Oil-Dri Corporation of America (ODC) 10-Q 11 Mar 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Entity Information	'
Entity Registrant Name	'OIL DRI CORP OF AMERICA
Entity Central Index Key	'0000074046
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--07-31
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer
Document Type	'10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2
Amendment Flag	'false
Common Stock	'
Entity Information	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	4,978,567
Common Class B	'
Entity Information	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	2,074,927

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$12,082	$24,035
Restricted cash	500	0
Short-term investments	7,100	18,459
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $683 and $641 at January 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively	37,022	31,148
Inventories	22,734	20,723
Deferred income taxes	3,540	3,986
Prepaid repairs expense	3,288	3,458
Prepaid expenses and other assets	3,087	1,563
Total Current Assets	89,353	103,372
Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'
Cost	188,915	184,137
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-119,956	-118,082
Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	68,959	66,055
Other Assets	'	'
Goodwill	8,553	5,162
Trademarks and patents, net of accumulated amortization of $439 and $427 at January 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively	661	581
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $488 and $455 at January 31, 2014 and July 31 2013, respectively	277	309
Licensing agreements and non-compete agreements, net of accumulated amortization of $1,986 and $1,861 at January 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively	253	378
Customer list, net of accumulated amortization of $255 at January 31, 2014	7,530	0
Deferred income taxes	2,740	2,164
Other	5,534	5,538
Total Other Assets	25,548	14,132
Total Assets	183,860	183,559
Current Liabilities	'	'
Current maturities of notes payable	3,500	3,500
Accounts payable	7,699	6,483
Dividends payable	1,242	1,236
Accrued expenses:	'	'
Salaries, wages and commissions	4,674	9,087
Trade promotions and advertising	3,188	2,824
Freight	2,480	2,154
Other	6,344	6,163
Total Current Liabilities	29,127	31,447
Noncurrent Liabilities	'	'
Notes payable	18,900	22,400
Deferred compensation	8,976	8,569
Pension and postretirement benefits	16,778	16,362
Other	2,021	1,843
Total Noncurrent Liabilities	46,675	49,174
Total Liabilities	75,802	80,621
Stockholders’ Equity	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	32,446	31,317
Restricted unearned stock compensation	-2,277	-1,824
Retained earnings	137,422	132,750
Accumulated other comprehensive income:	'	'
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	84	86
Pension and postretirement benefits	-5,495	-5,608
Cumulative translation adjustment	193	487
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	-5,218	-5,035
Less Treasury Stock, at cost (2,915,893 Common and 324,741 Class B shares at January 31, 2014 and 2,914,567 Common and 324,741 Class B shares at July 31, 2013)	-55,344	-55,296
Total Stockholders’ Equity	108,058	102,938
Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity	183,860	183,559
Common Stock	'	'
Stockholders’ Equity	'	'
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share	789	787
Common Class B	'	'
Stockholders’ Equity	'	'
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share	$240	$239

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$683	$641
Other Assets	'	'
Accumulated amortization Trademarks and patents	439	427
Accumulated amortization Debt issuance costs	488	455
Accumulated amortization Licensing and non-compete agreements	1,986	1,861
Accumulated amortization Customer lists	$255	$0
Common Stock	'	'
Stockholder's Equity	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares issued	7,894,460	7,866,560
Treasury stock, common shares	2,915,893	2,914,567
Common Class B	'	'
Stockholder's Equity	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares issued	2,399,668	2,394,487
Treasury stock, common shares	324,741	324,741

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Net Sales	$69,305	$61,122	$132,851	$122,539
Cost of Sales	-52,412	-44,853	-99,458	-89,039
Gross Profit	16,893	16,269	33,393	33,500
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	-11,159	-12,834	-23,317	-23,654
Capacity Rationalization Charges	0	-50	0	-62
Income from Operations	5,734	3,385	10,076	9,784
Other Income (Expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-385	-446	-809	-927
Interest income	6	8	16	17
Other, net	175	84	140	214
Total Other Income (Expense), Net	-204	-354	-653	-696
Income Before Income Taxes	5,530	3,031	9,423	9,088
Income taxes	-1,249	-885	-2,255	-2,490
Net Income	4,281	2,146	7,168	6,598
Retained Earnings	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'	'	132,750	122,901
Cash dividends declared and treasury stock issuances	'	'	-2,496	-3,502
Balance at end of period	$137,422	$125,997	$137,422	$125,997
Net Income Per Share	'	'	'	'
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.60	$0.31	$1.01	$0.94
Average Shares Outstanding	'	'	'	'
Diluted (in shares)	7,007	6,922	6,991	6,904
Common Stock	'	'	'	'
Net Income Per Share	'	'	'	'
Basic Common (in dollars per share)	$0.65	$0.33	$1.09	$1.02
Average Shares Outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic Common (in shares)	4,979	4,896	4,967	4,887
Common Class B	'	'	'	'
Net Income Per Share	'	'	'	'
Basic Common (in dollars per share)	$0.49	$0.25	$0.82	$0.77
Average Shares Outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic Common (in shares)	2,005	1,976	1,999	1,960

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Net Income	$4,281	$2,146	$7,168	$6,598
Other Comprehensive Income (net of tax):	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	6	-5	-2	-2
Pension and postretirement benefits	56	150	113	300
Cumulative translation adjustment	-227	7	-294	23
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	-165	152	-183	321
Total Comprehensive Income	$4,116	$2,298	$6,985	$6,919

