Brady (BRC) 10-K 16 Sep 20 2020 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Sep. 14, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	BRC
Entity Registrant Name	BRADY CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000746598
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 2,613,354,710
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-14959
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	WI
Entity Tax Identification Number	39-0178960
Entity Address, Address Line One	6555 West Good Hope Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Milwaukee,
Entity Address, State or Province	WI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	53223
City Area Code	414
Local Phone Number	358-6600
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,466,712
Class B Voting Common Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,538,628

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 217,643	$ 279,072
Accounts receivable—net	146,181	158,114
Inventories	135,662	120,037
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,962	16,056
Total current assets	509,448	573,279
Property, plant and equipment—net	115,068	110,048
Goodwill	416,034	410,987
Other intangible assets	22,334	36,123
Deferred income taxes	8,845	7,298
Operating lease assets	41,899	0
Other assets	28,838	19,573
Total	1,142,466	1,157,308
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	62,547	64,810
Accrued compensation and benefits	41,546	62,509
Taxes, other than income taxes	8,057	8,107
Accrued income taxes	8,652	6,557
Other current liabilities	49,782	49,796
Current operating lease liabilities	15,304	0
Current maturities on long-term debt	0	50,166
Total current liabilities	185,888	241,945
Other liabilities	61,524	64,589
Long-term operating lease liabilities	31,982	0
Total liabilities	279,394	306,534
Stockholders’ equity:
Class A nonvoting common stock — Issued 51,261,487 shares, and outstanding 48,456,954 and 49,458,841 shares, respectively (aggregate liquidation preference of $42,716 and $42,803, respectively)	513	513
Class B voting common stock — Issued and outstanding 3,538,628 shares	35	35
Additional paid-in capital	331,761	329,969
Retained earnings	704,456	637,843
Treasury stock — 2,804,533 and 1,802,646 shares, respectively, of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost	(107,216)	(46,332)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(66,477)	(71,254)
Total stockholders’ equity	863,072	850,774
Total	$ 1,142,466	$ 1,157,308

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, shares issued	51,261,487	51,261,487
Common Stock Aggregate Liquidation Preference	$ 42,803	$ 42,803
Treasury stock, shares	2,804,533	1,802,646
Class B Voting Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, shares issued	3,538,628	3,538,628
Common stock, shares outstanding	3,538,628	3,538,628

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Net sales	$ 1,081,299	$ 1,160,645	$ 1,173,851
Cost of goods sold	552,734	581,967	585,560
Gross margin	528,565	578,678	588,291
Operating expenses:
Research and development	40,662	45,168	45,253
Selling, general and administrative	336,059	371,082	390,342
Total operating expenses	390,542	416,250	435,595
Operating income	138,023	162,428	152,696
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income	5,079	5,046	2,487
Interest expense	(2,166)	(2,830)	(3,168)
Income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate	140,936	164,644	152,015
Income tax expense	28,321	33,386	60,955
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income (Loss) From Equity Method Investments	112,615	131,258	91,060
Net income	$ 112,369	$ 131,258	$ 91,060
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	52,763	52,596	51,677
Diluted (in shares)	53,231	53,323	52,524
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 13,821	$ 0	$ 0
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$ (246)	$ 0	$ 0
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Earnings per share:
Net income per share, basic	$ 2.13	$ 2.50	$ 1.76
Net income per share, diluted	2.11	2.46	1.73
Dividends	0.87	0.85	0.83
Class B Voting Common Stock [Member]
Earnings per share:
Net income per share, basic	2.11	2.48	1.75
Net income per share, diluted	2.10	2.45	1.72
Dividends	$ 0.85	$ 0.83	$ 0.81

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 112,369	$ 131,258	$ 91,060
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	6,640	(13,223)	(13,675)
Cash flow hedges:
Net (loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive loss			966
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	(614)	(1,048)	551
Total cash flow hedges	(1,190)	(211)	1,517
Pension and other post-retirement benefits:
Net (loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(468)	(97)	446
Net actuarial gain amortization	(380)	(569)	(576)
Total pension and other post-retirement benefits	(848)	(666)	(130)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	4,602	(14,100)	(12,288)
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	175	(753)	569
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	4,777	(14,853)	(11,719)
Comprehensive income	$ 117,146	$ 116,405	$ 79,341

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Beginning Balances at Jul. 31, 2017	$ 700,140	$ 548	$ 322,608	$ 507,136	$ (85,470)	$ (44,682)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	91,060
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(11,719)					(11,719)
Stock Issued, Value, Stock Options Exercised and Restricted Stock Vested			(7,171)		(16,234)
Stockholder's equity, other					(422)
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions			214
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition			9,980
Stock-based compensation expense	9,980
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value					1,462
Payment of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Class A				(39,998)
Payment of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Class B				(2,875)
Ending Balances at Jul. 31, 2018	752,112	548	325,631	553,454	(71,120)	(56,401)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	131,258
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(14,853)					(14,853)
Stock Issued, Value, Stock Options Exercised and Restricted Stock Vested			(7,963)		(27,970)
Stockholder's equity, other					0
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions			209
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition			12,092
Stock-based compensation expense	12,092
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value					3,182
Payment of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Class A				(41,784)
Payment of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Class B				(2,948)
Ending Balances at Jul. 31, 2019	850,774	548	329,969	637,843	(46,332)	(71,254)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	112,369
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	4,777					4,777
Stock Issued, Value, Stock Options Exercised and Restricted Stock Vested			(7,184)		(3,630)
Stockholder's equity, other					0
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions			134
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition			8,843
Stock-based compensation expense	8,843
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	(64,514)
Payment of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Class A				(42,736)
Payment of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Class B				(3,020)
Ending Balances at Jul. 31, 2020	$ 863,072	$ 548	$ 331,762	$ 704,456	$ (107,216)	$ (66,477)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 112,369	$ 131,258	$ 91,060
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	23,437	23,799	25,442
Stock-based compensation expense	8,843	12,092	9,980
Gain on sale of business, net	0	0	(4,666)
Deferred income taxes	(764)	7,825	33,656
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	246	0	0
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	2,611	2,347	(15)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business acquisitions/divestitures):
Accounts receivable	13,902	3,496	(16,612)
Inventories	(13,917)	(9,922)	(7,563)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,477	368	1,747
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(26,128)	(11,903)	13,106
Income taxes	2,080	2,851	(3,093)
Net cash provided by operating activities	140,977	162,211	143,042
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(27,277)	(32,825)	(21,777)
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments	(6,000)	0	0
Sale of business, net of cash transferred with business	0	0	19,141
Other	(2,842)	(1,638)	(269)
Net cash used in investing activities	(36,119)	(34,463)	(2,905)
Financing activities:
Payment of dividends	(45,756)	(44,732)	(42,873)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,511	25,658	12,999
Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-based Payment Arrangement	(9,065)	(5,651)	(3,936)
Purchase of treasury stock	(64,514)	(3,182)	(1,462)
Proceeds from borrowing on credit facilities	20,697	13,637	23,221
Repayment of borrowing on credit facilities	21,855	13,568	78,419
Principal payments on debt	(48,672)	0	0
Other	134	210	(210)
Net cash used in financing activities	(163,520)	(27,628)	(90,680)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,767)	(2,475)	(1,974)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(61,429)	97,645	47,483
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	279,072	181,427	133,944
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	217,643	279,072	181,427
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	2,401	2,651	2,976
Income taxes	$ 29,600	$ 24,335	$ 33,267

Other Comprehensive Income Othe

Other Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	Other Comprehensive Loss Other comprehensive loss consists of foreign currency translation adjustments which includes net investment hedges, unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges, and the unamortized gain on post-retirement plans, net of their related tax effects. The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the periods presented: Unrealized gain (loss) on Unamortized gain on postretirement plans Foreign currency Accumulated other comprehensive loss Ending balance, July 31, 2018 $ 863 $ 3,302 $ (60,566) $ (56,401) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification 630 67 (14,195) (13,498) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (786) (569) — (1,355) Ending balance, July 31, 2019 $ 707 $ 2,800 $ (74,761) $ (71,254) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification (447) (332) 6,303 5,524 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (460) (287) — (747) Ending balance, July 31, 2020 $ (200) $ 2,181 $ (68,458) $ (66,477) The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of July 31, 2020, compared to July 31, 2019, was primarily due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against certain other currencies during the fiscal year, most of which occurred in the last month of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. The foreign currency translation adjustments column in the table above includes the impact of foreign currency translation and the settlements of net investment hedges, net of tax. Of the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, unrealized gains on cash flow hedges were reclassified to "Cost of goods sold" and unamortized gains on post-retirement plans were reclassified into "Investment and other income" on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table illustrates the income tax benefit (expense) on the components of other comprehensive income (loss): Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss): Cash flow hedges $ 283 $ 55 $ (669) Pension and other post-retirement benefits 229 164 (64) Other income tax adjustments and currency translation (337) (972) (567) Adoption of accounting standard ASU 2018-02 — — 1,869 Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) $ 175 $ (753) $ 569

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate consists of the following: Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 United States $ 69,433 $ 55,077 $ 48,903 Other Nations 71,503 109,567 103,112 Total $ 140,936 $ 164,644 $ 152,015 Income tax expense consists of the following: Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Current income tax expense: United States $ 3,031 $ 2,232 $ 2,830 Other Nations 25,133 22,445 26,593 States (U.S.) 1,160 913 910 $ 29,324 $ 25,590 $ 30,333 Deferred income tax expense (benefit): United States $ 1,072 $ 8,451 $ 30,267 Other Nations (2,065) (667) (1,462) States (U.S.) (10) 12 1,817 $ (1,003) $ 7,796 $ 30,622 Total income tax expense $ 28,321 $ 33,386 $ 60,955 On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform Act”) was enacted. Among the significant changes to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, the Tax Reform Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0%, imposed a one-time tax on deemed repatriated income of foreign subsidiaries, eliminated the domestic manufacturing deduction and moved to a partial territorial system by providing a 100% dividend received deduction on certain qualified dividends from foreign subsidiaries. The tax effects of temporary differences are as follows as of July 31, 2020 and 2019: July 31, 2020 Assets Liabilities Total Inventories $ 4,385 $ (58) $ 4,327 Prepaid catalog costs — (15) (15) Employee compensation and benefits 3,339 (72) 3,267 Accounts receivable 1,518 — 1,518 Fixed assets 3,663 (7,285) (3,622) Intangible assets 1,026 (31,488) (30,462) Deferred and equity-based compensation 7,851 — 7,851 Postretirement benefits 3,002 (31) 2,971 Tax credit and net operating loss carry-forwards 56,447 — 56,447 Valuation allowances (58,809) — (58,809) Other, net 11,786 (4,700) 7,086 Total $ 34,208 $ (43,649) $ (9,441) July 31, 2019 Assets Liabilities Total Inventories $ 3,856 $ (1) $ 3,855 Prepaid catalog costs — (631) (631) Employee compensation and benefits 7,021 (89) 6,932 Accounts receivable 943 (233) 710 Fixed assets 3,125 (6,869) (3,744) Intangible assets 1,432 (31,415) (29,983) Deferred and equity-based compensation 7,352 — 7,352 Postretirement benefits 2,659 (71) 2,588 Tax credit and net operating loss carry-forwards 62,966 — 62,966 Valuation allowances (60,073) — (60,073) Other, net 7,406 (7,961) (555) Total $ 36,687 $ (47,270) $ (10,583) Tax credit carry-forwards as of July 31, 2020 consist of the following: • Foreign net operating loss carry-forwards of $96,104, of which $86,063 have no expiration date and the remainder of which expire within the next 17 years. • State net operating loss carry-forwards of $29,109, which expire from 2025 to 2040. • Foreign tax credit carry-forwards of $24,633, which expire from 2021 to 2029. • State R&D credit carry-forwards of $12,714, which expire from 2021 to 2035. Rate Reconciliation A reconciliation of the income tax rate computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate to the total income tax expense is as follows: Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Tax at statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 26.9 % State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 1.0 % 0.3 % 1.6 % International rate differential (1) 5.1 % 2.2 % (1.1) % Rate variances arising from foreign subsidiary distributions 0.2 % (0.4) % 0.8 % Foreign tax credit carryforward valuation allowance (2) (1.4) % 1.8 % 14.1 % Divestiture of business (3) — % — % (0.8) % Adjustments to tax accruals and reserves (4) (2.0) % (3.6) % 2.2 % Non-deductible executive compensation (5) 0.5 % 2.3 % 0.5 % Research and development tax credits and domestic manufacturer’s deduction (2.0) % (1.6) % (2.0) % Deferred tax and other adjustments, net (2.3) % (1.7) % (2.1) % Income tax rate 20.1 % 20.3 % 40.1 % (1) Represents the foreign income tax rate differential when compared to the U.S. statutory income tax rate for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. (2) The year ended July 31, 2018, includes the establishment of a valuation allowance against foreign tax credit carryforwards as a result of the Tax Reform Act. (3) The year ended July 31, 2018, includes the divestiture of the Company's Runelandhs business based in Sweden. Refer to Note 15, "Divestiture" for additional information. (4) The years ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, include reductions of uncertain tax positions resulting from the closure of audits and lapses in statues of limitations, while the year ended July 31, 2018, includes increases in uncertain tax positions. (5) The years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, include non-deductible compensation such as salaries, bonuses, and other equity compensation of the Company's executives (as defined in Internal Revenue Service Code Section 162(m)). Uncertain Tax Positions The Company follows the guidance in ASC 740, "Income Taxes" regarding uncertain tax positions. The guidance requires application of a more-likely-than-not threshold to the recognition and de-recognition of income tax positions. A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) is as follows: Balance at July 31, 2017 $ 18,362 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 2,467 Additions for tax positions of prior years 1,586 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (23) Lapse of statute of limitations (489) Settlements with tax authorities (1,277) Cumulative translation adjustments and other (196) Balance as of July 31, 2018 $ 20,430 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 2,518 Additions for tax positions of prior years 612 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (378) Lapse of statute of limitations (8,140) Cumulative translation adjustments and other (201) Balance as of July 31, 2019 $ 14,841 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 2,798 Additions for tax positions of prior years 1,295 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (5,087) Lapse of statute of limitations (117) Cumulative translation adjustments and other (108) Balance as of July 31, 2020 $ 13,622 Of the $13,622 of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, $10,557 would affect the Company's income tax rate. The Company has classified $8,931 and $10,218, excluding interest and penalties, of the reserve for uncertain tax positions in "Other liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company has classified $4,691 and $4,623, excluding interest and penalties, as a reduction of long-term deferred income tax assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Interest expense is recognized on the amount of potentially underpaid taxes associated with the Company's tax positions, beginning in the first period in which interest starts accruing under the respective tax law and continuing until the tax positions are settled. The Company recognized a decrease of $372, an decrease of $1,013, and an increase of $556 in interest expense during the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. There was a $96 decrease to the reserve for uncertain tax positions for penalties during the year ended July 31, 2020, a decrease of $2,357 during the year ended July 31, 2019, and an increase of $83 during the year end July 31, 2018. These amounts are net of reversals due to reductions for tax positions of prior years, statute of limitations, and settlements. At July 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $1,354 and $1,740, respectively, accrued for interest on unrecognized tax benefits. Penalties are accrued if the tax position does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid the payment of a penalty. At July 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $658 and $663, respectively, accrued for penalties on unrecognized tax benefits. Interest expense and penalties are recorded as a component of "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company estimates that it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits may be reduced by $1,437 within 12 months as a result of the resolution of worldwide tax matters, tax audit settlements, amended tax filings, and/or the expiration of statute of limitations, all of which, if recognized, would result in an income tax benefit in the Consolidated Statements of Income. During the year ended July 31, 2020, the Company recognized $504 of tax benefits (including interest and penalties) associated with the lapse of statutes of limitations. The Company also recognized $5,133 of tax benefits (including interest and penalties) associated with the reduction of tax positions for prior years due to the closure of certain tax audits. The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S., various states, and foreign jurisdictions. The following table summarizes the open tax years for the Company's major jurisdictions: Jurisdiction Open Tax Years United States — Federal F’18 — F’20

