Oil-Dri Corporation of America (ODC) 10-Q 7 Jun 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017shares
Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Oil-Dri Corp of America
Entity Central Index Key	74,046
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Common Stock
Entity Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	5,107,796
Common Class B
Entity Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	2,188,771

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 13,603	$ 18,629
Short-term investments	18,700	10,184
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $782 and $753 at April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016, respectively	31,969	30,386
Inventories	23,813	23,251
Deferred income taxes	3,884	3,884
Prepaid repairs expense	3,905	3,938
Prepaid expenses and other assets	2,203	901
Total Current Assets	98,077	91,173
Property, Plant and Equipment
Cost	219,715	218,025
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(138,172)	(137,314)
Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	81,543	80,711
Other Assets
Goodwill	9,034	9,034
Trademarks and patents, net of accumulated amortization of $287 and $261 at April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016, respectively	1,136	916
Customer list, net of accumulated amortization of $4,315 and $3,460 at April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016, respectively	3,469	4,325
Deferred income taxes	12,239	12,754
Other	6,555	5,902
Total Other Assets	32,433	32,931
Total Assets	212,053	204,815
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of notes payable	3,083	3,083
Accounts payable	8,105	6,635
Dividends payable	1,485	1,477
Accrued expenses:
Salaries, wages and commissions	7,409	8,656
Trade promotions and advertising	2,848	2,855
Freight	2,203	1,579
Other	7,638	6,455
Total Current Liabilities	32,771	30,740
Noncurrent Liabilities
Notes payable, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $96 and $118 at April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016, respectively	9,154	12,215
Deferred compensation	11,022	10,504
Pension and postretirement benefits	32,758	32,492
Other	3,560	3,313
Total Noncurrent Liabilities	56,494	58,524
Total Liabilities	89,265	89,264
Stockholders’ Equity
Additional paid-in capital	35,676	34,294
Retained earnings	154,966	149,945
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Pension and postretirement benefits	(13,000)	(13,867)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(206)	(155)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	(13,206)	(14,022)
Less Treasury Stock, at cost (2,907,370 Common and 324,741 Class B shares at April 30, 2017 and 2,912,953 Common and 324,741 Class B shares at July 31, 2016)	(55,701)	(55,716)
Total Stockholders' Equity	122,788	115,551
Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity	212,053	204,815
Common Stock
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock, Value, Issued	802	798
Common Class B
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 251	$ 252

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Current Assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 782,000	$ 753,000
Other Assets
Accumulated amortization of trademarks and patents	287,000	261,000
Accumulated amortization of customer lists	4,315,000	3,460,000
Noncurrent Liabilities
Net unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 96,000	$ 118,000
Common Stock
Stockholder's Equity
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares issued	8,015,166	7,982,243
Treasury stock, common shares	2,907,370	2,912,953
Common Class B
Stockholder's Equity
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares issued	2,513,512	2,515,735
Treasury stock, common shares	324,741	324,741

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Net Sales	$ 64,745	$ 64,235	$ 196,531	$ 197,397
Cost of Sales	(46,964)	(45,667)	(138,900)	(139,114)
Gross Profit	17,781	18,568	57,631	58,283
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	(14,035)	(19,803)	(45,252)	(46,342)
Income (Loss) from Operations	3,746	(1,235)	12,379	11,941
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense	(233)	(257)	(722)	(768)
Interest income	22	9	38	18
Other, net	233	250	(4)	185
Total Other Income (Expense), Net	22	2	(688)	(565)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	3,768	(1,233)	11,691	11,376
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit	(557)	341	(2,221)	(3,024)
Net Income (Loss)	3,211	(892)	9,470	8,352
Retained Earnings:
Balance at beginning of period			149,945	142,095
Cash dividends declared and treasury stock issuances			(4,449)	(4,252)
Balance at End of Period	$ 154,966	$ 146,195	$ 154,966	$ 146,195
Net Income Per Share
Diluted Common (in dollars per share)	$ 0.44	$ (0.13)	$ 1.29	$ 1.15
Average Shares Outstanding
Diluted Common (in shares)	7,164	7,041	7,151	7,085
Common Stock
Net Income Per Share
Basic Common (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ (0.14)	$ 1.41	$ 1.25
Average Shares Outstanding
Basic Common (in shares)	5,022	4,986	5,015	4,981
Dividends Declared Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.2200	$ 0.2100	$ 0.6600	$ 0.6300
Common Class B
Net Income Per Share
Basic Common (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ (0.10)	$ 1.06	$ 0.94
Average Shares Outstanding
Basic Common (in shares)	2,088	2,055	2,081	2,049
Dividends Declared Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.1650	$ 0.1575	$ 0.4950	$ 0.4725