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Net Income	$7,168	$6,598
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	4,860	4,475
Amortization of investment net discount	-2	-3
Non-cash stock compensation expense	560	413
Excess tax benefits for share-based payments	-21	-199
Deferred income taxes	79	184
Provision for bad debts	45	36
Loss on the sale of fixed assets	13	7
Capacity rationalization charges	0	62
(Increase) Decrease in assets, net of acquisition:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-5,919	-812
Inventories	-1,347	-2,513
Prepaid expenses	-725	879
Other assets	-312	24
Increase (Decrease) in liabilities, net of acquisition:	'	'
Accounts payable	381	-168
Accrued expenses	-3,558	690
Deferred compensation	407	281
Pension and postretirement benefits	528	882
Other liabilities	243	-25
Total Adjustments	-4,768	4,213
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	2,400	10,811
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Capital expenditures	-6,782	-5,009
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	16	34
Acquisition of business	-12,505	0
Restricted cash	-500	0
Purchases of short-term investments	-7,991	-12,147
Dispositions of short-term investments	19,352	10,925
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-8,410	-6,197
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Principal payments on notes payable	-3,500	-2,300
Dividends paid	-2,478	-4,630
Purchase of treasury stock	-13	-175
Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock	39	82
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	12	571
Excess tax benefits for share-based payments	21	199
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	-5,919	-6,253
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-24	-24
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-11,953	-1,663
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	24,035	27,093
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	$12,082	$25,430

