equity securities		83,094		8,089			(891	)		90,292
	Fixed maturity:
	U.S. treasury and other government		20,528		247			(139	)		20,636
	Corporate bonds		1,724		244			—			1,968
	Foreign bonds		37		4			—			41
	Mortgage-backed securities		100		60			(4	)		156
	Total fixed maturity securities		22,389		555			(143	)		22,801
	Total	$	105,483	$	8,644		$	(1,034	)	$	113,093
	Marketable securities, included in other current and long-term assets totaling $71.9 million and $71.0 million at May 31, 2014, respectively, and included in other current and long-term assets totaling $49.1 million and $64.0 million at May 31, 2013, respectively, are composed of available-for-sale securities and are reported at fair value. We carry a portion of our marketable securities portfolio in long-term assets since they are generally held for the settlement of our general and product liability insurance claims processed through our wholly owned captive insurance subsidiaries.
	Marketable securities are composed of available-for-sale securities and are reported at fair value. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are recognized in net income on the specific identification basis. Changes in the fair values of securities that are considered temporary are recorded as unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Other-than-temporary declines in market value from original cost are reflected in operating income in the period in which the unrealized losses are deemed other than temporary. In order to determine whether other-than-temporary declines in market value have occurred, the duration of the decline in value and our ability to hold the investment are considered in conjunction with an evaluation of the strength of the underlying collateral and the extent to which the investment’s amortized cost or cost, as appropriate, exceeds its related market value.
	Gross gains and losses realized on sales of investments were $7.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the year ended May 31, 2014. Gross gains and losses realized on sales of investments were $12.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the year ended May 31, 2013. During fiscal 2014 and 2013, we recognized losses of approximately $0.2 million and $14.3 million, respectively, for securities deemed to have other-than-temporary impairments. Included in the other-than-temporary impairments recorded during fiscal 2013 is the loss recognized for our remaining investment in Kemrock convertible bonds, totaling $13.7 million. These amounts are included in investment (income), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Summarized below are the securities we held at May 31, 2014 and 2013 that were in an unrealized loss position and that were included in accumulated other comprehensive income, aggregated by the length of time the investments had been in that position:
		May 31, 2014					May 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Fair		Gross			Fair			Gross
		Value		Unrealized			Value			Unrealized
				Losses						Losses
	Total investments with unrealized losses	$	35,465	$	(1,425	)	$	36,582		$	(1,034	)
	Unrealized losses with a loss position for less than 12 months		16,611		(845	)		36,327			(956	)
	Unrealized losses with a loss position for more than 12 months		18,854		(580	)		255			(78	)
	We have reviewed all of the securities included in the table above and have concluded that we have the ability and intent to hold these investments until their cost can be recovered, based upon the severity and duration of the decline. Therefore, we did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairment losses on these investments. The unrealized losses generally relate to investments whose fair values at May 31, 2014 were less than 15% below their original cost. From time to time, we may experience significant volatility in general economic and market conditions. If we were to experience unrealized losses that were to continue for longer periods of time, or arise to more significant levels of unrealized losses within our portfolio of investments in marketable securities in the future, we may recognize additional other-than-temporary impairment losses. Such potential losses could have a material impact on our results of operations in any given reporting period. As such, we continue to closely evaluate the status of our investments and our ability and intent to hold these investments.
	The net carrying values of debt securities at May 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.
	(In thousands)	Amortized		Fair
		Cost		Value
	Due:
	Less than one year	$	3,198	$	3,214
	One year through five years		14,984		15,015
	Six years through ten years		3,271		3,304
	After ten years		1,369		1,547
		$	22,822	$	23,080

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Fair Value Measurements	'
	NOTE E — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Financial instruments recorded on the balance sheet include cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, marketable securities, notes and accounts payable, and debt.
	An allowance for anticipated uncollectible trade receivable amounts is established using a combination of specifically identified accounts to be reserved, and a reserve covering trends in collectibility. These estimates are based on an analysis of trends in collectability and past experience, but are primarily made up of individual account balances identified as doubtful based on specific facts and conditions. Receivable losses are charged against the allowance when we confirm uncollectibility.
	All derivative instruments are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that do not qualify as hedges and/or any ineffective portion of hedges are recognized as a gain or (loss) in our Consolidated Statement of Income in the current period. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used effectively as cash flow hedges are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), along with the change in the value of the hedged item. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
	The valuation techniques utilized for establishing the fair values of assets and liabilities are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect management’s market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value, as follows:
	Level 1 Inputs — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
	Level 2 Inputs — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
	Level 3 Inputs — Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.
	The following tables present our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy.
	(In thousands)	Quoted Prices		Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
		in Active		Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2014
		Markets for		Observable			Inputs
		Identical Assets		Inputs (Level 2)			(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	U.S. Treasury and other government	$	—	$	21,144		$	—		$	21,144
	Foreign bonds				40						40
	Mortgage-backed securities				140						140
	Corporate bonds				1,756						1,756
	Stocks - foreign		1,633								1,633
	Stocks - domestic		39,904								39,904
	Mutual funds - foreign				33,340						33,340
	Mutual funds - domestic				44,923						44,923
	Foreign currency forward contract				2,582						2,582
	Cross-currency swap				(19,550	)					(19,550	)
	Contingent consideration							(81,296	)		(81,296	)
	Total	$	41,537	$	84,375		$	(81,296	)	$	44,616
	(In thousands)	Quoted Prices		Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
		in Active		Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2013
		Markets for		Observable			Inputs
		Identical Assets		Inputs (Level 2)			(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	U.S. Treasury and other government	$	—	$	20,636		$	—		$	20,636
	Foreign bonds				41						41
	Mortgage-backed securities				156						156
	Corporate bonds				1,968						1,968
	Stocks - foreign		1,334								1,334
	Stocks - domestic		29,365								29,365
	Mutual funds - foreign				20,222						20,222
	Mutual funds - domestic				39,371						39,371
	Foreign currency forward contract				(4,751	)					(4,751	)
	Cross-currency swap				(10,048	)					(10,048	)
	Contingent consideration							(69,020	)		(69,020	)
	Total	$	30,699	$	67,595		$	(69,020	)	$	29,274
	Our marketable securities are composed of mainly available-for-sale securities, and are valued using a market approach. The availability of inputs observable in the market varies from instrument to instrument and depends on a variety of factors including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is actively traded, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. For most of our financial instruments, pricing inputs are readily observable in the market, the valuation methodology used is widely accepted by market participants, and the valuation does not require significant management discretion. For other financial instruments, pricing inputs are less observable in the market and may require management judgment.
	Our cross-currency swap is a liability that has a fair value of $19.6 million at May 31, 2014, which was originally designed to fix our interest and principal payments in euros for the life of our unsecured 6.70% senior notes due November 1, 2015, which resulted in an effective euro fixed-rate borrowing of 5.31%. The basis for determining the rates for this swap included three legs at the inception of the agreement: the U.S. dollar (USD) fixed rate to a USD floating rate; the euro floating to euro fixed rate; and the dollar to euro basis fixed rate at inception. Therefore, we essentially exchanged fixed payments denominated in USD for fixed payments denominated in euros, paying fixed euros at 5.31% and receiving fixed USD at 6.70%. The ultimate payments are based on the notional principal amounts of $150 million and approximately 125 million euros. There will be an exchange of the notional amounts at maturity. The rates included in this swap are based upon observable market data, but are not quoted market prices, and therefore, the cross-currency swap is considered a Level 2 liability on the fair value hierarchy. Additionally, this cross-currency swap has been designated as a hedging instrument, and is classified as other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	At May 31, 2014, we had a foreign currency forward contract with a fair value of approximately $2.6 million, which is classified in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At May 31, 2013, we had a foreign currency forward contract with a fair value of approximately $4.8 million, which is classified in other accrued liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our foreign currency forward contract, which has not been designated as a hedge, was designed to reduce our exposure to the changes in the cash flows of intercompany foreign-currency-denominated loans related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates by fixing the functional currency cash flows. The foreign exchange rates included in the forward contract are based upon observable market data, but are not quoted market prices, and therefore, the forward currency forward contract is considered a Level 2 liability on the fair value hierarchy.
	The contingent consideration represents the estimated fair value of the additional variable cash consideration payable in connection with recent acquisitions that is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance milestones. We estimated the fair value using expected future cash flows over the period in which the obligation is expected to be settled, and applied a discount rate that appropriately captures a market participant’s view of the risk associated with the obligation, which are considered to be Level 3 inputs. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014, current-year acquisitions resulted in an increase of approximately $17.3 million, and we paid approximately $5.0 million for settlements of contingent obligations established in the prior-year period.
	The carrying value of our current financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. At May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013, the fair value of our long-term debt was estimated using active market quotes, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs. Based on the analysis performed, the fair value and the carrying value of our financial instruments and long-term debt as of May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013 are as follows:
		At May 31, 2014
	(In thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	332,868	$	332,868
	Marketable equity securities		119,800		119,800
	Marketable debt securities		23,080		23,080
	Long-term debt, including current portion		1,351,627		1,516,062
		At May 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	343,554	$	343,554
	Marketable equity securities		90,292		90,292
	Marketable debt securities		22,801		22,801
	Long-term debt, including current portion		1,373,697		1,501,850

Borrowings

Borrowings	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Borrowings	'
	NOTE F — BORROWINGS
	A description of long-term debt follows:
	May 31,		2014		2013
	(In thousands)
	Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013		$	—	$	200,000
	Unsecured 6.70% senior notes due November 1, 2015(1)			150,000		150,000
	Unsecured 6.50% senior notes due February 14, 2018(2)			248,627		248,259
	Unsecured 6.125% senior note due October 15, 2019(3)			458,163		459,457
	Unsecured $205,000 face value at maturity 2.25% senior convertible notes due December 15, 2020			185,474		—
	Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022			300,000		300,000
	Revolving credit agreement for $600,000 with a syndicate of banks, through June 29, 2017 (4)			2,090		7,701
	Other obligations, including capital leases and unsecured notes payable at various rates of interest due in installments through 2017			7,273		8,280
				1,351,627		1,373,697
	Less: current portion			5,662		4,521
	Total Long-Term Debt, Less Current Maturities		$	1,345,965	$	1,369,176
	-1	We entered into a cross-currency swap, which fixed the interest and principal payments in euros, resulting in an effective fixed-rate borrowing of 5.31%.
	-2	The $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2018 is adjusted for the amortization of the original issue discount, which approximated $1.4 million and $1.7 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The original issue discount effectively reduced the ultimate proceeds from the financing. The effective interest rate on the notes, including the amortization of the discount, is 6.704% for both years presented.
	-3	Includes the combination of the October 2009 initial issuance of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount and the May 2011 issuance of an additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of these notes. The $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2019 from the initial issuance is adjusted for the amortization of the original issue discount, which approximated $0.2 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013. The original issue discount effectively reduced the ultimate proceeds from the October 2009 financing. The effective interest rate on the notes issued in October 2009, including the amortization of the discount, is 6.139%. The additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2019 issued in May 2011 is adjusted for the unamortized premium received at issuance, which approximated $8.3 million and $9.7 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The premium effectively increased the proceeds from the financing. The effective interest rate on the $150.0 million notes issued in May 2011 is 4.934%.
	-4	Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2014, and averaged 3.96% for AUD denominated debt. Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2013, and averaged 4.16% for AUD denominated debt.
	The aggregate maturities of long-term debt for the five years subsequent to May 31, 2014 are as follows: 2015 — $5.7 million; 2016 — $151.0 million; 2017 — $0.4 million; 2018 — $0.2 million; 2019 — $250.7 million and thereafter $943.6 million. Additionally, at May 31, 2014, we had unused lines of credit totaling $797.8 million.
	Our available liquidity, including our cash and cash equivalents and amounts available under our committed credit facilities, stood at $1.1 billion at May 31, 2014. Our debt-to-capital ratio was 49.4% at May 31, 2014, compared with 53.4% at May 31, 2013.
	2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
	On December 9, 2013, we issued $205 million of 2.25% convertible senior notes due 2020 (the “Convertible Notes”). We will pay interest on the Convertible Notes semi-annually on June 15th and December 15th of each year, and began doing so on June 15, 2014. Net proceeds of approximately $200.1 million from the sale were used to refinance $200 million in principal amount of unsecured senior notes due December 15, 2013, which bear interest at 6.25%.
	The Convertible Notes will be convertible under certain circumstances and during certain periods at an initial conversion rate of 18.8905 shares of RPM common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (representing an initial conversion price of approximately $52.94 per share of common stock), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The initial conversion price represents a conversion premium of approximately 37% over the last reported sale price of RPM common stock of $38.64 on December 3, 2013. Prior to June 15, 2020, the Convertible Notes may be converted only upon specified events, and, thereafter, at any time. Upon conversion, the Convertible Notes may be settled, at RPM’s election, in cash, shares of RPM’s common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of RPM’s common stock.
	We account for the liability and equity components of the Convertible Notes separately, and in a manner that will reflect our nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. The effective interest rate on the liability component is 3.92%. Contractual interest was $2.2 million in fiscal 2014, and amortization of the debt discount was $1.2 million in fiscal 2014. At May 31, 2014, the remaining period over which the debt discount will be amortized was 6.5 years, the unamortized debt discount was $19.5 million, and the carrying amount of the equity component was $20.7 million.
	6.25% Notes due 2013
	On December 15, 2013, our $200 million 6.25% senior notes matured. In December 2013, we refinanced this debt with proceeds received from our issuance of $205 million of Convertible Notes.
	3.45% Notes due 2022
	On October 23, 2012, we sold $300 million aggregated principal amount of 3.45% Notes due 2022 (the “New Notes”). The net proceeds of $297.7 million from the offering of the New Notes were used to repay short-term borrowings outstanding under our $600 million revolving credit facility.
	Revolving Credit Agreement
	On June 29, 2012, we entered into an unsecured syndicated revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a group of banks. The Credit Facility expires on June 29, 2017 and provides for a five-year $600.0 million revolving credit facility, which includes sublimits for the issuance of $50.0 million in swingline loans, which are comparatively short-term loans used for working capital purposes, and letters of credit. The aggregate maximum principal amount of the commitments under the Credit Facility may be expanded upon our request, subject to certain conditions, to $800.0 million. The Credit Facility is available to refinance existing indebtedness, to finance working capital and capital expenditure needs, and for general corporate purposes.
	The Credit Facility requires us to comply with various customary affirmative and negative covenants, including a leverage covenant and interest coverage ratio. Under the terms of the leverage covenant, we may not permit our consolidated indebtedness as of any fiscal quarter end to exceed 60% of the sum of such indebtedness and our consolidated shareholders’ equity on such date. The minimum required consolidated interest coverage ratio for EBITDA to interest expense is 3.50 to 1. The interest coverage ratio is calculated at the end of each fiscal quarter for the four fiscal quarters then ended.
	As of May 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants contained in our Credit Facility, including the leverage and interest coverage ratio covenants. At that date, our leverage ratio was 49.6%, while our interest coverage ratio was 7.85 to 1.
	Our access to funds under our Credit Facility is dependent on the ability of the financial institutions that are parties to the Credit Facility to meet their funding commitments. Those financial institutions may not be able to meet their funding commitments if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests within a short period of time. Moreover, the obligations of the financial institutions under our Credit Facility are several and not joint and, as a result, a funding default by one or more institutions does not need to be made up by the others.
	Accounts Receivable Securitization Program
	On May 31, 2011, we entered into Amendment No. 5 to our Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated April 7, 2009. Amendment No. 5 extended the term of our accounts receivable securitization program (the “AR Program”) to May 30, 2014, subject to possible earlier termination upon the occurrence of certain events. Pricing was based on the Alternate Base Rate, a LIBOR market index rate or LIBOR for a specified tranche period plus a margin of 1.0%. This margin would have increased to 1.25% if we had not maintained our public debt rating of at least BB+/Ba1/BB+ from any two of Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch. In addition, a monthly unused fee was payable to the purchasers. Amendment No. 5 also modified or eliminated certain of the financial covenants under the AR Program. Under the terms of the amended AR Program, we could not permit our consolidated indebtedness calculated on the last day of each fiscal quarter to exceed 60% of the sum of such indebtedness and our consolidated shareholders’ equity on such date. The interest coverage ratio covenant required that we not permit the ratio, calculated at the end of each fiscal quarter for the four fiscal quarters then ended, of EBITDA to interest expense for such period to be less than 3.5 to 1. Finally, the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant under the pre-amended AR Program was eliminated. The financial tests that remained in the AR Program were substantially identical to the financial covenants contained in our Credit Facility.
	On May 9, 2014, we replaced our existing $150.0 million AR Program (which immediately prior to such replacement was assigned from Wells Fargo Bank, National Association [as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association] to PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent) with a new, three-year, $200.0 million accounts receivable securitization facility (the “New Facility”). The New Facility was entered into pursuant to (1) a second amended and restated receivables sale agreement, dated as of May 9, 2014 (the “Sale Agreement”), among certain of our subsidiaries (the “Originators”), and RPM Funding Corporation, a special purpose entity (the “SPE”) whose voting interests are wholly owned by us, and (2) an amended and restated receivables purchase agreement, dated as of May 9, 2014 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the SPE, certain purchasers from time to time party thereto (the “Purchasers”), and PNC Bank, National Association as administrative agent.
	Under the Sale Agreement, the Originators may, during the term thereof, sell specified accounts receivable to the SPE, which may in turn, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, transfer an undivided interest in such accounts receivable to the Purchasers. Once transferred to the SPE, such receivables are owned in their entirety by the SPE and are not available to satisfy claims of our creditors or creditors of the originating subsidiaries until the obligations owing to the participating banks have been paid in full. We indirectly hold a 100% economic interest in the SPE and will, along with our subsidiaries, receive the economic benefit of the New Facility. The transactions contemplated by the New Facility do not constitute a form of off-balance sheet financing, and will be fully reflected in our financial statements.
	The maximum availability under the New Facility is $200.0 million. Availability is further subject to changes in the credit ratings of the Originator’s customers, customer concentration levels or certain characteristics of the accounts receivable being transferred and therefore at certain times we may not be able to fully access the $200.0 million of funding available under the New Facility. The interest rate under the Purchase Agreement is based on the Alternate Base Rate, LIBOR Market Index Rate, one-month LIBOR or LIBOR for a specified tranche period, as selected by the SPE, at its option, plus in each case, a margin of 0.70%. In addition, as set forth in an Amended and Restated Fee Letter, dated May 9, 2014 (the “Fee Letter”), the SPE is obligated to pay a monthly unused commitment fee to the Purchasers based on the daily amount of unused commitments under the Agreement which fee ranges from 0.30% to 0.50% based on usage.
	The New Facility contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants and also contains customary default and termination provisions, which provide for acceleration of amounts owed under the New Facility upon the occurrence of certain specified events, including, but not limited to, failure by the SPE to pay interest and other amounts due, defaults on certain indebtedness, certain judgments, change in control, certain events negatively affecting the overall credit quality of transferred accounts receivable, bankruptcy and insolvency events, and failure by us to meet financial tests requiring maintenance of an interest coverage ratio, if applicable. If we do not maintain an investment grade public debt rating with at least two specified rating agencies, we must comply with the interest coverage ratio which requires us not to permit the ratio, calculated at the end of each fiscal quarter for the four fiscal quarters then ended, of EBITDA, as defined in the New Facility, for such period to interest expense for such period, to be less than 3.5:1. This financial test, to the extent applicable, is substantively identical to a similar covenant already contained in our revolving credit facility. There were no outstanding borrowings under the New Facility as of May 31, 2014.
	Our failure to comply with the covenants described above and other covenants contained in the Credit Facility could result in an event of default under that agreement, entitling the lenders to, among other things, declare the entire amount outstanding under the Credit Facility to be due and payable. The instruments governing our other outstanding indebtedness generally include cross-default provisions that provide that under certain circumstances, an event of default that results in acceleration of our indebtedness under the Credit Facility will entitle the holders of such other indebtedness to declare amounts outstanding immediately due and payable.
	We are exposed to market risk associated with interest rates. We do not use financial derivative instruments for trading purposes, nor do we engage in foreign currency, commodity or interest rate speculation. Concurrent with the issuance of our 6.7% Senior Unsecured Notes, RPM United Kingdom G.P. entered into a cross currency swap, which fixed the interest and principal payments in euros for the life of the 6.7% Senior Unsecured Notes and resulted in an effective euro fixed rate borrowing of 5.31%.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Income Taxes	'
	NOTE G — INCOME TAXES
	The provision for income taxes is calculated in accordance with ASC 740, which requires the recognition of deferred income taxes using the liability method.
	Income (loss) before income taxes as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income is summarized below for the periods indicated. Certain foreign operations are branches of RPM International Inc.’s subsidiaries and are therefore subject to income taxes in both the United States and the respective foreign jurisdictions. Accordingly, the provision (benefit) for income taxes by jurisdiction and the income (loss) before income taxes by jurisdiction may not be directly related.
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	United States	$	209,626		$	5,104		$	187,687
	Foreign		214,861			171,787			140,602
	Income Before Income Taxes	$	424,487		$	176,891		$	328,289
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following for the periods indicated:
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Current:
	U.S. Federal	$	46,846		$	56,590		$	45,547
	State and local		5,660			6,694			6,836
	Foreign		59,425			44,747			49,231
	Total Current		111,931			108,031			101,614
	Deferred:
	U.S. Federal		16,747			(31,987	)		(787	)
	State and local		1,292			(3,649	)		(572	)
	Foreign		(11,467	)		(5,355	)		(5,729	)
	Total Deferred		6,572			(40,991	)		(7,088	)
	Provision for Income Taxes	$	118,503		$	67,040		$	94,526
	The significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		2014			2013
	(In thousands)
	Deferred income tax assets related to:
	Inventories	$	6,944		$	6,795
	Allowance for losses		6,410			7,584
	Accrued compensation and benefits		102,579			113,394
	Accrued other expenses		10,256			16,322
	Other long-term liabilities		19,646			29,954
	Net operating loss and credit carryforwards		71,534			70,208
	Net unrealized loss on securities		19,185			21,727
	Total Deferred Income Tax Assets		236,554			265,984
	Less: valuation allowances		(85,719	)		(89,909	)
	Net Deferred Income Tax Assets		150,835			176,075
	Deferred income tax (liabilities) related to:
	Depreciation		(47,639	)		(48,491	)
	Pension and other postretirement benefits		(7,867	)		(12,204	)
	Amortization of intangibles		(115,166	)		(125,042	)
	Total Deferred Income Tax (Liabilities)		(170,672	)		(185,737	)
	Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	$	(19,837	)	$	(9,662	)
	At May 31, 2014, we had U.S. federal foreign tax credit carryforwards of approximately $9.7 million, which expire in 2021. Additionally, at May 31, 2014, we had approximately $37.6 million of state net operating loss carryforwards that expire at various dates beginning in 2015 and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $182.9 million, of which approximately $35.4 million will expire at various dates beginning in 2015 and approximately $147.5 million that have an indefinite carryforward period. Also, as of May 31, 2014, we had foreign capital loss carryforwards of approximately $19.2 million that can be carried forward indefinitely. These net operating loss, capital loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards may be used to offset a portion of future taxable income and, thereby, reduce or eliminate our U.S. federal, state or foreign income taxes otherwise payable.
	When evaluating the realizability of deferred income tax assets, we consider, among other items, whether a jurisdiction has experienced cumulative pretax losses and whether a jurisdiction will generate the appropriate character of income to recognize a deferred income tax asset. More specifically, if a jurisdiction experiences cumulative pretax losses for a period of three years, including the current fiscal year, or if a jurisdiction does not have sufficient income of the appropriate character in the relevant carryback or projected carryforward periods, we generally conclude that it is more likely than not that the respective deferred tax asset will not be realized unless factors such as expected operational changes, availability of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, reversal of taxable temporary differences or other information exists that would lead us to conclude otherwise. If, after we have evaluated these factors, the deferred income tax assets are not expected to be realized within the carryforward or carryback periods allowed for that jurisdiction, we would conclude that a valuation allowance is required. To the extent that the deferred income tax asset is expected to be utilized within the carryback or carryforward periods, we would conclude that a valuation allowance would not be required.
	In applying the above, we determined, based on the available evidence, that future U.S. taxable income along with anticipated foreign source income, will be sufficient to recognize certain deferred tax assets, which were previously subject to valuation allowances. As a result, during this fiscal year, we recorded a reduction in valuation allowances associated with the estimated utilization of foreign tax credit carryforwards of approximately $4.7 million. This reduction was partially offset by approximately $0.5 million of other incremental adjustments to the valuation allowances. Further, we believe it is uncertain whether future taxable income of certain of our foreign subsidiaries, future taxable income of the appropriate character and anticipated foreign source income, will be sufficient to recognize the remaining corresponding deferred tax assets. Accordingly, we intend to maintain the recorded valuation allowances until sufficient positive evidence exists to support a reversal of the tax valuation allowances.
	Total valuation allowances of approximately $85.7 million and $89.9 million have been recorded as of May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The recorded valuation allowances relate to U.S. federal foreign tax credit carryforwards, foreign capital loss carryforwards, certain foreign net operating losses, net foreign deferred tax assets and unrealized losses on securities.
	The following table reconciles income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate against income (loss) before income taxes to the provision (benefit) for income taxes:
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Income tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	$	148,570		$	61,912		$	114,901
	Impact of foreign operations		(24,874	)		(11,552	)		(32,192	)
	State and local income taxes net of federal income tax benefit		4,519			1,979			4,073
	Tax benefits from the domestic manufacturing deduction		(4,878	)		(4,489	)		(3,744	)
	Nondeductible fines and penalties		(2,002	)		4,802			—
	Nondeductible business expense		1,508			1,269			1,304
	Valuation allowance		(2,998	)		14,729			9,353
	Other		(1,342	)		(1,610	)		831
	Provision for Income Tax Expense	$	118,503		$	67,040		$	94,526
	Effective Income Tax Rate		27.9	%		37.9	%		28.8	%
	Uncertain income tax positions are accounted for in accordance with ASC 740. The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits:
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2012
	Balance at June 1	$	8.4		$	3.3		$	6.4
	Additions based on tax positions related to current year		0.1			—			—
Additions for tax positions of prior years		8.9			6			0.5
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(1.7	)		(0.9	)		(0.4	)
Settlements		—			—			(3.2	)
Balance at May 31	$	15.7		$	8.4		$	3.3
The line item titled, “Additions for tax positions of prior years,” in the table above reflects our estimate of the impact of the Canadian law change, Canada Bill C-48, Technical Tax Amendments Act, 2012, which was effective June 26, 2013.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $15.0 million at May 31, 2014, $7.5 million at May 31, 2013 and $2.4 million at May 31, 2012. We do not anticipate any significant changes to the above total unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.
We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. At May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the accrual for interest and penalties was $5.2 million, $5.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, have been classified as other long-term liabilities unless expected to be paid in one year.
We, or our subsidiaries, file income tax returns in the U.S. and in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. In addition, with limited exceptions, we, or our subsidiaries, are generally subject to state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for the fiscal years 2008 through 2014.
During the current fiscal year, we settled a U.S. federal examination of fiscal year 2011 and were notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they will perform limited scope examinations of fiscal years 2012 and 2013.
We are currently under examination, or have been notified of an upcoming tax examination for various non-U.S. and domestic state and local jurisdictions. Although it is possible that certain tax examinations could be resolved during the next 12 months, the timing and outcomes are uncertain.
We include SPHC and its domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “SPHC Group”) in our consolidated federal income tax return. We entered into a tax-cooperation agreement (the “Agreement”) with the SPHC Group, effective from June 1, 2010. Generally, the Agreement provides, amongst other items, that the federal income taxes of the SPHC Group are to be computed on a stand-alone separate return basis. The current portion of such income tax payable, if any, is due from the SPHC Group to us. Conversely, subject to the terms of the Agreement, income tax benefits associated with net operating loss or tax credit carryovers generated by the SPHC Group, if any, for the taxable year that benefits our consolidated income tax return for that taxable year are payable by us to the SPHC Group. Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, a similar approach is applied to consolidated, combined or unitary state tax returns.