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Divestitures [Abstract]
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]	DivestitureOn May 31, 2018, the Company sold Runelandhs Försäljnings AB (“Runelandhs”), a business based in Kalmar, Sweden. Runelandhs is a direct marketer of industrial and office equipment. Its products include lifting, transporting, and warehouse equipment; workbenches and material handling supplies; products for environmental protection; and entrance, reception, and office furnishings. The Runelandhs business was part of the Company’s WPS segment and its income was not material. The Company received proceeds of $19,141, net of cash transferred with the business. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax and after-tax gain of $4,666, which was included in SG&A expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended July 31, 2018. The divestiture of the Runelandhs business was part of the Company’s continued long-term growth strategy to focus the Company’s energies and resources on growth of the Company’s core businesses.

Other Comprehensive Income Ot_2

Other Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the periods presented: Unrealized gain (loss) on Unamortized gain on postretirement plans Foreign currency Accumulated other comprehensive loss Ending balance, July 31, 2018 $ 863 $ 3,302 $ (60,566) $ (56,401) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification 630 67 (14,195) (13,498) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (786) (569) — (1,355) Ending balance, July 31, 2019 $ 707 $ 2,800 $ (74,761) $ (71,254) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification (447) (332) 6,303 5,524 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (460) (287) — (747) Ending balance, July 31, 2020 $ (200) $ 2,181 $ (68,458) $ (66,477)
Other Comprehensive Income, Tax [Table Text Block]	The following table illustrates the income tax benefit (expense) on the components of other comprehensive income (loss): Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss): Cash flow hedges $ 283 $ 55 $ (669) Pension and other post-retirement benefits 229 164 (64) Other income tax adjustments and currency translation (337) (972) (567) Adoption of accounting standard ASU 2018-02 — — 1,869 Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) $ 175 $ (753) $ 569

Other Comprehensive Income Sche

Other Comprehensive Income Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ (71,254)	$ (56,401)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification	5,524	(13,498)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(747)	1,355
Income Tax Effects Allocated Directly to Equity, Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle	0	0	$ 1,869
Ending balance	(66,477)	(71,254)	(56,401)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	707	863
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification	(447)	630
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(460)	786
Ending balance	(200)	707	863
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(74,761)	(60,566)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification	6,303	(14,195)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Ending balance	(68,458)	(74,761)	(60,566)
Gain on post-retirement plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	2,800	3,302
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification	(332)	67
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(287)	569
Ending balance	$ 2,181	$ 2,800	$ 3,302

Other Comprehensive Income Ot_3

Other Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income, Tax - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Other Comprehensive Income, Tax [Abstract]
Cash flow hedges	$ 283	$ 55	$ (669)
Pension and other post-retirement benefits	229	164	(64)
Other income tax adjustments and currency translation	(337)	(972)	(567)
Income Tax Effects Allocated Directly to Equity, Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle	0	0	1,869
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 175	$ (753)	$ 569

Acquisitions - Additional Infor

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	$ 19,141,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	$ (4,666,000)

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations — Brady Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products and people. The ability to provide customers with a broad range of proprietary, customized, and diverse products for use in various applications, along with a commitment to quality and service, a global footprint, and multiple sales channels, have made Brady a world leader in many of its markets. Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Brady Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in the associated company where the Company has significant influence and generally 20% to 50% ownership interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates — The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"), which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly-liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Concentration of Credit Risk — The Company places temporary cash investments with global financial institutions of high credit quality. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of its financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution. In addition, the Company has a broad customer base representing many diverse industries throughout the globe. Consequently, no significant concentration of credit risk is considered to exist. Accounts Receivables — Accounts receivables are stated at net realizable value. Specific customer reserves are made during review of significant outstanding balances due, in which customer creditworthiness and current economic trends may indicate that it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. In addition, general reserves are made for the remainder of accounts receivable based on historical loss experience, the age of the delinquent receivable balances due, and economic conditions. Accounts receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $7,157 and $5,005 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and include material, labor, and overhead. Cost has been determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for certain inventories in the U.S. (14.7% of total inventories at July 31, 2020, and 13.4% of total inventories at July 31, 2019) and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods for other inventories. Had all inventories been accounted for on a FIFO basis instead of on a LIFO basis, the carrying value of inventories would have increased by $7,195 and $7,259 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Inventories consist of the following as of July 31: 2020 2019 Finished products $ 85,547 $ 77,532 Work-in-process 24,044 20,515 Raw materials and supplies 26,071 21,990 Total inventories $ 135,662 $ 120,037 Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective asset. The estimated useful lives range from 3 to 33 years as shown below. Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of July 31: Range of Useful Lives 2020 2019 Land $ 9,960 $ 9,752 Buildings and improvements 10 to 33 Years 105,129 99,685 Machinery and equipment 3 to 10 Years 267,795 266,991 Construction in progress 8,432 7,500 Property, plant and equipment—gross 391,316 383,928 Accumulated depreciation (276,248) (273,880) Property, plant and equipment—net $ 115,068 $ 110,048 Depreciation expense was $18,218, $18,023, and $19,009 for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Goodwill — The Company evaluates the carrying amount of goodwill annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate the goodwill might be impaired. The Company completes impairment reviews for its reporting units using a fair-value method based on management's judgments and assumptions. When performing its annual impairment assessment, the Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill assigned to each of its reporting units by comparing the estimated fair value of the respective reporting unit to the carrying value, including goodwill. The Company estimates fair value utilizing the income approach and the market approach. The income approach requires management to make a number of assumptions and estimates for each reporting unit, including projected future operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, working capital levels, income tax rates, and a weighted-average cost of capital reflecting the specific risk profile of the respective reporting unit. The market approach estimates fair value using performance multiples of comparable publically-traded compa nies. In the event the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, including goodwill, an impairment loss, if any, is recognized for the difference between the implied fair value and the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill. The annual impairment testing performed on May 1, 2020, indicated that all reporting units with remaining goodwill had a fair value substantially in excess of its carrying value. No goodwill impairment charges were recognized during the year ended July 31, 2020. Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets — Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as well as goodwill are not subject to amortization. These assets are assessed for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate the asset may not be recoverable or that the remaining estimated useful life may warrant revision. In addition, the Company performs qualitative assessments on a quarterly basis of significant events and circumstances, such as historical and current results, assumptions regarding future performance, and strategic initiatives and overall economic factors. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of the asset to the carrying value. Fair value is estimated using the income approach based upon current sales projections applying the relief from royalty method. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets, operating lease assets, and property, plant, and equipment, for recoverability by comparing an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows, derived from internal forecasts, over the remaining life of the primary asset to the carrying amount of the asset group. To the extent the undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. Indicators of impairment primarily in the WPS segment consisted of a decline in sales in certain of its businesses resulting from the economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of impairment assessments performed, impairment charges of $13,821 were recognized in connection with writing down the carrying values of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets to their respective fair values during the year ended July 31, 2020. Refer to Note 3, "Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets" for further information regarding impairment charges during fiscal 2020. Leases — The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at contract inception. The contract is considered to contain a lease if it provides the Company with the right to direct the use of and the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from an identified asset in exchange for consideration. The Company recognizes a right-of-use ("ROU") asset and lease liability for its lease commitments with initial terms greater than one year. The initial measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of future lease payments over the expected lease term. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made on or before the commencement date, initial direct costs incurred, and is reduced by any lease incentives received. Some of the Company’s leases include options to extend the lease agreement, of which the exercise is at the Company’s sole discretion. The majority of renewal options are not included in the calculation of ROU assets and liabilities as they are not reasonably certain to be exercised. Some of the Company's lease agreements include rental payments that are adjusted periodically for inflation or the change in an index or rate. These variable lease payments are generally excluded from the initial measurement of the ROU asset and lease liability and are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The Company has lease agreements that include both lease and non-lease components, which the Company has elected to account for as a single lease component. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company determines the present value of future lease payments using its incremental borrowing rate, as the discount rate implicit within the Company’s leases generally cannot be readily determined. The incremental borrowing rate is estimated based on the sovereign credit rating for the countries in which the Company has its largest operations, adjusted for several factors, such as internal credit spread, lease terms, and other market information available at the lease commencement date. As of July 31, 2020, all leases are accounted for as operating leases, with lease expense being recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating leases are reflected in “Operating lease assets,” “Current operating lease liabilities,” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating lease expense is recognized in either cost of goods sold or selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, based on the nature of the lease. ROU assets are evaluated for impairment in the same manner as long-lived assets. Impairment charges of $2,475 were recognized related to operating lease assets during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. Refer to Note 3, "Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets" for additional information regarding the impairment charges recognized. Revenue Recognition — The majority of the Company’s revenue relates to the sale of identification solutions and workplace safety products to customers. The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which was adopted on August 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Revenue is recognized when control of the product or service transfers to the customer in an amount that represents the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those products and services. The Company considers control to have transferred when legal title, physical possession, and the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the asset have transferred to the customer and the collection of the transaction price is reasonably assured, most of which occur upon shipment or delivery of goods to customers. Given the nature of the Company’s business, revenue recognition practices do not contain estimates that materially affect the results of operations, with the exception of estimated customer returns and credit memos. The Company records an allowance for estimated product returns and credit memos using the expected value method based on historical experience, which is recognized as a deduction from net sales at the time of sale. As of July 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a reserve for estimated product returns and credit memos of $6,295 and $5,796, respectively. Sales Incentives — The Company accounts for cash consideration (such as sales incentives, rebates, and cash discounts) given to its customers or resellers as a reduction of revenue. Sales incentives for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were $38,476, $40,811, and $40,671, respectively. Shipping and Handling Costs — Shipping and handling fees billed to a customer in a sale transaction are reported as net sales and the related costs incurred for shipping and handling are reported in cost of goods sold. Advertising Costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $63,482, $62,454, and $67,429, respectively. Stock-Based Compensation — The Company measures and recognizes the compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees and directors based on estimated grant-date fair values. The Black-Scholes option valuation model is used to determine the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant. The Company recognizes the compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, of all share-based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. If it is determined that it is unlikely the award will vest, the expense recognized to date for the award is reversed in the period in which this is evident and the remaining expense is not recorded. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of assumptions which determine the fair value of stock-based awards. The Company uses historical data regarding stock option exercise behaviors to estimate the expected term of options granted based on the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s historical dividend payments and historical yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the grant date for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the option. The market value is calculated as the average of the high and the low stock price on the date of the grant. Refer to No te 7, “Stockholders' Equity” for more information regarding the Company’s incentive stock plans. Research and Development — Amounts expended for research and development are expensed as incurred. Other Comprehensive Income — Other comprehensive income consists of net unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges, the unamortized gain on defined-benefit pension plans net of their related tax effects, and foreign currency translation adjustments, which includes the impact of foreign currency translations and the settlements of net investment hedges. Foreign Currency Translation — The assets and liabilities of subsidiaries whose functional currency is a currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated into United States dollars at end of period rates of exchange, and income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates of exchange for the period. Resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income. Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740 "Income Taxes." Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to be realized or settled. Valuation allowances are established when it is estimated that it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company recognizes the benefit of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the tax authority. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs. Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company believes that the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current liabilities) approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Refer to Note 6, "Debt" for more information regarding the fair value of long-term debt and Note 13, "Fair Value Measurements" for information regarding fair value measurements. Foreign Currency Hedging — The objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management is to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions and minimize the foreign currency translation impact on the Company’s foreign operations. While the Company’s risk management objectives and strategies are driven from an economic perspective, the Company attempts, where possible and practical, to ensure that the hedging strategies it engages in qualify for hedge accounting and result in accounting treatment where the earnings effect of the hedging instrument provides substantial offset (in the same period) to the income effect of the hedged item. The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges are recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and are reclassified into the same income statement line item in the period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects income. Refer to Note 14, "Derivatives and Hedging Activities" for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. New Accounting Standards Adopted Standards In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" ("ASC 842"), which replaced the former lease accounting standards. The update requires, among other items, lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from most leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements," which provides, among other items, an additional transition method allowing a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings during the period of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 (and related updates) effective August 1, 2019, using the optional transition method provided in ASU 2018-11 to apply this guidance to the impacted lease population at the date of initial application. Results for reporting periods beginning after August 1, 2019, are presented under ASU 2016-02, while comparative prior period amounts have not been restated and continue to be presented under accounting standards in effect during those periods. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted within the new standard, which among other things, allows the Company to carryforward the historical lease accounting of expired or existing leases with respect to lease identification, lease classification and accounting treatment for initial direct costs as of the adoption date. The Company also elected the practical expedient related to lease versus nonlease components, allowing the Company to recognize lease and nonlease components as a single lease. Lastly, the Company elected the hindsight practical expedient, allowing the Company to use hindsight in determining the lease term and assessing impairment of right-of-use assets when transitioning to ASC 842. The Company has made a policy election not to capitalize leases with an initial term of 12 months or less. Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company recorded additional operating lease assets and liabilities of $55,984 and $58,544, respectively, as of August 1, 2019, which included operating lease assets and liabilities of $9,769 and $9,674, respectively, for leases that commenced on the adoption date of August 1, 2019. No cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings was recognized upon adoption of the new standard. Adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on the Company's cash flows or operating results. Refer to Note 4 "Leases" for add itional information and required disclosures under the new standard. In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which simplifies and reduces the complexity of the hedge accounting requirements and better aligns an entity's financial reporting for hedging relationships with its risk management activities. The guidance is effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2017-12 effective August 1, 2019, using the required modified retrospective adoption approach to apply this guidance to existing hedging relationships as of the adoption date, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Standards not yet adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. Current guidance requires the recognition of credit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflects losses once the losses are probable. Under ASU 2016-13, the Company will be required to use a current expected credit loss model ("CECL") that will immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables. The CECL model uses a broader range of reasonable and supportable information in the development of credit loss estimates. This guidance becomes effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective August 1, 2020, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." The new guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance, effective August 1, 2020. This guidance will only impact the Company's consolidated financial statements if there is a future impairment of goodwill. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)." The new guidance removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 such as recognizing deferred taxes for equity investments, the incremental approach to performing intraperiod tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The standard also simplifies accounting for income taxes under U.S. GAAP by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of deferred taxes for goodwill, the allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group and requiring that an entity reflect the effect of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after Dec ember 15, 2020, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted	Standards not yet adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. Current guidance requires the recognition of credit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflects losses once the losses are probable. Under ASU 2016-13, the Company will be required to use a current expected credit loss model ("CECL") that will immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables. The CECL model uses a broader range of reasonable and supportable information in the development of credit loss estimates. This guidance becomes effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective August 1, 2020, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." The new guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance, effective August 1, 2020. This guidance will only impact the Company's consolidated financial statements if there is a future impairment of goodwill. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)." The new guidance removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 such as recognizing deferred taxes for equity investments, the incremental approach to performing intraperiod tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The standard also simplifies accounting for income taxes under U.S. GAAP by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of deferred taxes for goodwill, the allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group and requiring that an entity reflect the effect of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after Dec ember 15, 2020, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Goodwill Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, were as follows: IDS WPS Total Balance as of July 31, 2018 $ 385,524 $ 34,291 $ 419,815 Translation adjustments (6,519) (2,309) (8,828) Balance as of July 31, 2019 $ 379,005 $ 31,982 $ 410,987 Translation adjustments 3,342 1,705 5,047 Balance as of July 31, 2020 $ 382,347 $ 33,687 $ 416,034 The annual impairment testing performed on May 1, 2020, in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other” (“Step One”) indicated that all of the reporting units with remaining goodwill (IDS Americas & Europe, PDC, and WPS Europe) passed Step One of the goodwill impairment test as each had a fair value substantially in excess of its carrying value.