Basis_of_Statement_Presentatio

Basis of Statement Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Statement Presentation	'
	BASIS OF STATEMENT PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and in compliance with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial statements and the related notes are condensed and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended July 31, 2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Oil-Dri Corporation of America and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated. Except as otherwise indicated herein or as the context otherwise requires, references to “Oil-Dri,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Oil-Dri Corporation of America and its subsidiaries.
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the statements contained herein. Operating results for the three and six months ended January 31, 2014 are not necessarily an indication of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2014.
	The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions related to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Estimates and assumptions are revised periodically. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
	Under the terms of our sales agreements with customers, we recognize revenue when risk of loss and title are transferred. An invoice is generated upon shipment that sets the fixed and determinable price. Trade promotion reserves are provided for sales incentives made directly to consumers, such as coupons, and made to customers, such as slotting, discounts based on sales volume, cooperative marketing programs and other arrangements. Such trade promotion costs are netted against sales. Sales returns and allowances are not material.
	Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, wages and benefits associated with staff outside the manufacturing and distribution functions, all advertising and marketing-related costs, any miscellaneous trade spending expenses not required to be included in net sales, research and development costs, depreciation and amortization related to assets outside the manufacturing and distribution process and all other non-manufacturing and non-distribution expenses.
	We evaluate our allowance for doubtful accounts utilizing a combination of historical experience and periodic review of our accounts receivable aging and specific customer account analysis. A customer account is determined to be uncollectible when we have completed our internal collection procedures, including termination of shipments, direct customer contact and formal demand of payment.
	As part of our overall operations, we mine sorbent materials on property that we either own or lease. A significant part of our overall mining cost is incurred during the process of removing the overburden (non-usable material) from the mine site, thus exposing the sorbent material used in a majority of our production processes. These stripping costs are treated as a variable inventory production cost and are included in cost of sales in the period they are incurred. The pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new mine are deferred as prepaid expense and amortized.
	Additionally, it is our policy to capitalize the purchase cost of land and mineral rights, including associated legal fees, survey fees and real estate fees. The costs of obtaining mineral patents, including legal fees and drilling expenses, are also capitalized. Pre-production development costs on new mines and any prepaid royalties that may be offset against future royalties due upon extraction of the minerals are also capitalized. All exploration related costs are expensed as incurred.
	We perform ongoing reclamation activities during the normal course of our overburden removal. As overburden is removed from a mine site, it is hauled to previously mined sites and is used to refill older sites. This process allows us to continuously reclaim older mine sites and dispose of overburden simultaneously, thereby minimizing the costs associated with the reclamation process.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2014 we adopted new guidance from the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued under Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 220, Comprehensive Income-Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The guidance required presentation by the respective net income line items, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, of information about significant amounts required to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). We elected to present the reclassifications in the notes to the financial statements. See Note 8 for additional information regarding amounts reclassified from AOCI.
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2014 we considered the FASB guidance issued under ASC 350, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, which provides the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine if the annual two-step test for impairment must be performed. Based on the relevant events and circumstances that could have affected the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, we determined that it is more likely than not that these assets are not impaired and we did not perform a quantitative impairment assessment. There was no impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of this new guidance.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory Disclosure	'
	INVENTORIES
	The composition of inventories is as follows (in thousands):
		January 31,		July 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished goods	$	13,130	$	12,112
	Packaging	5,191		4,003
	Other	4,413		4,608
	Total Inventories	$	22,734	$	20,723
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory costs include the cost of raw materials, packaging supplies, labor and other overhead costs. We perform a quarterly review of our inventory items to determine if an obsolescence reserve adjustment is necessary. The review surveys all of our operating facilities and sales groups to ensure that both historical issues and new market trends are considered. The allowance not only considers specific items, but also takes into consideration the overall value of the inventory as of the balance sheet date. The inventory obsolescence reserve values at January 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013 were $348,000 and $364,000, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized into categories based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The categories in the hierarchy are as follows:
	Level 1:	Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2:	Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on:
		1)  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets.
		2)  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
		3)  Valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3:	Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on valuation techniques that require inputs that are unobservable. These inputs may reflect estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the financial assets and liabilities.
	The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy:
		Fair Value at January 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
		Total		Level 1		Level 2
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	3,555	$	3,555	$	—
	Marketable equity securities	87		87		—
	Cash surrender value of life insurance	4,493		—		4,493
	Cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they were valued using quoted market prices in active markets. These cash instruments are primarily money market mutual funds and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Marketable equity securities were valued using quoted market prices in active markets and as such are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. These securities represent stock we own in one publicly traded company and are included in other assets on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Cash surrender value of life insurance is classified as Level 2. The value was determined by the underwriting insurance company’s valuation models, which take into account the passage of time, mortality tables, interest rates, cash values for paid-up additions and dividend accumulations. The cash surrender value represents the guaranteed value we would receive upon surrender of these policies held on former key employees as of January 31, 2014. The cash surrender value of life insurance is included in other assets on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The short-term investments on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets includes U.S. Treasury securities and certificates of deposit. We have the ability to hold our short-term investments to maturity and intend to do so; therefore, these investments were reported at amortized cost on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, which approximated fair value as of January 31, 2014. These balances are excluded from the above table.
	Accounts receivable and accounts payable balances on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets approximated their fair values at January 31, 2014 due to the short maturity and nature of those balances; therefore, these balances are excluded from the above table.
	Prepaid expenses and other assets on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets includes a receivable for the amount due to us upon the sale of the real property retained by MFM Industries Inc. ("MFM") per the acquisition agreement described in Note 9. The portion of the acquisition purchase cost assigned to this receivable of $500,000 is estimated based on the fair value of the real property. The fair value was determined using a market valuation approach and is classified as Level 3. This receivable will be carried at the allocated purchase cost and will be evaluated for impairment on an ongoing basis; therefore, this amount is excluded from the above table.
	The carrying values of notes payable approximated their fair values at January 31, 2014 and are excluded from the above table. The estimated fair value of notes payable, including current maturities, was $23,981,000 as of January 31, 2014. Our debt does not trade on a daily basis in an active market, therefore the fair value estimate is based on market observable borrowing rates currently available for debt with similar terms and average maturities and is classified as Level 2.
	We apply fair value techniques on a non-recurring basis associated with: (1) valuing potential impairment loss related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and (2) valuing potential impairment loss related to long-lived assets. Our annual goodwill impairment analysis was performed in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and did not indicate any impairment.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure	'
	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
	The components of net periodic pension and postretirement health benefit costs were as follows:
		Pension Benefits
		(in thousands)
		For the Three Months Ended January 31,								For the Six Months Ended January 31,
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Service cost	$	361			$	417			$	721		$	876
	Interest cost	435				384				871			772
	Expected return on plan assets	(429		)		(373		)		(858		)	(755		)
	Amortization of:
	Prior service costs	4				4				7			7
	Other actuarial loss	78				220				156			442
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	449			$	652			$	897		$	1,342
		Postretirement Health Benefits
		(in thousands)
		For the Three Months Ended January 31,								For the Six Months Ended January 31,
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Service cost	$	30			$	34			$	60		$	68
	Interest cost	29				24				58			48
	Amortization of:
	Net transition obligation	4				4				8			8
	Prior service costs	(2		)		—				(3		)	—
	Other actuarial loss	8				13				15			26
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	69			$	75			$	138		$	150
	Our plan covering postretirement health benefits is an unfunded plan. We have funded the pension plan based upon actuarially determined contributions that take into account the amount deductible for income tax purposes, the normal cost and the minimum and the maximum contribution requirements of various regulations. We contributed $230,000 to our pension plan during the second quarter ended January 31, 2014. We estimate contributions will be $601,000 for the remainder of fiscal 2014. See Item 3. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for a discussion of the potential impact of financial market fluctuations on pension plan assets and future funding contributions.
	Assumptions used in the previous calculations were as follows:
		Pension Benefits						Postretirement Health Benefits
		For the Three and Six Months Ended January 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	4.8	%		3.75	%		4.8	%		3.75	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.5	%		3.5	%		—			—
	Long-term expected rate of return on assets	7.5	%		7.5	%		—			—
	The medical cost trend assumption for postretirement health benefits was 8.0%. The graded trend rate is expected to decrease to an ultimate rate of 5.0% in fiscal 2024.