Common_Stock

Common Stock	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Common Stock	'
	NOTE H — COMMON STOCK
	On April 21, 2009, our board of directors adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan to replace the rights plan that was originally adopted in 1999 and expired in May 2009. The plan is substantively similar to its predecessor. Under the new plan, our board declared a dividend distribution of one right for each outstanding share of our common stock, payable May 11, 2009. The rights initially trade together with shares of our common stock and will not be exercisable. The rights generally will become exercisable and allow the holder to acquire shares of our common stock at a discounted price if a person or group acquires 15% or more of our outstanding shares. Rights held by persons who exceed the applicable threshold will be void. Under certain circumstances, the rights will entitle the holder to buy shares in an acquiring entity at a discounted price. Our board may, at its option, redeem all rights for $0.001 per right, generally at any time prior to the rights becoming exercisable. The rights will expire May 11, 2019, unless earlier redeemed, exchanged or amended by the board. The plan specifically provides that our board will review the status of the plan before its fifth anniversary to determine if any such action should be taken, which it did.
	On January 8, 2008, we announced our authorization of a stock repurchase program under which we may repurchase shares of our common stock at our discretion for general corporate purposes. Our intention with regard to this program is to limit our repurchases only to amounts required to offset dilution created by stock issued in connection with our equity-based compensation plans, or approximately one to two million shares per year. As a result of this authorization, we may repurchase shares from time to time in the open market or in private transactions at various times and in amounts and for prices that we deem appropriate, subject to insider trading rules and other securities law restrictions. The timing of our purchases has depended upon, and will continue to depend upon, prevailing market conditions, alternative uses of capital and other factors. We may limit or terminate the repurchase program at any time. During the fiscal years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock under this program. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012, we repurchased 164,773 shares of our common stock at a cost of approximately $3.0 million, or an average cost of $18.25 per share, under this program.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	NOTE I — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to our employees and directors; these awards include restricted stock, restricted stock units and SARs. We grant stock-based incentive awards to our employees and/or our directors under various share-based compensation plans. Plans that provide for stock option grants or share-based payment awards include the 1996 Key Employees Stock Option Plan (the “1996 Plan”) and the Amended and Restated 2004 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), which includes provisions for grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock, performance stock units and SARs. Other plans, which provide for restricted stock grants only, include the 2003 Restricted Stock Plan for Directors (the “2003 Plan”) and the 2007 Restricted Stock Plan (the “2007 Plan”).
	We measure stock-based compensation cost at the date of grant, based on the estimated fair value of the award. We recognize the cost as expense on a straight-line basis (net of estimated forfeitures) over the related vesting period.
	The following table represents total stock-based compensation expense included in our Consolidated Statements of Income:
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Selling, general and administrative expense	$	23,568		$	17,145		$	13,904
	Income tax (benefit)		(7,776	)		(5,627	)		(4,921	)
	Total stock-based compensation cost	$	15,792		$	11,518		$	8,983
	Stock Option Plans
	Stock options are awards that allow our employees to purchase shares of our common stock at a fixed price. We grant stock options at an exercise price equal to the stock price on the date of the grant. The fair value of SARs granted is estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected life of options granted is derived from the input of the option-pricing model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatility rates are based on historical volatility of shares of our common stock.
	The following is a summary of our weighted-average assumptions related to grants made during the last three fiscal years:
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	Risk-free interest rate		2.2	%		1.1	%		2.5	%
	Expected life of option		7.5 yrs			7.5 yrs			7.5 yrs
	Expected dividend yield		2.7	%		3.3	%		3.8	%
	Expected volatility rate		26.1	%		28.2	%		29.5	%
	Compensation cost for awards under the 1996 Plan is recognized on a straight-line basis over the related vesting period. Shares of common stock under option are not eligible for dividend payments until the shares are exercised.
	The Omnibus Plan was approved by our stockholders on October 8, 2004, and is intended to be the primary stock-based award program for covered employees. A wide variety of stock and stock-based awards, as well as dollar-denominated performance-based awards, may be granted under the Omnibus Plan. SARs are issued at fair value at the date of grant, have up to ten-year terms and have graded-vesting terms over four years. Compensation cost for these awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the related vesting period. Currently all SARs outstanding are to be settled with stock. As of May 31, 2014, there were 3,159,500 SARs outstanding and 59,450 stock options outstanding.
	The following table summarizes option and share-based payment activity (including SARs) under these plans during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014:
		2014
	Share-Based Payments	Weighted			Number of
		Average			Shares Under
		Exercise Price			Option
	(Shares in thousands)
	Balance at June 1	$	20.54			3,502
	Options granted		33.8			540
	Options canceled/expired		23.29			(47	)
	Options exercised		18.63			(776	)
	Balance at May 31		23.18			3,219
	Exercisable at May 31	$	20.04			1,806
	Stock Option Plans	2014			2013			2012
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
	Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share	$	7.38		$	4.96		$	4.69
	Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	15.6		$	9.8		$	7
	Tax benefit from options exercised	$	5.2		$	3.5		$	1.4
	Fair value of SARS vested	$	2		$	1.9		$	2
	At May 31, 2014, the aggregate intrinsic value and weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding was $64.0 million and 6.1 years respectively, while the aggregate intrinsic value and weighted-average remaining contractual life of options exercisable was $41.6 million and 4.9 years, respectively.
	At May 31, 2014, the total unamortized stock-based compensation expense related to SARs that were previously granted was $5.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over 3.25 years. We anticipate that approximately 1.4 million shares at a weighted-average exercise price of $27.20 and a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 7.7 years will ultimately vest under these plans.
	Restricted Stock Plans
	We also grant stock-based awards, which may be made in the form of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock and performance stock units. These awards are granted to eligible employees or directors, and entitle the holder to shares of our common stock as the award vests. The fair value of the awards is determined and fixed based on the stock price at the date of grant. A description of our restricted stock plans follows.
	Under the Omnibus Plan, a total of 12,000,000 shares of our common stock may be subject to awards. Of the 12,000,000 shares of common stock issuable under the Omnibus Plan, up to 6,000,000 shares may be subject to “full-value” awards such as restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance stock and performance stock unit awards.
	The following table summarizes the share-based performance-earned restricted stock (“PERS”) activity during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014:
		Weighted-Average			2014
		Grant-Date
		Fair Value
	(Shares in thousands)
	Balance at June 1	$	22.31			1,454
	Shares granted		35.11			507
	Shares forfeited		24.42			(27	)
	Shares vested		19.3			(520	)
	Balance at May 31	$	27.96			1,414
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value was $35.11, $26.22 and $21.49 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The restricted stock cliff vests after three years. Nonvested restricted shares of common stock under the Omnibus Plan are eligible for dividend payments. At May 31, 2014, unamortized deferred compensation expense of $17.5 million remained and is being amortized over the applicable vesting period for each participant.
	On October 7, 2010, our Compensation Committee approved contingent awards of PCRS, (the “2011 PCRS”), for certain executives. During October 2010, 680,000 shares were granted at a weighted-average grant-date price of $20.73. Additional grants were made in July 2011, June 2012 and July 2012, totaling 115,000 shares, 10,000 shares and 50,000 shares, respectively, and were granted at a weighted-average grant-date price of $22.16, $25.76 and $25.87, respectively. The awards are contingent upon the level of attainment of performance goals for the three-year and five-year periods from June 1, 2010 ending May 31, 2013, and from June 1, 2010 ending May 31, 2015, respectively. At May 31, 2014, we expect that up to 596,250 shares of stock may ultimately vest in relation to these awards. Compensation cost for these awards will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the related performance period, with consideration given to the probability of attaining the performance goals. As of May 31, 2014, there were 795,000 2011 PCRS shares outstanding and $3.0 million in total unamortized stock-based compensation expense. At May 31, 2014, approximately 392,500 shares have been earned, but not vested.
	The 2003 Plan was approved on October 10, 2003 by our stockholders, and was established primarily for the purpose of recruiting and retaining directors, and to align the interests of directors with the interests of our stockholders. Only directors who are not our employees are eligible to participate. Under the 2003 Plan, up to 500,000 shares of our common stock may be awarded, with awards cliff vesting over a three-year period. The following table summarizes the share-based activity under the 2003 Plan during fiscal 2014:
		Weighted-Average			2014
		Grant-Date
		Fair Value
	(Shares in thousands)
	Balance at June 1	$	22.5			113
	Shares granted to Directors		36.63			30
	Shares vested		21.13			(45	)
	Balance at May 31	$	27.48			98
The weighted-average grant-date fair value was $36.63, $26.63 and $20.60 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Unamortized deferred compensation expense relating to restricted stock grants for directors of $1.3 million at May 31, 2014, is being amortized over the applicable remaining vesting period for each director. Nonvested restricted shares of common stock under the 2003 Plan are eligible for dividend payments. As of May 31, 2014, there were 162,750 shares available for future grant.
Under the 2007 Plan, up to 1,000,000 shares may be awarded to certain employees, generally subject to forfeiture. The shares vest upon the latter of attainment of age 55 and the fifth anniversary of the May 31st immediately preceding the date of the grant. In addition, we also grant restricted stock units to certain employees under this plan. The following table sets forth awards and restricted stock units issued under the 2007 Plan for the year ended May 31, 2014:
	Weighted-Average			2014
	Grant-Date
	Fair Value
(Shares in thousands)
Balance at June 1	$	17.94			815
Shares granted		33.8			76
Shares forfeited		19.78			(20	)
Shares vested		18.96			(14	)
Balance at May 31	$	19.27			857
The weighted-average grant-date fair value was $33.80, $25.87 and $22.16 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of May 31, 2014, 159,183 shares were available for future issuance under the 2007 Plan. At May 31, 2014, unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $5.0 million, $0.1 million and $1.0 million relating to the 2007 Plan, the 1997 Plan and the Restricted Stock Units, respectively, which are being amortized over the applicable vesting period associated with each participant.
The following table summarizes the activity for all nonvested restricted shares during the year ended May 31, 2014:
	Weighted-Average			Number of
	Grant-Date Fair			Shares
	Value
(Shares in thousands)
Balance at June 1	$	20.94			3,236
Granted		35.02			613
Vested		18.71			(682	)
Forfeited		21.49			(107	)
Balance at May 31	$	24.24			3,060
The remaining weighted-average contractual term of nonvested restricted shares at May 31, 2014 is the same as the period over which the remaining cost of the awards will be recognized, which is approximately 3.2 years. The fair value of the nonvested restricted share awards have been calculated using the market value of the shares on the date of issuance. For the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the weighted-average grant-date fair value for restricted share grants was $35.02, $26.16 and $21.62, respectively. The total fair value of shares that vested during the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $12.8 million, $3.3 million and $7.0 million, respectively. We anticipate that approximately 2.6 million shares at a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $24.24 and a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 3.4 years will ultimately vest, based upon the unique terms and participants of each plan. Approximately 56,291 shares of restricted stock were vested at June 1, 2013, with 121,733 restricted shares vested as of May 31, 2014. The total intrinsic value of restricted shares converted during the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $10.4 million, $1.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested awards of restricted shares of common stock was $27.7 million as of May 31, 2014. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.4 years. We did not receive any cash from employees as a result of employee vesting and release of restricted shares for the year ended May 31, 2014.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	NOTE J — ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the following components:
	(In thousands)	Foreign			Pension And			Unrealized			Unrealized			Total
		Currency			Other			Gain			Gain (Loss)
		Translation			Postretirement			(Loss) On			On
		Adjustments			Benefit			Derivatives,			Securities,
					Liability			Net of Tax			Net of Tax
					Adjustments,
					Net of Tax
	Balance at June 1, 2011	$	81,346		$	(96,705	)	$	5,267		$	16,165		$	6,073
	Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax benefit of $844											1,043			1,043
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(89,863	)		(119,189	)		(5,512	)		(21,010	)		(235,574	)
	Deferred taxes					41,720			1,445			7,400			50,565
	Balance at May 31, 2012		(8,517	)		(174,174	)		1,200			3,598			(177,893	)
	Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax benefit of $633											(1,953	)		(1,953	)
	Other comprehensive income		(15,911	)		48,100			14			7,860			40,063
	Deferred taxes					(17,481	)		(18	)		(1,971	)		(19,470	)
	Balance at May 31, 2013		(24,428	)		(143,555	)		1,196			7,534			(159,253	)
	Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax benefit of $586											1,220			1,220
	Other comprehensive income		9,533			(16,418	)		(1,215	)		4,275			(3,825	)
	Deferred taxes					6,325			304			(1,653	)		4,976
	Balance at May 31, 2014	$	(14,895	)	$	(153,648	)	$	285		$	11,376		$	(156,882	)

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Earnings Per Share	'
	NOTE K — EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted earnings per share, as calculated using the two-class method, for the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Numerator for earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to RPM International Inc. stockholders		$	291,660		$	98,603		$	215,936
	Less: Allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities			(6,366	)		(1,999	)		(4,024	)
	Net income available to common shareholders - basic			285,294			96,604			211,912
	Add: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested shareholders			29			(3	)		9
	Add: Income effect of contingently issuable shares			2,493						—
	Net income available to common shareholders - diluted		$	287,816		$	96,601		$	211,921
	Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Basic weighted average common shares			129,438			128,956			128,130
	Average diluted options			1,003			845			587
	Net issuable common share equivalents (1)			1,847						—
	Total shares for diluted earnings per share			132,288			129,801			128,717
	Earnings Per Share of Common Stock Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders:
	Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock		$	2.2		$	0.75		$	1.65
	Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock		$	2.18		$	0.74		$	1.65
	-1	For the year ended May 31, 2014, represents the number of shares that would be issued if our contingently convertible notes were converted. We include these shares in the calculation of diluted EPS as the conversion of the notes may be settled, at our election, in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock.
	For the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 3,057,000, 3,095,000, and 2,625,000 shares of stock, respectively, granted under stock-based compensation plans were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Leases	'
	NOTE L — LEASES
	We lease certain property, plant and equipment under long-term operating lease agreements, some of which provide for increased rental payments based upon increases in the cost-of-living index. The following table illustrates our future minimum lease commitments under all non-cancelable lease agreements, for each of the next five years and in the aggregate, as of May 31, 2014:
	May 31,
	(In thousands)
	2015	$	48,695
	2016		39,054
	2017		28,971
	2018		21,459
	2019		15,405
	Thereafter		68,280
	Total Minimum Lease Commitments	$	221,864
	Total rental expense for all operating leases amounted to $50.9 million, $46.5 million and $40.6 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Pension_Plans

Pension Plans	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Pension Plans	'
	NOTE M — PENSION PLANS
	We sponsor several pension plans for our employees, including our principal plan (the “Retirement Plan”), which is a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all domestic non-union employees. Pension benefits are provided for certain domestic union employees through separate plans. Employees of our foreign subsidiaries receive pension coverage, to the extent deemed appropriate, through plans that are governed by local statutory requirements.
	The Retirement Plan provides benefits that are based upon years of service and average compensation with accrued benefits vesting after five years. Benefits for union employees are generally based upon years of service, or a combination of years of service and average compensation. Our pension funding policy is to contribute an amount on an annual basis that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes, using a different actuarial cost method and different assumptions from those used for financial reporting. For the fiscal year ending May 31, 2015, we expect to contribute approximately $53.1 million to the retirement plans in the U.S. and approximately $6.3 million to our foreign plans.
	Net periodic pension cost consisted of the following for the year ended May 31:
			U.S. Plans									Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Service cost		$	27,056		$	25,950		$	19,906		$	4,375		$	4,337		$	3,731
	Interest cost			18,039			16,240			15,307			7,382			7,246			8,076
	Expected return on plan assets			(20,761	)		(17,431	)		(17,416	)		(8,411	)		(7,715	)		(7,867	)
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost			334			348			352			19			7			10
	Net actuarial losses recognized			13,222			16,888			8,510			2,448			2,771			2,169
	Curtailment/settlement (gains) losses			—			72			—			44			234			—
	Net Pension Cost		$	37,890		$	42,067		$	26,659		$	5,857		$	6,880		$	6,119
	The changes in benefit obligations and plan assets, as well as the funded status of our pension plans at May 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
			U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	402,686		$	385,013		$	185,993		$	175,338
	Service cost			27,056			25,950			4,375			4,337
	Interest cost			18,039			16,240			7,382			7,246
	Benefits paid			(17,683	)		(16,503	)		(5,482	)		(8,761	)
	Participant contributions									831			929
	Plan amendments									384
	Actuarial (gains)/losses			46,492			(8,014	)		6,348			9,820
	Settlements/Curtailments												(3,874	)
	Premiums paid									(138	)		(127	)
	Currency exchange rate changes									2,475			1,085
	Benefit Obligation at End of Year		$	476,590		$	402,686		$	202,168		$	185,993
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	241,960		$	198,208		$	155,056		$	137,318
	Actual return on plan assets			30,547			35,708			17,432			15,859
	Employer contributions			27,289			24,547			8,111			9,422
	Participant contributions									831			929
	Benefits paid			(17,683	)		(16,503	)		(5,482	)		(8,761	)
	Premiums paid									(138	)		(127	)
	Currency exchange rate changes									1,269			416
	Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year		$	282,113		$	241,960		$	177,079		$	155,056
	(Deficit) of plan assets versus benefit obligations at end of year		$	(194,477	)	$	(160,726	)	$	(25,089	)	$	(30,937	)
	Net Amount Recognized		$	(194,477	)	$	(160,726	)	$	(25,089	)	$	(30,937	)
	Accumulated Benefit Obligation		$	385,492		$	340,742		$	188,835		$	173,586
	The fair value of the assets held by our pension plans has increased at May 31, 2014 since our previous measurement date at May 31, 2013, due primarily to the combination of gains in the stock market and plan contributions. At the same time, plan liabilities have increased due to a decrease in interest rates. As such, we have increased our recorded liability for the net underfunded status of our pension plans. Due to lower interest rates, we expect pension expense in fiscal 2015 to be above our fiscal 2014 expense level. Any future declines in the value of our pension plan assets or increases in our plan liabilities could require us to further increase our recorded liability for the net underfunded status of our pension plans and could also require accelerated and higher cash contributions to our pension plans.
	Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Noncurrent assets		$	—		$	—		$	227		$	—
	Current liabilities			(15	)		(43	)		(458	)		(436	)
	Noncurrent liabilities			(194,462	)		(160,683	)		(24,858	)		(30,501	)
	Net Amount Recognized		$	(194,477	)	$	(160,726	)	$	(25,089	)	$	(30,937	)
	The following table summarizes the relationship between our plans’ benefit obligations and assets:
			U.S. Plans
			2014						2013
	(In thousands)		Benefit			Plan Assets			Benefit			Plan Assets
			Obligation						Obligation
	Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets		$	476,590		$	282,113		$	402,686		$	241,960
	Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets			385,492			282,113			340,742			241,960
			Non-U.S. Plans
			2014						2013
	(In thousands)		Benefit			Plan Assets			Benefit			Plan Assets
			Obligation						Obligation
	Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets		$	105,327		$	80,011		$	185,993		$	155,056
	Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets			103,734			80,011			94,423			70,642
	Plans with assets in excess of projected benefit obligations			96,841			97,068
	Plans with assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligations			85,101			97,068			79,163			84,414
	The following table presents the pretax net actuarial loss, prior service (costs) and transition assets/(obligations) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) not affecting retained earnings:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
(In thousands)		2014			2013			2014			2013
Net actuarial loss		$	(185,320	)	$	(161,835	)	$	(52,573	)	$	(57,882	)
Prior service (costs)			(997	)		(1,331	)		(423	)		(51	)
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not affecting retained earnings		$	(186,317	)	$	(163,166	)	$	(52,996	)	$	(57,933	)
The following table includes the changes recognized in other comprehensive income:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
(In thousands)		2014			2013			2014			2013
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Prior service cost		$	—		$	—		$	384		$	—
Net loss (gain) arising during the year			36,707			(26,291	)		(2,673	)		(2,197	)
Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI									(137	)		300
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit (cost)			(334	)		(348	)		(19	)		(48	)
Amortization or settlement recognition of net gain (loss)			(13,222	)		(16,960	)		(2,492	)		(2,966	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)		$	23,151		$	(43,599	)	$	(4,937	)	$	(4,911	)
The following table presents the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of May 31, 2014 that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost, but will be recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income during the fiscal year ending May 31, 2015:
(In thousands)		U.S. Plans			Non-U.S. Plans
Net actuarial loss		$	(13,413	)	$	(1,947	)
Prior service (costs)		$	(294	)	$	(41	)
In measuring the projected benefit obligation and net periodic pension cost for our plans, we utilize actuarial valuations. These valuations include specific information pertaining to individual plan participants, such as salary, age and years of service, along with certain assumptions. The most significant assumptions applied include discount rates, expected return on plan assets and rate of compensation increases. We evaluate these assumptions, at a minimum, on an annual basis, and make required changes, as applicable. In developing our expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets, we consider the current and expected target asset allocations of the pension portfolio, as well as historical returns and future expectations for returns on various categories of plan assets. Expected return on assets is determined by using the weighted-average return on asset classes based on expected return for the target asset allocations of the principal asset categories held by each plan. In determining expected return, we consider both historical performance and an estimate of future long-term rates of return. Actual experience is used to develop the assumption for compensation increases.
The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine our year-end benefit obligations and net periodic pension cost under the plans:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
Year-End Benefit Obligations		2014			2013			2014			2013
Discount rate			4.3	%		4.45	%		3.82	%		3.95	%
Rate of compensation increase			3.81	%		3.14	%		3.3	%		3.32	%
		U.S. Plans									Non-U.S. Plans
Net Periodic Pension Cost		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Discount rate			4.45	%		4.25	%		5.25	%		3.95	%		4.19	%		5.14	%
Expected return on plan assets			8.5	%		8.5	%		8.5	%		5.37	%		5.32	%		5.63	%
Rate of compensation increase			3.14	%		3.15	%		3.15	%		3.32	%		3.76	%		3.83	%
The following tables illustrate the weighted-average actual and target allocation of plan assets:
		U.S. Plans
		Target Allocation			Actual Asset Allocation
		as of May 31,
(Dollars in millions)		2014			2014			2013
Equity securities			55	%	$	193.8		$	146.2
Fixed income securities			25	%		81.5			74.1
Cash						5.9			3.9
Other			20	%		0.9			17.8
Total assets			100	%	$	282.1		$	242
		Non-U.S. Plans
		Target Allocation			Actual Asset Allocation
		as of May 31,
(Dollars in millions)		2014			2014			2013
Equity securities			42	%	$	84		$	81.8
Fixed income securities			51	%		63.9			46.7
Cash			1	%		0.5			0.2
Property and other			6	%		28.7			26.3
Total assets			100	%	$	177.1		$	155
The following tables present our pension plan assets as categorized using the fair value hierarchy at May 31, 2014 and 2013:
U.S. Plans
(In thousands)		Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2014
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs (Level 3)
		Assets (Level 1)			Inputs (Level 2)
U.S. Treasury and other government		$	—		$	11,203		$	—		$	11,203
State and municipal bonds						456						456
Foreign bonds						1,264						1,264
Mortgage-backed securities						7,255						7,255
Corporate bonds						17,254						17,254
Stocks - large cap			34,442									34,442
Stocks - mid cap			18,183									18,183
Stocks - small cap			12,145									12,145
Stocks - international			2,525									2,525
Mutual funds - equity						126,513						126,513
Mutual funds - fixed						44,094						44,094
Cash and cash equivalents			5,869									5,869
Limited partnerships									910			910
Total		$	73,164		$	208,039		$	910		$	282,113
Non-U.S. Plans
(In thousands)		Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2014
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs (Level 3)
		Assets (Level 1)			Inputs (Level 2)
Pooled equities		$	—		$	82,534		$	—		$	82,534
Pooled fixed income						63,657						63,657
Foreign bonds						210						210
Insurance contracts									28,658			28,658
Mutual funds						1,448						1,448
Cash and cash equivalents			572									572
Total		$	572		$	147,849		$	28,658		$	177,079
U.S. Plans
(In thousands)		Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2013
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs (Level 3)
		Assets (Level 1)			Inputs (Level 2)
U.S. Treasury and other government		$	—		$	10,288		$	—		$	10,288
State and municipal bonds						455						455
Foreign bonds						2,342						2,342
Mortgage-backed securities						7,332						7,332
Corporate bonds						14,550						14,550
Stocks - large cap			26,443									26,443
Stocks - mid cap			15,423									15,423
Stocks - small cap			11,451									11,451
Stocks - international			2,643									2,643
Mutual funds - equity						90,260						90,260
Mutual funds - fixed						39,080						39,080
Cash and cash equivalents			3,848									3,848
Limited partnerships									1,159			1,159
Common/collective trusts									16,686			16,686
Total		$	59,808		$	164,307		$	17,845		$	241,960
Non-U.S. Plans
(In thousands)		Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
		Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2013
		for Identical			Observable			Inputs (Level 3)
		Assets (Level 1)			Inputs (Level 2)
Pooled equities		$	—		$	80,550		$	—		$	80,550
Pooled fixed income						46,428						46,428
Foreign bonds						261						261
Insurance contracts									26,313			26,313
Mutual funds						1,289						1,289
Cash and cash equivalents			215									215
Total		$	215		$	128,528		$	26,313		$	155,056
The following table includes the activity that occurred during the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 for our Level 3 assets:
					Actual Return on Plan Assets For:
(In thousands)		Balance at			Assets Still Held			Assets Sold			Purchases, Sales and			Balance at
		Beginning of Period			at Reporting Date			During Year			Settlements, net (1)			End of Period
Year ended May 31, 2014		$	44,158			564			47			(15,201	)	$	29,568
Year ended May 31, 2013			43,569			1,283			924			(1,618	)		44,158
-1	Includes the impact of exchange rate changes during the year.
The primary objective for the investments of the Retirement Plan is to provide for long-term growth of capital without undue exposure to risk. This objective is accomplished by utilizing a strategy of equities, fixed income securities and cash equivalents in a mix that is conducive to participation in a rising market, while allowing for adequate protection in a falling market. Our Investment Committee oversees the investment allocation process, which includes the selection and evaluation of investment managers, the determination of investment objectives and risk guidelines, and the monitoring of actual investment performance. In order to manage investment risk properly, Plan policy prohibits short selling, securities lending, financial futures, options and other specialized investments except for certain alternative investments specifically approved by the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee reviews, on a quarterly basis, reports of actual Plan investment performance provided by independent third parties, in addition to its review of the Plan investment policy on an annual basis. The investment objectives are similar for our plans outside of the U.S., subject to local regulations. In general, investments for all plans are managed by private investment managers, reporting to our Investment Committee on a regular basis.
The goals of the investment strategy for pension assets include: The total return of the funds shall, over an extended period of time, surpass an index composed of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (equity), the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index (fixed income), and 30-day Treasury Bills (cash); weighted appropriately to match the asset allocation of the plans. The equity portion of the funds shall surpass the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index over a full market cycle, while the fixed income portion shall surpass Barclays Aggregate Bond Index over a full market cycle. The purpose of the core fixed income fund is to increase return in the form of cash flow, provide a hedge against inflation and to reduce the volatility of the fund overall. Therefore, the primary objective of the core fixed income portion is to match the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index. The purpose of including opportunistic fixed income assets such as, but not limited to, global and high yield securities in the portfolio is to enhance the overall risk-return characteristics of the Fund.
In addition to the defined benefit pension plans discussed above, we also sponsor employee savings plans under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, which cover most of our employees in the U.S. We record expense for defined contribution plans for any employer matching contributions made in conjunction with services rendered by employees. The majority of our plans provide for matching contributions made in conjunction with services rendered by employees. Matching contributions are invested in the same manner that the participants invest their own contributions. Matching contributions charged to income were $13.6 million, $13.1 million and $11.9 million for the years ending May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We expect to pay the following estimated pension benefit payments in the next five years (in millions): $30.8 in 2015; $32.0 in 2016; $34.7 in 2017; $36.5 in 2018; and $38.9 in 2019. In the five years thereafter (2020-2024) we expect to pay $226.1 million.