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Net Income (Loss)	$ 3,211	$ (892)	$ 9,470	$ 8,352
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Pension and postretirement benefits (net of tax)	289	149	867	457
Cumulative translation adjustment	(100)	292	(51)	142
Other Comprehensive Income	189	441	816	599
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ 3,400	$ (451)	$ 10,286	$ 8,951

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$ 9,470	$ 8,352
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,553	8,991
Amortization of investment net discount	(16)	(6)
Non-cash stock compensation expense	1,137	962
Excess tax benefits for share-based payments	(228)	(68)
Deferred income taxes	531	280
Provision for bad debts and cash discounts	32	149
Loss on the sale of fixed assets	292	199
(Increase) Decrease in assets:
Accounts receivable	(1,665)	2,140
Inventories	(617)	(3,653)
Prepaid expenses	(1,171)	(593)
Other assets	(669)	(270)
Increase (Decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,848	(1,383)
Accrued expenses	627	3,365
Deferred compensation	518	139
Pension and postretirement benefits	1,133	757
Other liabilities	258	48
Total Adjustments	11,563	11,057
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	21,033	19,409
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(10,418)	(7,052)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	60	256
Purchases of short-term investments	(33,006)	(26,977)
Dispositions of short-term investments	24,506	18,680
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(18,858)	(15,093)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal payments on notes payable	(3,083)	(3,484)
Dividends paid	(4,441)	(4,190)
Purchase of treasury stock	(135)	(18)
Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock	0	185
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	170	96
Excess tax benefits for share-based payments	228	68
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	(7,261)	(7,343)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	60	83
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5,026)	(2,944)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	18,629	20,138
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	13,603	17,194
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures accrued, but not paid	554	353
Cash dividends declared and accrued, but not paid	$ 1,485	$ 1,407