Operating_Segment

Operating Segment	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segment Disclosure	'
	OPERATING SEGMENTS
	We have two operating segments: (1) Retail and Wholesale Products and (2) Business to Business Products. These segments are managed separately because each business has different customer characteristics. Net sales and operating income for each segment are provided below. Revenues by product line are not provided because it would be impracticable to do so. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013.
	We do not rely on any operating segment asset allocations and we do not consider them meaningful because of the shared nature of our production facilities; however, we have estimated the segment asset allocations below for those assets for which we can reasonably determine. The unallocated asset category is the remainder of our total assets. The asset allocation is estimated and is not a measure used by our chief operating decision maker about allocating resources to the operating segments or in assessing their performance. The corporate expenses line includes certain unallocated expenses, including primarily salaries, wages and benefits, purchased services, rent, utilities and depreciation and amortization associated with corporate functions such as research and development, information systems, finance, legal, human resources and customer service. Corporate expenses also include the estimated annual incentive plan bonus accrual.
						Assets
						January 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
						(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products					$	55,116		$	53,721
	Retail and Wholesale Products					91,207			76,376
	Unallocated Assets					37,537			53,462
	Total Assets					$	183,860		$	183,559
		For the Six Months Ended January 31,
		Net Sales				Income
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products	$	49,179	$	43,497	$	15,644		$	14,624
	Retail and Wholesale Products	83,672		79,042		4,257			6,460
	Total Sales	$	132,851	$	122,539
	Corporate Expenses					(9,825		)	(11,238		)
	Capacity Rationalization Charges					—			(62		)
	Income from Operations					10,076			9,784
	Total Other Expense, Net					(653		)	(696		)
	Income before Income Taxes					9,423			9,088
	Income Taxes					(2,255		)	(2,490		)
	Net Income					$	7,168		$	6,598
		For the Three Months Ended January 31,
		Net Sales				Income
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products	$	25,264	$	21,715	$	7,993		$	7,101
	Retail and Wholesale Products	44,041		39,407		2,982			1,936
	Total Sales	$	69,305	$	61,122
	Corporate Expenses					(5,241		)	(5,602		)
	Capacity Rationalization Charges					—			(50		)
	Income from Operations					5,734			3,385
	Total Other Expense, Net					(204		)	(354		)
	Income before Income Taxes					5,530			3,031
	Income Taxes					(1,249		)	(885		)
	Net Income					$	4,281		$	2,146

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	We determine the fair value of stock options and restricted stock issued under our long term incentive plans as of the grant date. We recognized the related compensation expense over the period from the date of grant to the date when the award is no longer contingent on the employee providing additional service to the Company.
	The Oil-Dri Corporation of America 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-based and cash-based awards. Our employees and outside directors are eligible to receive grants under the 2006 Plan. The total number of shares of stock subject to grants under the 2006 Plan may not exceed 937,500. Stock options have been granted to our outside directors with a vesting period of one year and stock options granted to employees generally vest 25% two years after the grant date and in each of the three following anniversaries of the grant date. In addition, restricted shares have been issued under the 2006 Plan as described in the restricted stock section below.
	The Oil-Dri Corporation of America Outside Director Stock Plan provides for grants of stock options to directors. Stock options have been granted to our directors with a one year vesting period. There are no shares available for future grants under this plan. All shares of stock issued under this plan were from treasury stock.
	Stock Options
	A summary of stock option transactions as of January 31, 2014 is shown below:
		Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(in thousands)				(Years)	(in thousands)
	Options outstanding, July 31, 2013	60		$	14.25	2.3	$	1,059
	Exercised	(4	)	$	12		$	90
	Forfeitures	(8	)	$	9.43
	Options outstanding, January 31, 2014	48		$	15.27	2.3	$	911
	Options exercisable, January 31, 2014	48		$	15.27	2.3	$	911
	There were no stock options exercised during the second quarter of fiscal 2014. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was $591,000 and the related tax benefit was $255,000. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options during the first six months of fiscal 2014 was $51,000 and the related tax benefit was $24,000. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options during the first six months of fiscal 2013 was $652,000 and the related tax benefit was $268,000.
	No stock options were granted in the first six months of either fiscal 2014 or 2013.
	Restricted Stock
	All of our non-vested restricted stock as of January 31, 2014 was issued under the 2006 Plan with vesting periods between two years and five years.
	Under the 2006 Plan, no new restricted shares of common stock were granted in the second quarter of either fiscal 2014 or fiscal 2013. In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, 22,000 restricted shares of Common Stock and 10,000 restricted shares of Class B stock were granted. In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, 7,000 restricted shares of Class B stock were granted.
	Included in our stock-based compensation expense in the second quarter of fiscal years 2014 and 2013 was $319,000 and $210,000, respectively, related to non-vested restricted stock. In the first six months of fiscal years 2014 and 2013, the expense related to unvested restricted stock was $560,000 and 413,000, respectively.
	A summary of restricted stock transactions under the plan is shown below:
		Restricted Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2013	117		$	22.24
	Vested	(27	)	$	21.67
	Granted	32		$	34.55
	Forfeitures	(4	)	$	21.8
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at January 31, 2014	118		$	25.72

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component as of January 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities			Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits				Cumulative Translation Adjustment			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balance as of July 31, 2013	$	86		$	(5,608	)		$	487		$	(5,035	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax	(2		)	—				(294		)	(296		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	—			113			a)	—			113
	Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax	(2		)	113				(294		)	(183		)
	Balance as of January 31, 2014	$	84		$	(5,495	)		$	193		$	(5,218	)
	a) Amount is net of tax expense of $70,000. Amounts are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. See Note 5 for further information.