Postretirement_Benefits

Postretirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Postretirement Benefits	'
	NOTE N – POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
	We sponsor several unfunded-health-care-benefit plans for certain of our retired employees as well as post-retirement life insurance for certain key employees. Eligibility for these benefits is based upon various requirements. The following table illustrates the effect on operations of these plans for the three years ended May 31, 2014:
		U.S. Plans										Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012				2014				2013			2012
	Service cost - Benefits earned during the period	$	—		$	—		$	—			$	1,264			$	1,185		$	745
	Interest cost on the accumulated obligation		297			349			416				1,225				1,188			968
	Amortization of:
	Prior service (credit)		(153	)		(86	)		(86	)
	Net actuarial (gains) losses		(144	)		16			(58	)			516				470			72
	Net Periodic Postretirement Expense	$	—		$	279		$	272			$	3,005			$	2,843		$	1,785
	The changes in benefit obligations of the plans at May 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	8,514		$	9,677		$	28,415			$	24,517
	Service cost		—						1,264				1,185
	Interest cost		297			349			1,225				1,188
	Benefit payments		(362	)		(572	)		(421	)			(441	)
	Medicare subsidy received		37			74
	Plan amendments		(1,471	)
	Actuarial (gains) losses		(228	)		(1,014	)		(766	)			1,988
	Currency exchange rate changes								(1,462	)			(22	)
	Accumulated and accrued postretirement benefit obligation at end of year	$	6,787		$	8,514		$	28,255			$	28,415
	In determining the postretirement benefit amounts outlined above, measurement dates as of May 31 for each period were applied.
	Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Current liabilities	$	(410	)	$	(642	)	$	(522	)		$	(486	)
	Noncurrent liabilities		(6,377	)		(7,872	)		(27,733	)			(27,929	)
	Net Amount Recognized	$	(6,787	)	$	(8,514	)	$	(28,255	)		$	(28,415	)
	The following table presents the pretax net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credits recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) not affecting retained earnings:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Net actuarial gain (loss)	$	1,080		$	996		$	(9,136	)		$	(10,950	)
	Prior service credits		1,834			516
	Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not affecting retained earnings	$	2,914		$	1,512		$	(9,136	)		$	(10,950	)
	The following table includes the changes recognized in other comprehensive income:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
	Prior service cost	$	(1,471	)	$	—		$	—			$	—
	Net loss (gain) arising during the year		(228	)		(1,014	)		(766	)			1,988
	Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI								(532	)			(9	)
	Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:
	Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit (cost)		153			86
	Amortization or settlement recognition of net gain (loss)		144			(16	)		(516	)			(470	)
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	$	(1,402	)	$	(944	)	$	(1,814	)		$	1,509
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine our year-end benefit obligations and net periodic postretirement benefit costs under the plans:
		U.S. Plans								Non-U.S. Plans
	Year-End Benefit Obligations	2014			2013					2014				2013
	Discount rate		4	%		3.95	%				4.4	%			4.5	%
	Current healthcare cost trend rate		12.28	%		7.54	%				6.31	%			6.43	%
	Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate		4.5	%		4.5	%				4.2	%			4.2	%
	Year ultimate healthcare cost trend rate will be realized		2029			2029					2030				2030
		U.S. Plans										Non-U.S. Plans
	Net Periodic Postretirement Cost	2014			2013			2012				2014				2013			2012
	Discount rate		3.95	%		3.75	%		4.75	%			4.5	%			4.75	%		5.75	%
	Healthcare cost trend rate		7.54	%		7.7	%		7.87	%			6.43	%			6.92	%		7	%
	Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate		4.5	%		4.5	%		4.5	%			4.2	%			4.2	%		4.5	%
	Year ultimate healthcare cost trend rate will be realized		2029			2029			2029				2030				2030			2030
	Increasing or decreasing current healthcare cost trend rates by 1% would affect our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net postretirement expense by the following amounts for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	1% Increase in trend rate
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	239		$	296		$	6,502			$	9,080
Postretirement Cost		11			15			727				647
1% Decrease in trend rate
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	(209	)	$	(265	)	$	(5,011	)		$	(3,802	)
Postretirement Cost		(10	)		(13	)		(534	)			(481	)
We expect to pay approximately $0.9 million to $1.3 million in estimated postretirement benefits in each of the next five years. In the five years thereafter (2020-2024) we expect to pay a cumulative total of $8.2 million.
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”), was signed into law on December 8, 2003. The Act provides for prescription drug benefits under Medicare Part D and contains a subsidy to plan sponsors who provide “actuarially equivalent” prescription drug plans. Our actuary has determined that the prescription drug benefit provided by our postretirement plan is considered to be actuarially equivalent to the benefits provided under the Act for all years since inception. However, effective January 1, 2014, we changed our retiree medical offering to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Under the Medicare Advantage Plan, any Part D subsidy belongs to the insurance carrier. Our results reflect this change.
We have included the impact of our portion of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 subsidy in the determination of accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for the U.S. nonpension postretirement benefit plan for the periods ended May 31, 2014 and 2013. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, we received reimbursements from Medicare related to this law amounting to approximately $37,000 and $74,000, respectively.

Reorganization_Proceedings_of_

Reorganization Proceedings of Certain Subsidiaries	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Reorganization Proceedings of Certain Subsidiaries	'
	NOTE O — REORGANIZATION PROCEEDINGS OF CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES
	General — Prior to May 31, 2010, Bondex and SPHC were defendants in various asbestos-related bodily injury lawsuits filed in various state courts. These cases generally sought unspecified damages for asbestos-related diseases based on alleged exposures to asbestos-containing products.
	On May 31, 2010, Bondex and its parent, SPHC, filed voluntary petitions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) to reorganize under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. SPHC and Bondex took this action in an effort to permanently and comprehensively resolve all pending and future asbestos-related liability claims associated with Bondex and SPHC. As a result of the filing, all litigation related to Bondex and SPHC asbestos personal injury claims has been stayed, with the exception of the cases referenced in Note 3 with respect to which the stay was lifted. The objective of the bankruptcy proceedings is to enable the filing entities to establish a section 524(g) trust accompanied by a court order that will direct all existing and future SPHC-related and Bondex-related claims to such trust, which will then compensate asbestos claimants based upon factors set forth in an approved plan of reorganization. Since the date of the filing, and in accordance with GAAP, the financial results of SPHC and Bondex have been deconsolidated from our financial results.
	We have entered into an agreement in principle with the official representatives of current and future claimants that would resolve all present and future asbestos personal injury claims related to Bondex and other related entities. The agreement contemplates the filing of a plan or plans of reorganization and related documents (the “Plan”) with the Bankruptcy Court. The Plan will be subject to approval of the claimants, as well as the Bankruptcy Court and U.S. District Court.
	Under the terms of the agreement in principle, a trust or trusts (the “Trust”) will be established under Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code for the benefit of current and future asbestos personal injury claimants. Upon effectiveness of the Plan (the “Effective Date”), the Trust will be funded with $450 million in cash and one or more promissory notes, bearing no interest and maturing on or before the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date. The Plan shall provide for the following contributions to the Trust:
		•	On or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date, an additional $102.5 million in cash, RPM International stock or a combination thereof (at our discretion in this and all subsequent cases) will be deposited into the Trust;
		•	On or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date, an additional $120 million in cash, RPM International stock or a combination thereof will be deposited into the Trust; and
		•	On or before the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date, a final payment of $125 million in cash, RPM International stock or a combination thereof will be deposited into the Trust.
	Of the first $450 million payment, $2.5 million relates to the resolution of all present and future asbestos personal injury claims related to NMBFil, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of RPM International, which is the subject of a separate settlement term sheet. A portion of the payments due under the promissory note(s) will be secured by a right to the equity of Bondex and related chapter 11 debtor entities. All present and future asbestos personal injury claims against Bondex and the other related entities would be channeled to and paid by the Trust.
	The agreement in principle will automatically terminate if the Plan is not filed by October 31, 2014. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Plan must be confirmed and effective no later than October 31, 2015, otherwise simple interest at the rate of 3.45% will begin to accrue on the aggregate funding amount of the trust through the effective date of the Plan.
	There is no guaranty that the Plan will be filed or confirmed or the timing of any such confirmation. If the Plan is not filed or if the Plan, or a substantially similar plan, is not confirmed, the interests of SPHC, Bondex and RPM International may be significantly and adversely affected, SPHC and Bondex will remain in chapter 11, the amount of the asbestos liabilities of SPHC and Bondex will remain unresolved and the terms, timing and impact of any plan of reorganization ultimately confirmed in the cases will be unknown. If the Plan is not confirmed, the amount of SPHC’s and Bondex’s asbestos-related personal injury liabilities will not be resolved and will continue to be subject to substantial dispute and uncertainty as the appeals process with respect to the estimation ruling will then move forward. If the Plan is not confirmed, the amount of the asbestos personal injury liabilities could ultimately be determined to be significantly different from the amount agreed to by the parties in the agreement. This difference could be material to our financial position, cash flows and results of operations. In the event the Plan is not confirmed it is unclear whether any channeling injunction entered in connection with a plan of reorganization will extend to all non-filing affiliates of the filing entities, including RPM International.
	At a hearing held on November 13, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court granted the motion of the Official Committee of Asbestos Personal Injury Claimants and the Future Claimants’ Representative (collectively, the “ACC/FCR”) for standing to pursue SPHC estate claims against us, certain of our current and former directors and executive officers, and third party advisors. As previously disclosed, we anticipated that the ACC/FCR might be permitted to pursue claims on behalf of the SPHC and Bondex estates against us. We believe that the alleged SPHC estate claims are without merit and, if such claims are made, intend to contest them vigorously. The ACC/FCR have agreed not to proceed with any such claims unless the Plan is not confirmed.
	As previously disclosed, the Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion in May 2013 estimating the current and future asbestos claims associated with Bondex and SPHC at approximately $1.17 billion, which represented one step in the legal process in helping to determine the amount of potential funding for a 524(g) asbestos trust. The Debtors firmly believe that the opinion substantially overstates the amount of their liability and is not supported by the facts or the law, and we and the Debtors have appealed the ruling. Those appeals have been consolidated by the District Court and, on February 7, 2014, were certified by the District Court for direct review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, but the Third Circuit declined to accept the certification. The appeals remain pending before the District Court. The ACC/FCR have also filed a motion with the District Court to dismiss the appeal on the ground that the estimation decision was not a final, appealable order. Briefing of the appeal, and the motion to dismiss the appeal, at the District Court level will be stayed pending confirmation of the Plan.
	Prior to the bankruptcy filing, the filing entities had litigated and, on many occasions, settled asbestos products liability claims brought against them. The debtors paid $92.6 million during the year ended May 31, 2010, prior to the bankruptcy filing, in connection with the litigation and settlement of asbestos claims, $42.6 million of which consisted of defense costs. With the exception of the appeal bonds described in Note A, no claims have been paid since the bankruptcy filing and it is not contemplated that any claims will be paid until a plan of reorganization is confirmed and an asbestos trust is established and operating.
	Prior to the chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, we recorded asbestos contingent liabilities that included estimations of future costs. Such estimates by their nature are subject to many uncertainties that may change over time, including (i) the ultimate number of claims filed; (ii) the amounts required to resolve both currently known and future unknown claims; (iii) the amount of insurance, if any, available to cover such claims, including the outcome of coverage litigation against the filing entities’ third-party insurers; (iv) future earnings and cash flow of the filing entities; (v) the impact of bankruptcies of other companies whose share of liability may be imposed on the filing entities under certain state liability laws; (vi) the unpredictable aspects of the litigation process including a changing trial docket and the jurisdictions in which trials are scheduled; (vii) the outcome of any such trials, including potential judgments or jury verdicts, as a result of the strategy of Bondex and SPHC to take selective cases to verdict; (viii) the lack of specific information in many cases concerning exposure to products for which Bondex, SPHC, or another of our subsidiaries is allegedly responsible, and the claimants’ alleged diseases resulting from such exposure; (ix) potential changes in applicable federal and/or state tort liability law; and (x) the potential impact of various proposed structured settlement transactions. All these factors may have a material effect upon future asbestos-related liability estimates.
	As a result of their bankruptcy filing, SPHC and Bondex are precluded from paying dividends to shareholders and from making payments on any pre-bankruptcy filing accounts or notes payable that are due and owing to any other entity within the RPM group of companies (the “Pre-Petition Intercompany Payables”) or other pre-petition creditors during the pendency of the bankruptcy case, without the Bankruptcy Court’s approval. Moreover, no assurances can be given that any of the Pre-Petition Intercompany Payables will ever be paid or otherwise satisfied.
	When SPHC emerges from the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court, the subsequent accounting will be determined based upon the applicable circumstances and facts at such time, including the terms of any plan of reorganization.
	SPHC has assessed its liquidity position as a result of the bankruptcy filing and believes that it can continue to fund its and its subsidiaries’ operating activities and meet its debt and capital requirements for the foreseeable future.
	Historical Asbestos Liability Reserve — In fiscal 2006, management retained Crawford & Winiarski (“C&W”), an independent, third-party consulting firm with expertise in the area of asbestos valuation work, to assist it in calculating an estimate of Bondex’s liability for unasserted-potential-future-asbestos-related claims. C&W’s methodology to project Bondex’s liability for unasserted-potential-future-asbestos-related claims included an analysis of: (a) a widely accepted forecast of the population likely to have been exposed to asbestos; (b) epidemiological studies estimating the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases; (c) the historical rate at which mesothelioma incidences resulted in the payment of claims by Bondex; (d) the historical settlement averages to value the projected number of future compensable mesothelioma claims; (e) the historical ratio of mesothelioma-related indemnity payments to non-mesothelioma indemnity payments; and (f) the historical defense costs and their relationship with total indemnity payments. Based upon the results of this analysis, Bondex recorded an accrued liability for asbestos claims through 2016 as of May 31, 2006 of $421.3 million. This amount was calculated on a pretax basis and was not discounted for the time value of money.
	During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, the ten-year asbestos liability established as of May 31, 2006 was reviewed and evaluated. As part of that process, the credibility of epidemiological studies of Bondex’s mesothelioma claims, first introduced to management by C&W some two-and-one-half years earlier, was validated. At the core of the evaluation process, and the basis of C&W’s actuarial work on behalf of Bondex, is the Nicholson Study. The Nicholson Study is the most widely recognized reference in bankruptcy trust valuations, global settlement negotiations and the Congressional Budget Office’s work done on the proposed FAIR Act in 2006. Based on our ongoing comparison of the Nicholson Study projections and Bondex’s specific actual experience, which at that time continued to bear an extremely close correlation to the study’s projections, the asbestos liability projection was extended out to the year 2028. C&W assisted in calculating an estimate of our liability for unasserted-potential-future-asbestos-related claims out to 2028. C&W projected that the cost of extending the asbestos liability to 2028, coupled with an updated evaluation of Bondex’s current known claims to reflect its most recent actual experience, would be $288.1 million. Therefore, management added $288.1 million to the existing asbestos liability, which brought Bondex’s total asbestos-related balance sheet liabilities at May 31, 2008 to $559.7 million. On May 30, 2010, the day prior to the bankruptcy filing, Bondex had recorded an asbestos related product liability of $397.7 million.
	As noted above, however, the Bankruptcy Court has now estimated the present and future asbestos-related liabilities of Bondex and SPHC at $1.17 billion, and that determination is the subject of pending appeals.

Contingencies_and_Other_Accrue

Contingencies and Other Accrued Losses	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Contingencies and Other Accrued Losses	'
	NOTE P — CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER ACCRUED LOSSES
	Accrued loss reserves consist of the following:
	May 31,		2014			2013
	(In thousands)
	Accrued product liability reserves		$	10,589		$	15,582
	Accrued warranty reserves			14,167			8,591
	Accrued environmental reserves			2,731			3,418
	Total accrued loss reserves - Current		$	27,487		$	27,591
	Accrued product liability reserves - noncurrent		$	29,653		$	29,489
	Accrued warranty liability - noncurrent			574			739
	Accrued environmental reserves - noncurrent			2,005			3,274
	Total accrued loss reserves - Noncurrent		$	32,232		$	33,502
	We provide, through our wholly owned insurance subsidiaries, certain insurance coverage, primarily product liability coverage, to our other subsidiaries. Excess coverage is provided by third-party insurers. Our reserves provide for these potential losses as well as other uninsured claims. Product liability reserves are established based upon actuarial calculations of potential liability using industry experience, actual historical experience and actuarial assumptions developed for similar types of product liability claims, including development factors and lag times. To the extent there is a reasonable possibility that potential losses could exceed the amounts already accrued, we believe that the amount of any such additional loss would be immaterial to our results of operations, liquidity and consolidated financial position.
	We also offer warranty programs at several of our industrial businesses and have established a product warranty liability. We review this liability for adequacy on a quarterly basis and adjust it as necessary. The primary factors that could affect this liability may include changes in the historical system performance rate as well as the costs of replacement. Provision for estimated warranty costs is recorded at the time of sale and periodically adjusted, as required, to reflect actual experience. It is probable that we will incur future losses related to warranty claims we have received but that have not been fully investigated and related to claims not yet received. While our warranty liability represents our best estimate at May 31, 2014, we can provide no assurances that we will not experience material claims in the future or that we will not incur significant costs to resolve such claims beyond the amounts accrued or beyond what we may recover from our suppliers. Product warranty expense is recorded within selling, general and administrative expense.
	The following table includes the changes in our accrued warranty balances:
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Beginning Balance		$	9,330		$	14,751		$	17,196
	Deductions (1)			(19,155	)		(20,115	)		(18,143	)
	Provision charged to SG&A expense			24,566			14,260			15,513
	Acquisitions			—			434			185
	Ending Balance		$	14,741		$	9,330		$	14,751
	-1	Primarily claims paid during the year.
	In addition, like other companies participating in similar lines of business, some of our subsidiaries are involved in several proceedings relating to environmental matters. It is our policy to accrue remediation costs when it is probable that such efforts will be required and the related costs can be reasonably estimated. These liabilities are undiscounted and are not material to our financial statements during any of the periods presented.
	As previously disclosed, we recorded a $65.1 million accrual during the year ended May 31, 2013 associated with settlement discussions with the DOJ and the GSA Office of Inspector General aimed at resolving an existing investigation. Since first receiving a broad request for documents from the GSA in March 2011, we cooperated with that investigation, which involved our compliance with certain pricing terms and conditions of our GSA Multiple Award Schedule contracts under which the roofing division of our Tremco Group sold products and services to the federal government. A substantial majority of the transactions as to which potential compliance issues were raised took place during the period from 2002 to 2008. In August 2013, we entered into a final agreement with the DOJ and the GSA Office of Inspector General regarding this matter. During the year ended May 31, 2014, we paid the GSA Office of Inspector General $61.9 million and made other payments for miscellaneous legal expenses for approximately $1.1 million. We expect to pay approximately $2.1 million more in legal fees and other related costs arising out of this investigation. The accrual for this contingency is classified in other accrued liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	We were notified by the SEC on June 24, 2014 that we are the subject of a formal investigation pertaining to the timing of our disclosure and accrual of loss reserves in fiscal 2013 with respect to the previously disclosed GSA and DOJ investigation into compliance issues relating to Tremco Roofing Division’s GSA contracts. We are cooperating with the SEC in its ongoing investigation. At this time, we are unable to predict the outcome of this matter or provide any quantification of how the final resolution of this matter may impact our future consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	In January 2013, we entered into a Voluntary Self-Disclosure Agreement (“VSDA”) with the State of Delaware relating to certain property that may be held by us, including securities, payments, and refunds to employees, vendors and customers, that has been unclaimed for a specified period of time. Delaware’s Abandoned Property Law, like other state and federal escheat laws, generally requires companies to report and remit unclaimed property to the state. Although we believe we have procedures in place to comply with these laws, we entered into the VSDA so that we may identify any previously unreported abandoned property and remit any such property to the State of Delaware. We cannot estimate the amount or range of any such potential loss. However, we do not expect the outcome of this review to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.
	Recently, two complaints were filed against Rust-Oleum and RPM International both seeking to have a class certified and alleging breach of warranty, breach of contract and other claims regarding certain deck coating products of Rust-Oleum. We plan to vigorously defend these actions, including any attempts at class certification. At this time, we are unable to predict the outcome of this matter or provide any quantification of how the final resolution of this matter may impact our future consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Segment Information	'
	NOTE Q — SEGMENT INFORMATION
	We operate a portfolio of businesses and product lines that manufacture and sell a variety of specialty paints, protective coatings and roofing systems, sealants and adhesives. We manage our portfolio by organizing our businesses and product lines into two reportable segments: the industrial reportable segment and the consumer reportable segment. Within each reportable segment, we aggregate several operating segments that consist of individual groups of companies and product lines, which generally address common markets, share similar economic characteristics, utilize similar technologies and can share manufacturing or distribution capabilities. Our seven operating segments represent components of our business for which separate financial information is available that is utilized on a regular basis by our chief executive officer in determining how to allocate the assets of the company and evaluate performance. These seven operating segments are each managed by an operating segment manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day operating decisions and performance evaluation of the operating segment’s underlying businesses.
	Our industrial reportable segment products are sold throughout North America and also account for the majority of our international sales. Our industrial product lines are sold directly to contractors, distributors and end-users, such as industrial manufacturing facilities, public institutions and other commercial customers. This reportable segment comprises four separate operating segments — Tremco Group, Tremco illbruck Group, Performance Coatings Group and RPM2-Industrial Group. Products and services within this reportable segment include construction chemicals; roofing systems; weatherproofing and other sealants; polymer flooring; edible coatings and specialty glazes for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries; and other specialty chemicals.
	Our consumer reportable segment manufactures and markets professional use and do-it-yourself (“DIY”) products for a variety of mainly consumer applications, including home improvement and personal leisure activities. Our consumer segment’s major manufacturing and distribution operations are located primarily in North America, along with a few locations in Europe. Consumer segment products are primarily sold directly to mass merchandisers, home improvement centers, hardware stores, paint stores, craft shops, cosmetic companies and to other smaller customers through distributors. This reportable segment comprises three operating segments — DAP Group, RPM2-Consumer Group and Rust-Oleum Group. Products within this reportable segment include specialty, hobby and professional paints; nail care enamels; caulks; adhesives; silicone sealants and wood stains. Sales to the Home Depot represented less than 10% of our consolidated net sales for fiscal 2012 and 2013; 11% of our consolidated net sales for fiscal 2014; and 29%, 28% and 28% of our consumer segment net sales for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	In addition to our two reportable segments, there is a category of certain business activities and expenses, referred to as corporate/other, that does not constitute an operating segment. This category includes our corporate headquarters and related administrative expenses, results of our captive insurance companies, gains or losses on the sales of certain assets and other expenses not directly associated with either reportable segment. Assets related to the corporate/other category consist primarily of investments, prepaid expenses and headquarters’ property and equipment. These corporate and other assets and expenses reconcile reportable segment data to total consolidated income before income taxes, interest expense and earnings before interest and taxes; as well as identifiable assets, capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization.
	We reflect income from our joint ventures on the equity method, and receive royalties from our licensees.
	The following tables reflect the results of our reportable segments consistent with our management philosophy, and represent the information we utilize, in conjunction with various strategic, operational and other financial performance criteria, in evaluating the performance of our portfolio of businesses.
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Net Sales
	Industrial		$	2,769,657		$	2,635,976		$	2,535,238
	Consumer			1,606,696			1,442,679			1,242,178
	Total		$	4,376,353		$	4,078,655		$	3,777,416
	Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
	Industrial
	Income Before Income Taxes (a)		$	295,751		$	164,578		$	278,676
	Interest (Expense), Net (b)			(10,227	)		(10,318	)		(3,770	)
	EBIT (c)		$	305,978		$	174,896		$	282,446
	Consumer
	Income Before Income Taxes (a)		$	251,229		$	190,611		$	160,099
	Interest (Expense), Net (b)			122			(10	)		18
	EBIT (c)		$	251,107		$	190,621		$	160,081
	Corporate/Other
	(Expense) Before Income Taxes (a)		$	(122,493	)	$	(178,298	)	$	(110,486	)
	Interest (Expense), Net (b)			(55,131	)		(63,340	)		(64,107	)
	EBIT (c)		$	(67,362	)	$	(114,958	)	$	(46,379	)
	Consolidated
	Income Before Income Taxes (a)		$	424,487		$	176,891		$	328,289
	Interest (Expense), Net (b)			(65,236	)		(73,668	)		(67,859	)
	EBIT (c)		$	489,723		$	250,559		$	396,148
	Identifiable Assets
	Industrial		$	2,507,257		$	2,461,163		$	2,195,702
	Consumer			1,648,272			1,584,336			1,184,609
	Corporate/Other			222,836			75,348			181,502
	Total		$	4,378,365		$	4,120,847		$	3,561,813
	Capital Expenditures
	Industrial		$	54,556		$	50,025		$	47,529
	Consumer			35,391			35,081			17,156
	Corporate/Other			3,845			6,261			6,930
	Total		$	93,792		$	91,367		$	71,615
	Depreciation and Amortization
	Industrial		$	53,670		$	53,549		$	48,701
	Consumer			31,378			28,624			23,656
	Corporate/Other			5,021			4,163			3,666
	Total		$	90,069		$	86,336		$	76,023
	(a)	The presentation includes a reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, a measure defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, to EBIT.
	(b)	Interest (expense), net includes the combination of interest expense and investment expense (income), net.
	(c)	EBIT is defined as earnings (loss) before interest and taxes. We evaluate the profit performance of our segments based on income before income taxes, but also look to EBIT as a performance evaluation measure because interest expense is essentially related to corporate acquisitions, as opposed to segment operations. For that reason, we believe EBIT is also useful to investors as a metric in their investment decisions. EBIT should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP, since EBIT omits the impact of interest and taxes in determining operating performance, which represent items necessary to our continued operations, given our level of indebtedness and ongoing tax obligations. Nonetheless, EBIT is a key measure expected by and useful to our fixed income investors, rating agencies and the banking community, all of whom believe, and we concur, that this measure is critical to the capital markets’ analysis of our segments’ core operating performance. We also evaluate EBIT because it is clear that movements in EBIT impact our ability to attract financing. Our underwriters and bankers consistently require inclusion of this measure in offering memoranda in conjunction with any debt underwriting or bank financing. EBIT may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results.
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Net Sales (based on shipping location) (a)
	United States		$	2,581,208		$	2,404,835		$	2,219,680
	Foreign
	Canada			342,312			350,579			346,238
	Europe			1,031,686			908,139			919,124
	Other Foreign			421,147			415,102			292,374
	Total Foreign			1,795,145			1,673,820			1,557,736
	Total		$	4,376,353		$	4,078,655		$	3,777,416
	Long-Lived Assets (b)
	United States		$	1,374,340		$	1,311,640		$	1,124,403
	Foreign
	Canada			125,401			126,172			128,392
	Europe			340,146			340,592			315,228
United Kingdom			259,829			237,124			192,155
Other Foreign			208,411			213,726			64,316
Total Foreign			933,787			917,614			700,091
Total		$	2,308,127		$	2,229,254		$	1,824,494
(a)	It is not practicable to obtain the information needed to disclose revenues attributable to each of our product lines.
(b)	Long-lived assets include all non-current assets, excluding non-current deferred income taxes.

Quarterly_Information_Unaudite

Quarterly Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Quarterly Information (Unaudited)	'
	NOTE R – QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
	The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013:
			For Quarter Ended
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		31-Aug			30-Nov			28-Feb			31-May
	2014
	Net Sales		$	1,164,674		$	1,071,487		$	863,410		$	1,276,782
	Gross Profit		$	499,072		$	457,945		$	358,026		$	560,725
	Net Income Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders		$	103,098		$	63,562		$	16,221		$	108,779
	Basic Earnings Per Share		$	0.78		$	0.48		$	0.12		$	0.82
	Diluted Earnings Per Share		$	0.77		$	0.48		$	0.12		$	0.8
	Dividends Per Share		$	0.225		$	0.24		$	0.24		$	0.24
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		31-Aug			30-Nov			February 28			31-May
			(a), (e)			(b), (e)			(c), (e)			(d)
	2013			(Restated	)		(Restated	)		(Restated	)
	Net Sales		$	1,046,714		$	1,017,426		$	843,736		$	1,170,779
	Gross Profit		$	433,880		$	425,001		$	343,564		$	500,274
	Net Income (Loss) Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders		$	26,665		$	30,924		$	(24,364	)	$	65,378
	Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share		$	0.2		$	0.23		$	(0.19	)	$	0.49
	Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share		$	0.2		$	0.23		$	(0.19	)	$	0.49
	Dividends Per Share		$	0.215		$	0.225		$	0.225		$	0.225
	(a)	For the quarter ended August 31, 2012, net sales and gross profit were reduced by $2.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively, for revised cost estimates on unprofitable contracts related to our industrial segment, and $5.6 million in exit costs associated with those activities that impacted pretax income. Additionally, we wrote down an investment in Kemrock totaling $40.3 million and recognized $5.0 million in bad debt from our loan to Kemrock. The combined impact on net income and earnings per share was $50.9 million and $0.38 per share, respectively. Lastly, we recorded a charge for $11.4 million ($7.2 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.
	(b)	For the quarter ended November 30, 2012, we wrote down our remaining investment in Kemrock, which impacted net income and earnings per share by $10.8 million and $0.09 per share, respectively. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $16.9 million ($10.8 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.
	(c)	For the quarter ended February 28, 2013, net income was impacted by $1.6 million for the impact of a strategic repositioning of certain industrial segment operations in Brazil. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $40.5 million ($34.6 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.
	(d)	For the quarter ended May 31, 2013, we recorded $23.9 million in restructuring expense, including $3.9 million in inventory markdowns. We also recorded bad debt for the remaining amount of our loan to Kemrock totaling $4.0 million and wrote off our remaining investment in Kemrock common stock and in Kemrock convertible debt for a combined loss of $18.5 million. Additionally, we reduced our estimated accrual for our agreement in principle with the GSA by $3.7 million. The combined impact of these items on net income and earnings per share for the fourth quarter was $30.0 million and $0.23 per share, respectively.
	(e)	During August 2014, we determined that there was an error in the timing of the disclosure and accrual of loss reserves associated with our settlement of the GSA and DOJ investigation into compliance issues related to GSA contracts at our Tremco Group. We filed amended Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A in August 2014 with corrected financial statements for the periods ended August 31, 2012, November 30, 2012 and February 28, 2013. The corrections reduced net income by $7.2 million and $10.8 million for the quarterly periods ended August 31, 2012 and November 30, 2012, respectively, and increased net income for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013 by $18.0 million. The corrections reduced basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.06 for the quarter ended August 31, 2012; and by $0.09 and $0.08, respectively, for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2012; and increased basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.14 for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013. The figures presented in the table above represent the corrected amounts for each quarter.
	Quarterly earnings per share may not total to the yearly earnings per share due to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding in each quarter.