Intangible Assets, Goodwill and

Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets Disclosure	Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets Other intangible assets include customer relationships and tradenames with finite lives being amortized in accordance with the accounting guidance for other intangible assets. The Company also has unamortized indefinite-lived tradenames that are classified as other intangible assets. The net book value of these assets was as follows: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Weighted Gross Accumulated Net Book Weighted Gross Accumulated Net Book Amortized other intangible assets: Customer relationships and other 9 $ 45,385 $ (32,670) $ 12,715 9 $ 46,595 $ (29,343) $ 17,252 Unamortized other intangible assets: Tradenames N/A 9,619 — 9,619 N/A 18,871 — 18,871 Total $ 55,004 $ (32,670) $ 22,334 $ 65,466 $ (29,343) $ 36,123 The change in the gross carrying amount of other intangible assets as of July 31, 2020 compared to July 31, 2019 was primarily due to $8,665 of impairment charges recognized and to a lesser extent the effect of currency translations during the fiscal year. The Company evaluates other intangible and long-lived assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate the asset may not be recoverable or that the remaining estimated useful life may warrant revision. As a result of the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on both the global economic environment and the Company’s supply chain, operations, and customer demand, the Company performed an interim analysis during the third quarter of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. Indefinite-lived tradenames were valued using the income approach based upon current sales projections applying the relief from royalty method. As a result of the analysis, indefinite-lived tradenames with a carrying amount of $9,328 were written down to their estimated fair value of $663 during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. Consistent with the circumstances leading to the intangible asset impairment, the Company performed an interim recoverability and fair value test of other long-lived assets in certain businesses within both the IDS and WPS segments. Long-lived assets were evaluated for recoverability by comparing undiscounted future cash flows derived from internal forecasts to the carrying amount of the asset. For specific long-lived assets, this analysis resulted in an amount that was less than the carrying value of the asset. The Company measured the impairment loss of long-lived assets as the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeded their fair value. As a result of the analysis, impairment charges of $2,681 were recognized related to property, plant and equipment, of which $2,353 and $328 related to the IDS and WPS segments, respectively. In addition, impairment charges of $2,475 were recognized related to operating lease assets, of which $2,035 and $440 related to the WPS and IDS segments, respectively. These items resulted in a total impairment charge of $13,821 recognized in "Impairment charges" on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. In addition to the interim impairment assessments described above, the Company performed its annual impairment test of other intangible and long-lived assets on May 1, 2020. As a result of the annual analysis, no additional impairment charges were recognized. Amortization expense on intangible assets during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $5,219, $5,776, and $6,433, respectively. Amortization expense over each of the next five fiscal years is projected to be $5,384, $5,140, and $2,191 for the fiscal years ending July 31, 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively. No amortization expense for intangible assets is projected after July 31, 2023.

Leases, Codification Topic 842

Leases, Codification Topic 842	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Leases	Leases The Company leases certain manufacturing facilities, warehouses and office space, computer equipment, and vehicles accounted for as operating leases. Lease terms typically range from one year to fifteen years. As of July 31, 2020, the Company did not have any finance leases. The Company evaluates right-of-use assets for impairment in the same manner as long-lived assets. Refer to Note 3, "Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets" for information regarding impairment charges recognized during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. Short-term lease expense, variable lease expenses, and sublease income were immaterial to the Consolidated Statements of Income for the for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. The following table summarizes lease expense recognized for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020: Consolidated Statements of Income Location 2020 Operating lease cost Cost of goods sold $ 9,197 Operating lease cost Selling, general, and administrative expenses 8,974 Lease expense of $19,984 and $15,938 was recognized in operating expenses for the years ended July 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The following table summarizes the maturity of the Company's lease liabilities as of July 31, 2020: Years ended July 31, Operating Leases 2021 $ 16,684 2022 14,703 2023 9,819 2024 5,677 2025 2,413 Thereafter 955 Total lease payments $ 50,251 Less: interest (2,965) Present value of lease liabilities $ 47,286 The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates for the Company's operating leases as of July 31, 2020 were as follows: July 31, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) 3.5 Weighted average discount rate 3.5 % Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating leases for the twelve months ended July 31, 2020, was as follows: Twelve months ended July 31, 2020 Operating cash outflows from operating leases $ 17,123 Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 12,641 Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities include $9,769 of operating lease assets related to leases that commenced on August 1, 2019, which were included in the adoption impact of the new lease accounting standard. The following table summarizes future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of July 31, 2019: Years ended July 31, Operating Leases 2020 $ 18,450 2021 16,132 2022 13,439 2023 10,065 2024 5,656 Thereafter 3,502 Total future minimum lease payments $ 67,244
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating leases for the twelve months ended July 31, 2020, was as follows: Twelve months ended July 31, 2020 Operating cash outflows from operating leases $ 17,123 Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 12,641

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans The accounting guidance on defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans requires full recognition of the funded status of defined benefit and other postretirement plans on the balance sheet as an asset or a liability. The guidance also requires that unrecognized prior service costs/credits, gains/losses, and transition obligations/assets be recorded in AOCI, thus not changing the income statement recognition rules for such plans. The Company provides postretirement medical benefits (the “Plan”) for eligible regular full and part-time domestic employees (including spouses) who retired prior to January 1, 2016, as outlined by the Plan. The Plan is unfunded, and the liability, unrecognized gain , and associated income statement impact are immaterial. The liability is recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2020 and 2019. The unrecognized gain is reported as a component of AOCI. The Company also has two deferred compensation plans, the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and the Director Deferred Compensation Plan which allow for compensation to be deferred into either the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or in other investment funds. Neither plan allows funds to be transferred between the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and the other investment funds. The Company also has an additional non-qualified deferred compensation plan, the Brady Restoration Plan, which allows an equivalent benefit to the Matched 401(k) Plan and the Funded Retirement Plan for executives' income exceeding the IRS limits for participation in a qualified 401(k) plan. Deferred compensation of $18,606 and $15,744 was included in "Other liabilities" in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company has retirement and profit-sharing plans covering substantially all full-time domestic employees and certain employees of its foreign subsidiaries. Contributions to the plans are determined annually or quarterly, according to the respective plan, based on income of the respective companies and employee contributions. Accrued retirement and profit-sharing contributions of $3,577 and $3,342 were included in "Other current liabilities" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The amounts charged to expense for these retirement and profit sharing plans were $12,129, $14,158, and $14,395 during the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Obligations	Debt On May 13, 2010, the Company completed a private placement of €75.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to accredited institutional investors. The €75.0 million of senior notes consisted of €30.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.71% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, which were repaid during fiscal 2017, and €45.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.24% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, which were repaid during fiscal 2020. The Company funded the private placement principal payments due during the year ended July 31, 2020 with cash on hand. The Company had no outstanding debt as of July 31, 2020. As of July 31, 2019, the Company's outstanding debt balance consisted of the €45.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.24% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, which was included in "Current maturities on long-term debt" in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. On August 1, 2019, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an unsecured $200 million multi-currency revolving loan agreement with a group of five banks that replaced and terminated the Company’s previous loan agreement that had been entered into on September 25, 2015. Under the new revolving loan agreement, the Company has the option to select either a Eurocurrency rate loan that bears interest at the LIBOR rate plus a margin based on the Company's consolidated net leverage ratio or a base interest rate (based upon the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, the prime rate of the Bank of Montreal plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio, or the Eurocurrency base rate at the LIBOR rate plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio plus 1%). At the Company's option, and subject to cer tain conditions, the available amount under the revolving loan agreement may be increased from $200 million to $400 million. The maximum amount outstanding on the Company's revolving loan agreement during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 was $16.2 million. As of July 31, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding on the credit facility. The Company had letters of credit outstanding under the loan agreement of $3.1 million as of July 31, 2020 and there was $196.9 million available for future borrowing, which can be increased to $396.9 million at the Company's option, subject to certain conditions. The revolving loan agreement has a final maturity date of August 1, 2024, as such, any borrowing would be classified as long-term on the accompanying Consolidated Balances Sheets. The Company's revolving loan agreement requires it to maintain certain financial covenants, including a ratio of debt to the trailing twelve months EBITDA, as defined in the debt agreements, of not more than a 3.5 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio) and the trailing twelve months EBITDA to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). As of July 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants. The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $3,116 and $3,271 at July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Stockholder's Investments