Acquisition_Notes

Acquisition (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Acquisition [Abstract]	'
Acquisition	'
	ACQUISITION
	On November 1, 2013, we acquired certain assets of MFM, a company engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of primarily private label cat litter. MFM and its parent company, MFM Delaware, Inc., had filed for bankruptcy in May 2013. The purchase of MFM’s cat litter business assets was a strategic business decision intended to expand our private label cat litter business. We did not acquire any land or mineral rights nor did we operate the MFM plant. MFM’s customers’ orders were transitioned to our existing cat litter manufacturing plants which had available capacity and were producing similar cat litter products.
	This transaction qualifies as a business combination for accounting purposes, therefore the assets acquired were recorded at their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The fair values are subject to refinement within the measurement period as we finalize our valuations.
		Estimated Fair Value as of November 1, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Consideration transferred:
	Cash	$	12,505
	Contingent Consideration	500
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	13,005
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired:
	Inventories	$	664
	Current assets	630
	Deferred taxes - current	190
	Equipment	299
	Deferred taxes - noncurrent	46
	Customer list	7,785
	Total identifiable net assets	9,614
	Goodwill	$	3,391
	Inventories acquired included finished goods, packaging supplies and raw materials. The inventory fair value was determined using the comparative sales method approach.
	The MFM purchase agreement provides that we will receive half of the proceeds upon the sale of the real property retained by MFM. The receivable was valued at $500,000 based upon the fair value of the real property, which was determined using a market valuation approach, which may not be the ultimate sale price of the property. We expect to receive these proceeds within a year since MFM is required to sell the real property in order to resolve its bankruptcy proceedings. This receivable is included in current assets on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Current assets also includes a $130,000 prepaid asset for MFM deposits held by packaging suppliers to which we are entitled.
	Various machinery and equipment purchased was valued primarily using a market valuation approach; however, a cost approach was used for certain equipment for which appropriate market comparisons were not available.
	We deposited $500,000 in an escrow account to fund our maximum obligation to indemnify MFM for expenses incurred to prepare and sell the real property retained by MFM. We expect the full escrow amount to be spent within a year. The cash held in escrow is shown as restricted cash and the corresponding liability is included in current liabilities on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	We acquired a customer list which was recorded as an intangible asset at fair value using an income valuation approach. The valuation process estimated the present value of the anticipated benefits in excess of the returns on the contributory assets required to realize those benefits. The value of the customer list will be amortized over a period of 10 years with an accelerated amortization rate in the earlier years to reflect the expected pattern of decline in the related benefits over time. This customer list is related to the Retail and Wholesale Products Group segment.
	The goodwill recorded from the acquisition is primarily attributable to anticipated synergies of our product portfolios. All of the goodwill recognized is deductible for tax purposes. This goodwill is related to the Retail and Wholesale Products Group segment.
	Deferred taxes reflects primarily the difference between the book basis and tax basis of the accrued expense to indemnify MFM for costs incurred to prepare and sell the real property retained by MFM.
	We incurred $120,000 of acquisition-related costs, primarily in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings.
	The summarized proforma financial information below presents the combined results of operations as if the acquisition of MFM had occurred as of August 1, 2012. MFM’s pre-acquisition results have been added to Oil-Dri’s historical results and include certain adjustments related to the acquisition, such as amortization of intangible assets and depreciation expense. These proforma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies and do not reflect the actual results of operations that would have been achieved, nor are they indicative of future results of operations. The following proforma results are presented for comparative purposes only (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended				Six months ended
		January 31,				January 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Proforma net sales	$	69,305	$	66,697	$	137,817	$	133,794
	Proforma net income	$	4,209	$	2,057	$	6,802	$	6,335
	Proforma net income per share - Basic Common	$	0.64	$	0.32	$	1.04	$	0.98
	Proforma net income per share - Basic Class B	$	0.48	$	0.24	$	0.78	$	0.74
	Proforma net income per share - Diluted	$	0.59	$	0.29	$	0.96	$	0.9
	The net sales for MFM-related customers after the acquisition that are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 were approximately $3,000,000. The amount of net income specifically attributed to these customers cannot be determined because MFM’s customers’ orders were fulfilled in our existing cat litter manufacturing plants and with our existing sales team and logistics processes.

Basis_of_Statement_Presentatio1

Basis of Statement Presentation Level 2 (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
BASIS OF STATEMENT PRESENTATION [Abstract]	'
Revenue Recognition	'
	Under the terms of our sales agreements with customers, we recognize revenue when risk of loss and title are transferred. An invoice is generated upon shipment that sets the fixed and determinable price. Trade promotion reserves are provided for sales incentives made directly to consumers, such as coupons, and made to customers, such as slotting, discounts based on sales volume, cooperative marketing programs and other arrangements. Such trade promotion costs are netted against sales. Sales returns and allowances are not material.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'
	Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, wages and benefits associated with staff outside the manufacturing and distribution functions, all advertising and marketing-related costs, any miscellaneous trade spending expenses not required to be included in net sales, research and development costs, depreciation and amortization related to assets outside the manufacturing and distribution process and all other non-manufacturing and non-distribution expenses.
Trade Receivable	'
	We evaluate our allowance for doubtful accounts utilizing a combination of historical experience and periodic review of our accounts receivable aging and specific customer account analysis. A customer account is determined to be uncollectible when we have completed our internal collection procedures, including termination of shipments, direct customer contact and formal demand of payment.
Overburden Removal and Mining Costs	'
	As part of our overall operations, we mine sorbent materials on property that we either own or lease. A significant part of our overall mining cost is incurred during the process of removing the overburden (non-usable material) from the mine site, thus exposing the sorbent material used in a majority of our production processes. These stripping costs are treated as a variable inventory production cost and are included in cost of sales in the period they are incurred. The pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new mine are deferred as prepaid expense and amortized.
	Additionally, it is our policy to capitalize the purchase cost of land and mineral rights, including associated legal fees, survey fees and real estate fees. The costs of obtaining mineral patents, including legal fees and drilling expenses, are also capitalized. Pre-production development costs on new mines and any prepaid royalties that may be offset against future royalties due upon extraction of the minerals are also capitalized. All exploration related costs are expensed as incurred.
Reclamation	'
	We perform ongoing reclamation activities during the normal course of our overburden removal. As overburden is removed from a mine site, it is hauled to previously mined sites and is used to refill older sites. This process allows us to continuously reclaim older mine sites and dispose of overburden simultaneously, thereby minimizing the costs associated with the reclamation process.