Valuation_And_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation And Qualifying Accounts and Reserves	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts and Reserves	'
	RPM International Inc. and Subsidiaries
	Valuation And Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
	(In thousands)		Balance at		Additions			Acquisitions			(Deductions)			Balance
			Beginning		Charged to			(Disposals)			Additions			at End
			of Period		Selling,			of Businesses						of Period
					General and			and
					Administrative			Reclassifications
	Year Ended May 31, 2014
	Current:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	28,904	$	7,618		$			$	(8,881	)(1)	$	27,641
	Accrued product liability reserves		$	15,582	$	3,186		$			$	(8,179	)(2)	$	10,589
	Accrued loss reserves		$	3,418	$	275		$	494	(3)	$	(1,456	)(2)	$	2,731
	Noncurrent:
	Accrued product liability		$	29,489	$	4,968		$			$	(4,804	)(2)	$	29,653
	Environmental reserves		$	3,274	$			$	(494	)(3)	$	(775	)(2)	$	2,005
	Year Ended May 31, 2013
	Current:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	26,507	$	9,799		$	—		$	(7,402	)(1)	$	28,904
	Accrued product liability reserves		$	11,736	$	5,499		$	—		$	(1,653	)(2)	$	15,582
	Accrued loss reserves		$	3,580	$	195		$	227	(3)	$	(584	)(2)	$	3,418
	Noncurrent:
	Accrued product liability		$	28,592	$	7,653		$			$	(6,756	)(2)	$	29,489
	Environmental reserves		$	3,952	$	(60	)	$	(227	)(3)	$	(391	)(2)	$	3,274
	Year Ended May 31, 2012
	Current:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	27,597	$	5,811		$	—		$	(6,901	)(1)	$	26,507
	Accrued product liability reserves		$	12,973	$	6,221		$	(699	)(3)	$	(6,759	)(2)	$	11,736
	Accrued loss reserves		$	4,357	$	(310	)	$	1,316		$	(1,783	)(2)	$	3,580
	Noncurrent:
	Accrued product liability		$	27,873	$	178		$	699	(3)	$	(158	)(2)	$	28,592
	Environmental reserves		$	4,693	$	(631	)	$			$	(110	)(2)	$	3,952
	-1	Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries
	-2	Primarily claims paid during the year, net of insurance contributions
	-3	Primarily transfers between current and noncurrent

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Consolidation, Noncontrolling Interests and Basis of Presentation	'
	1) Consolidation, Noncontrolling Interests and Basis of Presentation
	Our financial statements include all of our majority-owned subsidiaries, except for certain subsidiaries that were deconsolidated on May 31, 2010 (please refer to Note A[2]). We account for our investments in less-than-majority-owned joint ventures, for which we have the ability to exercise significant influence, under the equity method. Effects of transactions between related companies, except for certain subsidiaries that were deconsolidated, are eliminated in consolidation.
	Our business is dependent on external weather factors. Historically, we have experienced strong sales and net income in our first, second and fourth fiscal quarters comprising the three-month periods ending August 31, November 30 and May 31, respectively, with weaker performance in our third fiscal quarter (December through February).
	Noncontrolling interests are presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements as if parent company investors (controlling interests) and other minority investors (noncontrolling interests) in partially owned subsidiaries have similar economic interests in a single entity. As a result, investments in noncontrolling interests are reported as equity in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, our Consolidated Financial Statements include 100% of a controlled subsidiary’s earnings, rather than only our share. Transactions between the parent company and noncontrolling interests are reported in equity as transactions between stockholders, provided that these transactions do not create a change in control.
Deconsolidation of Specialty Products Holding Corp. ("SPHC")	'
	2) Deconsolidation of Specialty Products Holding Corp. (“SPHC”)
	On May 31, 2010, Bondex International, Inc. (“Bondex”) and its parent, SPHC, filed Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”). SPHC is our wholly owned subsidiary. In accordance with ASC 810, when a subsidiary becomes subject to the control of a government, court, administrator, or regulator, deconsolidation of that subsidiary is generally required. We therefore deconsolidated SPHC and its subsidiaries from our balance sheet as of May 31, 2010, and eliminated the results of SPHC’s operations from our results of operations beginning on that date. We believe we have no responsibility for liabilities of SPHC and Bondex. As a result of the Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings, on a prospective basis we will continue to account for our investment in SPHC under the cost method.
	We had a net receivable from SPHC at May 31, 2010, that we expect may change before the bankruptcy proceedings have been finalized. The potential change relates to our indemnification of an insurer on appeal bonds pertaining to Bondex’s appeal of two asbestos cases that had been underway prior to the bankruptcy filing, neither of which are material in amount. During our fiscal 2012, one of the appeal bonds was satisfied, and during fiscal 2013, the remaining appeal bond was satisfied. Included in the net amount due from SPHC are receivables and payables, which we concluded we have the right to report as a net amount based on several factors, including the fact that all amounts are determinable, the balances are due to and from our subsidiaries, and we have been given reasonable assurance that netting the applicable receivables and payables would remain legally enforceable. We analyzed our net investment in SPHC as of May 31, 2010, which included a review of our advances to SPHC, an assessment of the collectibility of our net receivables due from SPHC, and a computation of the gain to be recorded upon deconsolidation based on the carrying amount of our investment in SPHC. In accordance with GAAP, the gain on deconsolidation related to the carrying amount of net assets of SPHC at May 31, 2010, was calculated in accordance with ASC 810-10-40-5, as follows:
		a)	the aggregate of (1) the fair value of consideration received, (2) the fair value of any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary at the date the subsidiary is deconsolidated, and (3) the carrying amount of any noncontrolling interest in the former subsidiary; less
		b)	the carrying amount of the former subsidiary’s assets and liabilities.
	In determining the carrying value of any retained noncontrolling investment in SPHC at the date of deconsolidation we considered several factors, including analyses of cash flows combined with various assumptions relating to the future performance of this entity and a discounted value of SPHC’s recorded asbestos-related contingent obligations based on information available to us as of the date of deconsolidation. The discounted cash flow approach relies primarily on Level 3 unobservable inputs, whereby expected future cash flows are discounted using a rate that includes assumptions regarding an entity’s average cost of debt and equity, incorporates expected future cash flows based on internal business plans, and applies certain assumptions about risk and uncertainties due to the bankruptcy filing. Our estimates are based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which by nature are uncertain and unpredictable. As a result of this analysis, we determined that the carrying value of our retained interest in SPHC approximated zero.
	As a result of the combined analyses of each of the components of our net investment in SPHC, we recorded a net loss of approximately $7.9 million, which was reflected in Other Expense, Net, during the fourth fiscal quarter of the year ended May 31, 2010. No changes have been made to these amounts through May 31, 2014.
Use of Estimates	'
	3) Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date the Consolidated Financial Statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Acquisitions/Divestitures	'
	4) Acquisitions/Divestitures
	We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date.
	During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014, we completed four acquisitions. Two of the current-year acquisitions report through our consumer reportable segment, which included the following: a producer of specialty primers based in Westlake, Ohio; and a producer and marketer of premium concrete and wood deck floor coatings based in St. Paul, Minnesota. The other two product line acquisitions report through our industrial reportable segment and included the following: a Nova Scotia limited company that patented structural fibers used to replace steel fibers, welded wire mesh and conventional reinforcing bars in a wide variety of applications; and a producer of terrazzo tile, cork and rubber/cork floor tiles headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania.
	During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013, we completed six acquisitions. Two of those acquisitions report through our consumer reportable segment, which included the following: a producer and marketer of innovative and unique exterior wood deck and concrete restoration systems based in Clarkston, Georgia; and a manufacturer of nail care enamels, coatings components and related products for the personal care industry located in Paterson, New Jersey. The remaining product line acquisitions report through our industrial reportable segment, and include our acquisition of a manufacturer of rolled asphalt roofing materials, waterproofing products, chemical admixtures and industrial epoxy flooring systems located in Cacapava, Brazil; and three smaller businesses.
	The purchase price for each acquisition has been allocated to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition. Final determinations of the purchase price allocation for these acquisitions have been completed, and are aggregated by year of purchase in the following table:
			Fiscal 2014 Acquisitions						Fiscal 2013 Acquisitions
	(In thousands)		Weighted-			Total			Weighted-			Total
			Average						Average
			Intangible						Intangible
			Asset						Asset
			Amortization						Amortization
			Life (In						Life (In
			Years)						Years)
	Current assets					$	10,874					$	67,397
	Property, plant and equipment						4,234						46,306
	Goodwill			N/A			21,296			N/A			260,789
	Tradenames - indefinite lives			N/A			2,000			N/A			38,448
	Other intangible assets			14			19,462			9			103,593
	Other long-term assets						—						8,171
	Total Assets Acquired					$	57,866					$	524,704
	Liabilities assumed						(18,361	)					(120,372	)
	Net Assets Acquired					$	39,505	(1)				$	404,332	(2)
	-1	Figure includes cash acquired of $0.3 million.
	-2	Figure includes cash acquired of $6.9 million.
	Our Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the results of operations of acquired businesses as of their respective dates of acquisition. Pro-forma results of operations for the years ended May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013 were not materially different from reported results and, consequently, are not presented.
Foreign Currency	'
	5) Foreign Currency
	The functional currency for each of our foreign subsidiaries is its principal operating currency. Accordingly, for the periods presented, assets and liabilities have been translated using exchange rates at year end, while income and expense for the periods have been translated using a weighted-average exchange rate.
	The resulting translation adjustments have been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity, and will be included in net earnings only upon the sale or liquidation of the underlying foreign investment, neither of which is contemplated at this time. Transaction gains and losses have been immaterial during the past three fiscal years.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	6) Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of the statement of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We do not believe we are exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value.
Property, Plant & Equipment	'
	7) Property, Plant & Equipment
	May 31,		2014			2013
	(In thousands)
	Land		$	50,245		$	45,281
	Buildings and leasehold improvements			328,269			311,869
	Machinery and equipment			813,162			770,973
	Total property, plant and equipment, at cost			1,191,676			1,128,123
	Less: allowance for depreciation and amortization			658,871			635,760
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	532,805		$	492,363
	We review long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying values of these assets may not be recoverable. For assets that are to be held and used, an impairment charge is recognized when the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with the asset or group of assets are less than their carrying value. If impairment exists, an adjustment is made to write the asset down to its fair value, and a loss is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value. Fair values are determined based on quoted market values, discounted cash flows, internal appraisals or external appraisals, as applicable. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their carrying value or estimated net realizable value.
	Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the following ranges of useful lives:
	Land improvements		3 to 30 years
	Buildings and improvements		3 to 50 years
	Machinery and equipment		1 to 30 years
	Total depreciation expense for each fiscal period includes the charges to income that result from the amortization of assets recorded under capital leases.
Revenue Recognition	'
	8) Revenue Recognition
	Revenues are recognized when realized or realizable, and when earned. In general, this is when title and risk of loss pass to the customer. Further, revenues are realizable when we have persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement, the product has been shipped or the services have been provided to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. We reduce our revenues for estimated customer returns and allowances, certain rebates, sales incentives, and promotions in the same period the related sales are recorded.
	We also record revenues generated under long-term construction contracts, mainly in connection with the installation of specialized roofing and flooring systems, and related services. Certain long-term construction contracts are accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, and therefore we record contract revenues and related costs as our contracts progress. This method recognizes the economic results of contract performance on a timelier basis than does the completed-contract method; however, application of this method requires reasonably dependable estimates of progress toward completion, as well as other dependable estimates. When reasonably dependable estimates cannot be made, or if other factors make estimates doubtful, the completed-contract method is applied. Under the completed-contract method, billings and costs are accumulated on the balance sheet as the contract progresses, but no revenue is recognized until the contract is complete or substantially complete.
Shipping Costs	'
	9) Shipping Costs
	Shipping costs paid to third-party shippers for transporting products to customers are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. For the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, shipping costs were $133.0 million, $125.6 million and $112.0 million, respectively.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	'
	10) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable
	An allowance for anticipated uncollectible trade receivable amounts is established using a combination of specifically identified accounts to be reserved and a reserve covering trends in collectibility. These estimates are based on an analysis of trends in collectability and past experience, but are primarily made up of individual account balances identified as doubtful based on specific facts and conditions. Receivable losses are charged against the allowance when we confirm uncollectibility. Actual collections of trade receivables could differ from our estimates due to changes in future economic or industry conditions or specific customer’s financial conditions. For the periods ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, bad debt expense approximated $7.6 million, $18.8 million and $5.8 million, respectively. Included in bad debt expense during fiscal 2013 is $9.0 million recognized for amounts written off in relation to our loan to Kemrock.
Inventories	'
	11) Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis and market being determined on the basis of replacement cost or net realizable value. Inventory costs include raw materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. We review the net realizable value of our inventory in detail on an on-going basis, with consideration given to various factors, which include our estimated reserves for excess, obsolete, slow moving or distressed inventories. If actual market conditions differ from our projections, and our estimates prove to be inaccurate, write-downs of inventory values and adjustments to cost of sales may be required. Historically, our inventory reserves have approximated actual experience. Inventories were composed of the following major classes:
	May 31,		2014			2013
	(In thousands)
	Raw material and supplies		$	213,981		$	185,590
	Finished goods			399,663			363,090
	Total Inventory		$	613,644		$	548,680
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	12) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350 and account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the entities acquired are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets.
	We performed the required annual goodwill impairment assessments as of the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter at the reporting unit level. Our reporting units have been identified at the component level, which is the operating segment level or one level below. First, we assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The traditional two-step quantitative process is required only if we conclude that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. However, we have an unconditional option to bypass a qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the traditional two-step quantitative analysis. We applied both the qualitative and traditional two-step quantitative processes during our annual goodwill impairment assessment performed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.
	The traditional two-step quantitative goodwill impairment assessment involves estimating the fair value of a reporting unit and comparing it with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, additional steps are followed to determine and recognize, if appropriate, an impairment loss. Calculating the fair value of the reporting units requires our significant use of estimates and assumptions. We estimate the fair values of our reporting units by applying a combination of third-party market-value indicators, when observable market data is available, and discounted future cash flows to each of our reporting unit’s projected EBITDA. In applying this methodology, we rely on a number of factors, including actual and forecasted operating results and market data. As a result of the assessments performed for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no indicators of impairment, including no reporting units that were at risk of failing step one of the traditional two-step quantitative analysis.
	Additionally, we test all indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually. We perform the required annual impairment assessments as of the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter. During fiscal 2013, we adopted new FASB guidance that simplifies how an entity tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. It provides an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount.
	The annual impairment assessment involves estimating the fair value of each indefinite-lived asset and comparing it with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, we record an impairment loss equal to the difference. Calculating the fair value of the indefinite-lived assets requires our significant use of estimates and assumptions. We estimate the fair values of our intangible assets by applying a relief-from-royalty calculation, which includes discounted future cash flows related to each of our intangible asset’s projected revenues. In applying this methodology, we rely on a number of factors, including actual and forecasted revenues and market data. As a result of the assessments performed for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no indicators of impairment.
	Should the future earnings and cash flows at our reporting units decline and/or discount rates increase, future impairment charges to goodwill and other intangible assets may be required.
Advertising Costs	'
	13) Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are charged to operations when incurred and are included in SG&A expenses. For the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, advertising costs were $49.6 million, $43.2 million and $34.1 million, respectively.
Research and Development	'
	14) Research and Development
	Research and development costs are charged to operations when incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The amounts charged to expense for the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $54.6 million, $49.3 million and $45.4 million, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	15) Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to our employees and directors, which may include restricted stock, stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). We measure stock-based compensation cost at the date of grant, based on the estimated fair value of the award. We recognize the cost as expense on a straight-line basis (net of estimated forfeitures) over the related vesting period. Refer to Note I, “Stock-Based Compensation,” for further information.
Investment (Income), Net	'
	16) Investment (Income), Net
	Investment (income), net, consists of the following components:
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Interest (income)		$	(6,327	)	$	(6,814	)	$	(5,031	)
	Loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities			(7,353	)		(11,664	)		862
	Other-than-temporary impairment on securities			161			14,279			1,604
	Dividend (income)			(2,196	)		(1,979	)		(1,621	)
	Investment (income), net		$	(15,715	)	$	(6,178	)	$	(4,186	)
Other (Income) Expense, Net	'
	17) Other (Income) Expense, Net
	Other (income) expense, net, consists of the following components:
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Royalty (income), net		$	(1,195	)	$	(2,069	)	$	(1,520	)
	Loss on Brazil operational repositioning			—			6,087
	Loss on Kemrock conversion option			—			9,030
	(Income) loss related to unconsolidated equity affiliates			(2,888	)		44,671			(8,079	)
	Other (income) expense, net		$	(4,083	)	$	57,719		$	(9,599	)
	Equity in Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
	Beginning with our fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, we began purchasing shares of Kemrock Industries and Exports Limited (“Kemrock”) common stock. By May 31, 2011, we had acquired a total of approximately 3.2 million shares of Kemrock common stock, for an accumulated cost of approximately $24.2 million, which represented approximately 18% of Kemrock’s outstanding shares at that time. Our investment in Kemrock common stock had been classified in other long-term assets on our balance sheet and included with available-for-sale securities, which are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices.
	During fiscal 2012, we purchased approximately 870,000 additional shares of Kemrock common stock, which increased our ownership to 23% of Kemrock’s outstanding shares. Also during fiscal 2012, we entered into a GDR Purchase Agreement with Kemrock, whereby we purchased from Kemrock 693,072 GDRs of Kemrock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $7.2 million. We account for our investment in the Kemrock GDRs as common stock equivalents within our total investment in Kemrock. Lastly, during fiscal 2012, we invested $22.7 million in 5.5% convertible bonds issued by Kemrock. The bonds are convertible into ordinary shares or GDRs, each representing one ordinary share of Kemrock stock, and may be converted at any time on or after June 4, 2012 and up to the close of business on June 12, 2017.
	Due to the presumption under GAAP that an entity with an ownership percentage greater than 20% has significant influence, and no other factors would refute that presumption, we changed our accounting for this investment to the equity method. Adjustments are made to our investment in order to recognize our share of Kemrock’s earnings as they occur, rather than as dividends or other distributions are received. Any changes in our proportionate share of the underlying equity of Kemrock, which could result from their issuance of additional equity securities, are recognized as increases or decreases in shareholders’ equity, net of any related tax effects.
	We account for our equity method investment in Kemrock under ASC 323, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” As outlined in ASC 323-10-35-32, a decline in the quoted market price below the carrying amount, when combined with other evidence of a loss in value, may be indicative of a loss in value that is other than temporary. In consideration of all available evidence to evaluate the realizable value of our equity investment, including a decline in the market price of shares of Kemrock stock, the financial condition and near term prospects of Kemrock, and the overall economic situation in India, we determined that it was appropriate to record an impairment loss during fiscal 2013 of approximately $55.9 million on our equity method investment, which is classified in other (income) expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We also recorded a loss of approximately $13.7 million for the write-down of our investment in Kemrock convertible bonds, which is classified in investment (income) expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Our investment in Kemrock had no carrying value at May 31, 2014 or 2013.
	Loss on Repositioning of Operations in Brazil
	During fiscal 2013, we completed a definitive plan to substantially liquidate our StonCor Brazil subsidiary, a small flooring business in Brazil with sales, income and assets that amounted to significantly less than 1% of our consolidated sales, income and assets in any given year, in order to leverage the substantial sales force, manufacturing facilities, broad distribution network and entrepreneurial management team of our Viapol subsidiary, which was acquired in June 2012. The acquisition of Viapol has given us the critical mass needed to sell construction products in Brazil, including RPM’s existing flooring brands such as Stonhard and Flowcrete. Viapol has the local manufacturing capabilities and technically skilled salespeople required to sell epoxy and polyurethane flooring in Brazil where we previously lacked a significant presence.
	As a result of our repositioning of certain of our industrial segment operations in Brazil, we incurred a loss of approximately $6.1 million. Included in the loss was the impact of an adjustment for accumulated foreign currency translation. This non-cash charge was previously recorded as an unrealized foreign exchange loss in our currency translation account as a component of other comprehensive income.
Income Taxes	'
	18) Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes is calculated using the liability method. Under the liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and the amounts used for income tax purposes and for certain changes in valuation allowances. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce certain deferred tax assets when, in our estimation, it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.
	As of May 31, 2014, it is possible that we could repatriate approximately $50.0 million of undistributed foreign earnings in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the estimated tax impact, $2.5 million, of this potential repatriation has been reflected in our current results. We have not provided for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes on the remaining foreign subsidiaries’ undistributed earnings of approximately $1.2 billion because such earnings have been retained and reinvested by the subsidiaries as of May 31, 2014. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes, which may become payable if the remaining undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries were paid to us as dividends. The additional income taxes and applicable withholding taxes that would result had such earnings actually been repatriated are not practically determinable.
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock	'
	19) Earnings Per Share of Common Stock
	Earnings per share (EPS) is computed using the two-class method. The two-class method determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends and dividend equivalents and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings. Our unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends are considered participating securities. Basic EPS of common stock is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS of common stock is computed on the basis of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential shares of common stock outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential shares of common stock include outstanding stock options, stock awards and convertible notes. See Note K, “Earnings Per Share of Common Stock,” for additional information.
Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	20) Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the FASB further amended the disclosure requirements for comprehensive income. The update requires companies to disclose items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income in a single location either in the notes to the consolidated financial statements or parenthetically on the face of the Statements of Operations. The change is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012, and is to be applied prospectively. Our adoption of these provisions on June 1, 2013 did not affect our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or liquidity as it is disclosure-related only.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard for virtually all industries in U.S. GAAP. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is prohibited. We have not yet determined the effects, if any, adoption of this update may have on our consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Asset Acquired and Liabilities Assumed on Acquisition	'
	Final determinations of the purchase price allocation for these acquisitions have been completed, and are aggregated by year of purchase in the following table:
			Fiscal 2014 Acquisitions						Fiscal 2013 Acquisitions
	(In thousands)		Weighted-			Total			Weighted-			Total
			Average						Average
			Intangible						Intangible
			Asset						Asset
			Amortization						Amortization
			Life (In						Life (In
			Years)						Years)
	Current assets					$	10,874					$	67,397
	Property, plant and equipment						4,234						46,306
	Goodwill			N/A			21,296			N/A			260,789
	Tradenames - indefinite lives			N/A			2,000			N/A			38,448
	Other intangible assets			14			19,462			9			103,593
	Other long-term assets						—						8,171
	Total Assets Acquired					$	57,866					$	524,704
	Liabilities assumed						(18,361	)					(120,372	)
	Net Assets Acquired					$	39,505	(1)				$	404,332	(2)
	-1	Figure includes cash acquired of $0.3 million.
	-2	Figure includes cash acquired of $6.9 million.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	May 31,		2014			2013
	(In thousands)
	Land		$	50,245		$	45,281
	Buildings and leasehold improvements			328,269			311,869
	Machinery and equipment			813,162			770,973
	Total property, plant and equipment, at cost			1,191,676			1,128,123
	Less: allowance for depreciation and amortization			658,871			635,760
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	532,805		$	492,363
Useful Lives	'
	Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the following ranges of useful lives:
	Land improvements		3 to 30 years
	Buildings and improvements		3 to 50 years
	Machinery and equipment		1 to 30 years
Major Classes of Inventories	'
	Inventories were composed of the following major classes:
	May 31,		2014			2013
	(In thousands)
	Raw material and supplies		$	213,981		$	185,590
	Finished goods			399,663			363,090
	Total Inventory		$	613,644		$	548,680
Investment (Income), Net	'
	Investment (income), net, consists of the following components:
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Interest (income)		$	(6,327	)	$	(6,814	)	$	(5,031	)
	Loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities			(7,353	)		(11,664	)		862
	Other-than-temporary impairment on securities			161			14,279			1,604
	Dividend (income)			(2,196	)		(1,979	)		(1,621	)
	Investment (income), net		$	(15,715	)	$	(6,178	)	$	(4,186	)
Other (Income) Expense, Net	'
	Other (income) expense, net, consists of the following components:
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Royalty (income), net		$	(1,195	)	$	(2,069	)	$	(1,520	)
	Loss on Brazil operational repositioning			—			6,087
	Loss on Kemrock conversion option			—			9,030
	(Income) loss related to unconsolidated equity affiliates			(2,888	)		44,671			(8,079	)
	Other (income) expense, net		$	(4,083	)	$	57,719		$	(9,599	)

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Changes in Accrued Restructuring Balances	'
	The following table includes the changes in our accrued restructuring balances:
	(In thousands)	Employee			Other			Total
		Severance
	Balance at May 31, 2013	$	12,656		$	397		$	13,053
	Charge to expense		(243	)		—			(243	)
	Cash payments		(10,688	)		(40	)		(10,728	)
	Noncash and foreign exchange impacts		357			24			381
	Balance at May 31, 2014	$	2,082		$	381		$	2,463

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill, by Reportable Segment	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by reportable segment, for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Industrial		Consumer		Total
		Segment		Segment
	Balance as of June 1, 2012	$	465,891	$	383,455	$	849,346
	Acquisitions		98,718		162,071		260,789
	Translation adjustments		209		3,487		3,696
	Balance as of May 31, 2013		564,818		549,013		1,113,831
	Acquisitions		3,147		18,149		21,296
	Translation adjustments		4,193		8,054		12,247
	Balance as of May 31, 2014	$	572,158	$	575,216	$	1,147,374
Other Intangible Assets Major Classes	'
	Other intangible assets consist of the following major classes:
	(In thousands)	Amortization		Gross		Accumulated		Net Other
		Period (In		Carrying		Amortization		Intangible
		Years)		Amount				Assets
	As of May 31, 2014
	Amortized intangible assets
	Formulae		3 to 33	$	226,200	$	124,413	$	101,787
	Customer-related intangibles		3 to 33		201,968		80,667		121,301
	Trademarks/names		3 to 40		33,219		15,435		17,784
	Other		2 to 40		57,476		30,329		27,147
	Total Amortized Intangibles				518,863		250,844		268,019
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets
	Trademarks/names				191,517				191,517
	Total Other Intangible Assets			$	710,380	$	250,844	$	459,536
	As of May 31, 2013
	Amortized intangible assets
	Formulae		3 to 33	$	216,418	$	113,315	$	103,103
	Customer-related intangibles		3 to 33		196,376		66,077		130,299
	Trademarks/names		2 to 40		30,223		13,222		17,001
	Other		1 to 40		48,817		27,046		21,771
	Total Amortized Intangibles				491,834		219,660		272,174
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets
	Trademarks/names				187,439				187,439
	Total Other Intangible Assets			$	679,273	$	219,660	$	459,613