Stockholder's Investments	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholder's Investments	Stockholders' Equity Information as to the Company’s capital stock at July 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Shares Shares (thousands) Shares Shares (thousands) Preferred Stock, $.01 par value 5,000,000 5,000,000 Cumulative Preferred Stock: 5,000 5,000 1972 Series 10,000 10,000 1979 Series 30,000 30,000 Common Stock, $.01 par value: Class A Nonvoting 100,000,000 51,261,487 $ 513 100,000,000 51,261,487 $ 513 Class B Voting 10,000,000 3,538,628 35 10,000,000 3,538,628 35 $ 548 $ 548 Before any dividend may be paid on the Class B Common Stock, holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive an annual, noncumulative cash dividend of $0.01665 per share. Thereafter, any further dividend in that fiscal year must be paid on each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on an equal basis. Other than as required by law, holders of the Class A Common Stock are not entitled to any vote on corporate matters, unless, in each of the three preceding fiscal years, the $0.01665 preferential dividend described above has not been paid in full. Holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share for the entire fiscal year immediately following the third consecutive fiscal year in which the preferential dividend is not paid in full. Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and for all other purposes. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, and after distribution of any amounts due to holders of Preferred Stock, if any, holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive the sum of $0.833 per share before any payment or distribution to holders of the Class B Common Stock. Thereafter, holders of the Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive a payment or distribution of $0.833 per share. Thereafter, holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock share equally in all payments or distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. The preferences in dividends and liquidation rights of the Class A Common Stock over the Class B Common Stock will terminate at any time that the voting rights of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock become equal. The following is a summary of other activity in stockholders’ equity for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018: Deferred Compensation Shares Held in Rabbi Trust, at cost Total Balances at July 31, 2017 $ 8,124 $ (8,124) $ — Shares at July 31, 2017 314,082 314,082 Sale of shares at cost $ (977) $ 977 $ — Purchase of shares at cost 1,075 (1,075) — Balances at July 31, 2018 $ 8,222 $ (8,222) $ — Shares at July 31, 2018 299,916 299,916 Sale of shares at cost $ (928) $ 928 $ — Purchase of shares at cost 1,212 (1,212) — Balances at July 31, 2019 $ 8,506 $ (8,506) $ — Shares at July 31, 2019 285,533 285,533 Sale of shares at cost $ (460) $ 460 $ — Purchase of shares at cost 1,293 (1,293) — Balances at July 31, 2020 $ 9,339 $ (9,339) $ — Shares at July 31, 2020 292,329 292,329 Deferred Compensation Plans The Company has two deferred compensation plans, the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and the Director Deferred Compensation Plan that allow for compensation to be deferred into either the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or into other investment funds. Neither plan allows funds to be transferred between the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and the other investment funds. At July 31, 2020, the deferred compensation balance in stockholders’ equity represents the investment at the original cost of shares held in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for the deferred compensation plans. The balance of shares held in the Rabbi Trust represents the investment in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock at the original cost of all the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock held in deferred compensation plans. Incentive Stock Plans The Company has an incentive stock plan under which the Board of Directors may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), or restricted and unrestricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to employees and non-employee directors. Certain awards may be subject to pre-established performance goals. As of July 31, 2020, the Company has reserved 1,554,402 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for outstanding stock options and RSUs and 3,348,834 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock remain for future issuance of stock options, RSUs and restricted and unrestricted shares under the active plans. The Company uses treasury stock or will issue new Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to deliver shares under these plans. Total stock-based compensation expense recognized by the Company during the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, was $8,843 ($8,048 net of taxes), $12,092 ($10,628 net of taxes), and $9,980 ($7,485 net of taxes), respectively. As of July 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation awards that are expected to vest was $9,334 pre-tax, net of estimated forfeitures, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. Stock Options The stock options issued under the plan have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a three The Company has estimated the fair value of its time-based stock option awards granted during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model are reflected in the following table: Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions 2020 2019 2018 Expected term (in years) 6.20 6.20 6.07 Expected volatility 26.07 % 26.05 % 28.19 % Expected dividend yield 2.63 % 2.71 % 2.72 % Risk-free interest rate 1.64 % 3.01 % 1.96 % Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date $ 54.05 $ 43.96 $ 36.85 Weighted-average exercise price $ 54.05 $ 43.96 $ 36.85 Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period $ 10.63 $ 9.70 $ 7.96 The following is a summary of stock option activity for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020: Time-Based Options Option Price Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price Balance as of July 31, 2019 $ 19.96 — $43.98 1,594,716 $ 31.63 New grants 54.05 247,297 54.05 Exercised 19.96 — 43.98 (556,143) 27.21 Forfeited 22.66 — 54.05 (12,488) 39.59 Balance as of July 31, 2020 $ 19.96 — $54.05 1,273,382 $ 37.84 The total fair value of options vested during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, was $2,800, $2,864, and $3,006, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, was $14,692, $20,969, and $6,208, respectively. There were 776,273 , 1,025,811, and 1,722,229 options exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $31.50 , $27.06, and $26.82 at July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The cash received from the exercise of stock options during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, was $5,511 , $23,466, and $12,099, respectively. The tax benefit on options exercised during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, was $3,673, $5,242, and $1,893, respectively. The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at July 31, 2020: Options Outstanding Options Outstanding and Exercisable Range of Exercise Prices Number of Shares Outstanding at July 31, 2020 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Weighted Average Exercise Price Shares Exercisable at July 31, 2020 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Weighted Average Exercise Price $19.96 - $29.99 265,600 4.1 $ 22.07 265,600 4.1 $ 22.07 $30.00 - $39.99 519,870 6.2 35.36 433,576 6.0 35.07 $40.00 - $54.05 487,912 8.7 49.06 77,097 8.2 43.96 Total 1,273,382 6.7 $ 37.84 776,273 5.5 $ 31.50 As of July 31, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value (defined as the amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of an option) of options outstanding and the options exercisable was $11,964 and $10,940, respectively. RSUs RSUs issued under the plan have a grant date fair value equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. Shares issued under the plan are referred to herein as either "time-based" or "performance-based" RSUs. The time-based RSUs issued under the plan generally vest ratably over a three The following tables summarize the RSU activity for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020: Time-Based RSUs Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Balance as of July 31, 2019 188,638 $ 38.15 New grants 76,358 53.38 Vested (107,187) 35.49 Forfeited (2,849) 43.73 Balance as of July 31, 2020 154,960 $ 47.39 The time-based RSUs granted during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019, had a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $44.20. The total fair value of time-based RSUs vested during the years ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, was $9,776 and $9,859, respectively. Performance-Based RSUs Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Balance as of July 31, 2019 158,410 $ 38.33 New grants (1) 71,921 75.00 Vested (87,928) 32.03 Forfeited (16,343) 52.16 Balance as of July 31, 2020 126,060 $ 50.61 (1) Includes 32,975 shares resulting from the payout of performance-based RSUs granted in fiscal year 2018 due to achievement of performance metrics exceeding the target payout. The performance-based RSUs granted during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, had a weighted-average grant-date fair value determined by a third-party valuation involving the use of a Monte Carlo simulation. The performance-based RSUs granted during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019, had a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $50.70. The aggregate intrinsic value of unvested time-based and performance-based RSUs outstanding at July 31, 2020 and 2019, and expected to vest, was $14,013 and $17,953, respectively.

Revenue Recognition (Notes)

Revenue Recognition (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when control of the product or service transfers to the customer at an amount that represents the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those products and services. Nature of Products The Company’s revenues are primarily from the sale of identification solutions and workplace safety products that are shipped and billed to customers. All revenue is from contracts with customers and is included in “Net sales” on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 10 “Segment Information” for the Company’s disaggregated revenue disclosure. Performance Obligations The Company’s contracts with customers consist of purchase orders, which in some cases are governed by master supply or distributor agreements. For each contract, the Company considers the commitment to transfer tangible products, which are generally capable of being distinct, to be separate performance obligations. The majority of the Company's revenue is earned and recognized at a point in time through ship-and-bill performance obligations where the customer typically obtains control of the product upon shipment or delivery, depending on freight terms. The Company considers control to have transferred if legal title, physical possession, and the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the asset have transferred to the customer and the Company has a present right to payment. In almost all cases, control transfers once a product is shipped or delivered, as this is when the customer is able to direct and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits associated with use of the asset. Transaction Price and Variable Consideration Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transfer of product to a customer. The transaction price is generally the price stated in the contract specific for each item sold, adjusted for all applicable variable considerations. Variable considerations generally include discounts, returns, credits, rebates, or other allowances that reduce the transaction price. Certain discounts and price assurances are fixed and known at the time of sale. The Company estimates the amount of variable consideration and reduces the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The expected value method is used to estimate expected returns and allowances based on historical experience. The most likely amount method is used to estimate customer rebates, which are offered retrospective and typically defined in the master supply or distributor agreement. Payment Terms While the Company’s standard payment terms are net 30 days, the specific payment terms and conditions in its contracts with customers vary by type and location of the customer. Cash discounts may be offered to certain customers. The Company has payment terms in its contracts with customers of less than one year and has elected the practical expedient applicable to such contracts and does not consider the time value of money. Warranties The Company offers standard warranty coverage on substantially all products which provides the customer with assurance that the product will function as intended. This standard warranty coverage is accounted for as an assurance warranty and is not considered to be a separate performance obligation. The Company records a liability for product warranty obligations at the time of sale based on historical warranty experience that is included in cost of goods sold. The Company also offers extended warranty coverage for certain products, which it accounts for as service warranties. In most cases, the extended service warranty is included in the sales price of the product and is not sold separately. The Company considers the extended service warranty to be a separate performance obligation and allocates a portion of the transaction price to the service warranty based on the estimated stand-alone selling price. At the time of sale, the extended warranty transaction price is recorded as deferred revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the service warranty period. The deferred revenue is considered a contract liability as the Company has a right to payment at the time the product with the related extended service warranty is shipped or delivered and therefore, payment is received in advance of the Company's performance. Contract Balances The balance of contract liabilities associated with service warranty performance obligations was $2,559 and $2,782 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. This also represents the amount of unsatisfied performance obligations related to contracts that extend beyond one year. The current portion and non-current portion of contract liabilities are included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities," respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Comp any recognized revenue of $1,251 that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period from the amortization of extended service warranties. Of the contract liability balance outstanding at July 31, 2020, the Company expects to recognize 41% by the end of fiscal 2021, an additional 28% by the end of fiscal 2022, and the balance thereafter. Costs of Obtaining a Contract The Company expenses incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract (e.g., sales commissions) when incurred because the amortization period is generally twelve months or less. Contract costs are included in "Selling, general and administrative expense" on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company is organized and managed on a global basis within three operating segments, Identification Solutions ("IDS"), Workplace Safety ("WPS"), and People Identification ("PDC"), which aggregate into two reportable segments that are organized around businesses with consistent products and services: IDS and WPS. The IDS and PDC operating segments aggregate into the IDS reporting segment, while the WPS reporting segment is comprised solely of the Workplace Safety operating segment. Following is a summary of segment information as of and for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018: 2020 2019 2018 Net sales: ID Solutions Americas $ 532,357 $ 577,156 $ 556,172 Europe 165,490 193,852 197,737 Asia 86,860 92,092 92,178 Total $ 784,707 $ 863,100 $ 846,087 Workplace Safety Americas $ 92,513 $ 98,788 $ 106,910 Europe 152,407 150,480 170,265 Australia 51,672 48,277 50,589 Total $ 296,592 $ 297,545 $ 327,764 Total Company Americas $ 624,870 $ 675,944 $ 663,082 Europe 317,897 344,332 368,002 Asia-Pacific 138,532 140,369 142,767 Total $ 1,081,299 $ 1,160,645 $ 1,173,851 Depreciation & amortization: ID Solutions $ 20,745 $ 21,387 $ 22,075 WPS 2,692 2,412 3,367 Total Company $ 23,437 $ 23,799 $ 25,442 Segment profit: ID Solutions $ 150,639 $ 164,953 $ 143,411 WPS 21,019 23,025 31,712 Total Company $ 171,658 $ 187,978 $ 175,123 Assets: ID Solutions $ 737,589 $ 740,437 $ 737,174 WPS 187,234 137,799 138,329 Corporate 217,643 279,072 181,428 Total Company $ 1,142,466 $ 1,157,308 $ 1,056,931 Expenditures for property, plant & equipment: ID Solutions $ 17,637 $ 17,849 $ 17,283 WPS 9,640 14,976 4,494 Total Company $ 27,277 $ 32,825 $ 21,777 Following is a reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018: Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Total profit from reportable segments $ 171,658 $ 187,978 $ 175,123 Unallocated costs: Administrative costs (19,814) (25,550) (27,093) Impairment charges (1) (13,821) — — Gain on sale of business (2) — — 4,666 Investment and other income 5,079 5,046 2,487 Interest expense (2,166) (2,830) (3,168) Income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate $ 140,936 $ 164,644 $ 152,015 (1) Of the total $13,821 impairment charges recognized in the year ended July 31, 2020, $11,029 related to the WPS segment and $2,792 related to the IDS segment. (2) Gain on sale of business during the year ended July 31, 2018 relates to the WPS segment. Revenues* Long-Lived Assets** 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 Geographic information: United States $ 627,160 $ 674,924 $ 663,935 $ 361,005 $ 365,205 $ 366,638 Other 509,530 546,923 573,652 234,330 191,953 193,710 Eliminations (55,391) (61,202) (63,736) — — — Consolidated total $ 1,081,299 $ 1,160,645 $ 1,173,851 $ 595,335 $ 557,158 $ 560,348 * Revenues are attributed based on country of origin. ** Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, other intangible assets, and operating lease assets.

Net Income per Common Share

Net Income per Common Share	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Earnings per Common Share	Net Income per Common Share Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income (after deducting the applicable preferential Class A Common Stock dividends) by the weighted average Common Shares outstanding. The Company utilizes the two-class method to calculate income per share. Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows: Years ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Numerator (in thousands): Net Income (Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share) $ 112,369 $ 131,258 $ 91,060 Less: Preferential dividends (828) (815) (799) Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options (10) (13) (14) Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class B Voting Common Share $ 111,531 $ 130,430 $ 90,247 Denominator (in thousands): Denominator for basic income per share for both Class A and Class B 52,763 52,596 51,677 Plus: Effect of dilutive equity awards 468 727 847 Denominator for diluted income per share for both Class A and Class B 53,231 53,323 52,524 Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: Basic $ 2.13 $ 2.50 $ 1.76 Diluted $ 2.11 $ 2.46 $ 1.73 Net income per Class B Voting Common Share: Basic $ 2.11 $ 2.48 $ 1.75 Diluted $ 2.10 $ 2.45 $ 1.72 Potentially dilutive securities attributable to outstanding stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share where the combined exercise price and average unamortized fair value were greater than the average market price of Brady's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. The amount of anti-dilutive shares were 387,382, 372,255, and 751,200 for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements In accordance with fair value accounting guidance, the Company determines fair value based on the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy: Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that are accessible as of the reporting date. Level 2 — Other significant pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable. Level 3 — Significant unobservable pricing inputs, which result in the use of management's own assumptions. The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019, according to the valuation techniques the Company used to determine their fair values. July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Fair Value Hierarchy Assets: Trading securities $ 18,606 $ 15,744 Level 1 Foreign exchange contracts 594 474 Level 2 Liabilities: Foreign exchange contracts $ 777 $ 5 Level 2 The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument: Trading securities : The Company’s deferred compensation investments consist of investments in mutual funds, which are included in "Other assets" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments were classified as Level 1 as the shares of these investments trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis. Foreign exchange contracts : The Company’s foreign exchange contracts were classified as Level 2 as the fair value was based on the present value of the future cash flows using external models that use observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves and foreign exchange rates. See Note 14 , “Derivatives and Hedging Activities,” for additional information. There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value hierarchy levels, outlined above, during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019. See Note 6 for information regarding the fair value of the Company's short-term and long-term debt.