Inventories_Level_2_Policies

Inventories Level 2 (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
INVENTORIES [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory costs include the cost of raw materials, packaging supplies, labor and other overhead costs. We perform a quarterly review of our inventory items to determine if an obsolescence reserve adjustment is necessary. The review surveys all of our operating facilities and sales groups to ensure that both historical issues and new market trends are considered. The allowance not only considers specific items, but also takes into consideration the overall value of the inventory as of the balance sheet date.

Operating_Segment_Level_2_Poli

Operating Segment Level 2 (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segment	'
	We have two operating segments: (1) Retail and Wholesale Products and (2) Business to Business Products. These segments are managed separately because each business has different customer characteristics. Net sales and operating income for each segment are provided below. Revenues by product line are not provided because it would be impracticable to do so. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013.

StockBased_Compensation_Level_

Stock-Based Compensation Level 2 (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation Policy	'
	We determine the fair value of stock options and restricted stock issued under our long term incentive plans as of the grant date. We recognized the related compensation expense over the period from the date of grant to the date when the award is no longer contingent on the employee providing additional service to the Company.

Acquisition_Policies

Acquisition (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Acquisition [Abstract]	'
Acquisition Policy	'
	This transaction qualifies as a business combination for accounting purposes, therefore the assets acquired were recorded at their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill.

Inventories_Level_3_Tables

Inventories Level 3 (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
INVENTORIES [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	The composition of inventories is as follows (in thousands):
		January 31,		July 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished goods	$	13,130	$	12,112
	Packaging	5,191		4,003
	Other	4,413		4,608
	Total Inventories	$	22,734	$	20,723

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy:
		Fair Value at January 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
		Total		Level 1		Level 2
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	3,555	$	3,555	$	—
	Marketable equity securities	87		87		—
	Cash surrender value of life insurance	4,493		—		4,493

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	'
	The components of net periodic pension and postretirement health benefit costs were as follows:
		Pension Benefits
		(in thousands)
		For the Three Months Ended January 31,								For the Six Months Ended January 31,
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Service cost	$	361			$	417			$	721		$	876
	Interest cost	435				384				871			772
	Expected return on plan assets	(429		)		(373		)		(858		)	(755		)
	Amortization of:
	Prior service costs	4				4				7			7
	Other actuarial loss	78				220				156			442
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	449			$	652			$	897		$	1,342
		Postretirement Health Benefits
		(in thousands)
		For the Three Months Ended January 31,								For the Six Months Ended January 31,
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Service cost	$	30			$	34			$	60		$	68
	Interest cost	29				24				58			48
	Amortization of:
	Net transition obligation	4				4				8			8
	Prior service costs	(2		)		—				(3		)	—
	Other actuarial loss	8				13				15			26
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	69			$	75			$	138		$	150
Schedule of Assumptions Used	'
	Assumptions used in the previous calculations were as follows:
		Pension Benefits						Postretirement Health Benefits
		For the Three and Six Months Ended January 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	4.8	%		3.75	%		4.8	%		3.75	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.5	%		3.5	%		—			—
	Long-term expected rate of return on assets	7.5	%		7.5	%		—			—
	The medical cost trend assumption for postretirement health benefits was 8.0%. The graded trend rate is expected to decrease to an ultimate rate of 5.0% in fiscal 2024.

Operating_Segment_Tables

Operating Segment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segment Information	'
						Assets
						January 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
						(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products					$	55,116		$	53,721
	Retail and Wholesale Products					91,207			76,376
	Unallocated Assets					37,537			53,462
	Total Assets					$	183,860		$	183,559
		For the Six Months Ended January 31,
		Net Sales				Income
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products	$	49,179	$	43,497	$	15,644		$	14,624
	Retail and Wholesale Products	83,672		79,042		4,257			6,460
	Total Sales	$	132,851	$	122,539
	Corporate Expenses					(9,825		)	(11,238		)
	Capacity Rationalization Charges					—			(62		)
	Income from Operations					10,076			9,784
	Total Other Expense, Net					(653		)	(696		)
	Income before Income Taxes					9,423			9,088
	Income Taxes					(2,255		)	(2,490		)
	Net Income					$	7,168		$	6,598
		For the Three Months Ended January 31,
		Net Sales				Income
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products	$	25,264	$	21,715	$	7,993		$	7,101
	Retail and Wholesale Products	44,041		39,407		2,982			1,936
	Total Sales	$	69,305	$	61,122
	Corporate Expenses					(5,241		)	(5,602		)
	Capacity Rationalization Charges					—			(50		)
	Income from Operations					5,734			3,385
	Total Other Expense, Net					(204		)	(354		)
	Income before Income Taxes					5,530			3,031
	Income Taxes					(1,249		)	(885		)
	Net Income					$	4,281		$	2,146