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Summary of Marketable Securities by Asset Type	'
	The following tables summarize marketable securities held at May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013 by asset type:
		Available-For-Sale Securities
	(In thousands)	Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized			Unrealized			(Net
				Gains			Losses			Carrying
										Amount)
	May 31, 2014
	Equity securities:
	Stocks - foreign	$	984	$	669		$	(20	)	$	1,633
	Stocks - domestic		31,071		8,965			(132	)		39,904
	Mutual funds - foreign		30,541		2,799			—			33,340
	Mutual funds - domestic		44,242		1,790			(1,109	)		44,923
	Total equity securities		106,838		14,223			(1,261	)		119,800
	Fixed maturity:
	U.S. treasury and other government		21,156		152			(164	)		21,144
	Corporate bonds		1,544		212			—			1,756
	Foreign bonds		37		3			—			40
	Mortgage-backed securities		85		55			—			140
	Total fixed maturity securities		22,822		422			(164	)		23,080
	Total	$	129,660	$	14,645		$	(1,425	)	$	142,880
		Available-For-Sale Securities
	(In thousands)	Amortized		Gross			Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized			Unrealized			(Net
				Gains			Losses			Carrying
										Amount)
	May 31, 2013
	Equity securities:
	Stocks - foreign	$	1,090	$	244		$	—		$	1,334
	Stocks - domestic		24,492		5,265			(392	)		29,365
	Mutual funds - foreign		18,328		1,901			(7	)		20,222
	Mutual funds - domestic		39,184		679			(492	)		39,371
	Total equity securities		83,094		8,089			(891	)		90,292
	Fixed maturity:
	U.S. treasury and other government		20,528		247			(139	)		20,636
	Corporate bonds		1,724		244			—			1,968
	Foreign bonds		37		4			—			41
	Mortgage-backed securities		100		60			(4	)		156
	Total fixed maturity securities		22,389		555			(143	)		22,801
	Total	$	105,483	$	8,644		$	(1,034	)	$	113,093
Summary of Securities in Unrealized Loss Position and Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Aggregated by Length of Time Investments	'
	Summarized below are the securities we held at May 31, 2014 and 2013 that were in an unrealized loss position and that were included in accumulated other comprehensive income, aggregated by the length of time the investments had been in that position:
		May 31, 2014					May 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Fair		Gross			Fair			Gross
		Value		Unrealized			Value			Unrealized
				Losses						Losses
	Total investments with unrealized losses	$	35,465	$	(1,425	)	$	36,582		$	(1,034	)
	Unrealized losses with a loss position for less than 12 months		16,611		(845	)		36,327			(956	)
	Unrealized losses with a loss position for more than 12 months		18,854		(580	)		255			(78	)
Net Carrying Values of Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity	'
	The net carrying values of debt securities at May 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.
	(In thousands)	Amortized		Fair
		Cost		Value
	Due:
	Less than one year	$	3,198	$	3,214
	One year through five years		14,984		15,015
	Six years through ten years		3,271		3,304
	After ten years		1,369		1,547
		$	22,822	$	23,080

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis and Categorized using Fair Value Hierarchy	'
	The following tables present our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy.
	(In thousands)	Quoted Prices		Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
		in Active		Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2014
		Markets for		Observable			Inputs
		Identical Assets		Inputs (Level 2)			(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	U.S. Treasury and other government	$	—	$	21,144		$	—		$	21,144
	Foreign bonds				40						40
	Mortgage-backed securities				140						140
	Corporate bonds				1,756						1,756
	Stocks - foreign		1,633								1,633
	Stocks - domestic		39,904								39,904
	Mutual funds - foreign				33,340						33,340
	Mutual funds - domestic				44,923						44,923
	Foreign currency forward contract				2,582						2,582
	Cross-currency swap				(19,550	)					(19,550	)
	Contingent consideration							(81,296	)		(81,296	)
	Total	$	41,537	$	84,375		$	(81,296	)	$	44,616
	(In thousands)	Quoted Prices		Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
		in Active		Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2013
		Markets for		Observable			Inputs
		Identical Assets		Inputs (Level 2)			(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	U.S. Treasury and other government	$	—	$	20,636		$	—		$	20,636
	Foreign bonds				41						41
	Mortgage-backed securities				156						156
	Corporate bonds				1,968						1,968
	Stocks - foreign		1,334								1,334
	Stocks - domestic		29,365								29,365
	Mutual funds - foreign				20,222						20,222
	Mutual funds - domestic				39,371						39,371
	Foreign currency forward contract				(4,751	)					(4,751	)
	Cross-currency swap				(10,048	)					(10,048	)
	Contingent consideration							(69,020	)		(69,020	)
	Total	$	30,699	$	67,595		$	(69,020	)	$	29,274
Fair Value and Carrying Value of Financial Instruments and Long-Term Debt	'
	Based on the analysis performed, the fair value and the carrying value of our financial instruments and long-term debt as of May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2013 are as follows:
		At May 31, 2014
	(In thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	332,868	$	332,868
	Marketable equity securities		119,800		119,800
	Marketable debt securities		23,080		23,080
	Long-term debt, including current portion		1,351,627		1,516,062
		At May 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	343,554	$	343,554
	Marketable equity securities		90,292		90,292
	Marketable debt securities		22,801		22,801
	Long-term debt, including current portion		1,373,697		1,501,850

Borrowings_Tables

Borrowings (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Description of Long-Term Debt	'
	A description of long-term debt follows:
	May 31,		2014		2013
	(In thousands)
	Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013		$	—	$	200,000
	Unsecured 6.70% senior notes due November 1, 2015(1)			150,000		150,000
	Unsecured 6.50% senior notes due February 14, 2018(2)			248,627		248,259
	Unsecured 6.125% senior note due October 15, 2019(3)			458,163		459,457
	Unsecured $205,000 face value at maturity 2.25% senior convertible notes due December 15, 2020			185,474		—
	Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022			300,000		300,000
	Revolving credit agreement for $600,000 with a syndicate of banks, through June 29, 2017 (4)			2,090		7,701
	Other obligations, including capital leases and unsecured notes payable at various rates of interest due in installments through 2017			7,273		8,280
				1,351,627		1,373,697
	Less: current portion			5,662		4,521
	Total Long-Term Debt, Less Current Maturities		$	1,345,965	$	1,369,176
	-1	We entered into a cross-currency swap, which fixed the interest and principal payments in euros, resulting in an effective fixed-rate borrowing of 5.31%.
	-2	The $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2018 is adjusted for the amortization of the original issue discount, which approximated $1.4 million and $1.7 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The original issue discount effectively reduced the ultimate proceeds from the financing. The effective interest rate on the notes, including the amortization of the discount, is 6.704% for both years presented.
	-3	Includes the combination of the October 2009 initial issuance of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount and the May 2011 issuance of an additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of these notes. The $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2019 from the initial issuance is adjusted for the amortization of the original issue discount, which approximated $0.2 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013. The original issue discount effectively reduced the ultimate proceeds from the October 2009 financing. The effective interest rate on the notes issued in October 2009, including the amortization of the discount, is 6.139%. The additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2019 issued in May 2011 is adjusted for the unamortized premium received at issuance, which approximated $8.3 million and $9.7 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The premium effectively increased the proceeds from the financing. The effective interest rate on the $150.0 million notes issued in May 2011 is 4.934%.
	-4	Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2014, and averaged 3.96% for AUD denominated debt. Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2013, and averaged 4.16% for AUD denominated debt.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	'
	Income (loss) before income taxes as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income is summarized below for the periods indicated. Certain foreign operations are branches of RPM International Inc.’s subsidiaries and are therefore subject to income taxes in both the United States and the respective foreign jurisdictions. Accordingly, the provision (benefit) for income taxes by jurisdiction and the income (loss) before income taxes by jurisdiction may not be directly related.
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	United States	$	209,626		$	5,104		$	187,687
	Foreign		214,861			171,787			140,602
	Income Before Income Taxes	$	424,487		$	176,891		$	328,289
Provision (Benefit) for Income Tax	'
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following for the periods indicated:
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Current:
	U.S. Federal	$	46,846		$	56,590		$	45,547
	State and local		5,660			6,694			6,836
	Foreign		59,425			44,747			49,231
	Total Current		111,931			108,031			101,614
	Deferred:
	U.S. Federal		16,747			(31,987	)		(787	)
	State and local		1,292			(3,649	)		(572	)
	Foreign		(11,467	)		(5,355	)		(5,729	)
	Total Deferred		6,572			(40,991	)		(7,088	)
	Provision for Income Taxes	$	118,503		$	67,040		$	94,526
Significant Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		2014			2013
	(In thousands)
	Deferred income tax assets related to:
	Inventories	$	6,944		$	6,795
	Allowance for losses		6,410			7,584
	Accrued compensation and benefits		102,579			113,394
	Accrued other expenses		10,256			16,322
	Other long-term liabilities		19,646			29,954
	Net operating loss and credit carryforwards		71,534			70,208
	Net unrealized loss on securities		19,185			21,727
	Total Deferred Income Tax Assets		236,554			265,984
	Less: valuation allowances		(85,719	)		(89,909	)
	Net Deferred Income Tax Assets		150,835			176,075
	Deferred income tax (liabilities) related to:
	Depreciation		(47,639	)		(48,491	)
	Pension and other postretirement benefits		(7,867	)		(12,204	)
	Amortization of intangibles		(115,166	)		(125,042	)
	Total Deferred Income Tax (Liabilities)		(170,672	)		(185,737	)
	Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	$	(19,837	)	$	(9,662	)
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Computed by Applying U.S. Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate against Income (Loss) before Income Taxes to Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes	'
	The following table reconciles income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate against income (loss) before income taxes to the provision (benefit) for income taxes:
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Income tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	$	148,570		$	61,912		$	114,901
	Impact of foreign operations		(24,874	)		(11,552	)		(32,192	)
	State and local income taxes net of federal income tax benefit		4,519			1,979			4,073
	Tax benefits from the domestic manufacturing deduction		(4,878	)		(4,489	)		(3,744	)
	Nondeductible fines and penalties		(2,002	)		4,802			—
	Nondeductible business expense		1,508			1,269			1,304
	Valuation allowance		(2,998	)		14,729			9,353
	Other		(1,342	)		(1,610	)		831
	Provision for Income Tax Expense	$	118,503		$	67,040		$	94,526
	Effective Income Tax Rate		27.9	%		37.9	%		28.8	%
Activity Related to Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	Uncertain income tax positions are accounted for in accordance with ASC 740. The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits:
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2012
	Balance at June 1	$	8.4		$	3.3		$	6.4
	Additions based on tax positions related to current year		0.1			—			—
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		8.9			6			0.5
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(1.7	)		(0.9	)		(0.4	)
	Settlements		—			—			(3.2	)
	Balance at May 31	$	15.7		$	8.4		$	3.3

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Stock-Based Compensation Expense Included in Consolidated Statements of Income	'
	The following table represents total stock-based compensation expense included in our Consolidated Statements of Income:
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Selling, general and administrative expense	$	23,568		$	17,145		$	13,904
	Income tax (benefit)		(7,776	)		(5,627	)		(4,921	)
	Total stock-based compensation cost	$	15,792		$	11,518		$	8,983
Summary of Weighted-Average Assumptions Related to Grants	'
	The following is a summary of our weighted-average assumptions related to grants made during the last three fiscal years:
	Year Ended May 31,	2014			2013			2012
	Risk-free interest rate		2.2	%		1.1	%		2.5	%
	Expected life of option		7.5 yrs			7.5 yrs			7.5 yrs
	Expected dividend yield		2.7	%		3.3	%		3.8	%
	Expected volatility rate		26.1	%		28.2	%		29.5	%
Summary of Option and Share-Based Payment Activity	'
	The following table summarizes option and share-based payment activity (including SARs) under these plans during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014:
		2014
	Share-Based Payments	Weighted			Number of
		Average			Shares Under
		Exercise Price			Option
	(Shares in thousands)
	Balance at June 1	$	20.54			3,502
	Options granted		33.8			540
	Options canceled/expired		23.29			(47	)
	Options exercised		18.63			(776	)
	Balance at May 31		23.18			3,219
	Exercisable at May 31	$	20.04			1,806
	Stock Option Plans	2014			2013			2012
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
	Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share	$	7.38		$	4.96		$	4.69
	Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	15.6		$	9.8		$	7
	Tax benefit from options exercised	$	5.2		$	3.5		$	1.4
	Fair value of SARS vested	$	2		$	1.9		$	2
Employee Incentive Plan Twenty Zero Seven	'
Summary of Share-Based Performance Earned Restricted Stock Activity and Restricted Stock Units	'
	The following table sets forth awards and restricted stock units issued under the 2007 Plan for the year ended May 31, 2014:
		Weighted-Average			2014
		Grant-Date
		Fair Value
	(Shares in thousands)
	Balance at June 1	$	17.94			815
	Shares granted		33.8			76
	Shares forfeited		19.78			(20	)
	Shares vested		18.96			(14	)
	Balance at May 31	$	19.27			857
Directors Equity Incentive Plan 2003	'
Summary of Share-Based Performance Earned Restricted Stock Activity and Restricted Stock Units	'
	The following table summarizes the share-based activity under the 2003 Plan during fiscal 2014:
		Weighted-Average			2014
		Grant-Date
		Fair Value
	(Shares in thousands)
	Balance at June 1	$	22.5			113
	Shares granted to Directors		36.63			30
	Shares vested		21.13			(45	)
	Balance at May 31	$	27.48			98
Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards	'
Summary of Share-Based Performance Earned Restricted Stock Activity and Restricted Stock Units	'
	The following table summarizes the share-based performance-earned restricted stock (“PERS”) activity during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014:
		Weighted-Average			2014
		Grant-Date
		Fair Value
	(Shares in thousands)
	Balance at June 1	$	22.31			1,454
	Shares granted		35.11			507
	Shares forfeited		24.42			(27	)
	Shares vested		19.3			(520	)
	Balance at May 31	$	27.96			1,414
Nonvested Shares	'
Summary of Share-Based Performance Earned Restricted Stock Activity and Restricted Stock Units	'
	The following table summarizes the activity for all nonvested restricted shares during the year ended May 31, 2014:
		Weighted-Average			Number of
		Grant-Date Fair			Shares
		Value
	(Shares in thousands)
	Balance at June 1	$	20.94			3,236
	Granted		35.02			613
	Vested		18.71			(682	)
	Forfeited		21.49			(107	)
	Balance at May 31	$	24.24			3,060

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the following components:
	(In thousands)	Foreign			Pension And			Unrealized			Unrealized			Total
		Currency			Other			Gain			Gain (Loss)
		Translation			Postretirement			(Loss) On			On
		Adjustments			Benefit			Derivatives,			Securities,
					Liability			Net of Tax			Net of Tax
					Adjustments,
					Net of Tax
	Balance at June 1, 2011	$	81,346		$	(96,705	)	$	5,267		$	16,165		$	6,073
	Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax benefit of $844											1,043			1,043
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(89,863	)		(119,189	)		(5,512	)		(21,010	)		(235,574	)
	Deferred taxes					41,720			1,445			7,400			50,565
	Balance at May 31, 2012		(8,517	)		(174,174	)		1,200			3,598			(177,893	)
	Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax benefit of $633											(1,953	)		(1,953	)
	Other comprehensive income		(15,911	)		48,100			14			7,860			40,063
	Deferred taxes					(17,481	)		(18	)		(1,971	)		(19,470	)
	Balance at May 31, 2013		(24,428	)		(143,555	)		1,196			7,534			(159,253	)
	Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax benefit of $586											1,220			1,220
	Other comprehensive income		9,533			(16,418	)		(1,215	)		4,275			(3,825	)
	Deferred taxes					6,325			304			(1,653	)		4,976
	Balance at May 31, 2014	$	(14,895	)	$	(153,648	)	$	285		$	11,376		$	(156,882	)

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Calculated using Two-Class Method	'
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted earnings per share, as calculated using the two-class method, for the years ended May 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Numerator for earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to RPM International Inc. stockholders		$	291,660		$	98,603		$	215,936
	Less: Allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities			(6,366	)		(1,999	)		(4,024	)
	Net income available to common shareholders - basic			285,294			96,604			211,912
	Add: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested shareholders			29			(3	)		9
	Add: Income effect of contingently issuable shares			2,493						—
	Net income available to common shareholders - diluted		$	287,816		$	96,601		$	211,921
	Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Basic weighted average common shares			129,438			128,956			128,130
	Average diluted options			1,003			845			587
	Net issuable common share equivalents (1)			1,847						—
	Total shares for diluted earnings per share			132,288			129,801			128,717
	Earnings Per Share of Common Stock Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders:
	Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock		$	2.2		$	0.75		$	1.65
	Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock		$	2.18		$	0.74		$	1.65
	-1	For the year ended May 31, 2014, represents the number of shares that would be issued if our contingently convertible notes were converted. We include these shares in the calculation of diluted EPS as the conversion of the notes may be settled, at our election, in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock.

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Future Minimum Lease Commitments under Non-Cancelable Lease Agreements	'
	The following table illustrates our future minimum lease commitments under all non-cancelable lease agreements, for each of the next five years and in the aggregate, as of May 31, 2014:
	May 31,
	(In thousands)
	2015	$	48,695
	2016		39,054
	2017		28,971
	2018		21,459
	2019		15,405
	Thereafter		68,280
	Total Minimum Lease Commitments	$	221,864

Postretirement_Benefits_Tables

Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit	'
Components of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Costs	'
	Net periodic pension cost consisted of the following for the year ended May 31:
		U.S. Plans										Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012				2014				2013			2012
	Service cost	$	27,056		$	25,950		$	19,906			$	4,375			$	4,337		$	3,731
	Interest cost		18,039			16,240			15,307				7,382				7,246			8,076
	Expected return on plan assets		(20,761	)		(17,431	)		(17,416	)			(8,411	)			(7,715	)		(7,867	)
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost		334			348			352				19				7			10
	Net actuarial losses recognized		13,222			16,888			8,510				2,448				2,771			2,169
	Curtailment/settlement (gains) losses		—			72			—				44				234			—
	Net Pension Cost	$	37,890		$	42,067		$	26,659			$	5,857			$	6,880		$	6,119
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Noncurrent assets	$	—		$	—		$	227			$	—
	Current liabilities		(15	)		(43	)		(458	)			(436	)
	Noncurrent liabilities		(194,462	)		(160,683	)		(24,858	)			(30,501	)
	Net Amount Recognized	$	(194,477	)	$	(160,726	)	$	(25,089	)		$	(30,937	)
Pretax Net Actuarial Loss, Prior Service (Costs) and Transition Assets/(Obligations) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) not Affecting Retained Earnings	'
	The following table presents the pretax net actuarial loss, prior service (costs) and transition assets/(obligations) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) not affecting retained earnings:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Net actuarial loss	$	(185,320	)	$	(161,835	)	$	(52,573	)		$	(57,882	)
	Prior service (costs)		(997	)		(1,331	)		(423	)			(51	)
	Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not affecting retained earnings	$	(186,317	)	$	(163,166	)	$	(52,996	)		$	(57,933	)
Changes Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table includes the changes recognized in other comprehensive income:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
	Prior service cost	$	—		$	—		$	384			$	—
	Net loss (gain) arising during the year		36,707			(26,291	)		(2,673	)			(2,197	)
	Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI								(137	)			300
	Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:
	Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit (cost)		(334	)		(348	)		(19	)			(48	)
	Amortization or settlement recognition of net gain (loss)		(13,222	)		(16,960	)		(2,492	)			(2,966	)
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	$	23,151		$	(43,599	)	$	(4,937	)		$	(4,911	)
Weighted-Average Assumptions used to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic and Postretirement Costs	'
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine our year-end benefit obligations and net periodic pension cost under the plans:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	Year-End Benefit Obligations	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Discount rate		4.3	%		4.45	%		3.82	%			3.95	%
	Rate of compensation increase		3.81	%		3.14	%		3.3	%			3.32	%
		U.S. Plans										Non-U.S. Plans
	Net Periodic Pension Cost	2014			2013			2012				2014				2013			2012
	Discount rate		4.45	%		4.25	%		5.25	%			3.95	%			4.19	%		5.14	%
	Expected return on plan assets		8.5	%		8.5	%		8.5	%			5.37	%			5.32	%		5.63	%
	Rate of compensation increase		3.14	%		3.15	%		3.15	%			3.32	%			3.76	%		3.83	%
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	'
Components of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Costs	'
	The following table illustrates the effect on operations of these plans for the three years ended May 31, 2014:
		U.S. Plans										Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012				2014				2013			2012
	Service cost - Benefits earned during the period	$	—		$	—		$	—			$	1,264			$	1,185		$	745
	Interest cost on the accumulated obligation		297			349			416				1,225				1,188			968
	Amortization of:
	Prior service (credit)		(153	)		(86	)		(86	)
	Net actuarial (gains) losses		(144	)		16			(58	)			516				470			72
	Net Periodic Postretirement Expense	$	—		$	279		$	272			$	3,005			$	2,843		$	1,785
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Current liabilities	$	(410	)	$	(642	)	$	(522	)		$	(486	)
	Noncurrent liabilities		(6,377	)		(7,872	)		(27,733	)			(27,929	)
	Net Amount Recognized	$	(6,787	)	$	(8,514	)	$	(28,255	)		$	(28,415	)
Pretax Net Actuarial Loss, Prior Service (Costs) and Transition Assets/(Obligations) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) not Affecting Retained Earnings	'
	The following table presents the pretax net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credits recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) not affecting retained earnings:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Net actuarial gain (loss)	$	1,080		$	996		$	(9,136	)		$	(10,950	)
	Prior service credits		1,834			516
	Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not affecting retained earnings	$	2,914		$	1,512		$	(9,136	)		$	(10,950	)
Changes Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table includes the changes recognized in other comprehensive income:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
	Prior service cost	$	(1,471	)	$	—		$	—			$	—
	Net loss (gain) arising during the year		(228	)		(1,014	)		(766	)			1,988
	Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI								(532	)			(9	)
	Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:
	Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit (cost)		153			86
	Amortization or settlement recognition of net gain (loss)		144			(16	)		(516	)			(470	)
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	$	(1,402	)	$	(944	)	$	(1,814	)		$	1,509
Weighted-Average Assumptions used to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic and Postretirement Costs	'
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine our year-end benefit obligations and net periodic postretirement benefit costs under the plans:
		U.S. Plans								Non-U.S. Plans
	Year-End Benefit Obligations	2014			2013					2014				2013
	Discount rate		4	%		3.95	%				4.4	%			4.5	%
	Current healthcare cost trend rate		12.28	%		7.54	%				6.31	%			6.43	%
	Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate		4.5	%		4.5	%				4.2	%			4.2	%
	Year ultimate healthcare cost trend rate will be realized		2029			2029					2030				2030
		U.S. Plans										Non-U.S. Plans
	Net Periodic Postretirement Cost	2014			2013			2012				2014				2013			2012
	Discount rate		3.95	%		3.75	%		4.75	%			4.5	%			4.75	%		5.75	%
	Healthcare cost trend rate		7.54	%		7.7	%		7.87	%			6.43	%			6.92	%		7	%
	Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate		4.5	%		4.5	%		4.5	%			4.2	%			4.2	%		4.5	%
	Year ultimate healthcare cost trend rate will be realized		2029			2029			2029				2030				2030			2030
Changes in Benefit Obligations	'
	The changes in benefit obligations of the plans at May 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	8,514		$	9,677		$	28,415			$	24,517
	Service cost		—						1,264				1,185
	Interest cost		297			349			1,225				1,188
	Benefit payments		(362	)		(572	)		(421	)			(441	)
	Medicare subsidy received		37			74
	Plan amendments		(1,471	)
	Actuarial (gains) losses		(228	)		(1,014	)		(766	)			1,988
	Currency exchange rate changes								(1,462	)			(22	)
	Accumulated and accrued postretirement benefit obligation at end of year	$	6,787		$	8,514		$	28,255			$	28,415
Increasing or Decreasing Current Healthcare Cost Trend Rates by One Percentage would affect Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation and Net Postretirement Expense	'
	Increasing or decreasing current healthcare cost trend rates by 1% would affect our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net postretirement expense by the following amounts for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013:
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014				2013
	1% Increase in trend rate
	Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	239		$	296		$	6,502			$	9,080
	Postretirement Cost		11			15			727				647
	1% Decrease in trend rate
	Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	(209	)	$	(265	)	$	(5,011	)		$	(3,802	)
	Postretirement Cost		(10	)		(13	)		(534	)			(481	)

Pension_Plans_Tables

Pension Plans (Tables) (Pension Plan, Defined Benefit)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit	'
Changes in Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets	'
	The changes in benefit obligations and plan assets, as well as the funded status of our pension plans at May 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
			U.S. Plans						Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	402,686		$	385,013		$	185,993		$	175,338
	Service cost			27,056			25,950			4,375			4,337
	Interest cost			18,039			16,240			7,382			7,246
	Benefits paid			(17,683	)		(16,503	)		(5,482	)		(8,761	)
	Participant contributions									831			929
	Plan amendments									384
	Actuarial (gains)/losses			46,492			(8,014	)		6,348			9,820
	Settlements/Curtailments												(3,874	)
	Premiums paid									(138	)		(127	)
	Currency exchange rate changes									2,475			1,085
	Benefit Obligation at End of Year		$	476,590		$	402,686		$	202,168		$	185,993
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	241,960		$	198,208		$	155,056		$	137,318
	Actual return on plan assets			30,547			35,708			17,432			15,859
	Employer contributions			27,289			24,547			8,111			9,422
	Participant contributions									831			929
	Benefits paid			(17,683	)		(16,503	)		(5,482	)		(8,761	)
	Premiums paid									(138	)		(127	)
	Currency exchange rate changes									1,269			416
	Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year		$	282,113		$	241,960		$	177,079		$	155,056
	(Deficit) of plan assets versus benefit obligations at end of year		$	(194,477	)	$	(160,726	)	$	(25,089	)	$	(30,937	)
	Net Amount Recognized		$	(194,477	)	$	(160,726	)	$	(25,089	)	$	(30,937	)
	Accumulated Benefit Obligation		$	385,492		$	340,742		$	188,835		$	173,586
Relationship between Plans Benefit Obligations and Assets	'
	The following table summarizes the relationship between our plans’ benefit obligations and assets:
			U.S. Plans
			2014						2013
	(In thousands)		Benefit			Plan Assets			Benefit			Plan Assets
			Obligation						Obligation
	Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets		$	476,590		$	282,113		$	402,686		$	241,960
	Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets			385,492			282,113			340,742			241,960
			Non-U.S. Plans
			2014						2013
	(In thousands)		Benefit			Plan Assets			Benefit			Plan Assets
			Obligation						Obligation
	Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets		$	105,327		$	80,011		$	185,993		$	155,056
	Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets			103,734			80,011			94,423			70,642
	Plans with assets in excess of projected benefit obligations			96,841			97,068
	Plans with assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligations			85,101			97,068			79,163			84,414
Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) that have not yet been Recognized in Net Periodic Pension Cost, but will be Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Income	'
	The following table presents the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of May 31, 2014 that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost, but will be recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income during the fiscal year ending May 31, 2015:
	(In thousands)		U.S. Plans			Non-U.S. Plans
	Net actuarial loss		$	(13,413	)	$	(1,947	)
	Prior service (costs)		$	(294	)	$	(41	)
Weighted-Average Actual and Target Allocation of Plan Assets	'
	The following tables illustrate the weighted-average actual and target allocation of plan assets:
			U.S. Plans
			Target Allocation			Actual Asset Allocation
			as of May 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2014			2014			2013
	Equity securities			55	%	$	193.8		$	146.2
	Fixed income securities			25	%		81.5			74.1
	Cash						5.9			3.9
	Other			20	%		0.9			17.8
	Total assets			100	%	$	282.1		$	242
			Non-U.S. Plans
			Target Allocation			Actual Asset Allocation
			as of May 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2014			2014			2013
	Equity securities			42	%	$	84		$	81.8
	Fixed income securities			51	%		63.9			46.7
	Cash			1	%		0.5			0.2
	Property and other			6	%		28.7			26.3
	Total assets			100	%	$	177.1		$	155
Pension Plan Assets Categorized using Fair Value Hierarchy	'
	The following tables present our pension plan assets as categorized using the fair value hierarchy at May 31, 2014 and 2013:
	U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)		Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
			Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2014
			for Identical			Observable			Inputs (Level 3)
			Assets (Level 1)			Inputs (Level 2)
	U.S. Treasury and other government		$	—		$	11,203		$	—		$	11,203
	State and municipal bonds						456						456
	Foreign bonds						1,264						1,264
	Mortgage-backed securities						7,255						7,255
	Corporate bonds						17,254						17,254
	Stocks - large cap			34,442									34,442
	Stocks - mid cap			18,183									18,183
	Stocks - small cap			12,145									12,145
	Stocks - international			2,525									2,525
	Mutual funds - equity						126,513						126,513
	Mutual funds - fixed						44,094						44,094
	Cash and cash equivalents			5,869									5,869
	Limited partnerships									910			910
	Total		$	73,164		$	208,039		$	910		$	282,113
	Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)		Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
			Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2014
			for Identical			Observable			Inputs (Level 3)
			Assets (Level 1)			Inputs (Level 2)
	Pooled equities		$	—		$	82,534		$	—		$	82,534
	Pooled fixed income						63,657						63,657
	Foreign bonds						210						210
	Insurance contracts									28,658			28,658
	Mutual funds						1,448						1,448
	Cash and cash equivalents			572									572
	Total		$	572		$	147,849		$	28,658		$	177,079
	U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)		Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
			Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2013
			for Identical			Observable			Inputs (Level 3)
			Assets (Level 1)			Inputs (Level 2)
	U.S. Treasury and other government		$	—		$	10,288		$	—		$	10,288
	State and municipal bonds						455						455
	Foreign bonds						2,342						2,342
	Mortgage-backed securities						7,332						7,332
	Corporate bonds						14,550						14,550
	Stocks - large cap			26,443									26,443
	Stocks - mid cap			15,423									15,423
	Stocks - small cap			11,451									11,451
	Stocks - international			2,643									2,643
	Mutual funds - equity						90,260						90,260
	Mutual funds - fixed						39,080						39,080
	Cash and cash equivalents			3,848									3,848
	Limited partnerships									1,159			1,159
	Common/collective trusts									16,686			16,686
	Total		$	59,808		$	164,307		$	17,845		$	241,960
	Non-U.S. Plans
	(In thousands)		Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant			Fair Value at
			Active Markets			Other			Unobservable			May 31, 2013
			for Identical			Observable			Inputs (Level 3)
			Assets (Level 1)			Inputs (Level 2)
	Pooled equities		$	—		$	80,550		$	—		$	80,550
	Pooled fixed income						46,428						46,428
	Foreign bonds						261						261
	Insurance contracts									26,313			26,313
	Mutual funds						1,289						1,289
	Cash and cash equivalents			215									215
Total		$	215		$	128,528		$	26,313		$	155,056
Activity that Occurred for Level Three Assets	'
	The following table includes the activity that occurred during the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 for our Level 3 assets:
						Actual Return on Plan Assets For:
	(In thousands)		Balance at			Assets Still Held			Assets Sold			Purchases, Sales and			Balance at
			Beginning of Period			at Reporting Date			During Year			Settlements, net (1)			End of Period
	Year ended May 31, 2014		$	44,158			564			47			(15,201	)	$	29,568
	Year ended May 31, 2013			43,569			1,283			924			(1,618	)		44,158
	-1	Includes the impact of exchange rate changes during the year.