Derivatives and Hedging Activit

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	Derivatives and Hedging Activities The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate at a future date, with maturities of less than 18 months, which qualify as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management program is to minimize the impact of currency movements due to transactions in other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currency and to minimize the impact of currency movements on the Company’s net investment denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange contracts. Main foreign currency exposures are related to transactions denominated in the British Pound, Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Mexican Peso, Chinese Yuan, Malaysian Ringgit and Singapore dollar. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions. The U.S. dollar equivalent notional amounts of outstanding forward exchange contracts were as follows: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Designated as cash flow hedges $ 24,600 $ 26,013 Non-designated hedges 3,107 3,376 Total foreign exchange contracts $ 27,707 $ 29,389 Cash Flow Hedges The Company has designated a portion of its forward foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. For these instruments, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects income. At July 31, 2020 and 2019, unrealized losses of $385 and gains of $805 have been included in AOCI, respectively. Net Investment Hedges The Company has designated certain third party-foreign currency denominated debt instruments as net investment hedges. On May 13, 2010, the Company completed the private placement of €75.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes consisting of €30.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.71% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, which were repaid during fiscal 2017, and €45.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.24% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, which were repaid during fiscal 2020. This Euro-denominated debt obligation was designated as a net investment hedge to selectively hedge portions of the Company's net investment in European operations. The Company’s foreign denominated debt obligations are valued under a market approach using publicized spot prices, and the net gains or losses attributable to the changes in spot prices are recorded as cumulative translation within AOCI and are included in the foreign currency translation adjustments section of the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. As of July 31, 2020 and 2019, the cumulative balance recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income were gains of $13,957 and $12,440, respectively, on the Euro-denominated debt obligations. The following table summarizes the amount of pre-tax gains and losses related to derivatives designated as hedging instruments: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 July 31, 2018 (Losses) gains recognized in OCI: Foreign exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) $ (576) $ 837 $ 966 Foreign currency denominated debt (net investment hedges) 1,517 2,480 612 Gains reclassified from OCI into cost of goods sold: Forward exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) 614 1,048 (551) Non-Designated Hedges During the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company recognized gains of $2, losses of $52, and gains of $24, respectively, in “Investment and other income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income related to non-designated hedges. Fair values of derivative and hedging instruments in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Prepaid expenses and Other current liabilities Prepaid expenses and Other current liabilities Current maturities on Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) $ 588 $ 761 $ 472 $ — $ — Foreign currency denominated debt (net investment hedges) — — — — 50,189 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange contracts 6 16 2 5 — Total derivative instruments $ 594 $ 777 $ 474 $ 5 $ 50,189

Unaudited Quarterly Financial I

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information	Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information Quarters First Second Third Fourth Total Fiscal 2019 Net sales $ 293,196 $ 282,426 $ 289,745 $ 295,278 $ 1,160,645 Gross margin 146,539 139,810 145,749 146,580 578,678 Operating income 40,622 36,030 39,621 46,155 162,428 Net income 30,637 29,227 34,781 36,613 131,258 Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: Basic $ 0.59 $ 0.56 $ 0.66 $ 0.69 $ 2.50 Diluted $ 0.58 $ 0.55 $ 0.65 $ 0.68 $ 2.46 Fiscal 2020 Net sales $ 286,947 $ 276,665 $ 265,943 $ 251,744 $ 1,081,299 Gross margin 141,405 139,127 129,527 118,506 528,565 Operating income* 40,891 41,244 22,669 33,219 138,023 Net income 37,498 33,553 13,633 27,685 112,369 Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: Basic $ 0.71 $ 0.63 $ 0.26 $ 0.53 $ 2.13 Diluted $ 0.70 $ 0.62 $ 0.26 $ 0.53 $ 2.11 * In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company recognized before tax impairment charges of $13,821.

Subsequent Events Subsequent Ev

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events On September 15, 2020, the Company announced an increase in the annual dividend to shareholders of the Company's Class A Common Stock, from $0.87 to $0.88 per share. A quarterly dividend of $0.22 will be paid on October 30, 2020, to shareholders of record at the close of busines s on October 9, 2020. This dividend represents an increase of 1.1% and is the 35th consecutive annual increase in dividends.

Schedule II Valuation of Qualif

Schedule II Valuation of Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Year ended July 31, Description 2020 2019 2018 (Dollars in thousands) Valuation accounts deducted in balance sheet from assets to which they apply — Accounts receivable — allowance for doubtful accounts: Balances at beginning of period $ 5,005 $ 4,471 $ 4,629 Additions — Charged to expense 2,495 587 752 Deductions — Bad debts written off, net of recoveries (343) (53) (910) Balances at end of period $ 7,157 $ 5,005 $ 4,471 Inventory — Reserve for slow-moving inventory: Balances at beginning of period $ 13,404 $ 12,582 $ 14,322 Additions — Charged to expense 5,722 3,168 2,797 Deductions — Inventory write-offs (2,817) (2,346) (4,537) Balances at end of period $ 16,309 $ 13,404 $ 12,582 Valuation allowances against deferred tax assets: Balances at beginning of period $ 60,073 $ 56,866 $ 38,563 Additions during year 6,204 5,981 24,184 Deductions — Valuation allowances reversed/utilized (7,468) (2,774) (5,881) Balances at end of period $ 58,809 $ 60,073 $ 56,866

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations — Brady Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products and people. The ability to provide customers with a broad range of proprietary, customized, and diverse products for use in various applications, along with a commitment to quality and service, a global footprint, and multiple sales channels, have made Brady a world leader in many of its markets. Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Brady Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in the associated company where the Company has significant influence and generally 20% to 50% ownership interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates — The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"), which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly-liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Concentration of Credit Risk — The Company places temporary cash investments with global financial institutions of high credit quality. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of its financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution. In addition, the Company has a broad customer base representing many diverse industries throughout the globe. Consequently, no significant concentration of credit risk is considered to exist. Accounts Receivables — Accounts receivables are stated at net realizable value. Specific customer reserves are made during review of significant outstanding balances due, in which customer creditworthiness and current economic trends may indicate that it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. In addition, general reserves are made for the remainder of accounts receivable based on historical loss experience, the age of the delinquent receivable balances due, and economic conditions. Accounts receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $7,157 and $5,005 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and include material, labor, and overhead. Cost has been determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for certain inventories in the U.S. (14.7% of total inventories at July 31, 2020, and 13.4% of total inventories at July 31, 2019) and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods for other inventories. Had all inventories been accounted for on a FIFO basis instead of on a LIFO basis, the carrying value of inventories would have increased by $7,195 and $7,259 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Inventories consist of the following as of July 31: 2020 2019 Finished products $ 85,547 $ 77,532 Work-in-process 24,044 20,515 Raw materials and supplies 26,071 21,990 Total inventories $ 135,662 $ 120,037 Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective asset. The estimated useful lives range from 3 to 33 years as shown below. Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of July 31: Range of Useful Lives 2020 2019 Land $ 9,960 $ 9,752 Buildings and improvements 10 to 33 Years 105,129 99,685 Machinery and equipment 3 to 10 Years 267,795 266,991 Construction in progress 8,432 7,500 Property, plant and equipment—gross 391,316 383,928 Accumulated depreciation (276,248) (273,880) Property, plant and equipment—net $ 115,068 $ 110,048 Depreciation expense was $18,218, $18,023, and $19,009 for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Goodwill — The Company evaluates the carrying amount of goodwill annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate the goodwill might be impaired. The Company completes impairment reviews for its reporting units using a fair-value method based on management's judgments and assumptions. When performing its annual impairment assessment, the Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill assigned to each of its reporting units by comparing the estimated fair value of the respective reporting unit to the carrying value, including goodwill. The Company estimates fair value utilizing the income approach and the market approach. The income approach requires management to make a number of assumptions and estimates for each reporting unit, including projected future operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, working capital levels, income tax rates, and a weighted-average cost of capital reflecting the specific risk profile of the respective reporting unit. The market approach estimates fair value using performance multiples of comparable publically-traded compa nies. In the event the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, including goodwill, an impairment loss, if any, is recognized for the difference between the implied fair value and the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill. The annual impairment testing performed on May 1, 2020, indicated that all reporting units with remaining goodwill had a fair value substantially in excess of its carrying value. No goodwill impairment charges were recognized during the year ended July 31, 2020. Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets — Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as well as goodwill are not subject to amortization. These assets are assessed for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate the asset may not be recoverable or that the remaining estimated useful life may warrant revision. In addition, the Company performs qualitative assessments on a quarterly basis of significant events and circumstances, such as historical and current results, assumptions regarding future performance, and strategic initiatives and overall economic factors. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of the asset to the carrying value. Fair value is estimated using the income approach based upon current sales projections applying the relief from royalty method. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets, operating lease assets, and property, plant, and equipment, for recoverability by comparing an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows, derived from internal forecasts, over the remaining life of the primary asset to the carrying amount of the asset group. To the extent the undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. Indicators of impairment primarily in the WPS segment consisted of a decline in sales in certain of its businesses resulting from the economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of impairment assessments performed, impairment charges of $13,821 were recognized in connection with writing down the carrying values of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets to their respective fair values during the year ended July 31, 2020. Refer to Note 3, "Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets" for further information regarding impairment charges during fiscal 2020. Leases — The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at contract inception. The contract is considered to contain a lease if it provides the Company with the right to direct the use of and the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from an identified asset in exchange for consideration. The Company recognizes a right-of-use ("ROU") asset and lease liability for its lease commitments with initial terms greater than one year. The initial measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of future lease payments over the expected lease term. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made on or before the commencement date, initial direct costs incurred, and is reduced by any lease incentives received. Some of the Company’s leases include options to extend the lease agreement, of which the exercise is at the Company’s sole discretion. The majority of renewal options are not included in the calculation of ROU assets and liabilities as they are not reasonably certain to be exercised. Some of the Company's lease agreements include rental payments that are adjusted periodically for inflation or the change in an index or rate. These variable lease payments are generally excluded from the initial measurement of the ROU asset and lease liability and are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The Company has lease agreements that include both lease and non-lease components, which the Company has elected to account for as a single lease component. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company determines the present value of future lease payments using its incremental borrowing rate, as the discount rate implicit within the Company’s leases generally cannot be readily determined. The incremental borrowing rate is estimated based on the sovereign credit rating for the countries in which the Company has its largest operations, adjusted for several factors, such as internal credit spread, lease terms, and other market information available at the lease commencement date. As of July 31, 2020, all leases are accounted for as operating leases, with lease expense being recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating leases are reflected in “Operating lease assets,” “Current operating lease liabilities,” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating lease expense is recognized in either cost of goods sold or selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, based on the nature of the lease. ROU assets are evaluated for impairment in the same manner as long-lived assets. Impairment charges of $2,475 were recognized related to operating lease assets during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. Refer to Note 3, "Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets" for additional information regarding the impairment charges recognized. Revenue Recognition — The majority of the Company’s revenue relates to the sale of identification solutions and workplace safety products to customers. The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which was adopted on August 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Revenue is recognized when control of the product or service transfers to the customer in an amount that represents the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those products and services. The Company considers control to have transferred when legal title, physical possession, and the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the asset have transferred to the customer and the collection of the transaction price is reasonably assured, most of which occur upon shipment or delivery of goods to customers. Given the nature of the Company’s business, revenue recognition practices do not contain estimates that materially affect the results of operations, with the exception of estimated customer returns and credit memos. The Company records an allowance for estimated product returns and credit memos using the expected value method based on historical experience, which is recognized as a deduction from net sales at the time of sale. As of July 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a reserve for estimated product returns and credit memos of $6,295 and $5,796, respectively. Sales Incentives — The Company accounts for cash consideration (such as sales incentives, rebates, and cash discounts) given to its customers or resellers as a reduction of revenue. Sales incentives for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were $38,476, $40,811, and $40,671, respectively. Shipping and Handling Costs — Shipping and handling fees billed to a customer in a sale transaction are reported as net sales and the related costs incurred for shipping and handling are reported in cost of goods sold. Advertising Costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $63,482, $62,454, and $67,429, respectively. Stock-Based Compensation — The Company measures and recognizes the compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees and directors based on estimated grant-date fair values. The Black-Scholes option valuation model is used to determine the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant. The Company recognizes the compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, of all share-based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. If it is determined that it is unlikely the award will vest, the expense recognized to date for the award is reversed in the period in which this is evident and the remaining expense is not recorded. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of assumptions which determine the fair value of stock-based awards. The Company uses historical data regarding stock option exercise behaviors to estimate the expected term of options granted based on the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s historical dividend payments and historical yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the grant date for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the option. The market value is calculated as the average of the high and the low stock price on the date of the grant. Refer to No te 7, “Stockholders' Equity” for more information regarding the Company’s incentive stock plans. Research and Development — Amounts expended for research and development are expensed as incurred. Other Comprehensive Income — Other comprehensive income consists of net unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges, the unamortized gain on defined-benefit pension plans net of their related tax effects, and foreign currency translation adjustments, which includes the impact of foreign currency translations and the settlements of net investment hedges. Foreign Currency Translation — The assets and liabilities of subsidiaries whose functional currency is a currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated into United States dollars at end of period rates of exchange, and income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates of exchange for the period. Resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income. Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740 "Income Taxes." Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to be realized or settled. Valuation allowances are established when it is estimated that it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company recognizes the benefit of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the tax authority. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs. Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company believes that the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current liabilities) approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Refer to Note 6, "Debt" for more information regarding the fair value of long-term debt and Note 13, "Fair Value Measurements" for information regarding fair value measurements. Foreign Currency Hedging — The objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management is to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions and minimize the foreign currency translation impact on the Company’s foreign operations. While the Company’s risk management objectives and strategies are driven from an economic perspective, the Company attempts, where possible and practical, to ensure that the hedging strategies it engages in qualify for hedge accounting and result in accounting treatment where the earnings effect of the hedging instrument provides substantial offset (in the same period) to the income effect of the hedged item. The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges are recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and are reclassified into the same income statement line item in the period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects income. Refer to Note 14, "Derivatives and Hedging Activities" for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. New Accounting Standards Adopted Standards In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" ("ASC 842"), which replaced the former lease accounting standards. The update requires, among other items, lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from most leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements," which provides, among other items, an additional transition method allowing a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings during the period of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 (and related updates) effective August 1, 2019, using the optional transition method provided in ASU 2018-11 to apply this guidance to the impacted lease population at the date of initial application. Results for reporting periods beginning after August 1, 2019, are presented under ASU 2016-02, while comparative prior period amounts have not been restated and continue to be presented under accounting standards in effect during those periods. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted within the new standard, which among other things, allows the Company to carryforward the historical lease accounting of expired or existing leases with respect to lease identification, lease classification and accounting treatment for initial direct costs as of the adoption date. The Company also elected the practical expedient related to lease versus nonlease components, allowing the Company to recognize lease and nonlease components as a single lease. Lastly, the Company elected the hindsight practical expedient, allowing the Company to use hindsight in determining the lease term and assessing impairment of right-of-use assets when transitioning to ASC 842. The Company has made a policy election not to capitalize leases with an initial term of 12 months or less. Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company recorded additional operating lease assets and liabilities of $55,984 and $58,544, respectively, as of August 1, 2019, which included operating lease assets and liabilities of $9,769 and $9,674, respectively, for leases that commenced on the adoption date of August 1, 2019. No cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings was recognized upon adoption of the new standard. Adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on the Company's cash flows or operating results. Refer to Note 4 "Leases" for add itional information and required disclosures under the new standard. In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which simplifies and reduces the complexity of the hedge accounting requirements and better aligns an entity's financial reporting for hedging relationships with its risk management activities. The guidance is effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2017-12 effective August 1, 2019, using the required modified retrospective adoption approach to apply this guidance to existing hedging relationships as of the adoption date, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Standards not yet adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. Current guidance requires the recognition of credit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflects losses once the losses are probable. Under ASU 2016-13, the Company will be required to use a current expected credit loss model ("CECL") that will immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables. The CECL model uses a broader range of reasonable and supportable information in the development of credit loss estimates. This guidance becomes effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective August 1, 2020, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." The new guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance, effective August 1, 2020. This guidance will only impact the Company's consolidated financial statements if there is a future impairment of goodwill. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)." The new guidance removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 such as recognizing deferred taxes for equity investments, the incremental approach to performing intraperiod tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The standard also simplifies accounting for income taxes under U.S. GAAP by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of deferred taxes for goodwill, the allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group and requiring that an entity reflect the effect of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after Dec ember 15, 2020, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	Inventories consist of the following as of July 31: 2020 2019 Finished products $ 85,547 $ 77,532 Work-in-process 24,044 20,515 Raw materials and supplies 26,071 21,990 Total inventories $ 135,662 $ 120,037