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stock Options Activity	'
	A summary of stock option transactions as of January 31, 2014 is shown below:
		Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(in thousands)				(Years)	(in thousands)
	Options outstanding, July 31, 2013	60		$	14.25	2.3	$	1,059
	Exercised	(4	)	$	12		$	90
	Forfeitures	(8	)	$	9.43
	Options outstanding, January 31, 2014	48		$	15.27	2.3	$	911
	Options exercisable, January 31, 2014	48		$	15.27	2.3	$	911
Schedule of Restricted Stock Transactions	'
	A summary of restricted stock transactions under the plan is shown below:
		Restricted Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2013	117		$	22.24
	Vested	(27	)	$	21.67
	Granted	32		$	34.55
	Forfeitures	(4	)	$	21.8
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at January 31, 2014	118		$	25.72

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component as of January 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities			Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits				Cumulative Translation Adjustment			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balance as of July 31, 2013	$	86		$	(5,608	)		$	487		$	(5,035	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax	(2		)	—				(294		)	(296		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	—			113			a)	—			113
	Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax	(2		)	113				(294		)	(183		)
	Balance as of January 31, 2014	$	84		$	(5,495	)		$	193		$	(5,218	)
	a) Amount is net of tax expense of $70,000. Amounts are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. See Note 5 for further information.

Acquisition_Tables

Acquisition (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Acquisition [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The fair values are subject to refinement within the measurement period as we finalize our valuations.
		Estimated Fair Value as of November 1, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Consideration transferred:
	Cash	$	12,505
	Contingent Consideration	500
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	13,005
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired:
	Inventories	$	664
	Current assets	630
	Deferred taxes - current	190
	Equipment	299
	Deferred taxes - noncurrent	46
	Customer list	7,785
	Total identifiable net assets	9,614
	Goodwill	$	3,391
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	'
	The following proforma results are presented for comparative purposes only (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended				Six months ended
		January 31,				January 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Proforma net sales	$	69,305	$	66,697	$	137,817	$	133,794
	Proforma net income	$	4,209	$	2,057	$	6,802	$	6,335
	Proforma net income per share - Basic Common	$	0.64	$	0.32	$	1.04	$	0.98
	Proforma net income per share - Basic Class B	$	0.48	$	0.24	$	0.78	$	0.74
	Proforma net income per share - Diluted	$	0.59	$	0.29	$	0.96	$	0.9

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finished goods	$13,130	$12,112
Packaging	5,191	4,003
Other	4,413	4,608
Total Inventories	$22,734	$20,723

Inventories_Narrative_Details

Inventories Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Inventory obsolescence reserve	$348,000	$364,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis	'
Cash equivalents	$3,555
Marketable equity securities	87
Cash surrender value of life insurance	4,493
Level 1	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis	'
Cash equivalents	3,555
Marketable equity securities	87
Cash surrender value of life insurance	0
Level 2	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis	'
Cash equivalents	0
Marketable equity securities	0
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$4,493

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis	'	'
Contingent consideration receivable	$500,000	$500,000
Notes Payable, Fair Value	$23,981,000	'

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Pension Plan	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$361	$417	$721	$876
Interest cost	435	384	871	772
Expected return on plan assets	-429	-373	-858	-755
Amortization of Prior service costs	4	4	7	7
Amortization of Other actuarial loss	78	220	156	442
Net periodic benefit cost	449	652	897	1,342
Postretirement Health Plan	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'	'	'
Service cost	30	34	60	68
Interest cost	29	24	58	48
Amortization of Net transition obligation	4	4	8	8
Amortization of Prior service costs	-2	0	-3	0
Amortization of Other actuarial loss	8	13	15	26
Net periodic benefit cost	$69	$75	$138	$150

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme3

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Assumptions (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Pension Plan	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	4.80%	3.75%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.50%	3.50%
Long-term expected rate of return on assets	7.50%	7.50%
Postretirement Health Plan	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	4.80%	3.75%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	0.00%	0.00%
Long-term expected rate of return on assets	0.00%	0.00%

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme4

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
	Pension Plan	Postretirement Health Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Employer contributions to date during current fiscal year	$230,000	'
Estimated contributions in remainder of current fiscal year	$601,000	'
Medical Cost Trend Assumption	'	8.00%
Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate	'	5.00%
Year that Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate	'	'2024