Contingencies_and_Other_Accrue1

Contingencies and Other Accrued Losses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Accrued Loss Reserves	'
	Accrued loss reserves consist of the following:
	May 31,		2014			2013
	(In thousands)
	Accrued product liability reserves		$	10,589		$	15,582
	Accrued warranty reserves			14,167			8,591
	Accrued environmental reserves			2,731			3,418
	Total accrued loss reserves - Current		$	27,487		$	27,591
	Accrued product liability reserves - noncurrent		$	29,653		$	29,489
	Accrued warranty liability - noncurrent			574			739
	Accrued environmental reserves - noncurrent			2,005			3,274
	Total accrued loss reserves - Noncurrent		$	32,232		$	33,502
Changes in Accrued Warranty Balances	'
	The following table includes the changes in our accrued warranty balances:
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Beginning Balance		$	9,330		$	14,751		$	17,196
	Deductions (1)			(19,155	)		(20,115	)		(18,143	)
	Provision charged to SG&A expense			24,566			14,260			15,513
	Acquisitions			—			434			185
	Ending Balance		$	14,741		$	9,330		$	14,751
	-1	Primarily claims paid during the year.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Results of Reportable Segments	'
	The following tables reflect the results of our reportable segments consistent with our management philosophy, and represent the information we utilize, in conjunction with various strategic, operational and other financial performance criteria, in evaluating the performance of our portfolio of businesses.
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Net Sales
	Industrial		$	2,769,657		$	2,635,976		$	2,535,238
	Consumer			1,606,696			1,442,679			1,242,178
	Total		$	4,376,353		$	4,078,655		$	3,777,416
	Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
	Industrial
	Income Before Income Taxes (a)		$	295,751		$	164,578		$	278,676
	Interest (Expense), Net (b)			(10,227	)		(10,318	)		(3,770	)
	EBIT (c)		$	305,978		$	174,896		$	282,446
	Consumer
	Income Before Income Taxes (a)		$	251,229		$	190,611		$	160,099
	Interest (Expense), Net (b)			122			(10	)		18
	EBIT (c)		$	251,107		$	190,621		$	160,081
	Corporate/Other
	(Expense) Before Income Taxes (a)		$	(122,493	)	$	(178,298	)	$	(110,486	)
	Interest (Expense), Net (b)			(55,131	)		(63,340	)		(64,107	)
	EBIT (c)		$	(67,362	)	$	(114,958	)	$	(46,379	)
	Consolidated
	Income Before Income Taxes (a)		$	424,487		$	176,891		$	328,289
	Interest (Expense), Net (b)			(65,236	)		(73,668	)		(67,859	)
	EBIT (c)		$	489,723		$	250,559		$	396,148
	Identifiable Assets
	Industrial		$	2,507,257		$	2,461,163		$	2,195,702
	Consumer			1,648,272			1,584,336			1,184,609
	Corporate/Other			222,836			75,348			181,502
	Total		$	4,378,365		$	4,120,847		$	3,561,813
	Capital Expenditures
	Industrial		$	54,556		$	50,025		$	47,529
	Consumer			35,391			35,081			17,156
	Corporate/Other			3,845			6,261			6,930
	Total		$	93,792		$	91,367		$	71,615
	Depreciation and Amortization
	Industrial		$	53,670		$	53,549		$	48,701
	Consumer			31,378			28,624			23,656
	Corporate/Other			5,021			4,163			3,666
	Total		$	90,069		$	86,336		$	76,023
	(a)	The presentation includes a reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, a measure defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, to EBIT.
	(b)	Interest (expense), net includes the combination of interest expense and investment expense (income), net.
	(c)	EBIT is defined as earnings (loss) before interest and taxes. We evaluate the profit performance of our segments based on income before income taxes, but also look to EBIT as a performance evaluation measure because interest expense is essentially related to corporate acquisitions, as opposed to segment operations. For that reason, we believe EBIT is also useful to investors as a metric in their investment decisions. EBIT should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP, since EBIT omits the impact of interest and taxes in determining operating performance, which represent items necessary to our continued operations, given our level of indebtedness and ongoing tax obligations. Nonetheless, EBIT is a key measure expected by and useful to our fixed income investors, rating agencies and the banking community, all of whom believe, and we concur, that this measure is critical to the capital markets’ analysis of our segments’ core operating performance. We also evaluate EBIT because it is clear that movements in EBIT impact our ability to attract financing. Our underwriters and bankers consistently require inclusion of this measure in offering memoranda in conjunction with any debt underwriting or bank financing. EBIT may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results.
Net Sales and Long Lived Assets by Regions	'
	Year Ended May 31,		2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
	Net Sales (based on shipping location) (a)
	United States		$	2,581,208		$	2,404,835		$	2,219,680
	Foreign
	Canada			342,312			350,579			346,238
	Europe			1,031,686			908,139			919,124
	Other Foreign			421,147			415,102			292,374
	Total Foreign			1,795,145			1,673,820			1,557,736
	Total		$	4,376,353		$	4,078,655		$	3,777,416
	Long-Lived Assets (b)
	United States		$	1,374,340		$	1,311,640		$	1,124,403
	Foreign
	Canada			125,401			126,172			128,392
	Europe			340,146			340,592			315,228
	United Kingdom			259,829			237,124			192,155
	Other Foreign			208,411			213,726			64,316
	Total Foreign			933,787			917,614			700,091
	Total		$	2,308,127		$	2,229,254		$	1,824,494
	(a)	It is not practicable to obtain the information needed to disclose revenues attributable to each of our product lines.
	(b)	Long-lived assets include all non-current assets, excluding non-current deferred income taxes.

Quarterly_Information_Unaudite1

Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Quarterly Result of Operations	'
	The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013:
			For Quarter Ended
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		31-Aug			30-Nov			28-Feb			31-May
	2014
	Net Sales		$	1,164,674		$	1,071,487		$	863,410		$	1,276,782
	Gross Profit		$	499,072		$	457,945		$	358,026		$	560,725
	Net Income Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders		$	103,098		$	63,562		$	16,221		$	108,779
	Basic Earnings Per Share		$	0.78		$	0.48		$	0.12		$	0.82
	Diluted Earnings Per Share		$	0.77		$	0.48		$	0.12		$	0.8
	Dividends Per Share		$	0.225		$	0.24		$	0.24		$	0.24
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		31-Aug			30-Nov			February 28			31-May
			(a), (e)			(b), (e)			(c), (e)			(d)
	2013			(Restated	)		(Restated	)		(Restated	)
	Net Sales		$	1,046,714		$	1,017,426		$	843,736		$	1,170,779
	Gross Profit		$	433,880		$	425,001		$	343,564		$	500,274
	Net Income (Loss) Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders		$	26,665		$	30,924		$	(24,364	)	$	65,378
	Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share		$	0.2		$	0.23		$	(0.19	)	$	0.49
	Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share		$	0.2		$	0.23		$	(0.19	)	$	0.49
	Dividends Per Share		$	0.215		$	0.225		$	0.225		$	0.225
	(a)	For the quarter ended August 31, 2012, net sales and gross profit were reduced by $2.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively, for revised cost estimates on unprofitable contracts related to our industrial segment, and $5.6 million in exit costs associated with those activities that impacted pretax income. Additionally, we wrote down an investment in Kemrock totaling $40.3 million and recognized $5.0 million in bad debt from our loan to Kemrock. The combined impact on net income and earnings per share was $50.9 million and $0.38 per share, respectively. Lastly, we recorded a charge for $11.4 million ($7.2 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.
	(b)	For the quarter ended November 30, 2012, we wrote down our remaining investment in Kemrock, which impacted net income and earnings per share by $10.8 million and $0.09 per share, respectively. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $16.9 million ($10.8 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.
	(c)	For the quarter ended February 28, 2013, net income was impacted by $1.6 million for the impact of a strategic repositioning of certain industrial segment operations in Brazil. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $40.5 million ($34.6 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.
	(d)	For the quarter ended May 31, 2013, we recorded $23.9 million in restructuring expense, including $3.9 million in inventory markdowns. We also recorded bad debt for the remaining amount of our loan to Kemrock totaling $4.0 million and wrote off our remaining investment in Kemrock common stock and in Kemrock convertible debt for a combined loss of $18.5 million. Additionally, we reduced our estimated accrual for our agreement in principle with the GSA by $3.7 million. The combined impact of these items on net income and earnings per share for the fourth quarter was $30.0 million and $0.23 per share, respectively.
	(e)	During August 2014, we determined that there was an error in the timing of the disclosure and accrual of loss reserves associated with our settlement of the GSA and DOJ investigation into compliance issues related to GSA contracts at our Tremco Group. We filed amended Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A in August 2014 with corrected financial statements for the periods ended August 31, 2012, November 30, 2012 and February 28, 2013. The corrections reduced net income by $7.2 million and $10.8 million for the quarterly periods ended August 31, 2012 and November 30, 2012, respectively, and increased net income for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013 by $18.0 million. The corrections reduced basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.06 for the quarter ended August 31, 2012; and by $0.09 and $0.08, respectively, for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2012; and increased basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.14 for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013. The figures presented in the table above represent the corrected amounts for each quarter.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

31-May-13

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-10

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-12

31-May-11

31-May-12

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-13

31-May-12

31-May-13

Entity

Entity

Bond

Third Party

Third Party

Third Party

Kemrock Industries and Exports Limited

Kemrock Industries and Exports Limited

Kemrock Industries and Exports Limited

Kemrock Industries and Exports Limited

Kemrock global depository receipts

Consumer Segment

Consumer Segment

Conversion option, Kemrock 5.5% bonds

Conversion option, Kemrock 5.5% bonds

Conversion option, Kemrock 5.5% bonds

Segment

Bond

Entity

Entity

Kemrock Industries and Exports Limited

Significant Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of appeal bonds satisfied

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying value of retained interest in SPHC

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net loss from deconsolidation of business

'

'

-7,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of business acquisition

'

'

'

4

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of reportable segments

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

2

'

'

'

Shipping costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

133,000,000

125,600,000

112,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bad debt expense

4,000,000

5,000,000

'

7,600,000

18,800,000

5,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans deemed uncollectible, recorded as loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Advertising cost

'

'

'

49,600,000

43,200,000

34,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Research and development cost

'

'

'

54,600,000

49,300,000

45,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition of equity method investment, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

870,000

3,200,000

693,072

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investment, carrying value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

24,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investment, ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23.00%

18.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase of global depository receipt, value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

Investment in affiliate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,700,000

'

Investment in affiliate, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.50%

'

Debt securities, conversion date, earliest date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4-Jun-12

'

Debt securities, conversion date, latest date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12-Jun-17

'

Impairment loss on equity method investment

'

'

'

2,888,000

-44,671,000

8,079,000

'

'

'

-55,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of investments

18,500,000

40,300,000

'

'

51,092,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,700,000

'

13,700,000

Impact of adjustment for accumulated foreign currency translation

'

'

'

-6,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Undistributed foreign earnings

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated tax impact

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign subsidiary undistributed earnings

'

'

'

$1,200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets_Acquired_and_Liabilitie

Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed on Acquisition (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14		31-May-13
Acquisitions	'		'
Current assets	$10,874		$67,397
Property, plant and equipment	4,234		46,306
Goodwill	21,296		260,789
Tradenames - indefinite lives	2,000		38,448
Other intangible assets	19,462		103,593
Other long-term assets	'		8,171
Total Assets Acquired	57,866		524,704
Liabilities assumed	-18,361		-120,372
Net Assets Acquired	$39,505	[1]	$404,332	[2]
Weighted-average other intangible asset amortization life (in years)	'14 years		'9 years
[1]	Figure includes cash acquired of $0.3 million.
[2]	Figure includes cash acquired of $6.9 million.

Assets_Acquired_and_Liabilitie1

Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed on Acquisition (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]	'	'
Business acquisition cash acquired	$0.30	$6.90

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment, at cost	$1,191,676	$1,128,123
Less: allowance for depreciation and amortization	658,871	635,760
Property, plant and equipment, net	532,805	492,363
Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment, at cost	50,245	45,281
Building And Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment, at cost	328,269	311,869
Machinery and Equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment, at cost	$813,162	$770,973

Useful_Lives_Detail

Useful Lives (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Minimum | Land Improvements	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property Plant and equipment useful life	'3 years
Minimum | Building and Building Improvements	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property Plant and equipment useful life	'3 years
Minimum | Machinery and Equipment	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property Plant and equipment useful life	'1 year
Maximum | Land Improvements	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property Plant and equipment useful life	'30 years
Maximum | Building and Building Improvements	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property Plant and equipment useful life	'50 years
Maximum | Machinery and Equipment	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property Plant and equipment useful life	'30 years

Major_Class_of_Inventory_Detai

Major Class of Inventory (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Raw material and supplies	$213,981	$185,590
Finished goods	399,663	363,090
Total Inventory	$613,644	$548,680

Investment_Income_Net_Detail

Investment (Income), Net (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Net Investment Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest (income)	($6,327)	($6,814)	($5,031)
Loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities	-7,353	-11,664	862
Other-than-temporary impairment on securities	161	14,279	1,604
Dividend (income)	-2,196	-1,979	-1,621
Investment (income), net	($15,715)	($6,178)	($4,186)

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Detai

Other (Income) Expense, Net (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Component Of Other Expense Income Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Royalty (income), net	($1,195)	($2,069)	($1,520)
Loss on Brazil operational repositioning	'	6,087	'
Loss on Kemrock conversion option	'	9,030	'
(Income) loss related to unconsolidated equity affiliates	-2,888	44,671	-8,079
Other (income) expense, net	($4,083)	$57,719	($9,599)

Restructuring_Additional_Infor

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-13	31-May-13	31-May-13	31-May-13
				Employee Severance	Consumer Segment	Consumer Segment	Consumer Segment	Industrial Segment	Industrial Segment
					Two Thousand Thirteen Plan	Two Thousand Thirteen Plan	Two Thousand Thirteen Plan	Two Thousand Thirteen Plan	Two Thousand Thirteen Plan
					Facility	Employee Severance	Facility Closing		Employee Severance
					Position				Position
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$23,900,000	$243,000	$20,072,000	$243,000	$15,600,000	$8,200,000	$7,400,000	$4,500,000	'
Number of position eliminated	'	'	'	'	133	'	'	'	'
Number of shutdown manufacturing facilities	'	'	'	'	2	'	'	'	'
Inventory markdowns	$3,900,000	'	'	'	$3,900,000	'	'	'	'
Expected number of positions to be eliminated	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	34

Changes_in_Accrued_Restructuri

Changes in Accrued Restructuring Balances (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	$13,053	'
Charge to expense	-23,900	-243	-20,072
Cash payments	'	-10,728	'
Noncash and foreign exchange impacts	'	381	'
Ending balance	13,053	2,463	13,053
Employee Severance	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	12,656	'
Charge to expense	'	-243	'
Cash payments	'	-10,688	'
Noncash and foreign exchange impacts	'	357	'
Ending balance	'	2,082	'
Other	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	397	'
Cash payments	'	-40	'
Noncash and foreign exchange impacts	'	24	'
Ending balance	'	$381	'

Change_in_Carrying_Amount_of_g

Change in Carrying Amount of goodwill By Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill beginning balance	$1,113,831	$849,346
Acquisitions	21,296	260,789
Translation adjustments	12,247	3,696
Goodwill ending balance	1,147,374	1,113,831
Industrial Segment	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill beginning balance	564,818	465,891
Acquisitions	3,147	98,718
Translation adjustments	4,193	209
Goodwill ending balance	572,158	564,818
Consumer Segment	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill beginning balance	549,013	383,455
Acquisitions	18,149	162,071
Translation adjustments	8,054	3,487
Goodwill ending balance	$575,216	$549,013

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Intangible assets accumulated impairment	$14.90	$14.90	'
Intangible asset amortization expense	28.2	27.7	21.4
Future amortization expense of intangible asset in 2015	26.5	'	'
Future amortization expense of intangible asset in 2016	25.6	'	'
Future amortization expense of intangible asset in 2017	25.1	'	'
Future amortization expense of intangible asset in 2018	24.4	'	'
Future amortization expense of intangible asset in 2019	$23.10	'	'

Other_Intangible_Assets_Major_

Other Intangible Assets Major Classes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Total Other Intangible Assets gross carrying amount	710,380	679,273
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	518,863	491,834
Amortized intangible assets, accumulated amortization	250,844	219,660
Amortized intangible assets, net other intangible assets	268,019	272,174
Total Other Intangible Assets, net	459,536	459,613
Tradenames and Trademarks	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	33,219	30,223
Amortized intangible assets, accumulated amortization	15,435	13,222
Amortized intangible assets, net other intangible assets	17,784	17,001
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net other intangible assets	191,517	187,439
Tradenames and Trademarks | Minimum	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, amortization period	'3 years	'2 years
Tradenames and Trademarks | Maximum	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, amortization period	'40 years	'40 years
Formulae	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	226,200	216,418
Amortized intangible assets, accumulated amortization	124,413	113,315
Amortized intangible assets, net other intangible assets	101,787	103,103
Formulae | Minimum	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, amortization period	'3 years	'3 years
Formulae | Maximum	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, amortization period	'33 years	'33 years
Customer-Related Intangible Assets	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	201,968	196,376
Amortized intangible assets, accumulated amortization	80,667	66,077
Amortized intangible assets, net other intangible assets	121,301	130,299
Customer-Related Intangible Assets | Minimum	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, amortization period	'3 years	'3 years
Customer-Related Intangible Assets | Maximum	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, amortization period	'33 years	'33 years
Other Intangible Assets	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	57,476	48,817
Amortized intangible assets, accumulated amortization	30,329	27,046
Amortized intangible assets, net other intangible assets	27,147	21,771
Other Intangible Assets | Minimum	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, amortization period	'2 years	'1 year
Other Intangible Assets | Maximum	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, amortization period	'40 years	'40 years

Summary_of_Marketable_Securiti

Summary of Marketable Securities by Asset Type (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	$129,660	$105,483
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	14,645	8,644
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,425	-1,034
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	142,880	113,093
Equity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	106,838	83,094
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	14,223	8,089
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,261	-891
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	119,800	90,292
Equity securities | Stocks | Foreign	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	984	1,090
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	669	244
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-20	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	1,633	1,334
Equity securities | Stocks | Domestic	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	31,071	24,492
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	8,965	5,265
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-132	-392
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	39,904	29,365
Equity securities | Mutual funds | Foreign	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	30,541	18,328
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,799	1,901
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	-7
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	33,340	20,222
Equity securities | Mutual funds | Domestic	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	44,242	39,184
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,790	679
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,109	-492
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	44,923	39,371
Fixed maturity	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	22,822	22,389
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	422	555
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-164	-143
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	23,080	22,801
Fixed maturity | U.S. Treasury and other government	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	21,156	20,528
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	152	247
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-164	-139
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	21,144	20,636
Fixed maturity | Corporate bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	1,544	1,724
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	212	244
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	1,756	1,968
Fixed maturity | Foreign bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	37	37
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3	4
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	40	41
Fixed maturity | Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost	85	100
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	55	60
Available-for-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	-4
Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value (Net Carrying Amount)	$140	$156

Marketable_Securities_Addition

Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-14	31-May-13
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, current	$49,100,000	'	$71,900,000	$49,100,000
Available-for-sale securities, long-term	64,000,000	'	71,000,000	64,000,000
Gross gains realized on sales of investments	'	'	7,500,000	12,300,000
Gross losses realized on sales of investments	'	'	100,000	600,000
Losses recognized for securities deemed to have other-than-temporary impairments	'	'	200,000	14,300,000
Impairment of investments	18,500,000	40,300,000	'	51,092,000
Conversion option, Kemrock 5.5% bonds	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impairment of investments	'	'	'	$13,700,000
Maximum	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Investments with unrealized loss, percentage of fair values less than original cost	'	'	15.00%	'

Summary_of_Securities_in_Unrea

Summary of Securities in Unrealized Loss Position and Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Aggregated by Length of Time Investments (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Total investments with unrealized losses, fair value	$35,465	$36,582
Unrealized losses with a loss position for less than 12 months, fair value	16,611	36,327
Unrealized losses with a loss position for more than 12 months, fair value	18,854	255
Total investments with unrealized losses, gross unrealized losses	-1,425	-1,034
Unrealized losses with a loss position for less than 12 months, gross unrealized losses	-845	-956
Unrealized losses with a loss position for more than 12 months, gross unrealized losses	($580)	($78)

Net_Carrying_Values_of_Debt_Se

Net Carrying Values of Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-Sale Securities, amortized cost	'	'
Less than one year, amortized cost	$3,198	'
One year through five years, amortized cost	14,984	'
Six years through ten years, amortized cost	3,271	'
After ten years, amortized cost	1,369	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis, Total	22,822	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, fair value	'	'
Less than one year, fair value	3,214	'
One year through five years, fair value	15,015	'
Six years through ten years, fair value	3,304	'
After ten years, fair value	1,547	'
Marketable debt securities, carrying value	$23,080	$22,801

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis and Categorized using Fair Value Hierarchy (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Contingent consideration	($81,296)	($69,020)
Assets (liabilities) at fair value	44,616	29,274
Foreign currency forward contract	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign currency forward contract	2,582	'
Foreign currency contracts, fair value of liability	'	-4,751
Cross-currency swap	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign currency contracts, fair value of liability	-19,550	-10,048
U.S. Treasury and other government	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	21,144	20,636
Foreign bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	40	41
Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	140	156
Corporate bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	1,756	1,968
Stocks | Foreign	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	1,633	1,334
Stocks | Domestic	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	39,904	29,365
Mutual funds | Foreign	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	33,340	20,222
Mutual funds | Domestic	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	44,923	39,371
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets (liabilities) at fair value	41,537	30,699
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Stocks | Foreign	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	1,633	1,334
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Stocks | Domestic	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	39,904	29,365
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets (liabilities) at fair value	84,375	67,595
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign currency forward contract	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign currency forward contract	2,582	'
Foreign currency contracts, fair value of liability	'	-4,751
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Cross-currency swap	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign currency contracts, fair value of liability	-19,550	-10,048
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | U.S. Treasury and other government	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	21,144	20,636
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	40	41
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	140	156
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Corporate bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	1,756	1,968
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Mutual funds | Foreign	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	33,340	20,222
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Mutual funds | Domestic	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on recurring basis	44,923	39,371
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Contingent consideration	-81,296	-69,020
Assets (liabilities) at fair value	($81,296)	($69,020)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-14	31-May-14	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13
	USD ($)	EUR (€)	Unsecured Senior Notes	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
				Foreign currency forward contract	Foreign currency forward contract	Cross-currency swap	Cross-currency swap
				USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts, fair value of liability	'	'	'	'	$4,751,000	$19,550,000	$10,048,000
Debt, interest rate	'	'	6.70%	'	'	'	'
Debt, due date	'	'	1-Nov-15	'	'	'	'
Effective euro fixed-rate borrowing	5.31%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notional principal amount of cross-currency swap	150,000,000	125,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forward contract	'	'	'	2,582,000	'	'	'
Increase in obligation due to current-year acquisitions	17,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Settlements of contingent obligations	$5,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Fair_Value_and_Carrying_Value_

Fair Value and Carrying Value of Financial Instruments and Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12	31-May-11
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, carrying value	$332,868	$343,554	$315,968	$435,011
Marketable equity securities, carrying value	119,800	90,292	'	'
Marketable debt securities, carrying value	23,080	22,801	'	'
Long-term debt, including current portion, carrying value	1,351,627	1,373,697	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value	332,868	343,554	'	'
Marketable securities, fair value	142,880	113,093	'	'
Long-term debt, including current portion, fair value	1,516,062	1,501,850	'	'
Equity securities	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Marketable securities, fair value	119,800	90,292	'	'
Fixed maturity	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Marketable securities, fair value	$23,080	$22,801	'	'

Description_of_Long_Term_Debt_

Description of Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14		31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt	$1,351,627		$1,373,697
Less: current portion	5,662		4,521
Total Long-Term Debt, Less Current Maturities	1,345,965		1,369,176
Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt	'		200,000
Unsecured 6.70% senior notes due November 1, 2015	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt	150,000	[1]	150,000	[1]
Unsecured 6.50% senior notes due February 14, 2018	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt	248,627	[2]	248,259	[2]
Unsecured 6.125% senior note due October 15, 2019	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt	458,163	[3]	459,457	[3]
Unsecured 2.25% senior convertible notes due December 15, 2020	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt	185,474		'
Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt	300,000		300,000
Revolving Credit Facilities	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt	2,090	[4]	7,701	[4]
Other Borrowings	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Other obligations, including capital leases and unsecured notes payable at various rates of interest due in installments through 2017.	$7,273		$8,280
[1]	We entered into a cross-currency swap, which fixed the interest and principal payments in euros, resulting in an effective fixed-rate borrowing of 5.31%.
[2]	The $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2018 is adjusted for the amortization of the original issue discount, which approximated $1.4 million and $1.7 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The original issue discount effectively reduced the ultimate proceeds from the financing. The effective interest rate on the notes, including the amortization of the discount, is 6.704% for both years presented.
[3]	Includes the combination of the October 2009 initial issuance of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount and the May 2011 issuance of an additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of these notes. The $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2019 from the initial issuance is adjusted for the amortization of the original issue discount, which approximated $0.2 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013. The original issue discount effectively reduced the ultimate proceeds from the October 2009 financing. The effective interest rate on the notes issued in October 2009, including the amortization of the discount, is 6.139%. The additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2019 issued in May 2011 is adjusted for the unamortized premium received at issuance, which approximated $8.3 million and $9.7 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The premium effectively increased the proceeds from the financing. The effective interest rate on the $150.0 million notes issued in May 2011 is 4.934%.
[4]	Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2014, and averaged 3.96% for AUD denominated debt. Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2013, and averaged 4.16% for AUD denominated debt.

Description_of_Long_Term_Debt_1

Description of Long Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)

31-May-14

Jun. 29, 2012

Dec. 09, 2013

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

27-May-11

Oct. 09, 2009

31-May-14

31-May-13

Oct. 23, 2012

31-May-14

31-May-13

Oct. 23, 2012

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013

Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013

Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013

Unsecured 6.70% senior notes due November 1, 2015

Unsecured 6.70% senior notes due November 1, 2015

Unsecured 6.50% senior notes due February 14, 2018

Unsecured 6.50% senior notes due February 14, 2018

Unsecured 6.125% senior note due October 15, 2019

Unsecured 6.125% senior note due October 15, 2019

Unsecured 6.125% senior note due October 15, 2019

Unsecured 6.125% senior note due October 15, 2019

Unsecured 2.25% senior convertible notes due December 15, 2020

Unsecured 2.25% senior convertible notes due December 15, 2020

Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022

Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022

Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022

Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022

Revolving Credit Facilities

Revolving Credit Facilities

Other Borrowings

Other Borrowings

Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013

Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Revolving Credit Facilities

Revolving Credit Facilities

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$205,000,000

$205,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility borrowing capacity

'

600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000,000

600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, interest rate

'

'

'

'

6.25%

6.70%

[1]

6.70%

[1]

6.50%

[2]

6.50%

[2]

6.13%

[3]

6.13%

[3]

'

'

2.25%

2.25%

'

3.45%

3.45%

3.45%

'

'

'

'

6.25%

6.25%

'

'

Debt, due date

'

'

15-Dec-13

15-Dec-13

15-Dec-13

1-Nov-15

[1]

1-Nov-15

[1]

14-Feb-18

[2]

14-Feb-18

[2]

15-Oct-19

[3]

15-Oct-19

[3]

'

'

15-Dec-20

15-Dec-20

'

15-Nov-22

15-Nov-22

'

29-Jun-17

[4]

29-Jun-17

[4]

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, maturity year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2022

'

'

'

'

'

'2017

'2017

'

'

'

'

Effective euro fixed-rate borrowing

5.31%

'

'

'

'

5.31%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, effective interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.70%

6.70%

'

'

4.93%

6.14%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of debt discount premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,400,000

1,700,000

200,000

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortization of debt premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8,300,000

$9,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.96%

4.16%

[1]

We entered into a cross-currency swap, which fixed the interest and principal payments in euros, resulting in an effective fixed-rate borrowing of 5.31%.