Basis of Statement Presentation

Basis of Statement Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
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 fiscal year ended July 31, 2016 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 and reclassifications which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the statements contained herein. Operating results for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2017 are not necessarily an indication of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2017 . The preparation of the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Estimates and assumptions are revised periodically. Actual results could differ from these estimates. We recognize revenue when risk of loss and title are transferred under the terms of our sales agreements with customers at a fixed and determinable price and collection of payment is probable. Trade promotion reserves are provided for sales incentives made directly to consumers, such as coupons, and sales incentives 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 record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our historical experience and a periodic review of our accounts receivable, including a review of the overall aging of accounts and analysis of specific customer accounts. 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. We mine sorbent materials on property that we either own or lease as part of our overall operations. 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. We defer and amortize the pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new mine. 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	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Recently Issued Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance under Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which establishes a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and will supersede most existing revenue guidance. This guidance requires entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to receive in exchange. In March, April, May and December of 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance that further clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue. We are currently in the process of performing a comprehensive evaluation of these requirements, including the impact on how we record certain incentives and advertising arrangements. The implementation date for this guidance was deferred and will now be effective at the beginning of our first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Transition options to implement this guidance include either a full or modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. We have not yet selected an implementation method. In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern , which defines management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. This guidance will be effective for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017. This pronouncement requires additional disclosures only in certain circumstances, and we do not expect a significant impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 330, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The new guidance requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This new guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The guidance must be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 740, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The guidance may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively to all periods presented. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 825, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This guidance addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The provisions relevant to us at this time require the use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, as well as eliminates the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value in such disclosure. This guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and early adoption is generally not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 842, Leases , which provides that, for leases with a term greater than 12 months, a lessee must recognize in the statement of financial position both a liability to make lease payments and an asset representing its right to use the underlying asset. Other requirements describe expense recognition, as well as financial statement presentation and disclosure. This guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2020 using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including accounting for forfeitures, employer tax withholding on share-based compensation and the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies. The new guidance also clarifies the statement of cash flows presentation for certain components of share-based awards. This guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses , which requires companies to utilize an impairment model for most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other financial instruments, which include trade and other receivables, loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, to record an allowance for credit risk based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. In addition, this new guidance changes the recognition method for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities, which can occur as a result of market and credit risk, as well as additional disclosures. In general, this guidance will require modified retrospective adoption for all outstanding instruments that fall under this guidance. This guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 715, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which requires presenting the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item(s) as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. This standard also requires that other components of the net periodic benefit cost be presented separately from the line item(s) that includes service costs and outside of any subtotal of operating income, if one is presented, on a retrospective basis. Additionally, the new guidance limits the components that are eligible for capitalization in assets to only the service cost component. The new guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. There have been no other accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted by us which are expected to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Recently Adopted Pronouncements For the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we adopted FASB guidance under ASC 835, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost, which requires debt issuance costs related to notes payable to be presented as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of these costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. We adopted this guidance retrospectively, which resulted in a decrease in Other Assets of $118,000 with a corresponding decrease in Noncurrent Liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2016. The new requirements had no impact on our results of operations or cash flows.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	INVENTORIES The composition of inventories is as follows (in thousands): April 30, July 31, Finished goods $ 14,684 $ 14,032 Packaging 5,092 4,672 Other 4,037 4,547 Total Inventories $ 23,813 $ 23,251 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 detailed 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 obsolescence reserve 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 April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016 were $831,000 and $806,000 , respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
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 fair value hierarchy are as follows: Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Observable market-based inputs for similar assets or liabilities or valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly. Level 3: Unobservable inputs. Cash equivalents of $1,256,000 and $7,626,000 as of April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016 , respectively, were classified as Level 1. These cash instruments are primarily money market mutual funds and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Short-term investments included U.S. Treasury securities and certificates of deposit. We intend and have the ability to hold our short-term investments to maturity; therefore, these investments were reported at amortized cost, which approximated fair value as of April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016 . Accounts receivable and accounts payable balances approximated their fair values at April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016 due to the short maturity and nature of those balances. Notes payable are reported at the face amount of future maturities. The estimated fair value of notes payable, including current maturities, was $12,957,000 and $16,651,000 as of April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016 , respectively. 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 at least an annual basis associated with: (1) valuing potential impairment loss related to goodwill, trademarks and other indefinite-lived intangible assets and (2) valuing potential impairment loss related to long-lived assets. See Note 5 for further information about goodwill and other intangible assets.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible amortization expense was $306,000 and $363,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Intangible amortization expense was $918,000 and $1,090,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively. Estimated intangible amortization for the remainder of fiscal 2017 is $306,000 . Estimated intangible amortization for the next five fiscal years is as follows (in thousands): 2018 $ 1,014 2019 $ 827 2020 $ 657 2021 $ 473 2022 $ 323 We have one acquired trademark recorded at a cost of $376,000 that was determined to have an indefinite life and is not amortized. We performed our annual goodwill impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and no impairment was identified. There have been no triggering events that would indicate a new impairment analysis is needed.

Pension and Other Postretiremen

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [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 April 30, For the Nine Months Ended April 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 456 $ 370 $ 1,369 $ 1,126 Interest cost 465 479 1,396 1,446 Expected return on plan assets (443 ) (480 ) (1,330 ) (1,442 ) Amortization of: Prior service costs 1 2 2 6 Other actuarial loss 457 239 1,371 735 Net periodic benefit cost $ 936 $ 610 $ 2,808 $ 1,871 Postretirement Health Benefits (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended April 30, For the Nine Months Ended April 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 31 $ 27 $ 94 $ 70 Interest cost 20 21 59 62 Amortization of: Prior service costs (2 ) (2 ) (5 ) (5 ) Other actuarial loss 11 — 31 — Net periodic benefit cost $ 60 $ 46 $ 179 $ 127 The postretirement health plan is an unfunded plan. We pay insurance premiums and claims from our assets. The pension plan is funded based upon actuarially determined contributions that take into account the amount deductible for income tax purposes, the normal cost and the minimum contribution required and the maximum contribution allowed under applicable regulations. We contributed $686,000 and $1,322,000 to our pension plan during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017 , respectively. We estimate contributions will be $335,000 for the remainder of fiscal 2017 . 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 Nine Months Ended April 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost 3.36 % 4.22 % 2.71 % 3.51 % Rate of increase in compensation levels 3.50 % 3.50 % — — Long-term expected rate of return on assets 7.00 % 7.50 % — — The medical cost trend assumption for postretirement health benefits was 7.35% . The graded trend rate is expected to decrease to an ultimate rate of 4.5% in fiscal 2036 .

