Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015	May 31, 2014
Net sales		$ 2,819,714	$ 3,384,234	$ 3,126,426
Cost of goods sold		2,367,121	2,920,701	2,633,907
Gross margin		452,593	463,533	492,519
Selling, general and administrative expense		297,402	295,920	300,396
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets		25,962	100,129	58,246
Restructuring and other expense (income)		7,177	6,927	(1,876)
Operating income		122,052	60,557	135,753
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income, net		11,267	795	16,963
Interest expense		(31,670)	(35,800)	(26,671)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates		114,966	87,476	91,456
Earnings before income taxes		216,615	113,028	217,501
Income tax expense		58,987	25,772	57,349
Net earnings		157,628	87,256	160,152
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	13,913	10,471	8,852
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest		$ 143,715	$ 76,785	$ 151,300
Basic
Average common shares outstanding		62,469	66,309	68,944
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest		$ 2.30	$ 1.16	$ 2.19
Diluted
Average common shares outstanding		64,755	68,483	71,664
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest		$ 2.22	$ 1.12	$ 2.11

[1] Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests are not taxable to Worthington.