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Property, plant and equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of July 31: Range of Useful Lives 2020 2019 Land $ 9,960 $ 9,752 Buildings and improvements 10 to 33 Years 105,129 99,685 Machinery and equipment 3 to 10 Years 267,795 266,991 Construction in progress 8,432 7,500 Property, plant and equipment—gross 391,316 383,928 Accumulated depreciation (276,248) (273,880) Property, plant and equipment—net $ 115,068 $ 110,048

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, were as follows: IDS WPS Total Balance as of July 31, 2018 $ 385,524 $ 34,291 $ 419,815 Translation adjustments (6,519) (2,309) (8,828) Balance as of July 31, 2019 $ 379,005 $ 31,982 $ 410,987 Translation adjustments 3,342 1,705 5,047 Balance as of July 31, 2020 $ 382,347 $ 33,687 $ 416,034

Intangible Assets, Goodwill a_2

Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	The net book value of these assets was as follows: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Weighted Gross Accumulated Net Book Weighted Gross Accumulated Net Book Amortized other intangible assets: Customer relationships and other 9 $ 45,385 $ (32,670) $ 12,715 9 $ 46,595 $ (29,343) $ 17,252 Unamortized other intangible assets: Tradenames N/A 9,619 — 9,619 N/A 18,871 — 18,871 Total $ 55,004 $ (32,670) $ 22,334 $ 65,466 $ (29,343) $ 36,123

Leases, Codification Topic 842

Leases, Codification Topic 842 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Lease, Cost	The following table summarizes lease expense recognized for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020: Consolidated Statements of Income Location 2020 Operating lease cost Cost of goods sold $ 9,197 Operating lease cost Selling, general, and administrative expenses 8,974
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity	The following table summarizes the maturity of the Company's lease liabilities as of July 31, 2020: Years ended July 31, Operating Leases 2021 $ 16,684 2022 14,703 2023 9,819 2024 5,677 2025 2,413 Thereafter 955 Total lease payments $ 50,251 Less: interest (2,965) Present value of lease liabilities $ 47,286
Weighted-Average Lease Disclosures	The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates for the Company's operating leases as of July 31, 2020 were as follows: July 31, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) 3.5 Weighted average discount rate 3.5 %
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases		The following table summarizes future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of July 31, 2019: Years ended July 31, Operating Leases 2020 $ 18,450 2021 16,132 2022 13,439 2023 10,065 2024 5,656 Thereafter 3,502 Total future minimum lease payments $ 67,244

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of (Loss) Earnings from Continuing Operations	Income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate consists of the following: Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 United States $ 69,433 $ 55,077 $ 48,903 Other Nations 71,503 109,567 103,112 Total $ 140,936 $ 164,644 $ 152,015
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	Income tax expense consists of the following: Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Current income tax expense: United States $ 3,031 $ 2,232 $ 2,830 Other Nations 25,133 22,445 26,593 States (U.S.) 1,160 913 910 $ 29,324 $ 25,590 $ 30,333 Deferred income tax expense (benefit): United States $ 1,072 $ 8,451 $ 30,267 Other Nations (2,065) (667) (1,462) States (U.S.) (10) 12 1,817 $ (1,003) $ 7,796 $ 30,622 Total income tax expense $ 28,321 $ 33,386 $ 60,955
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The tax effects of temporary differences are as follows as of July 31, 2020 and 2019: July 31, 2020 Assets Liabilities Total Inventories $ 4,385 $ (58) $ 4,327 Prepaid catalog costs — (15) (15) Employee compensation and benefits 3,339 (72) 3,267 Accounts receivable 1,518 — 1,518 Fixed assets 3,663 (7,285) (3,622) Intangible assets 1,026 (31,488) (30,462) Deferred and equity-based compensation 7,851 — 7,851 Postretirement benefits 3,002 (31) 2,971 Tax credit and net operating loss carry-forwards 56,447 — 56,447 Valuation allowances (58,809) — (58,809) Other, net 11,786 (4,700) 7,086 Total $ 34,208 $ (43,649) $ (9,441) July 31, 2019 Assets Liabilities Total Inventories $ 3,856 $ (1) $ 3,855 Prepaid catalog costs — (631) (631) Employee compensation and benefits 7,021 (89) 6,932 Accounts receivable 943 (233) 710 Fixed assets 3,125 (6,869) (3,744) Intangible assets 1,432 (31,415) (29,983) Deferred and equity-based compensation 7,352 — 7,352 Postretirement benefits 2,659 (71) 2,588 Tax credit and net operating loss carry-forwards 62,966 — 62,966 Valuation allowances (60,073) — (60,073) Other, net 7,406 (7,961) (555) Total $ 36,687 $ (47,270) $ (10,583)
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	A reconciliation of the income tax rate computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate to the total income tax expense is as follows: Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Tax at statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 26.9 % State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 1.0 % 0.3 % 1.6 % International rate differential (1) 5.1 % 2.2 % (1.1) % Rate variances arising from foreign subsidiary distributions 0.2 % (0.4) % 0.8 % Foreign tax credit carryforward valuation allowance (2) (1.4) % 1.8 % 14.1 % Divestiture of business (3) — % — % (0.8) % Adjustments to tax accruals and reserves (4) (2.0) % (3.6) % 2.2 % Non-deductible executive compensation (5) 0.5 % 2.3 % 0.5 % Research and development tax credits and domestic manufacturer’s deduction (2.0) % (1.6) % (2.0) % Deferred tax and other adjustments, net (2.3) % (1.7) % (2.1) % Income tax rate 20.1 % 20.3 % 40.1 % (1) Represents the foreign income tax rate differential when compared to the U.S. statutory income tax rate for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. (2) The year ended July 31, 2018, includes the establishment of a valuation allowance against foreign tax credit carryforwards as a result of the Tax Reform Act. (3) The year ended July 31, 2018, includes the divestiture of the Company's Runelandhs business based in Sweden. Refer to Note 15, "Divestiture" for additional information. (4) The years ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, include reductions of uncertain tax positions resulting from the closure of audits and lapses in statues of limitations, while the year ended July 31, 2018, includes increases in uncertain tax positions. (5) The years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, include non-deductible compensation such as salaries, bonuses, and other equity compensation of the Company's executives (as defined in Internal Revenue Service Code Section 162(m)).
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward	A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) is as follows: Balance at July 31, 2017 $ 18,362 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 2,467 Additions for tax positions of prior years 1,586 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (23) Lapse of statute of limitations (489) Settlements with tax authorities (1,277) Cumulative translation adjustments and other (196) Balance as of July 31, 2018 $ 20,430 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 2,518 Additions for tax positions of prior years 612 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (378) Lapse of statute of limitations (8,140) Cumulative translation adjustments and other (201) Balance as of July 31, 2019 $ 14,841 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 2,798 Additions for tax positions of prior years 1,295 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (5,087) Lapse of statute of limitations (117) Cumulative translation adjustments and other (108) Balance as of July 31, 2020 $ 13,622
Schedule of Open Tax Years by Major Jurisdictions	The following table summarizes the open tax years for the Company's major jurisdictions: Jurisdiction Open Tax Years United States — Federal F’18 — F’20

Stockholder's Investments (Tabl

Stockholder's Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Capital Stock	Information as to the Company’s capital stock at July 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Shares Shares (thousands) Shares Shares (thousands) Preferred Stock, $.01 par value 5,000,000 5,000,000 Cumulative Preferred Stock: 5,000 5,000 1972 Series 10,000 10,000 1979 Series 30,000 30,000 Common Stock, $.01 par value: Class A Nonvoting 100,000,000 51,261,487 $ 513 100,000,000 51,261,487 $ 513 Class B Voting 10,000,000 3,538,628 35 10,000,000 3,538,628 35 $ 548 $ 548
Schedule of Other Activity in Stockholders' Investment	The following is a summary of other activity in stockholders’ equity for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018: Deferred Compensation Shares Held in Rabbi Trust, at cost Total Balances at July 31, 2017 $ 8,124 $ (8,124) $ — Shares at July 31, 2017 314,082 314,082 Sale of shares at cost $ (977) $ 977 $ — Purchase of shares at cost 1,075 (1,075) — Balances at July 31, 2018 $ 8,222 $ (8,222) $ — Shares at July 31, 2018 299,916 299,916 Sale of shares at cost $ (928) $ 928 $ — Purchase of shares at cost 1,212 (1,212) — Balances at July 31, 2019 $ 8,506 $ (8,506) $ — Shares at July 31, 2019 285,533 285,533 Sale of shares at cost $ (460) $ 460 $ — Purchase of shares at cost 1,293 (1,293) — Balances at July 31, 2020 $ 9,339 $ (9,339) $ — Shares at July 31, 2020 292,329 292,329
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions 2020 2019 2018 Expected term (in years) 6.20 6.20 6.07 Expected volatility 26.07 % 26.05 % 28.19 % Expected dividend yield 2.63 % 2.71 % 2.72 % Risk-free interest rate 1.64 % 3.01 % 1.96 % Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date $ 54.05 $ 43.96 $ 36.85 Weighted-average exercise price $ 54.05 $ 43.96 $ 36.85 Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period $ 10.63 $ 9.70 $ 7.96
Summary of Stock Option Activity under Company's Share-Based Compensation Plans	for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020: Time-Based Options Option Price Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price Balance as of July 31, 2019 $ 19.96 — $43.98 1,594,716 $ 31.63 New grants 54.05 247,297 54.05 Exercised 19.96 — 43.98 (556,143) 27.21 Forfeited 22.66 — 54.05 (12,488) 39.59 Balance as of July 31, 2020 $ 19.96 — $54.05 1,273,382 $ 37.84
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at July 31, 2020: Options Outstanding Options Outstanding and Exercisable Range of Exercise Prices Number of Shares Outstanding at July 31, 2020 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Weighted Average Exercise Price Shares Exercisable at July 31, 2020 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Weighted Average Exercise Price $19.96 - $29.99 265,600 4.1 $ 22.07 265,600 4.1 $ 22.07 $30.00 - $39.99 519,870 6.2 35.36 433,576 6.0 35.07 $40.00 - $54.05 487,912 8.7 49.06 77,097 8.2 43.96 Total 1,273,382 6.7 $ 37.84 776,273 5.5 $ 31.50
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	The following tables summarize the RSU activity for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020: Time-Based RSUs Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Balance as of July 31, 2019 188,638 $ 38.15 New grants 76,358 53.38 Vested (107,187) 35.49 Forfeited (2,849) 43.73 Balance as of July 31, 2020 154,960 $ 47.39 The time-based RSUs granted during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019, had a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $44.20. The total fair value of time-based RSUs vested during the years ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, was $9,776 and $9,859, respectively. Performance-Based RSUs Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Balance as of July 31, 2019 158,410 $ 38.33 New grants (1) 71,921 75.00 Vested (87,928) 32.03 Forfeited (16,343) 52.16 Balance as of July 31, 2020 126,060 $ 50.61 (1) Includes 32,975 shares resulting from the payout of performance-based RSUs granted in fiscal year 2018 due to achievement of performance metrics exceeding the target payout. The performance-based RSUs granted during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, had a weighted-average grant-date fair value determined by a third-party valuation involving the use of a Monte Carlo simulation. The performance-based RSUs granted during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019, had a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $50.70. The aggregate intrinsic value of unvested time-based and performance-based RSUs outstanding at July 31, 2020 and 2019, and expected to vest, was $14,013 and $17,953, respectively.