[2]

The $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2018 is adjusted for the amortization of the original issue discount, which approximated $1.4 million and $1.7 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The original issue discount effectively reduced the ultimate proceeds from the financing. The effective interest rate on the notes, including the amortization of the discount, is 6.704% for both years presented.

[3]

Includes the combination of the October 2009 initial issuance of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount and the May 2011 issuance of an additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of these notes. The $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2019 from the initial issuance is adjusted for the amortization of the original issue discount, which approximated $0.2 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013. The original issue discount effectively reduced the ultimate proceeds from the October 2009 financing. The effective interest rate on the notes issued in October 2009, including the amortization of the discount, is 6.139%. The additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes due 2019 issued in May 2011 is adjusted for the unamortized premium received at issuance, which approximated $8.3 million and $9.7 million at May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The premium effectively increased the proceeds from the financing. The effective interest rate on the $150.0 million notes issued in May 2011 is 4.934%.

[4]

Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2014, and averaged 3.96% for AUD denominated debt. Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2013, and averaged 4.16% for AUD denominated debt.

Borrowings_Additional_Informat

Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 03, 2013

Jun. 29, 2012

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

Dec. 03, 2013

Jun. 29, 2012

9-May-14

Oct. 23, 2012

Dec. 09, 2013

31-May-14

31-May-13

Oct. 23, 2012

31-May-14

31-May-13

Oct. 23, 2012

Jun. 29, 2012

Jun. 29, 2012

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-11

9-May-14

9-May-14

9-May-14

31-May-11

9-May-14

31-May-11

9-May-14

31-May-14

31-May-13

Jun. 29, 2012

Dec. 09, 2013

31-May-14

Dec. 09, 2013

Special Purpose Entity

Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013

Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013

Unsecured 6.25% senior notes due December 15, 2013

Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022

Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022

Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022

Unsecured 3.45% senior notes due November 15, 2022

Issuance of Debt

Issuance of Debt

Revolving Credit Facilities

Revolving Credit Facilities

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

Unsecured 6.70% senior notes due November 1, 2015

Unsecured 6.70% senior notes due November 1, 2015

Swingline Loans [Member]

Investment in Kemrock convertible debt

Investment in Kemrock convertible debt

Investment in Kemrock convertible debt

Maximum

Minimum

New Facility

New Facility

Maximum

Maximum

Minimum

Minimum

New Facility

New Facility

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long-term debt in 2015

'

'

$5,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long-term debt in 2016

'

'

151,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long-term debt in 2017

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long-term debt in 2018

'

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long-term debt in 2019

'

'

250,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long-term debt thereafter

'

'

943,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unused lines of credit

'

'

797,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liquidity available

'

'

1,100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated indebtedness

'

'

49.40%

53.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60.00%

'

'

'

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of note

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

205,000,000

Debt, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.25%

'

3.45%

3.45%

3.45%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.70%

[1]

6.70%

[1]

'

'

'

2.25%

Notes maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2020

'

'

Note Interest payment frequency, term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Interest on the Convertible Notes semi-annually on June 15th and December 15th of each year, and began doing so on June 15, 2014.

'

'

Proceeds from note issuance, net

'

'

208,582,000

300,902,000

27,894,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,100,000

'

'

Principal amount of unsecured senior notes, repayments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, due date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Dec-13

15-Dec-13

15-Dec-13

'

15-Nov-22

15-Nov-22

'

'

'

29-Jun-17

[2]

29-Jun-17

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Nov-15

[1]

1-Nov-15

[1]

'

'

'

'

Unsecured senior notes , interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, conversion rate

18.8905

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible notes, initial conversion price per share

'

'

'

'

'

$52.94

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial conversion price, conversion premium percentage

37.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Last reported sale price of RPM common stock

'

'

'

'

'

$38.64

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, effective interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.92%

'

Contractual interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,200,000

'

Amortization of debt discount premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,000

'

Debt discount remaining amortized period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 years 6 months

'

Unamortized debt discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,500,000

'

Carrying amount of the equity component of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,700,000

'

Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, maturity year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2022

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from the offering of notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

297,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility borrowing maximum capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000,000

'

600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000,000

600,000,000

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

Credit facility expiration date

'

'

29-Jun-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility maturity period

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility borrowing potential maximum capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest coverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

350.00%

785.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49.60%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Margin rate over LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt rating

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'This margin would have increased to 1.25% if we had not maintained our public debt rating of at least BB+/Ba1/BB+ from any two of Standard & Poor's, Moody's or Fitch.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum required consolidated interest coverage ratio for EBITDA to interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable from securitization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$150,000,000

'

$200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt maturity period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Monthly unused commitment fee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

0.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective euro fixed-rate borrowing

'

'

5.31%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.31%

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

We entered into a cross-currency swap, which fixed the interest and principal payments in euros, resulting in an effective fixed-rate borrowing of 5.31%.

[2]

Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2014, and averaged 3.96% for AUD denominated debt. Interest was tied to AUD LIBOR at May 31, 2013, and averaged 4.16% for AUD denominated debt.

Income_loss_before_Income_Taxe

Income (loss) before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14		31-May-13		31-May-12
Schedule of Income Before Income Tax [Line Items]	'		'		'
Income Before Income Taxes, United States	$209,626		$5,104		$187,687
Income Before Income Taxes, Foreign	214,861		171,787		140,602
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	$424,487	[1]	$176,891	[1]	$328,289	[1]
[1]	The presentation includes a reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, a measure defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, to EBIT.

Provision_Benefit_for_Income_T

Provision (Benefit) for Income Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Current:	'	'	'
U.S. Federal	$46,846	$56,590	$45,547
State and local	5,660	6,694	6,836
Foreign	59,425	44,747	49,231
Total Current	111,931	108,031	101,614
Deferred:	'	'	'
U.S. Federal	16,747	-31,987	-787
State and local	1,292	-3,649	-572
Foreign	-11,467	-5,355	-5,729
Total Deferred	6,572	-40,991	-7,088
Provision for Income Tax Expense	$118,503	$67,040	$94,526

Significant_Components_of_Defe

Significant Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred income tax assets related to:	'	'
Inventories	$6,944	$6,795
Allowance for losses	6,410	7,584
Accrued compensation and benefits	102,579	113,394
Accrued other expenses	10,256	16,322
Other long-term liabilities	19,646	29,954
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	71,534	70,208
Net unrealized loss on securities	19,185	21,727
Total Deferred Income Tax Assets	236,554	265,984
Less: valuation allowances	-85,719	-89,909
Net Deferred Income Tax Assets	150,835	176,075
Deferred income tax (liabilities) related to:	'	'
Depreciation	-47,639	-48,491
Pension and other postretirement benefits	-7,867	-12,204
Amortization of intangibles	-115,166	-125,042
Total Deferred Income Tax (Liabilities)	-170,672	-185,737
Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	($19,837)	($9,662)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
U.S. federal foreign tax credit carryforwards beginning expiration year	'2021	'	'
Foreign capital loss carryforwards	$19,200,000	'	'
Reduction in foreign tax credit carryforwards	500,000	'	'
Total Valuation Allowances	85,719,000	89,909,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate, if recognized	15,000,000	7,500,000	2,400,000
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits	5,200,000	5,200,000	1,500,000
Foreign Tax Credits	'	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
U.S. federal foreign tax credit carryforwards	9,700,000	'	'
Reduction in valuation allowance	-4,700,000	'	'
State	'	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	37,600,000	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards beginning expiration year	'2015	'	'
Foreign Net Operating Loss Carryforwards	'	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards beginning expiration year	'2015	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	182,900,000	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards subject to expiration	35,400,000	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards indefinite carry forward period	$147,500,000	'	'

Reconciliation_of_Income_Tax_E

Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Computed by Applying U.S. Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate against Income (Loss) before Income Taxes to Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	$148,570	$61,912	$114,901
Impact of foreign operations	-24,874	-11,552	-32,192
State and local income taxes net of federal income tax benefit	4,519	1,979	4,073
Tax benefits from the domestic manufacturing deduction	-4,878	-4,489	-3,744
Nondeductible fines and penalties	-2,002	4,802	'
Nondeductible business expense	1,508	1,269	1,304
Valuation allowance	-2,998	14,729	9,353
Other	-1,342	-1,610	831
Provision for Income Tax Expense	$118,503	$67,040	$94,526
Effective Income Tax Rate	27.90%	37.90%	28.80%

Activity_Related_to_Unrecogniz

Activity Related to Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning balance	$8.40	$3.30	$6.40
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	0.1	'	'
Additions for tax positions of prior years	8.9	6	0.5
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-1.7	-0.9	-0.4
Settlements	'	'	-3.2
Unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance	$15.70	$8.40	$3.30

Common_Stock_Additional_Inform

Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-12
	Right
Shareholder Rights [Line Items]	'	'
New stockholder right plan adopted	21-Apr-09	'
Stockholder right plan expiration period	11-May-19	'
Right declared for distribution for each outstanding share of common stock	1	'
Dividend payable date	11-May-09	'
Rights redemption price	$0.00	'
Rights reviewing period	'The rights will expire May 11, 2019, unless earlier redeemed, exchanged or amended by the board. The plan specifically provides that our board will review the status of the plan before its fifth anniversary to determine if any such action should be taken, which it did.	'
Shares repurchased	'	164,773
Authorization of stock repurchase program	8-Jan-08	'
Repurchase of common stock price per shares	'	$18.25
Treasury Stock	'	'
Shareholder Rights [Line Items]	'	'
Shares repurchased	'	$3
Minimum	'	'
Shareholder Rights [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of outstanding shares acquired to exercise discount price	15.00%	'
Shares authorized to be repurchased, per year	1,000,000	'
Maximum	'	'
Shareholder Rights [Line Items]	'	'
Shares authorized to be repurchased, per year	2,000,000	'

StockBased_Compensation_Expens

Stock-Based Compensation Expense Included in Consolidated Statements of Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expense	$23,568	$17,145	$13,904
Income tax (benefit)	-7,776	-5,627	-4,921
Total stock-based compensation cost	$15,792	$11,518	$8,983

Summary_of_WeightedAverage_Ass

Summary of Weighted-Average Assumptions Related to Grants (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Schedule Of Weighted Average Assumptions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	2.20%	1.10%	2.50%
Expected life of option	'7 years 6 months	'7 years 6 months	'7 years 6 months
Expected dividend yield	2.70%	3.30%	3.80%
Expected volatility rate	26.10%	28.20%	29.50%

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

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

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

31-May-14

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

Jul. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Jul. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

31-May-14

Oct. 31, 2010

Oct. 31, 2010

31-May-14

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

Jun. 30, 2013

31-May-14

31-May-14

31-May-14

Oct. 10, 2003

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

Oct. 10, 2003

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

31-May-14

31-May-14

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)

Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards

Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards

Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards

Performance Contingent Restricted Stock

Performance Contingent Restricted Stock

Performance Contingent Restricted Stock

Performance Contingent Restricted Stock

Performance Contingent Restricted Stock

Performance Contingent Restricted Stock

Performance Contingent Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock Unit

Non Vested Restricted Stock

Non Vested Restricted Stock

Non Vested Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Omnibus Incentive Plan

Omnibus Incentive Plan

Directors Equity Incentive Plan 2003

Directors Equity Incentive Plan 2003

Directors Equity Incentive Plan 2003

Directors Equity Incentive Plan 2003

Directors Equity Incentive Plan 2003

Employee Incentive Plan Twenty Zero Seven

Employee Incentive Plan Twenty Zero Seven

Employee Incentive Plan Twenty Zero Seven

Employee Incentive Plan Twenty Zero Seven

Nineteen Ninety Seven Plan

First Performance Segment

Second Performance Segment

Full Value Stock Award

Scenario 1

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Incentive plan approval date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8-Oct-04

'

10-Oct-03

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock appreciation rights expected term

'7 years 6 months

'7 years 6 months

'7 years 6 months

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation arrangement vesting period

'

'

'

'4 years

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock options outstanding

59,450

'

'

3,159,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding

$64

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding

'6 years 1 month 6 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable

41.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average remaining contractual life of options exercisable

'4 years 10 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized stock-based compensation expense

'

'

'

5.3

17.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

1

27.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.3

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

0.1

Unamortized stock-based compensation expense expected recognition period

'

'

'

'3 years 3 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years 4 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares expected to vest

'

'

'

1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares expected to vest, weighted-average exercise price

'

'

'

$27.20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual term

'

'

'

'7 years 8 months 12 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of common stock available for grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,000,000

6,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares granted to Directors

'

'

'

'

$35.11

$26.22

$21.49

$25.87

$25.76

$22.16

$20.73

'

'

'

'

$35.02

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$36.63

$26.63

$20.60

'

$33.80

'

'

'

'

Shares granted

'

'

'

'

507,000

'

'

50,000

10,000

115,000

680,000

'

'

'

'

613,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000

'

'

'

76,000

'

'

'

'

Performance goals attainment period for PCRS awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares expected to vest

2,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

596,250

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

1,414,000

1,454,000

'

'

'

'

'

795,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

857,000

815,000

'

'

'

Shares earned, but not vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

392,500

'

'

'

3,060,000

3,236,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

98,000

113,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of common stock available for grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

162,750

'

'

500,000

159,183

'

'

1,000,000

'

Weighted-average grant-date fair value

'

'

'

'

$27.96

$22.31

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$33.80

$25.87

$22.16

'

'

Remaining weighted-average contractual term

'3 years 4 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years 2 months 12 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average grant-date fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$35.02

$26.16

$21.62

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of shares vested

12.8

3.3

7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares expected to vest, weighted-average grant-date fair value

$24.24

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of restricted stock vested

'

'

'

'

520,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

682,000

'

'

56,291

121,733

'

'

'

45,000

'

'

'

14,000

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of restricted shares converted

$10.40

$1.30

$3.10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summary_of_Option_and_ShareBas

Summary of Option and Share-Based Payment Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Number of Shares Under Option	'	'	'
Ending Balance	59,450	'	'
Stock Options And Stock Appreciation Rights	'	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$20.54	'	'
Options granted	$33.80	'	'
Options canceled/expired	$23.29	'	'
Options exercised	$18.63	'	'
Ending balance	$23.18	$20.54	'
Exercisable at May 31	$20.04	'	'
Number of Shares Under Option	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	3,502,000	'	'
Options granted	540,000	'	'
Options canceled/expired	-47,000	'	'
Options exercised	-776,000	'	'
Ending Balance	3,219,000	3,502,000	'
Exercisable at May 31	1,806,000	'	'
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share	$7.38	$4.96	$4.69
Stock Option Plans	'	'	'
Number of Shares Under Option	'	'	'
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$15.60	$9.80	$7
Tax benefit from options exercised	5.2	3.5	1.4
Fair value of SARS vested	$2	$1.90	$2

Summary_of_ShareBased_Performa

Summary of Share-Based Performance-Earned Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$22.31	'	'
Shares granted	$35.11	$26.22	$21.49
Shares forfeited	$24.42	'	'
Shares vested	$19.30	'	'
Ending balance	$27.96	$22.31	'
Shares	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	1,454,000	'	'
Shares granted	507,000	'	'
Shares forfeited	-27,000	'	'
Shares vested	-520,000	'	'
Ending Balance	1,414,000	1,454,000	'

ShareBased_Activity_under_2003

Share-Based Activity under 2003 Plan (Detail) (Directors Equity Incentive Plan 2003, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Directors Equity Incentive Plan 2003	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$22.50	'	'
Shares granted to Directors	$36.63	$26.63	$20.60
Shares vested	$21.13	'	'
Ending balance	$27.48	$22.50	'
Shares	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	113,000	'	'
Shares granted to Directors	30,000	'	'
Shares vested	-45,000	'	'
Ending Balance	98,000	113,000	'

Awards_and_Restricted_Stock_Un

Awards and Restricted Stock Units Issued under 2007 Plan (Detail) (Employee Incentive Plan Twenty Zero Seven, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Employee Incentive Plan Twenty Zero Seven	'
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'
Beginning Balance	$17.94
Shares granted	$33.80
Shares forfeited	$19.78
Shares vested	$18.96
Ending Balance	$19.27
Shares	'
Beginning Balance	815,000
Shares granted	76,000
Shares forfeited	-20,000
Shares vested	-14,000
Ending Balance	857,000

Summary_of_Activity_for_Nonves

Summary of Activity for Nonvested Restricted Shares (Detail) (Non Vested Restricted Stock, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Non Vested Restricted Stock	'
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'
Beginning balance	$20.94
Granted	$35.02
Vested	$18.71
Forfeited	$21.49
Ending balance	$24.24
Shares	'
Beginning Balance	3,236,000
Granted	613,000
Vested	-682,000
Forfeited	-107,000
Ending Balance	3,060,000

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	($159,253)	($177,893)	$6,073
Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax benefit of $586, 633, and 844 in 2014, 2013 and 2012	1,220	-1,953	1,043
Other comprehensive income	-3,825	40,063	-235,574
Deferred taxes	4,976	-19,470	50,565
Ending Balance	-156,882	-159,253	-177,893
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	-24,428	-8,517	81,346
Other comprehensive income	9,533	-15,911	-89,863
Ending Balance	-14,895	-24,428	-8,517
Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments, Net of Tax	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	-143,555	-174,174	-96,705
Other comprehensive income	-16,418	48,100	-119,189
Deferred taxes	6,325	-17,481	41,720
Ending Balance	-153,648	-143,555	-174,174
Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Derivatives, Net of Tax	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	1,196	1,200	5,267
Other comprehensive income	-1,215	14	-5,512
Deferred taxes	304	-18	1,445
Ending Balance	285	1,196	1,200
Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Securities, Net of Tax	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	7,534	3,598	16,165
Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax benefit of $586, 633, and 844 in 2014, 2013 and 2012	1,220	-1,953	1,043
Other comprehensive income	4,275	7,860	-21,010
Deferred taxes	-1,653	-1,971	7,400
Ending Balance	$11,376	$7,534	$3,598

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax (benefit)	$586	$633	$844

Reconciliation_of_Numerator_an

Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share, Calculated using Two-Class Method (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

31-May-14

Feb. 28, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

Numerator for earnings per share:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income attributable to RPM International Inc. stockholders

$108,779

$16,221

$63,562

$103,098

$65,378

[1]

($24,364)

[2],[3],[4]

$30,924

[2],[3],[5]

$26,665

[2],[3],[6]

$291,660

$98,603

$215,936

Less: Allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6,366

-1,999

-4,024

Net income available to common shareholders - basic

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

285,294

96,604

211,912

Add: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested shareholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29

-3

9

Add: Income effect of contingently issuable shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,493

'

'

Net income available to common shareholders - diluted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$287,816

$96,601

$211,921

Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic weighted average common shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

129,438

128,956

128,130

Average diluted options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,003

845

587

Net issuable common share equivalents

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,847

[7]

'

'

Total shares for diluted earnings per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

132,288

129,801

128,717

Earnings per Share of Common Stock Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

$0.82

$0.12

$0.48

$0.78

$0.49

[1]

($0.19)

[2],[3],[4]

$0.23

[2],[3],[5]

$0.20

[2],[3],[6]

$2.20

$0.75

$1.65

Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

$0.80

$0.12

$0.48

$0.77

$0.49

[1]

($0.19)

[2],[3],[4]

$0.23

[2],[3],[5]

$0.20

[2],[3],[6]

$2.18

$0.74

$1.65

[1]

For the quarter ended May 31, 2013, we recorded $23.9 million in restructuring expense, including $3.9 million in inventory markdowns. We also recorded bad debt for the remaining amount of our loan to Kemrock totaling $4.0 million and wrote off our remaining investment in Kemrock common stock and in Kemrock convertible debt for a combined loss of $18.5 million. Additionally, we reduced our estimated accrual for our agreement in principle with the GSA by $3.7 million. The combined impact of these items on net income and earnings per share for the fourth quarter was $30.0 million and $0.23 per share, respectively.

[2]

Restated

[3]

During August 2014, we determined that there was an error in the timing of the disclosure and accrual of loss reserves associated with our settlement of the GSA and DOJ investigation into compliance issues related to GSA contracts at our Tremco Group. We filed amended Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A in August 2014 with corrected financial statements for the periods ended August 31, 2012, November 30, 2012 and February 28, 2013. The corrections reduced net income by $7.2 million and $10.8 million for the quarterly periods ended August 31, 2012 and November 30, 2012, respectively, and increased net income for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013 by $18.0 million. The corrections reduced basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.06 for the quarter ended August 31, 2012; and by $0.09 and $0.08, respectively, for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2012; and increased basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.14 for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013. The figures presented in the table above represent the corrected amounts for each quarter.

[4]

For the quarter ended February 28, 2013, net income was impacted by $1.6 million for the impact of a strategic repositioning of certain industrial segment operations in Brazil. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $40.5 million ($34.6 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.

[5]

For the quarter ended November 30, 2012, we wrote down our remaining investment in Kemrock, which impacted net income and earnings per share by $10.8 million and $0.09 per share, respectively. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $16.9 million ($10.8 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.

[6]

For the quarter ended August 31, 2012, net sales and gross profit were reduced by $2.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively, for revised cost estimates on unprofitable contracts related to our industrial segment, and $5.6 million in exit costs associated with those activities that impacted pretax income. Additionally, we wrote down an investment in Kemrock totaling $40.3 million and recognized $5.0 million in bad debt from our loan to Kemrock. The combined impact on net income and earnings per share was $50.9 million and $0.38 per share, respectively. Lastly, we recorded a charge for $11.4 million ($7.2 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.

[7]

For the year ended May 31, 2014, represents the number of shares that would be issued if our contingently convertible notes were converted. We include these shares in the calculation of diluted EPS as the conversion of the notes may be settled, at our election, in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock.

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Earnings Per Share Note [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation plans, excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, anti-dilutive shares of stock	3,057,000	3,095,000	2,625,000

Future_Minimum_Lease_Commitmen

Future Minimum Lease Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Lease Agreement (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
2015	$48,695
2016	39,054
2017	28,971
2018	21,459
2019	15,405
Thereafter	68,280
Total Minimum Lease Commitments	$221,864

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Lease and Rental Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'
Rental expenses for all operating lease	$50.90	$46.50	$40.60

Pension_Plans_Additional_Infor

Pension Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Average compensation with accrued benefits vesting period	'5 years	'	'
Matching contribution charged to income	$13.60	$13.10	$11.90
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Contribution to retirement plans in the next fiscal year	53.1	'	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Contribution to retirement plans in the next fiscal year	6.3	'	'
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit	'	'	'
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated benefits payable in the first year	30.8	'	'
Estimated benefits payable in the second year	32	'	'
Estimated benefits payable in the third year	34.7	'	'
Estimated benefits payable in the fourth year	36.5	'	'
Estimated benefits payable in the fifth year	38.9	'	'
Estimated benefits payable in the years thereafter	$226.10	'	'

RetirementRelated_Benefit_Plan

Retirement-Related Benefit Plans' Impact on Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	$27,056	$25,950	$19,906
Interest cost	18,039	16,240	15,307
Expected return on plan assets	-20,761	-17,431	-17,416
Prior service cost	334	348	352
Net actuarial losses recognized	13,222	16,888	8,510
Curtailment/settlement (gains) losses	'	72	'
Net Pension Cost	37,890	42,067	26,659
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	4,375	4,337	3,731
Interest cost	7,382	7,246	8,076
Expected return on plan assets	-8,411	-7,715	-7,867
Prior service cost	19	7	10
Net actuarial losses recognized	2,448	2,771	2,169
Curtailment/settlement (gains) losses	44	234	'
Net Pension Cost	$5,857	$6,880	$6,119

Changes_in_Benefits_Obligation

Changes in Benefits Obligations and Plan Assets, Pension (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$402,686	$385,013	'
Service cost	27,056	25,950	19,906
Interest cost	18,039	16,240	15,307
Benefits paid	-17,683	-16,503	'
Actuarial (gains)/losses	46,492	-8,014	'
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	476,590	402,686	385,013
Balance at Beginning of Period	241,960	198,208	'
Actual return on plan assets	30,547	35,708	'
Employer contributions	27,289	24,547	'
Benefits paid	-17,683	-16,503	'
Balance at End of Period	282,113	241,960	198,208
(Deficit) of plan assets versus benefit obligations at end of year	-194,477	-160,726	'
Net Amount Recognized	-194,477	-160,726	'
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	385,492	340,742	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	185,993	175,338	'
Service cost	4,375	4,337	3,731
Interest cost	7,382	7,246	8,076
Benefits paid	-5,482	-8,761	'
Participant contributions	831	929	'
Plan amendments	384	'	'
Actuarial (gains)/losses	6,348	9,820	'
Settlements/Curtailments	'	-3,874	'
Premiums paid	-138	-127	'
Currency exchange rate changes	2,475	1,085	'
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	202,168	185,993	175,338
Balance at Beginning of Period	155,056	137,318	'
Actual return on plan assets	17,432	15,859	'
Employer contributions	8,111	9,422	'
Participant contributions	831	929	'
Benefits paid	-5,482	-8,761	'
Premiums paid	-138	-127	'
Currency exchange rate changes	1,269	416	'
Balance at End of Period	177,079	155,056	137,318
(Deficit) of plan assets versus benefit obligations at end of year	-25,089	-30,937	'
Net Amount Recognized	-25,089	-30,937	'
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$188,835	$173,586	'

Amounts_Recognized_in_Consolid

Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet, Pension (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Current liabilities	($15)	($43)
Noncurrent liabilities	-194,462	-160,683
Net Amount Recognized	-194,477	-160,726
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent assets	227	'
Current liabilities	-458	-436
Noncurrent liabilities	-24,858	-30,501
Net Amount Recognized	($25,089)	($30,937)

Relationship_between_Plans_Ben

Relationship between Plans Benefit Obligations and Assets (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, benefit obligation	$476,590	$402,686
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, benefit obligation	385,492	340,742
Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, plan asset	282,113	241,960
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, plan asset	282,113	241,960
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, benefit obligation	105,327	185,993
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, benefit obligation	103,734	94,423
Plans with assets in excess of projected benefit obligations, benefit obligation	96,841	'
Plans with assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligations, benefit obligation	85,101	79,163
Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, plan asset	80,011	155,056
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, plan asset	80,011	70,642
Plans with assets in excess of projected benefit obligations, plan asset	97,068	'
Plans with assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligations, plan asset	$97,068	$84,414

Pretax_Net_Actuarial_Loss_Prio

Pretax Net Actuarial Loss, Prior Service (Costs) and Transition Assets/(Obligations) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) not Affecting Retained Earnings, Pension (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Assumptions for Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	($185,320)	($161,835)
Prior service (costs)	-997	-1,331
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not affecting retained earnings	-186,317	-163,166
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Assumptions for Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	-52,573	-57,882
Prior service (costs)	-423	-51
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not affecting retained earnings	($52,996)	($57,933)

Changes_Recognized_in_Other_Co

Changes Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, Pension (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:	'	'
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	$36,707	($26,291)
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:	'	'
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit (cost)	-334	-348
Amortization or settlement recognition of net gain (loss)	-13,222	-16,960
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	23,151	-43,599
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:	'	'
Prior service cost	384	'
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	-2,673	-2,197
Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI	-137	300
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:	'	'
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit (cost)	-19	-48
Amortization or settlement recognition of net gain (loss)	-2,492	-2,966
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	($4,937)	($4,911)

Amounts_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) that have not yet been Recognized in Net Periodic Pension Cost, but will be Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'
Schedule of Pension Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Net actuarial loss	($13,413)
Prior service (costs)	-294
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'
Schedule of Pension Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Net actuarial loss	-1,947
Prior service (costs)	($41)

WeightedAverage_Assumptions_us

Weighted-Average Assumptions used to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Discount rate	4.30%	4.45%	'
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Rate of compensation increase	3.81%	3.14%	'
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Discount rate	4.45%	4.25%	5.25%
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Expected return on plan assets	8.50%	8.50%	8.50%
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Rate of compensation increase	3.14%	3.15%	3.15%
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Discount rate	3.82%	3.95%	'
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Rate of compensation increase	3.30%	3.32%	'
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Discount rate	3.95%	4.19%	5.14%
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Expected return on plan assets	5.37%	5.32%	5.63%
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Rate of compensation increase	3.32%	3.76%	3.83%

WeightedAverage_Actual_Target_

Weighted-Average Actual Target Allocation of Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Target Allocation	100.00%	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	$282,113	$241,960	$198,208
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Equity securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Target Allocation	55.00%	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	193,800	146,200	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Fixed maturity	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Target Allocation	25.00%	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	81,500	74,100	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Cash	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	5,900	3,900	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Real Estate	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Target Allocation	20.00%	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	900	17,800	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Target Allocation	100.00%	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	177,079	155,056	137,318
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Equity securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Target Allocation	42.00%	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	84,000	81,800	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Fixed maturity	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Target Allocation	51.00%	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	63,900	46,700	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Cash	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Target Allocation	1.00%	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	500	200	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Real Estate	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Target Allocation	6.00%	'	'
Actual Asset Allocation	$28,700	$26,300	'

Pension_Plan_Assets_Categorize

Pension Plan Assets Categorized using Fair Value Hierarchy (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	$282,113	$241,960	$198,208
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | U.S. Treasury and other government	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	11,203	10,288	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | State and Municipal Debt Obligations	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	456	455	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Foreign Covered Bonds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	1,264	2,342	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Mortgage-backed securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	7,255	7,332	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Corporate bonds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	17,254	14,550	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Large Cap Equity Securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	34,442	26,443	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Mid Cap Equity Securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	18,183	15,423	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Small Cap Equity Securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	12,145	11,451	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | International Equities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	2,525	2,643	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Equity Mutual Funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	126,513	90,260	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Debt Mutual Funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	44,094	39,080	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	5,869	3,848	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Limited Partner	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	910	1,159	'
Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Common Collective Trusts	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	'	16,686	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	177,079	155,056	137,318
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Foreign Covered Bonds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	210	261	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	572	215	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Pooled Equity Securities Funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	82,534	80,550	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Pooled Funds Fixed Income Securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	63,657	46,428	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Insurance Contracts	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	28,658	26,313	'
Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Mutual funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	1,448	1,289	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	73,164	59,808	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Large Cap Equity Securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	34,442	26,443	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Mid Cap Equity Securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	18,183	15,423	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Small Cap Equity Securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	12,145	11,451	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | International Equities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	2,525	2,643	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	5,869	3,848	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	572	215	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	572	215	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	208,039	164,307	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | U.S. Treasury and other government	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	11,203	10,288	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | State and Municipal Debt Obligations	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	456	455	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Foreign Covered Bonds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	1,264	2,342	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Mortgage-backed securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	7,255	7,332	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Corporate bonds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	17,254	14,550	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Equity Mutual Funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	126,513	90,260	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Debt Mutual Funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	44,094	39,080	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	147,849	128,528	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Foreign Covered Bonds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	210	261	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Pooled Equity Securities Funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	82,534	80,550	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Pooled Funds Fixed Income Securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	63,657	46,428	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Mutual funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	1,448	1,289	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	29,568	44,158	43,569
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	910	17,845	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Limited Partner	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	910	1,159	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Pension Benefits, U.S. Plans | Common Collective Trusts	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	'	16,686	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	28,658	26,313	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Pension Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans | Insurance Contracts	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension plans with Plan Assets	$28,658	$26,313	'

Activity_that_Occured_for_Leve

Activity that Occured for Level Three Assets (Detail) (Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3), USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14		31-May-13
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	$44,158		$43,569
Actual Return on Plan Assets For Assets Still Held at Reporting Date	564		1,283
Actual Return on Plan Assets For Assets Sold During Year	47		924
Settlements	-15,201	[1]	-1,618	[1]
Balance at End of Period	$29,568		$44,158
[1]	Includes the impact of exchange rate changes during the year.