Operating Segments

Operating Segments	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segment Disclosure	OPERATING SEGMENTS We have two operating segments: (1) Retail and Wholesale Products Group and (2) Business to Business Products Group. These operating segments are managed separately and each segment's major customers have different characteristics. The Retail and Wholesale Products Group customers include: mass merchandisers; wholesale clubs; drugstore chains; pet specialty retail outlets; dollar stores; retail grocery stores; distributors of industrial cleanup and automotive products; environmental service companies; and sports field product users. The Business to Business Products Group customers include: processors and refiners of edible oils, petroleum-based oils and biodiesel fuel; manufacturers of animal feed and agricultural chemicals; distributors of animal health and nutrition products; and marketers of consumer products. Our operating segments are also our reportable segments. 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, 2016 . We do not rely on any 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 April 30, 2017 July 31, 2016 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 60,269 $ 61,007 Retail and Wholesale Products 92,261 91,626 Unallocated Assets 59,523 52,182 Total Assets $ 212,053 $ 204,815 For the Nine Months Ended April 30, Net Sales Income 2017 2016 2017 2016 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 74,893 $ 70,919 $ 25,033 $ 24,049 Retail and Wholesale Products 121,638 126,478 5,996 5,682 Total Sales $ 196,531 $ 197,397 Corporate Expenses (18,650 ) (17,790 ) Income from Operations 12,379 11,941 Total Other Expense, Net (688 ) (565 ) Income before Income Taxes 11,691 11,376 Income Taxes (2,221 ) (3,024 ) Net Income $ 9,470 $ 8,352 For the Three Months Ended April 30, Net Sales Income (Loss) 2017 2016 2017 2016 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 24,159 $ 22,473 $ 7,810 $ 7,304 Retail and Wholesale Products 40,586 41,762 1,516 (4,015 ) Total Sales $ 64,745 $ 64,235 Corporate Expenses (5,580 ) (4,524 ) Income (Loss) from Operations 3,746 (1,235 ) Total Other Income, Net 22 2 Income (Loss) before Income Taxes 3,768 (1,233 ) Income Taxes (557 ) 341 Net Income (Loss) $ 3,211 $ (892 )

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
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 recognize 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. Stock Options A summary of stock options 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 and exercisable, July 31, 2016 10 $ 17.00 0.3 $ 205 Exercised (10 ) $ 17.00 $ 211 Options outstanding and exercisable, April 30, 2017 — No stock options were exercised in the third quarter of either fiscal 2017 or 2016. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options during the first nine months of fiscal years 2017 and 2016 was $170,000 and $281,000 , respectively, and the related tax benefit was $80,000 and $68,000 , respectively. No stock options were granted during the first nine months of either fiscal year 2017 or 2016 . Restricted Stock All of our non-vested restricted stock as of April 30, 2017 was issued under the 2006 Plan with vesting periods between two years and five years . There were no restricted shares of Common Stock granted in the third quarter of fiscal 2017 . There were 500 restricted shares of Common Stock granted during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 . Stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock for the third quarter of fiscal years 2017 and 2016 was $360,000 and $324,000 , respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock for the first nine months of fiscal years 2017 and 2016 was $1,137,000 and $962,000 , respectively. A summary of restricted stock transactions is shown below: Restricted Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2016 194 $ 29.09 Granted 31 $ 36.84 Vested (39 ) $ 26.38 Forfeitures (1 ) $ 31.24 Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at April 30, 2017 185 $ 30.96

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component as of April 30, 2017 (in thousands): Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits Cumulative Translation Adjustment Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Balance as of July 31, 2016 $ (13,867 ) $ (155 ) $ (14,022 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax — (51 ) (51 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 867 a) — 867 Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax 867 (51 ) 816 Balance as of April 30, 2017 $ (13,000 ) $ (206 ) $ (13,206 ) a) Amount is net of tax expense of $532,000 . Amount is included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. See Note 6 for further information.