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment	Following is a summary of segment information as of and for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018: 2020 2019 2018 Net sales: ID Solutions Americas $ 532,357 $ 577,156 $ 556,172 Europe 165,490 193,852 197,737 Asia 86,860 92,092 92,178 Total $ 784,707 $ 863,100 $ 846,087 Workplace Safety Americas $ 92,513 $ 98,788 $ 106,910 Europe 152,407 150,480 170,265 Australia 51,672 48,277 50,589 Total $ 296,592 $ 297,545 $ 327,764 Total Company Americas $ 624,870 $ 675,944 $ 663,082 Europe 317,897 344,332 368,002 Asia-Pacific 138,532 140,369 142,767 Total $ 1,081,299 $ 1,160,645 $ 1,173,851 Depreciation & amortization: ID Solutions $ 20,745 $ 21,387 $ 22,075 WPS 2,692 2,412 3,367 Total Company $ 23,437 $ 23,799 $ 25,442 Segment profit: ID Solutions $ 150,639 $ 164,953 $ 143,411 WPS 21,019 23,025 31,712 Total Company $ 171,658 $ 187,978 $ 175,123 Assets: ID Solutions $ 737,589 $ 740,437 $ 737,174 WPS 187,234 137,799 138,329 Corporate 217,643 279,072 181,428 Total Company $ 1,142,466 $ 1,157,308 $ 1,056,931 Expenditures for property, plant & equipment: ID Solutions $ 17,637 $ 17,849 $ 17,283 WPS 9,640 14,976 4,494 Total Company $ 27,277 $ 32,825 $ 21,777
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	Following is a reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate for the years ended July 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018: Years Ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Total profit from reportable segments $ 171,658 $ 187,978 $ 175,123 Unallocated costs: Administrative costs (19,814) (25,550) (27,093) Impairment charges (1) (13,821) — — Gain on sale of business (2) — — 4,666 Investment and other income 5,079 5,046 2,487 Interest expense (2,166) (2,830) (3,168) Income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate $ 140,936 $ 164,644 $ 152,015 (1) Of the total $13,821 impairment charges recognized in the year ended July 31, 2020, $11,029 related to the WPS segment and $2,792 related to the IDS segment. (2) Gain on sale of business during the year ended July 31, 2018 relates to the WPS segment.
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas	Revenues* Long-Lived Assets** 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 Geographic information: United States $ 627,160 $ 674,924 $ 663,935 $ 361,005 $ 365,205 $ 366,638 Other 509,530 546,923 573,652 234,330 191,953 193,710 Eliminations (55,391) (61,202) (63,736) — — — Consolidated total $ 1,081,299 $ 1,160,645 $ 1,173,851 $ 595,335 $ 557,158 $ 560,348 * Revenues are attributed based on country of origin. ** Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, other intangible assets, and operating lease assets.

Net Income per Common Share (Ta

Net Income per Common Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliations of Numerator and Denominator of Basic and Diluted Per Share	Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows: Years ended July 31, 2020 2019 2018 Numerator (in thousands): Net Income (Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share) $ 112,369 $ 131,258 $ 91,060 Less: Preferential dividends (828) (815) (799) Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options (10) (13) (14) Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class B Voting Common Share $ 111,531 $ 130,430 $ 90,247 Denominator (in thousands): Denominator for basic income per share for both Class A and Class B 52,763 52,596 51,677 Plus: Effect of dilutive equity awards 468 727 847 Denominator for diluted income per share for both Class A and Class B 53,231 53,323 52,524 Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: Basic $ 2.13 $ 2.50 $ 1.76 Diluted $ 2.11 $ 2.46 $ 1.73 Net income per Class B Voting Common Share: Basic $ 2.11 $ 2.48 $ 1.75 Diluted $ 2.10 $ 2.45 $ 1.72

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	at July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019, according to the valuation techniques the Company used to determine their fair values. July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Fair Value Hierarchy Assets: Trading securities $ 18,606 $ 15,744 Level 1 Foreign exchange contracts 594 474 Level 2 Liabilities: Foreign exchange contracts $ 777 $ 5 Level 2

Derivatives and Hedging Activ_2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets	During the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company recognized gains of $2, losses of $52, and gains of $24, respective
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions	The U.S. dollar equivalent notional amounts of outstanding forward exchange contracts were as follows: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Designated as cash flow hedges $ 24,600 $ 26,013 Non-designated hedges 3,107 3,376 Total foreign exchange contracts $ 27,707 $ 29,389
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the amount of pre-tax gains and losses related to derivatives designated as hedging instruments: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 July 31, 2018 (Losses) gains recognized in OCI: Foreign exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) $ (576) $ 837 $ 966 Foreign currency denominated debt (net investment hedges) 1,517 2,480 612 Gains reclassified from OCI into cost of goods sold: Forward exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) 614 1,048 (551)
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	Fair values of derivative and hedging instruments in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows: July 31, 2020 July 31, 2019 Prepaid expenses and Other current liabilities Prepaid expenses and Other current liabilities Current maturities on Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange contracts (cash flow hedges) $ 588 $ 761 $ 472 $ — $ — Foreign currency denominated debt (net investment hedges) — — — — 50,189 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange contracts 6 16 2 5 — Total derivative instruments $ 594 $ 777 $ 474 $ 5 $ 50,189

Unaudited Quarterly Financial_2

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	Quarters First Second Third Fourth Total Fiscal 2019 Net sales $ 293,196 $ 282,426 $ 289,745 $ 295,278 $ 1,160,645 Gross margin 146,539 139,810 145,749 146,580 578,678 Operating income 40,622 36,030 39,621 46,155 162,428 Net income 30,637 29,227 34,781 36,613 131,258 Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: Basic $ 0.59 $ 0.56 $ 0.66 $ 0.69 $ 2.50 Diluted $ 0.58 $ 0.55 $ 0.65 $ 0.68 $ 2.46 Fiscal 2020 Net sales $ 286,947 $ 276,665 $ 265,943 $ 251,744 $ 1,081,299 Gross margin 141,405 139,127 129,527 118,506 528,565 Operating income* 40,891 41,244 22,669 33,219 138,023 Net income 37,498 33,553 13,633 27,685 112,369 Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: Basic $ 0.71 $ 0.63 $ 0.26 $ 0.53 $ 2.13 Diluted $ 0.70 $ 0.62 $ 0.26 $ 0.53 $ 2.11 * In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company recognized before tax impairment charges of $13,821.

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Accounts Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	$ 7,157	$ 5,005

Summary of Significant Accoun_6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Finished products	$ 85,547	$ 77,532
Work-in-process	24,044	20,515
Raw materials and supplies	26,071	21,990
Inventories	$ 135,662	$ 120,037
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	14.70%	13.40%
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Effect on Income, Net	$ 7,195	$ 7,259

Summary of Significant Accoun_7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	$ 9,960	$ 9,752
Buildings and improvements	105,129	99,685
Machinery and equipment	267,795	266,991
Construction in progress	8,432	7,500
Property, plant and equipment—gross	391,316	383,928
Accumulated depreciation	(276,248)	(273,880)
Property, plant and equipment—net	115,068	110,048
Depreciation	$ 18,218	$ 18,023	$ 19,009
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	33 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years

Summary of Significant Accoun_8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Refund Liability	$ 6,295	$ 5,796

Summary of Significant Accoun_9

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Sales Incentives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Sales Incentives	$ 38,476	$ 40,811	$ 40,671

Summary of Significant Accou_10

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Advertising Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Advertising Expense	$ 63,482	$ 62,454	$ 67,429

Summary of Significant Accou_11

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies New Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Aug. 01, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
Operating lease assets	$ 41,899	$ 55,984	$ 0
Operating Lease, Liability	$ 47,286	$ 58,544

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 410,987	$ 419,815
Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	5,047	8,828
Goodwill, Ending Balance	416,034	410,987
Identification Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	379,005	385,524
Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	3,342	6,519
Goodwill, Ending Balance	382,347	379,005
Workplace Safety
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	31,982	34,291
Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	1,705	2,309
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 33,687	$ 31,982

Intangible Assets, Goodwill a_3

Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	9 years	9 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 45,385	$ 46,595
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	32,670	29,343
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	12,715	17,252
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	9,619	18,871
Other intangible assets	22,334	36,123
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	55,004	65,466
Amortization of Intangible Assets	5,219	5,776	$ 6,433
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year One	5,384
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Two	5,140
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Three	2,191
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges	2,681
Impaired Indefinite-Lived Tradenames, Carrying Value Prior to Impairment Charges	9,328
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	8,665
Operating Lease, Impairment Loss	2,475
Impaired Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Fair Value After Impairment	663
Asset Impairment Charges	13,821	$ 0	$ 0
Identification Solutions
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges	2,353
Operating Lease, Impairment Loss	440
Workplace Safety
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges	328
Operating Lease, Impairment Loss	$ 2,035

Operating Lease Cost (Details)

Operating Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Payments	$ 17,123
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability	$ 12,641
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	3 years 6 months
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	3.50%
Operating Lease, Cost		$ 19,984	$ 15,938
Cost of Sales [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Cost	$ 9,197
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Cost	$ 8,974

Lease Maturity Disclosure (Deta

Lease Maturity Disclosure (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Aug. 01, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One	$ 16,684		$ 18,450
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two	14,703		16,132
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three	9,819		13,439
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four	5,677		10,065
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five	2,413		5,656
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five	955		3,502
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid	50,251		$ 67,244
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	(2,965)
Operating Lease, Liability	$ 47,286	$ 58,544

Employee Benefit Plans - Additi

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Pension and other postretirement benefit expense	$ 12,129	$ 14,158	$ 14,395
Accrued retirement and profit-sharing contributions	3,577	3,342
Deferred Compensation Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Deferred compensation arrangement with individual, recorded liability	$ 18,606	$ 15,744

Income Taxes - Schedule of (Los

Income Taxes - Schedule of (Loss) Earnings from Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$ 69,433	$ 55,077	$ 48,903
Other Nations	71,503	109,567	103,112
Income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate	$ 140,936	$ 164,644	$ 152,015

Income Taxes - Schedule of Comp

Income Taxes - Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Current income tax expense:
United States	$ 3,031	$ 2,232	$ 2,830
Other Nations	25,133	22,445	26,593
States (U.S.)	1,160	913	910
Total current income tax expense	29,324	25,590	30,333
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
United States	1,072	8,451	30,267
Other Nations	(2,065)	(667)	(1,462)
States (U.S.)	(10)	12	1,817
Total deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(1,003)	7,796	30,622
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations	$ 28,321	$ 33,386	$ 60,955

Income Taxes - Schedule of Defe

Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	$ 43,649	$ 47,270
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	34,208	36,687
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	4,700	7,961
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Other	11,786	7,406
Deferred Tax Liability, Valuation Allowance	0	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	58,809	60,073
Deferred Tax Liabilities Tax Credit Carryforwards And Net Operating Losses	0	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	56,447	62,966
Deferred tax liabilities, deferred tax expense, postretirement benefits	31	71
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Postretirement Benefits	3,002	2,659
Deferred Tax Liability, Deferred Expense, Deferred Compensation	0	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost	7,851	7,352
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Intangible Assets	31,488	31,415
Deferred Tax Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets	1,026	1,432
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	7,285	6,869
Deferred Tax Assets, Property, Plant and Equipment	3,663	3,125
Deferred Tax Liabilities Accounts Receivable	0	233
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	1,518	943
Deferred Tax Liabilities Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Employee Benefits	72	89
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Benefits	3,339	7,021
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Prepaid Expenses	15	631
Deferred Tax Asset Prepaid Catalog Costs	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Inventory	58	1
Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory	4,385	3,856
Net of liabilities [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	58,809
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	56,447
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Postretirement Benefits	2,971
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost	7,851
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	1,518
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Benefits	3,267
Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory	4,327
Net of assets [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	9,441	10,583
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	7,086
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Intangible Assets	30,462
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	3,622
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Prepaid Expenses	$ 15
Net of liabilities [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Postretirement Benefits		2,588
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		60,073
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards		62,966
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost		7,352
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Intangible Assets		29,983
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts		710
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Benefits		6,932
Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory		3,855
Net of assets [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other		555
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment		3,744
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Prepaid Expenses		$ 631

Income Taxes - Schedule of Effe

Income Taxes - Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Expense		$ 96	$ 2,357	$ 83
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Tax at statutory rate		21.00%	21.00%	26.90%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	[1]	1.00%	0.30%	1.60%
International rate differential(1)		5.10%	2.20%	(1.10%)
Rate variances arising from foreign subsidiary distributions		0.20%	(0.40%)	0.80%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Percent		(1.40%)	1.80%	14.10%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Disposition of Business, Percent		0.00%	0.00%	(0.80%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Contingency, Percent	[2]	(2.00%)	(3.60%)	2.20%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Other, Percent		0.50%	2.30%	0.50%
Research and development tax credits and domestic manufacturer’s deduction		(2.00%)	(1.60%)	(2.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Percent		(2.30%)	(1.70%)	(2.10%)
Income tax rate		20.10%	20.30%	40.10%
[1]	T
[2]	he year ended July 31, 2018, includes the divestiture of the Company's Runelandhs business based in Sweden. Refer to Note 15, "Divestiture" for additional information.

Income Taxes - Schedule of Unre

Income Taxes - Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefit Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 10,557
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense	372	$ 1,013	$ 556
Unrecognized Tax Benefits:
Beginning balance	14,841	20,430	18,362
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	2,798	2,518	2,467
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	1,295	612	1,586
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(5,087)	(378)	(23)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(117)	(8,140)	(489)
Settlements with tax authorities			(1,277)
Ending balance	13,622	14,841	20,430
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Foreign Currency Translation	$ (108)	$ (201)	$ (196)

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 13,622	$ 14,841	$ 20,430	$ 18,362
State Net Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Dates	2025 to 2040
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward Expiration Dates	2021 to 2029
State Research And Development Tax Credit Carryforward Expiration Dates	2021 to 2035
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Expense	$ 96	2,357	$ 83
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued	1,354	1,740
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	1,437
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued	658	663
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Recognized In Other Liabilities	8,931	10,218
Reduction Of Longterm Deferred Income Tax Assets Excluding Interest and Penalties	4,691	$ 4,623
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	504
Tax Benefits Associated with Closure of Tax Audits	$ 5,133
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2018
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Tax Year 2019 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2020
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 96,104
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Not Subject to Expiration	86,063
Other Tax Carryforward, Gross Amount	24,633
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	29,109
Other Tax Carryforward, Gross Amount	$ 12,714

Debt - Schedule of Long-Term De

Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current maturities on long-term debt	$ 0	$ 50,166
Long-term debt		50,166
Letters of credit outstanding	3,116	$ 3,271
Line of credit facility, maximum amount outstanding during period	16,200
Line of credit, remaining borrowing capacity	196,900
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 396,900

Debt - Schedule of Maturities o

Debt - Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Current maturities on long-term debt	$ 0	$ 50,166

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Line of Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 396,900
Line of credit facility, maximum amount outstanding during period	16,200
Line of credit, remaining borrowing capacity	196,900
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Letters of credit outstanding	3,116	$ 3,271
Long-term debt, fair value		51,566
Current maturities on long-term debt	$ 0	50,166
Long-term debt		50,166
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2020 at a fixed rate of 4.24% [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Debt face amount		$ 45,000