Components_of_Net_Postretireme

Components of Net Postretirement Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Postretirement Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest cost on the accumulated obligation	$297	$349	$416
Prior service (credit)	-153	-86	-86
Net actuarial (gains) losses	-144	16	-58
Net Pension Cost	'	279	272
Postretirement Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost - Benefits earned during the period	1,264	1,185	745
Interest cost on the accumulated obligation	1,225	1,188	968
Net actuarial (gains) losses	516	470	72
Net Pension Cost	$3,005	$2,843	$1,785

Changes_in_Benefit_Obligation_

Changes in Benefit Obligation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Postretirement Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$8,514	$9,677	'
Interest cost	297	349	416
Benefits paid	-362	-572	'
Medicare subsidy received	37	74	'
Plan amendments	-1,471	'	'
Actuarial (gains) losses	-228	-1,014	'
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	6,787	8,514	9,677
Postretirement Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	28,415	24,517	'
Service cost	1,264	1,185	745
Interest cost	1,225	1,188	968
Benefits paid	-421	-441	'
Actuarial (gains) losses	-766	1,988	'
Currency exchange rate changes	-1,462	-22	'
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	$28,255	$28,415	$24,517

Amounts_Recognized_in_Consolid1

Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets, Postretirement (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Postretirement Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Current liabilities	($410)	($642)
Noncurrent liabilities	-6,377	-7,872
Net Amount Recognized	-6,787	-8,514
Postretirement Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Current liabilities	-522	-486
Noncurrent liabilities	-27,733	-27,929
Net Amount Recognized	($28,255)	($28,415)

Pretax_Net_Actuarial_Loss_Prio1

Pretax Net Actuarial Loss, Prior Service (Cost) and Transition Assets/(Obligation) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) not Affecting Retained Earnings, Postretirement (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Postretirement Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial gain (loss)	$1,080	$996
Prior service credits	1,834	516
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not affecting retained earnings	2,914	1,512
Postretirement Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial gain (loss)	-9,136	-10,950
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not affecting retained earnings	($9,136)	($10,950)

Changes_Recognized_in_Other_Co1

Changes Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, Postretirement Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13
Postretirement Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:	'	'
Prior service cost	($1,471)	'
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	-228	-1,014
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:	'	'
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit (cost)	153	86
Amortization or settlement recognition of net gain (loss)	144	-16
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	-1,402	-944
Postretirement Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:	'	'
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	-766	1,988
Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI	-532	-9
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:	'	'
Amortization or settlement recognition of net gain (loss)	-516	-470
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	($1,814)	$1,509

WeightedAverage_Assumptions_us1

Weighted-Average Assumptions used to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Postretirement Cost (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Postretirement Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Health Care Cost Trend Rates Assumptions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Discount rate	4.00%	3.95%	'
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Discount rate	3.95%	3.75%	4.75%
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Current healthcare cost trend rate	12.28%	7.54%	'
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Healthcare cost trend rate	7.54%	7.70%	7.87%
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate	4.50%	4.50%	'
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Year ultimate healthcare cost trend rate will be realized	'2029	'2029	'2029
Postretirement Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'	'
Health Care Cost Trend Rates Assumptions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Discount rate	4.40%	4.50%	'
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Discount rate	4.50%	4.75%	5.75%
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Current healthcare cost trend rate	6.31%	6.43%	'
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Healthcare cost trend rate	6.43%	6.92%	7.00%
Year-End Benefit Obligations, Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate	4.20%	4.20%	'
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate	4.20%	4.20%	4.50%
Net Periodic Pension Cost, Year ultimate healthcare cost trend rate will be realized	'2030	'2030	'2030

Increasing_or_Decreasing_Curre

Increasing or Decreasing Current Health Care Cost Trend (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13
Postretirement Benefits, U.S. Plans	'	'
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates, Effect of One Percentage Point Change [Line Items]	'	'
1% Increase in trend rate, accumulated benefit obligation	$239	$296
1% Increase in trend rate, postretirement cost	11	15
1% Decrease in trend rate, accumulated benefit obligation	-209	-265
1% Decrease in trend rate, postretirement cost	-10	-13
Postretirement Benefits, Non-U.S. Plans	'	'
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates, Effect of One Percentage Point Change [Line Items]	'	'
1% Increase in trend rate, accumulated benefit obligation	6,502	9,080
1% Increase in trend rate, postretirement cost	727	647
1% Decrease in trend rate, accumulated benefit obligation	-5,011	-3,802
1% Decrease in trend rate, postretirement cost	($534)	($481)

Postretirement_Benefits_Additi

Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13
Medicare	'	'
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]	'	'
Reimbursement from medicare	$37,000	$74,000
Minimum | POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	'	'
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated benefits payable in the first year	900,000	'
Estimated benefits payable in the second year	900,000	'
Estimated benefits payable in the third year	900,000	'
Estimated benefits payable in the fourth year	900,000	'
Estimated benefits payable in the fifth year	900,000	'
Estimated benefits payable in the years thereafter	8,200,000	'
Maximum | POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	'	'
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated benefits payable in the first year	1,300,000	'
Estimated benefits payable in the second year	1,300,000	'
Estimated benefits payable in the third year	1,300,000	'
Estimated benefits payable in the fourth year	1,300,000	'
Estimated benefits payable in the fifth year	$1,300,000	'

Reorganization_Proceedings_of_1

Reorganization Proceedings of Certain Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-10	31-May-08	31-May-14	31-May-14	31-May-14	31-May-08	31-May-13	30-May-10	31-May-06	31-May-14
				Second Anniversary	Third Anniversary	Fourth Anniversary	Subsidiaries	Subsidiaries	Subsidiaries	Subsidiaries	NMBFil Inc
Reorganization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amount funded for trust as per agreement	$450,000,000	'	'	$102,500,000	$120,000,000	$125,000,000	'	'	'	'	$2,500,000
Percentage of interest accrue on aggregate funding amount	3.45%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current and future asbestos claims	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,170,000,000	'	'	'
Asbestos-related products liability claims paid	'	92,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asbestos-related products liability, defense-related payments	1,100,000	42,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued liability for asbestos	'	'	'	'	'	'	559,700,000	'	397,700,000	421,300,000	'
Asbestos liability, term	'	'	'10 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in Asbestos liability	'	'	'	'	'	'	$288,100,000	'	'	'	'

Accrued_Loss_Reserves_Detail

Accrued Loss Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued loss reserves - Current	$27,487	$27,591
Accrued loss reserves - Noncurrent	32,232	33,502
Accrued product liability reserves	'	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued loss reserves - Current	10,589	15,582
Accrued loss reserves - Noncurrent	29,653	29,489
Accrued warranty reserves	'	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued loss reserves - Current	14,167	8,591
Accrued loss reserves - Noncurrent	574	739
Accrued environmental reserves	'	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued loss reserves - Current	2,731	3,418
Accrued loss reserves - Noncurrent	$2,005	$3,274

Changes_in_Accrued_Warranty_Ba

Changes in Accrued Warranty Balances (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14		31-May-13		31-May-12
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]	'		'		'
Beginning Balance	$9,330		$14,751		$17,196
Deductions	-19,155	[1]	-20,115	[1]	-18,143	[1]
Provision charged to SG&A expense	24,566		14,260		15,513
Acquisitions	'		434		185
Ending Balance	$14,741		$9,330		$14,751
[1]	Primarily claims paid during the year.

Contingencies_and_Other_Accrue2

Contingencies and Other Accrued Losses - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-10	31-May-13
	Complaint
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrued contingencies	'	'	$65.10
Payment for contingent liabilities	61.9	'	'
Expected payment to resolve issues arising out of investigation and other related costs	2.1	'	'
Miscellaneous expenses	$1.10	$42.60	'
Number of complaints filed against Rust-Oleum and RPM International	2	'	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	2	'	'
Number of operating segments	7	'	'
Sales | Consumer Segment	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of net sales	29.00%	28.00%	28.00%
Sales | Home Depot	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of net sales	11.00%	'	'
Sales | Home Depot | Maximum	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of net sales	'	10.00%	10.00%

Results_of_Reportable_Segments

Results of Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

31-May-14

Feb. 28, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

$1,276,782

$863,410

$1,071,487

$1,164,674

$1,170,779

[1]

$843,736

[2],[3],[4]

$1,017,426

[2],[3],[5]

$1,046,714

[2],[3],[6]

$4,376,353

[7]

$4,078,655

[7]

$3,777,416

[7]

Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

424,487

[8]

176,891

[8]

328,289

[8]

Interest (Expense), Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-65,236

[9]

-73,668

[9]

-67,859

[9]

EBIT

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

489,723

[10]

250,559

[10]

396,148

[10]

Total Assets

4,378,365

'

'

'

4,120,847

'

'

'

4,378,365

4,120,847

3,561,813

Capital Expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

93,792

91,367

71,615

Depreciation and Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,069

86,336

76,023

Industrial Segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,769,657

2,635,976

2,535,238

Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

295,751

[8]

164,578

[8]

278,676

[8]

Interest (Expense), Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-10,227

[9]

-10,318

[9]

-3,770

[9]

EBIT

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

305,978

[10]

174,896

[10]

282,446

[10]

Total Assets

2,507,257

'

'

'

2,461,163

'

'

'

2,507,257

2,461,163

2,195,702

Capital Expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

54,556

50,025

47,529

Depreciation and Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

53,670

53,549

48,701

Consumer Segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,606,696

1,442,679

1,242,178

Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

251,229

[8]

190,611

[8]

160,099

[8]

Interest (Expense), Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

122

[9]

-10

[9]

18

[9]

EBIT

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

251,107

[10]

190,621

[10]

160,081

[10]

Total Assets

1,648,272

'

'

'

1,584,336

'

'

'

1,648,272

1,584,336

1,184,609

Capital Expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35,391

35,081

17,156

Depreciation and Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31,378

28,624

23,656

Corporate/Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-122,493

[8]

-178,298

[8]

-110,486

[8]

Interest (Expense), Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-55,131

[9]

-63,340

[9]

-64,107

[9]

EBIT

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-67,362

[10]

-114,958

[10]

-46,379

[10]

Total Assets

222,836

'

'

'

75,348

'

'

'

222,836

75,348

181,502

Capital Expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,845

6,261

6,930

Depreciation and Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,021

$4,163

$3,666

[1]

For the quarter ended May 31, 2013, we recorded $23.9 million in restructuring expense, including $3.9 million in inventory markdowns. We also recorded bad debt for the remaining amount of our loan to Kemrock totaling $4.0 million and wrote off our remaining investment in Kemrock common stock and in Kemrock convertible debt for a combined loss of $18.5 million. Additionally, we reduced our estimated accrual for our agreement in principle with the GSA by $3.7 million. The combined impact of these items on net income and earnings per share for the fourth quarter was $30.0 million and $0.23 per share, respectively.

[2]

Restated

[3]

During August 2014, we determined that there was an error in the timing of the disclosure and accrual of loss reserves associated with our settlement of the GSA and DOJ investigation into compliance issues related to GSA contracts at our Tremco Group. We filed amended Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A in August 2014 with corrected financial statements for the periods ended August 31, 2012, November 30, 2012 and February 28, 2013. The corrections reduced net income by $7.2 million and $10.8 million for the quarterly periods ended August 31, 2012 and November 30, 2012, respectively, and increased net income for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013 by $18.0 million. The corrections reduced basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.06 for the quarter ended August 31, 2012; and by $0.09 and $0.08, respectively, for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2012; and increased basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.14 for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013. The figures presented in the table above represent the corrected amounts for each quarter.

[4]

For the quarter ended February 28, 2013, net income was impacted by $1.6 million for the impact of a strategic repositioning of certain industrial segment operations in Brazil. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $40.5 million ($34.6 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.

[5]

For the quarter ended November 30, 2012, we wrote down our remaining investment in Kemrock, which impacted net income and earnings per share by $10.8 million and $0.09 per share, respectively. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $16.9 million ($10.8 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.

[6]

For the quarter ended August 31, 2012, net sales and gross profit were reduced by $2.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively, for revised cost estimates on unprofitable contracts related to our industrial segment, and $5.6 million in exit costs associated with those activities that impacted pretax income. Additionally, we wrote down an investment in Kemrock totaling $40.3 million and recognized $5.0 million in bad debt from our loan to Kemrock. The combined impact on net income and earnings per share was $50.9 million and $0.38 per share, respectively. Lastly, we recorded a charge for $11.4 million ($7.2 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.

[7]

It is not practicable to obtain the information needed to disclose revenues attributable to each of our product lines.

[8]

The presentation includes a reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, a measure defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, to EBIT.

[9]

Interest (expense), net includes the combination of interest expense and investment expense (income), net.

[10]

EBIT is defined as earnings (loss) before interest and taxes. We evaluate the profit performance of our segments based on income before income taxes, but also look to EBIT as a performance evaluation measure because interest expense is essentially related to corporate acquisitions, as opposed to segment operations. For that reason, we believe EBIT is also useful to investors as a metric in their investment decisions. EBIT should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP, since EBIT omits the impact of interest and taxes in determining operating performance, which represent items necessary to our continued operations, given our level of indebtedness and ongoing tax obligations. Nonetheless, EBIT is a key measure expected by and useful to our fixed income investors, rating agencies and the banking community, all of whom believe, and we concur, that this measure is critical to the capital markets' analysis of our segments' core operating performance. We also evaluate EBIT because it is clear that movements in EBIT impact our ability to attract financing. Our underwriters and bankers consistently require inclusion of this measure in offering memoranda in conjunction with any debt underwriting or bank financing. EBIT may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results.

Net_Sales_and_Long_Lived_Asset

Net Sales and Long Lived Assets by Regions (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

31-May-14

Feb. 28, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-12

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

$1,276,782

$863,410

$1,071,487

$1,164,674

$1,170,779

[1]

$843,736

[2],[3],[4]

$1,017,426

[2],[3],[5]

$1,046,714

[2],[3],[6]

$4,376,353

[7]

$4,078,655

[7]

$3,777,416

[7]

Long-Lived Assets

2,308,127

[8]

'

'

'

2,229,254

[8]

'

'

'

2,308,127

[8]

2,229,254

[8]

1,824,494

[8]

UNITED STATES

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,581,208

[7]

2,404,835

[7]

2,219,680

[7]

Long-Lived Assets

1,374,340

[8]

'

'

'

1,311,640

[8]

'

'

'

1,374,340

[8]

1,311,640

[8]

1,124,403

[8]

Foreign

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,795,145

[7]

1,673,820

[7]

1,557,736

[7]

Long-Lived Assets

933,787

[8]

'

'

'

917,614

[8]

'

'

'

933,787

[8]

917,614

[8]

700,091

[8]

Foreign | CANADA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

342,312

[7]

350,579

[7]

346,238

[7]

Long-Lived Assets

125,401

[8]

'

'

'

126,172

[8]

'

'

'

125,401

[8]

126,172

[8]

128,392

[8]

Foreign | Europe

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,031,686

[7]

908,139

[7]

919,124

[7]

Long-Lived Assets

340,146

[8]

'

'

'

340,592

[8]

'

'

'

340,146

[8]

340,592

[8]

315,228

[8]

Foreign | Other Foreign Country

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

421,147

[7]

415,102

[7]

292,374

[7]

Long-Lived Assets

208,411

[8]

'

'

'

213,726

[8]

'

'

'

208,411

[8]

213,726

[8]

64,316

[8]

Foreign | UNITED KINGDOM

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-Lived Assets

$259,829

[8]

'

'

'

$237,124

[8]

'

'

'

$259,829

[8]

$237,124

[8]

$192,155

[8]

[1]

For the quarter ended May 31, 2013, we recorded $23.9 million in restructuring expense, including $3.9 million in inventory markdowns. We also recorded bad debt for the remaining amount of our loan to Kemrock totaling $4.0 million and wrote off our remaining investment in Kemrock common stock and in Kemrock convertible debt for a combined loss of $18.5 million. Additionally, we reduced our estimated accrual for our agreement in principle with the GSA by $3.7 million. The combined impact of these items on net income and earnings per share for the fourth quarter was $30.0 million and $0.23 per share, respectively.

[2]

Restated

[3]

During August 2014, we determined that there was an error in the timing of the disclosure and accrual of loss reserves associated with our settlement of the GSA and DOJ investigation into compliance issues related to GSA contracts at our Tremco Group. We filed amended Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A in August 2014 with corrected financial statements for the periods ended August 31, 2012, November 30, 2012 and February 28, 2013. The corrections reduced net income by $7.2 million and $10.8 million for the quarterly periods ended August 31, 2012 and November 30, 2012, respectively, and increased net income for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013 by $18.0 million. The corrections reduced basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.06 for the quarter ended August 31, 2012; and by $0.09 and $0.08, respectively, for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2012; and increased basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.14 for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013. The figures presented in the table above represent the corrected amounts for each quarter.

[4]

For the quarter ended February 28, 2013, net income was impacted by $1.6 million for the impact of a strategic repositioning of certain industrial segment operations in Brazil. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $40.5 million ($34.6 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.

[5]

For the quarter ended November 30, 2012, we wrote down our remaining investment in Kemrock, which impacted net income and earnings per share by $10.8 million and $0.09 per share, respectively. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $16.9 million ($10.8 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.

[6]

For the quarter ended August 31, 2012, net sales and gross profit were reduced by $2.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively, for revised cost estimates on unprofitable contracts related to our industrial segment, and $5.6 million in exit costs associated with those activities that impacted pretax income. Additionally, we wrote down an investment in Kemrock totaling $40.3 million and recognized $5.0 million in bad debt from our loan to Kemrock. The combined impact on net income and earnings per share was $50.9 million and $0.38 per share, respectively. Lastly, we recorded a charge for $11.4 million ($7.2 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.

[7]

It is not practicable to obtain the information needed to disclose revenues attributable to each of our product lines.

[8]

Long-lived assets include all non-current assets, excluding non-current deferred income taxes.

Quarterly_Result_of_Operations

Quarterly Result of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13		Feb. 28, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012		Aug. 31, 2012		31-May-14		31-May-13		31-May-12
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'
Net Sales	$1,276,782	$863,410	$1,071,487	$1,164,674	$1,170,779	[1]	$843,736	[2],[3],[4]	$1,017,426	[2],[3],[5]	$1,046,714	[2],[3],[6]	$4,376,353	[7]	$4,078,655	[7]	$3,777,416	[7]
Gross Profit	560,725	358,026	457,945	499,072	500,274	[1]	343,564	[2],[3],[4]	425,001	[2],[3],[5]	433,880	[2],[3],[6]	1,875,768		1,702,719		1,542,263
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to RPM International Inc. Stockholders	$108,779	$16,221	$63,562	$103,098	$65,378	[1]	($24,364)	[2],[3],[4]	$30,924	[2],[3],[5]	$26,665	[2],[3],[6]	$291,660		$98,603		$215,936
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share	$0.82	$0.12	$0.48	$0.78	$0.49	[1]	($0.19)	[2],[3],[4]	$0.23	[2],[3],[5]	$0.20	[2],[3],[6]	$2.20		$0.75		$1.65
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	$0.80	$0.12	$0.48	$0.77	$0.49	[1]	($0.19)	[2],[3],[4]	$0.23	[2],[3],[5]	$0.20	[2],[3],[6]	$2.18		$0.74		$1.65
Dividends Per Share	$0.24	$0.24	$0.24	$0.23	$0.23	[1]	$0.23	[2],[3],[4]	$0.23	[2],[3],[5]	$0.22	[2],[3],[6]	$0.95		$0.89		$0.86
[1]	For the quarter ended May 31, 2013, we recorded $23.9 million in restructuring expense, including $3.9 million in inventory markdowns. We also recorded bad debt for the remaining amount of our loan to Kemrock totaling $4.0 million and wrote off our remaining investment in Kemrock common stock and in Kemrock convertible debt for a combined loss of $18.5 million. Additionally, we reduced our estimated accrual for our agreement in principle with the GSA by $3.7 million. The combined impact of these items on net income and earnings per share for the fourth quarter was $30.0 million and $0.23 per share, respectively.
[2]	Restated
[3]	During August 2014, we determined that there was an error in the timing of the disclosure and accrual of loss reserves associated with our settlement of the GSA and DOJ investigation into compliance issues related to GSA contracts at our Tremco Group. We filed amended Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A in August 2014 with corrected financial statements for the periods ended August 31, 2012, November 30, 2012 and February 28, 2013. The corrections reduced net income by $7.2 million and $10.8 million for the quarterly periods ended August 31, 2012 and November 30, 2012, respectively, and increased net income for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013 by $18.0 million. The corrections reduced basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.06 for the quarter ended August 31, 2012; and by $0.09 and $0.08, respectively, for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2012; and increased basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.14 for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2013. The figures presented in the table above represent the corrected amounts for each quarter.
[4]	For the quarter ended February 28, 2013, net income was impacted by $1.6 million for the impact of a strategic repositioning of certain industrial segment operations in Brazil. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $40.5 million ($34.6 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.
[5]	For the quarter ended November 30, 2012, we wrote down our remaining investment in Kemrock, which impacted net income and earnings per share by $10.8 million and $0.09 per share, respectively. Additionally, we recorded a charge for $16.9 million ($10.8 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.
[6]	For the quarter ended August 31, 2012, net sales and gross profit were reduced by $2.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively, for revised cost estimates on unprofitable contracts related to our industrial segment, and $5.6 million in exit costs associated with those activities that impacted pretax income. Additionally, we wrote down an investment in Kemrock totaling $40.3 million and recognized $5.0 million in bad debt from our loan to Kemrock. The combined impact on net income and earnings per share was $50.9 million and $0.38 per share, respectively. Lastly, we recorded a charge for $11.4 million ($7.2 million after-tax) in relation to the items described in (e) below.
[7]	It is not practicable to obtain the information needed to disclose revenues attributable to each of our product lines.

Quarterly_Result_of_Operations1

Quarterly Result of Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-12
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reduction in Net Sales	'	'	'	$2,900,000	'	'	'
Reduction in the Gross Profit	'	'	'	5,400,000	'	'	'
Exit costs associated on unprofitable contract	'	'	'	5,600,000	'	'	'
Impairment on investment in Kemrock	18,500,000	'	'	40,300,000	'	51,092,000	'
Bad debt from loan to Kemrock	4,000,000	'	'	5,000,000	7,600,000	18,800,000	5,800,000
Impacted net income	30,000,000	'	10,800,000	50,900,000	'	'	'
Impacted earnings per share	$0.23	'	$0.09	$0.38	'	'	'
Error correction, charges	'	'	'	'	'	65,134,000	'
Impacted net income due to strategic repositioning	'	1,600,000	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	23,900,000	'	'	'	243,000	20,072,000	'
Inventory markdowns	3,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reduction in estimated accrual	3,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Error correction, charges	'	40,500,000	16,900,000	11,400,000	'	'	'
Error correction, charges after tax	'	34,600,000	10,800,000	7,200,000	'	'	'
Error correction, increase (decrease) in net income	'	$18,000,000	($10,800,000)	($7,200,000)	'	'	'
Error correction, increase (decrease) in basic earning per share	'	$0.14	($0.09)	($0.06)	'	'	'
Error correction, increase (decrease) in diluted earning per share	'	$0.14	($0.08)	($0.06)	'	'	'

Recovered_Sheet1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14		31-May-13		31-May-12
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current	'		'		'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of Period	$28,904		$26,507		$27,597
Charged to Selling, General and Administrative	7,618		9,799		5,811
(Deductions) Additions	-8,881	[1]	-7,402	[1]	-6,901	[1]
Balance at End of Period	27,641		28,904		26,507
Accrued product liability reserves	'		'		'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of Period	15,582		11,736		12,973
Charged to Selling, General and Administrative	3,186		5,499		6,221
Acquisitions (Disposals) of Businesses and Reclassifications	'		'		-699	[2]
(Deductions) Additions	-8,179	[3]	-1,653	[3]	-6,759	[3]
Balance at End of Period	10,589		15,582		11,736
Accrued loss reserves	'		'		'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of Period	3,418		3,580		4,357
Charged to Selling, General and Administrative	275		195		-310
Acquisitions (Disposals) of Businesses and Reclassifications	494	[2]	227	[2]	1,316
(Deductions) Additions	-1,456	[3]	-584	[3]	-1,783	[3]
Balance at End of Period	2,731		3,418		3,580
Accrued warranty reserves	'		'		'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of Period	29,489		28,592		27,873
Charged to Selling, General and Administrative	4,968		7,653		178
Acquisitions (Disposals) of Businesses and Reclassifications	'		'		699	[2]
(Deductions) Additions	-4,804	[3]	-6,756	[3]	-158	[3]
Balance at End of Period	29,653		29,489		28,592
Accrued environmental reserves	'		'		'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of Period	3,274		3,952		4,693
Charged to Selling, General and Administrative	'		-60		-631
Acquisitions (Disposals) of Businesses and Reclassifications	-494	[2]	-227	[2]	'
(Deductions) Additions	-775	[3]	-391	[3]	-110	[3]
Balance at End of Period	$2,005		$3,274		$3,952
[1]	Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries
[2]	Primarily transfers between current and noncurrent
[3]	Primarily claims paid during the year, net of insurance contributions