Related Party Transactions (Not

Related Party Transactions (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS A member of our Board of Directors is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of a customer of ours. Total net sales to that customer, including sales to subsidiaries of that customer, were $142,000 and $140,000 for the third quarters of fiscal 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and were $320,000 and $341,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Outstanding accounts receivable from that customer, and its subsidiaries, were $40,000 and $28,000 as of April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016 , respectively.

Basis of Statement Presentati17

Basis of Statement Presentation Level 2 (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	We recognize revenue when risk of loss and title are transferred under the terms of our sales agreements with customers at a fixed and determinable price and collection of payment is probable. Trade promotion reserves are provided for sales incentives made directly to consumers, such as coupons, and sales incentives 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 record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our historical experience and a periodic review of our accounts receivable, including a review of the overall aging of accounts and analysis of specific customer accounts. 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	We mine sorbent materials on property that we either own or lease as part of our overall operations. 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. We defer and amortize the pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new mine. 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)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [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 detailed 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 obsolescence reserve not only considers specific items, but also takes into consideration the overall value of the inventory as of the balance sheet date.

Fair Value Measurements Fair Va

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement, Policy	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 fair value hierarchy are as follows: Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Observable market-based inputs for similar assets or liabilities or valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly. Level 3: Unobservable inputs.

Operating Segments Level 2 (Pol

Operating Segments Level 2 (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments	We have two operating segments: (1) Retail and Wholesale Products Group and (2) Business to Business Products Group. These operating segments are managed separately and each segment's major customers have different characteristics. The Retail and Wholesale Products Group customers include: mass merchandisers; wholesale clubs; drugstore chains; pet specialty retail outlets; dollar stores; retail grocery stores; distributors of industrial cleanup and automotive products; environmental service companies; and sports field product users. The Business to Business Products Group customers include: processors and refiners of edible oils, petroleum-based oils and biodiesel fuel; manufacturers of animal feed and agricultural chemicals; distributors of animal health and nutrition products; and marketers of consumer products. Our operating segments are also our reportable segments. 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, 2016 .

Stock-Based Compensation Level

Stock-Based Compensation Level 2 (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [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 recognize 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.

Inventories Level 3 (Tables)

Inventories Level 3 (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	The composition of inventories is as follows (in thousands): April 30, July 31, Finished goods $ 14,684 $ 14,032 Packaging 5,092 4,672 Other 4,037 4,547 Total Inventories $ 23,813 $ 23,251

Goodwill and Other Intangible23

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	Estimated intangible amortization for the next five fiscal years is as follows (in thousands): 2018 $ 1,014 2019 $ 827 2020 $ 657 2021 $ 473 2022 $ 323

Pension and Other Postretirem24

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [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 April 30, For the Nine Months Ended April 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 456 $ 370 $ 1,369 $ 1,126 Interest cost 465 479 1,396 1,446 Expected return on plan assets (443 ) (480 ) (1,330 ) (1,442 ) Amortization of: Prior service costs 1 2 2 6 Other actuarial loss 457 239 1,371 735 Net periodic benefit cost $ 936 $ 610 $ 2,808 $ 1,871 Postretirement Health Benefits (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended April 30, For the Nine Months Ended April 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 31 $ 27 $ 94 $ 70 Interest cost 20 21 59 62 Amortization of: Prior service costs (2 ) (2 ) (5 ) (5 ) Other actuarial loss 11 — 31 — Net periodic benefit cost $ 60 $ 46 $ 179 $ 127
Schedule of Assumptions Used	Assumptions used in the previous calculations were as follows: Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits For the Three and Nine Months Ended April 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost 3.36 % 4.22 % 2.71 % 3.51 % Rate of increase in compensation levels 3.50 % 3.50 % — — Long-term expected rate of return on assets 7.00 % 7.50 % — — The medical cost trend assumption for postretirement health benefits was 7.35% . The graded trend rate is expected to decrease to an ultimate rate of 4.5% in fiscal 2036 .