Stockholder's Investments - Sch

Stockholder's Investments - Schedule of Capital Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Noncumulative Cash Dividend	$ 0.01665
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 548	$ 548
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	51,261,487	51,261,487
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 513	$ 513
Class B Voting Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	3,538,628	3,538,628
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 35	$ 35
Noncumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
6% Cumulative [Member] | Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000	5,000
1972 Series [Member] | Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	10,000	10,000
1979 Series [Member] | Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	30,000	30,000

Stockholder's Investments Stock

Stockholder's Investments Stockholder's Investment - Schedule of Stock Option Valuation Assumptions (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	6 years 2 months 12 days	6 years 2 months 12 days	6 years 25 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate	26.07%	26.05%	28.19%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	2.63%	2.71%	2.72%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.64%	3.01%	1.96%
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Market Value Of Underlying Stock at Grant Date	$ 54.05	$ 43.96	$ 36.85
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	54.05	43.96	36.85
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 10.63	$ 9.70	$ 7.96

Stockholder's Investments - S_2

Stockholder's Investments - Schedule of Other Activity in Stockholders' Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale Of Shares At Cost	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Purchase Of Shares At Cost	0	0	0
Ending Balance, Other Stockholders Equity	0	0	0	$ 0
Shares Held Rabbi Trust At Cost [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale Of Shares At Cost	(460)	(928)	(977)
Purchase Of Shares At Cost	(1,293)	(1,212)	(1,075)
Ending Balance, Other Stockholders Equity	$ (9,339)	$ (8,506)	$ (8,222)	$ (8,124)
Ending Balance, Other Stockholders Equity Shares	292,329	285,533	299,916	314,082
Deferred Compensation [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale Of Shares At Cost	$ (460)	$ (928)	$ (977)
Purchase Of Shares At Cost	(1,293)	(1,212)	(1,075)
Ending Balance, Other Stockholders Equity	$ 9,339	$ 8,506	$ 8,222	$ 8,124
Ending Balance, Other Stockholders Equity Shares	292,329	285,533	299,916	314,082

Stockholder's Investments - Sum

Stockholder's Investments - Summary of Activity under Company's Share-Based Compensation Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Beginning Balance, Price Lower Range	$ 19.96
Options Outstanding, Beginning Balance, Price Upper Range	43.98
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Price	54.05
Options Exercised, Price Lower Range	19.96
Options Exercised, Price Upper Range	43.98
Options Cancelled, Price Lower Range	22.66
Options Cancelled, Price Upper Range	54.05
Options Outstanding, Ending Balance, Price Lower Range	19.96	$ 19.96
Options Outstanding, Ending Balance, Price Upper Range	$ 54.05	$ 43.98
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance	1,594,716
Options Granted	247,297
Options Exercised	(556,143)
Options Cancelled	(12,488)
Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance	1,273,382	1,594,716
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Options Outstanding, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 31.63
Options Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	54.05	$ 43.96	$ 36.85
Options Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	27.21
Options Cancelled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	39.59
Options Outstanding, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 37.84	$ 31.63
Options Outstanding, Range of Exercise Prices [Abstract]
Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	1,273,382
Exercise Price Range, Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 8 months 12 days
Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 37.84
Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	776,273
Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 6 months
Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 31.50
$19.96 - $26.99 [Member]
Options Outstanding, Range of Exercise Prices [Abstract]
Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	265,600
Exercise Price Range, Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 1 month 6 days
Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 22.07
Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	265,600
Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 1 month 6 days
Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 22.07
$27.00 - $32.99 [Member]
Options Outstanding, Range of Exercise Prices [Abstract]
Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	519,870
Exercise Price Range, Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 2 months 12 days
Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 35.36
Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	433,576
Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years
Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 35.07
$33.00 - $43.98 [Member]
Options Outstanding, Range of Exercise Prices [Abstract]
Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	487,912
Exercise Price Range, Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	8 years 8 months 12 days
Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 49.06
Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	77,097
Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	8 years 2 months 12 days
Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 43.96
Service Based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 9,776	$ 9,859
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Number	188,638
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Grants in Period	76,358
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Vested in Period	(107,187)
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Forfeited in Period	(2,849)
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Number	154,960	188,638
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 38.15
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	53.38	$ 44.20
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	35.49
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	43.73
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 47.39	$ 38.15
Performance Based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Nonvested	$ 14,013	$ 17,953
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Number	158,410
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Grants in Period	71,921
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Vested in Period	(87,928)
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Forfeited in Period	(16,343)
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Number	126,060	158,410
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 38.33
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	75	$ 50.70
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	32.03
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	52.16
Restricted Shares and RSUs, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 50.61	$ 38.33

Stockholder's Investments - Add

Stockholder's Investments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Noncumulative Cash Dividend	$ 0.01665
Annual Amount Entitled to be Received by Class A Common Stock shareholders	$ 0.833
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock Shares Reserved for Outstanding Share-Based Awards	1,554,402
Number of Shares Remaining for Future Issuance of Share-Based Awards	3,348,834
Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 8,843	$ 12,092	$ 9,980
Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	8,048	10,628	7,485
Share-Based Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 9,334
Share-Based Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 9 months 18 days
Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	33.33%
Options, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Options, Expiration Period	10 years
Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 2,800	2,864	3,006
Options, Exercised in Period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 14,692	$ 20,969	$ 6,208
Options Exercisable, Number	776,273	1,025,811	1,722,229
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 31.50	$ 27.06	$ 26.82
Options, Exercised in Period, Proceeds from Issuance of Shares	$ 5,511	$ 23,466	$ 12,099
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Exercise of Option, Tax Benefit	3,673	$ 5,242	$ 1,893
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	11,964
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 10,940
Service-Based RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options, Award Vesting Period	3 years

Revenue Recognition (Details)

Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2022	Jul. 31, 2021	Jul. 31, 2019
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Contract with Customer, Liability	$ 2,559			$ 2,782
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	$ 1,251
Forecast [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Percentage		28.00%	41.00%

Segment Information - Schedule

Segment Information - Schedule of Segment Reporting Information By Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 251,744	$ 265,943	$ 276,665	$ 286,947	$ 295,278	$ 289,745	$ 282,426	$ 293,196	$ 1,081,299	$ 1,160,645	$ 1,173,851
Depreciation and amortization									23,437	23,799	25,442
Segment profit									171,658	187,978	175,123
Assets	1,142,466				1,157,308				1,142,466	1,157,308	1,056,931
Expenditures for property, plant & equipment									27,277	32,825	21,777
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									624,870	675,944	663,082
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									317,897	344,332	368,002
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									138,532	140,369	142,767
Identification Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									784,707	863,100	846,087
Depreciation and amortization									20,745	21,387	22,075
Segment profit									150,639	164,953	143,411
Assets	737,589				740,437				737,589	740,437	737,174
Expenditures for property, plant & equipment									17,637	17,849	17,283
Identification Solutions | Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									532,357	577,156	556,172
Identification Solutions | Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									165,490	193,852	197,737
Identification Solutions | Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									86,860	92,092	92,178
Workplace Safety
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									296,592	297,545	327,764
Depreciation and amortization									2,692	2,412	3,367
Segment profit									21,019	23,025	31,712
Assets	187,234				137,799				187,234	137,799	138,329
Expenditures for property, plant & equipment									9,640	14,976	4,494
Workplace Safety | Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									92,513	98,788	106,910
Workplace Safety | Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									152,407	150,480	170,265
Workplace Safety | Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									51,672	48,277	50,589
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 217,643				$ 279,072				$ 217,643	$ 279,072	$ 181,428

Segment Information - Net Incom

Segment Information - Net Income Reconciliation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 171,658	$ 187,978	$ 175,123
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs	(19,814)	(25,550)	(27,093)
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	0	0	(4,666)
Investment and other income	5,079	5,046	2,487
Interest expense	(2,166)	(2,830)	(3,168)
Income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate	140,936	164,644	152,015
Asset Impairment Charges	(13,821)	0	0
Workplace Safety
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total profit from reportable segments	21,019	23,025	31,712
Identification Solutions
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 150,639	$ 164,953	$ 143,411

Segment Information Segment Inf

Segment Information Segment Informatin - Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 251,744	$ 265,943	$ 276,665	$ 286,947	$ 295,278	$ 289,745	$ 282,426	$ 293,196	$ 1,081,299	$ 1,160,645	$ 1,173,851
Long-Lived Assets	595,335				557,158				595,335	557,158	560,348
UNITED STATES
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									627,160	674,924	663,935
Long-Lived Assets	361,005				365,205				361,005	365,205	366,638
OtherCountries [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									509,530	546,923	573,652
Long-Lived Assets	234,330				191,953				234,330	191,953	193,710
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									(55,391)	(61,202)	(63,736)
Long-Lived Assets	$ 0				$ 0				$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Net Income per Common Share - R

Net Income per Common Share - Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator of Basic and Diluted Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income	$ 27,685	$ 13,633	$ 33,553	$ 37,498	$ 36,613	$ 34,781	$ 29,227	$ 30,637	$ 112,369	$ 131,258
Cash dividends on Common Stock									$ 45,756	$ 44,732	$ 42,873
Denominator for basic earnings per share for both Class A and Class B									52,763	52,596	51,677
Plus: Effect of dilutive stock options									468	727	847
Denominator for diluted earnings per share for both Class A and Class B									53,231	53,323	52,524
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income per share, basic	$ 0.53	$ 0.26	$ 0.63	$ 0.71	$ 0.69	$ 0.66	$ 0.56	$ 0.59	$ 2.13	$ 2.50	$ 1.76
Net income per share, diluted	$ 0.53	$ 0.26	$ 0.62	$ 0.70	$ 0.68	$ 0.65	$ 0.55	$ 0.58	$ 2.11	$ 2.46	$ 1.73
Class B Voting Common Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income									$ 111,531	$ 130,430	$ 90,247
Net income per share, basic									$ 2.11	$ 2.48	$ 1.75
Net income per share, diluted									$ 2.10	$ 2.45	$ 1.72
Preferential Dividends on Class A Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Cash dividends on Common Stock									$ 828	$ 815	$ 799
Preferential Dividends on Dilutive Shares [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Cash dividends on Common Stock									$ 10	$ 13	$ 14

Net Income per Common Share - A

Net Income per Common Share - Additional Informations (Detail) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from computations of diluted earnings per share	387,382	372,255
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from computations of diluted earnings per share			751,200

Fair Value Measurements - Finan

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities, Noncurrent	$ 18,606	$ 15,744
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	594	474
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Other current liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 777	$ 5

Derivatives and Hedging Activ_3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Fair Value Balance Sheet Disclosure (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	$ 594
Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities	777	$ 5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets		474
Current maturities on long-term debt [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities		50,189
Foreign currency denominated debt [Member] | Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Other current liabilities [Member] | Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Foreign currency denominated debt [Member] | Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	0	0
Foreign currency denominated debt [Member] | Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Current maturities on long-term debt [Member] | Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities		50,189
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not designated as hedging Instruments [Member] | Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities	16	5
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not designated as hedging Instruments [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	6	2
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not designated as hedging Instruments [Member] | Current maturities on long-term debt [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities		0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Other current liabilities [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities	761	0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Assets	$ 588	472
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Current maturities on long-term debt [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities		$ 0

Derivatives and Hedging Activ_4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) € in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2019USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2019EUR (€)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 27,707	$ 29,389
Foreign exchange contracts			$ 966
Derivative maturity	18 months
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	$ (66,477)	(71,254)	(56,401)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	614	1,048	(551)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	(576)	837	966
Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign exchange contracts	1,517	2,480	612
Euro-denominated notes payable in 2020 at a fixed rate of 4.24% [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net investment hedges to hedge portions of net investment		45,000
Designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	24,600	26,013
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	385	805
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | EUR denominated unsecured debt [Domain] | Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	13,957			€ 12,440
Not designated as hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,107	3,376
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	$ 2	$ (52)	$ 24

Derivative Notional Amounts (De

Derivative Notional Amounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 27,707	$ 29,389
Designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	24,600	26,013
Not designated as hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 3,107	$ 3,376

Derivatives and Hedging Activ_5

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Impact on OCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive loss			$ 966
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	$ 614	$ 1,048	(551)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive loss	(576)	837	966
Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive loss	$ 1,517	$ 2,480	$ 612

Unaudited Quarterly Financial_3

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Net sales	$ 251,744	$ 265,943	$ 276,665	$ 286,947	$ 295,278	$ 289,745	$ 282,426	$ 293,196	$ 1,081,299	$ 1,160,645	$ 1,173,851
Gross margin	118,506	129,527	139,127	141,405	146,580	145,749	139,810	146,539	528,565	578,678	588,291
Operating income	33,219	22,669	41,244	40,891	46,155	39,621	36,030	40,622	138,023	162,428	$ 152,696
Net income	$ 27,685	$ 13,633	$ 33,553	$ 37,498	$ 36,613	$ 34,781	$ 29,227	$ 30,637	$ 112,369	$ 131,258
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per Class A Common Share:
Net income per share, basic	$ 0.53	$ 0.26	$ 0.63	$ 0.71	$ 0.69	$ 0.66	$ 0.56	$ 0.59	$ 2.13	$ 2.50	$ 1.76
Net income per share, diluted	$ 0.53	$ 0.26	$ 0.62	$ 0.70	$ 0.68	$ 0.65	$ 0.55	$ 0.58	$ 2.11	$ 2.46	$ 1.73

Subsequent Events Subsequent _2

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2021	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018	Oct. 30, 2020
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 396,900
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends	$ 0.88
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share					$ 0.22
Percentage Increase In Dividend	1.10%
Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends		$ 0.87	$ 0.85	$ 0.83

Schedule II Valuation of Qual_2

Schedule II Valuation of Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Credit Loss [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 5,005	$ 4,471	$ 4,629
Additions — Charged to expense	2,495	587	752
Deductions - written off	(343)	(53)	(910)
Balances at end of period	7,157	5,005	4,471
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Reserve, Inventory [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	13,404	12,582	14,322
Additions — Charged to expense	5,722	3,168	2,797
Deductions - written off	(2,817)	(2,346)	(4,537)
Balances at end of period	16,309	13,404	12,582
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	60,073	56,866	38,563
Additions — Charged to expense	6,204	5,981	24,184
Deductions - written off	(7,468)	(2,774)	(5,881)
Balances at end of period	$ 58,809	$ 60,073	$ 56,866

Uncategorized Items - brc-20200

Label	Element	Value
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	$ (1,869,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	$ (2,137,000)