Operating_Segment_Details

Operating Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	$183,860	'	$183,860	'	$183,559
Total Sales	69,305	61,122	132,851	122,539	'
Corporate Expenses	-5,241	-5,602	-9,825	-11,238	'
Capacity Rationalization Charges	0	-50	0	-62	'
Income from Operations	5,734	3,385	10,076	9,784	'
Total Other Expense, Net	-204	-354	-653	-696	'
Income before Income Taxes	5,530	3,031	9,423	9,088	'
Income Taxes	-1,249	-885	-2,255	-2,490	'
Net Income	4,281	2,146	7,168	6,598	'
Business to Business Products	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	55,116	'	55,116	'	53,721
Segment Net Sales	25,264	21,715	49,179	43,497	'
Segment Income	7,993	7,101	15,644	14,624	'
Retail and Wholesale Products	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	91,207	'	91,207	'	76,376
Segment Net Sales	44,041	39,407	83,672	79,042	'
Segment Income	2,982	1,936	4,257	6,460	'
Unallocated Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	$37,537	'	$37,537	'	$53,462

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (Stock Options, USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Stock Options	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'
Options Outstanding, Number (shares)	48,000	48,000	60,000
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$15.27	$15.27	$14.25
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	'	'2 years 3 months 15 days	'2 years 3 months 19 days
Options, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$911	$911	$1,059
Exercised, Number (shares)	0	-4,000	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	$12	'
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	90	'
Forfeitures, Number (shares)	'	-8,000	'
Forfeitures, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	$9.43	'
Options Exercisable, Number (shares)	48,000	48,000	'
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$15.27	$15.27	'
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	'	'2 years 3 months 15 days	'
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$911	$911	'

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation Summary of Restricted Stock Transactions (Details) (Restricted Stock, USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'	'
Non-vested Restricted Stock Outstanding, Number (shares)	118,000	'	118,000	117,000
Non-vested Restricted Stock Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$25.72	'	$25.72	$22.24
Vested, Number (shares)	'	'	-27,000	'
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$21.67	'
Granted, Number (shares)	0	0	32,000	'
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$34.55	'
Forfeitures, Number (shares)	'	'	-4,000	'
Forfeiture, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$21.80	'

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation Narrative (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Directors' Plan

2006 Plan

2006 Plan

2006 Plan

2006 Plan

2006 Plan

2006 Plan - Director Stock Option

2006 Plan - Employee Stock Options

Common Stock

Common Class B

Common Class B

Stock Options

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Stock Options

Stock Options

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Authorized (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

937,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Award Vesting Period (Years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

Annual Vesting Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

Number of years after grant date vesting starts (years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

Number of consecutive years vesting occurs after initial vest date (years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

Number available for grant (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares exercised

0

'

4,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options

'

$591,000

$51,000

$652,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options

'

255,000

24,000

268,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Granted (shares)

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Award Vesting Period, Minimum (years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Award Vesting Period, Maximum (years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted Stock Granted, Number (shares)

'

'

'

'

0

0

32,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,000

10,000

7,000

Share-based Compensation Expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$319,000

$210,000

$560,000

$413,000

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, beginning	'	'	($5,035)	'
Other comprehensive income, before reclassifications, net of tax	'	'	-296	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	113	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax	-165	152	-183	321
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, ending	-5,218	'	-5,218	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, beginning	'	'	86	'
Other comprehensive income, before reclassifications, net of tax	'	'	-2	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	0	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	-2	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, ending	84	'	84	'
Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, beginning	'	'	-5,608	'
Other comprehensive income, before reclassifications, net of tax	'	'	0	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	113	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	113	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, ending	-5,495	'	-5,495	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, beginning	'	'	487	'
Other comprehensive income, before reclassifications, net of tax	'	'	-294	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	0	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	-294	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, ending	$193	'	$193	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Narrative (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
Tax for reclassification adjustment from AOCI for pension and other postretirement benefits	$70,000

Acquisition_Assets_acquired_De

Acquisition Assets acquired (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Nov. 02, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition	'	'	'	'
Consideration transferred, Cash	$12,505	$0	'	'
Consideration transferred, Contingent consideration	'	'	500	'
Fair value of total consideration transferred	13,005	'	'	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired, Inventories	'	'	664	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired, Current assets	'	'	630	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired, Deferred taxes current	'	'	190	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired, Equipment	'	'	299	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired, Deferred taxes noncurrent	'	'	46	'
Recognized amount of identifiable assets acquired, Customer list	'	'	7,785	'
Total identifiable net assets acquired	'	'	9,614	'
Goodwill	$8,553	'	$3,391	$5,162

Acquisition_Proforma_Details

Acquisition Proforma (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition	'	'	'	'
Proforma net sales	$69,305	$66,697	$137,817	$133,794
Proforma net income	$4,209	$2,057	$6,802	$6,335
Proforma net income per share - Diluted	$0.59	$0.29	$0.96	$0.90
Common Stock	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition	'	'	'	'
Proforma net income per share - Basic	$0.64	$0.32	$1.04	$0.98
Common Class B	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition	'	'	'	'
Proforma net income per share - Basic	$0.48	$0.24	$0.78	$0.74

Acquisition_Narrative_Details

Acquisition Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013
Business Acquisition	'	'	'
Recognized receivable contingent upon sale of real property	$500,000	$500,000	$500,000
Recognized amounts identifiable assets acquired, Prepaid Expense	'	'	130,000
Recognized liability contingent upon real property sale preparation costs	'	'	500,000
Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible asset	'	'10 years	'
Acquisition-related costs	'	'	120,000
Net sales of acquiree since acquisition date, actual	$3,000,000	'	'