Operating Segments (Tables)

Operating Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments Information	Assets April 30, 2017 July 31, 2016 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 60,269 $ 61,007 Retail and Wholesale Products 92,261 91,626 Unallocated Assets 59,523 52,182 Total Assets $ 212,053 $ 204,815 For the Nine Months Ended April 30, Net Sales Income 2017 2016 2017 2016 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 74,893 $ 70,919 $ 25,033 $ 24,049 Retail and Wholesale Products 121,638 126,478 5,996 5,682 Total Sales $ 196,531 $ 197,397 Corporate Expenses (18,650 ) (17,790 ) Income from Operations 12,379 11,941 Total Other Expense, Net (688 ) (565 ) Income before Income Taxes 11,691 11,376 Income Taxes (2,221 ) (3,024 ) Net Income $ 9,470 $ 8,352 For the Three Months Ended April 30, Net Sales Income (Loss) 2017 2016 2017 2016 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 24,159 $ 22,473 $ 7,810 $ 7,304 Retail and Wholesale Products 40,586 41,762 1,516 (4,015 ) Total Sales $ 64,745 $ 64,235 Corporate Expenses (5,580 ) (4,524 ) Income (Loss) from Operations 3,746 (1,235 ) Total Other Income, Net 22 2 Income (Loss) before Income Taxes 3,768 (1,233 ) Income Taxes (557 ) 341 Net Income (Loss) $ 3,211 $ (892 )

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock Option Transactions	A summary of stock options 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 and exercisable, July 31, 2016 10 $ 17.00 0.3 $ 205 Exercised (10 ) $ 17.00 $ 211 Options outstanding and exercisable, April 30, 2017 —
Schedule of Restricted Stock Transactions	A summary of restricted stock transactions is shown below: Restricted Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2016 194 $ 29.09 Granted 31 $ 36.84 Vested (39 ) $ 26.38 Forfeitures (1 ) $ 31.24 Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at April 30, 2017 185 $ 30.96

Accumulated Other Comprehensi27

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income by Component	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component as of April 30, 2017 (in thousands): Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits Cumulative Translation Adjustment Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Balance as of July 31, 2016 $ (13,867 ) $ (155 ) $ (14,022 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax — (51 ) (51 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 867 a) — 867 Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax 867 (51 ) 816 Balance as of April 30, 2017 $ (13,000 ) $ (206 ) $ (13,206 ) a) Amount is net of tax expense of $532,000 . Amount is included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. See Note 6 for further information.

New Accounting Pronouncements N

New Accounting Pronouncements Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle
Net unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 96,000	$ 118,000

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Inventory
Finished goods	$ 14,684	$ 14,032
Packaging	5,092	4,672
Other	4,037	4,547
Total Inventories	$ 23,813	$ 23,251

Inventories Narrative (Details)

Inventories Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Inventory
Inventory obsolescence reserve	$ 831,000	$ 806,000

Fair Value Measurements Narrati

Fair Value Measurements Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Cash Equivalents	$ 1,256,000	$ 7,626,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Notes Payable, Fair Value	$ 12,957,000	$ 16,651,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible32

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2017USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
2,018	$ 1,014
2,019	827
2,020	657
2,021	473
2,022	$ 323

Goodwill and Other Intangible33

Goodwill and Other Intangibles Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 306,000	$ 363,000	$ 918,000	$ 1,090,000
Amortization expense for remainder of current fiscal year	306,000		306,000
Indefinite-lived trademarks	$ 376,000		$ 376,000
Goodwill impairment loss					$ 0

Pension and Other Postretirem34

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Service cost	$ 456	$ 370	$ 1,369	$ 1,126
Interest cost	465	479	1,396	1,446
Expected return on plan assets	(443)	(480)	(1,330)	(1,442)
Amortization of Prior service costs	1	2	2	6
Amortization of Other actuarial loss	457	239	1,371	735
Net periodic benefit cost	936	610	2,808	1,871
Postretirement Health Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Service cost	31	27	94	70
Interest cost	20	21	59	62
Amortization of Prior service costs	(2)	(2)	(5)	(5)
Amortization of Other actuarial loss	11	0	31	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 60	$ 46	$ 179	$ 127

Pension and Other Postretirem35

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Assumptions (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	3.36%	4.22%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.50%	3.50%
Long-term expected rate of return on assets	7.00%	7.50%
Postretirement Health Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	2.71%	3.51%
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 Postretirem36

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017USD ($)
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Employer contributions	$ 686,000	$ 1,322,000
Estimated contributions in remainder of current fiscal year		$ 335,000
Postretirement Health Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Medical Cost Trend Assumption		7.35%
Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate		4.50%
Year that Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate	2,036	2,036

Operating Segments (Details)

Operating Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	$ 212,053		$ 212,053		$ 204,815
Total Sales	64,745	$ 64,235	196,531	$ 197,397
Corporate Expenses	(5,580)	(4,524)	(18,650)	(17,790)
Income (Loss) from Operations	3,746	(1,235)	12,379	11,941
Total Other Income (Expense), Net	22	2	(688)	(565)
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	3,768	(1,233)	11,691	11,376
Income Taxes	(557)	341	(2,221)	(3,024)
Net Income (Loss)	3,211	(892)	9,470	8,352
Business to Business Products
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	60,269		60,269		61,007
Segment Net Sales	24,159	22,473	74,893	70,919
Segment Income (Loss)	7,810	7,304	25,033	24,049
Retail and Wholesale Products
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	92,261		92,261		91,626
Segment Net Sales	40,586	41,762	121,638	126,478
Segment Income (Loss)	1,516	$ (4,015)	5,996	$ 5,682
Unallocated Assets
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	$ 59,523		$ 59,523		$ 52,182

Operating Segments Narrative (D

Operating Segments Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017segment
Segment Reporting Information
Number of Reportable Segments	2

Stock-Based Compensation Stock

Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option (Details) - Stock Options - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Options outstanding, beginning balance			10,000
Options exercisable, beginning balance			10,000
Exercised, number of shares	0	0	10,000
Options outstanding, ending balance	0		0	10,000
Options exercisable, ending balance	0		0	10,000
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance			$ 17
Options exercisable, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance			17
Exercised, weighted average exercise price			$ 17
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance				$ 17
Options exercisable, weighted average exercise price, ending balance				$ 17
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term				3 months 24 days
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term				3 months 24 days
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value, beginning balance			$ 205
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value, beginning balance			205
Exercised, aggregate intrinsic value			$ 211
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value, ending balance				$ 205
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value, ending balance				$ 205

Stock-Based Compensation Summar

Stock-Based Compensation Summary of Restricted Stock Transactions (Details) - Restricted Stock shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding, beginning balance | shares	194
Granted, number of shares | shares	31
Vested, number of shares | shares	(39)
Forfeitures, number of shares | shares	1
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding, ending balance | shares	185
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value, beginning balance | $ / shares	$ 29.09
Granted, weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	36.84
Vested, weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	26.38
Forfeitures, weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	31.24
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value, ending balance | $ / shares	$ 30.96

Stock-Based Compensation Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Exercised, number of shares	0	0	10,000
Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options			$ 170,000	$ 281,000
Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options			$ 80,000	$ 68,000
Options, Granted (shares)			0	0
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Granted, number of shares			31,000
2006 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Number Authorized (shares)	937,500		937,500
2006 Plan | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award Vesting Period, Minimum (years)			2 years
Award Vesting Period, Maximum (years)			5 years
Granted, number of shares	0	500
Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 360,000	$ 324,000	$ 1,137,000	$ 962,000
2006 Plan - Director Stock Option | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award Vesting Period (Years)			1 year
2006 Plan - Employee Stock Options | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
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

Accumulated Other Comprehensi42

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Balance, beginning			$ (14,022)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax			(51)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			867
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 189	$ 441	816	$ 599
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Balance, ending	(13,206)		(13,206)
Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Balance, beginning			(13,867)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			867
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax			867
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Balance, ending	(13,000)		(13,000)
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Balance, beginning			(155)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax			(51)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			0
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax			(51)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Balance, ending	$ (206)		$ (206)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi43

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Tax for reclassification adjustment from AOCI for pension and other postretirement benefits	$ 532,000

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - Director [Member] - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 142,000	$ 140,000	$ 320,000	$ 341,000
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current	$ 40,000		$ 40,000		$ 28,000