Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015	May 31, 2014
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 157,628	$ 87,256	$ 160,152
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	84,699	85,089	79,730
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	25,962	100,129	58,246
Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes	7,354	(39,960)	(25,916)
Bad debt expense	346	259	32
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions	(29,473)	(12,299)	(15,333)
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	(12,996)	3,277	(11,212)
Stock-based compensation	15,836	17,916	22,017
Excess tax benefits - stock-based compensation		(7,178)	(8,880)
Gain on previously held equity interests	(6,877)		(11,000)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Receivables	66,117	32,011	(49,206)
Inventories	66,351	54,108	(38,010)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,327	(15,295)	(2,921)
Other assets	(4,530)	1,617	(5,278)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	20,180	(83,190)	69,682
Other liabilities	4,460	(9,365)	6,943
Net cash provided by operating activities	413,384	214,375	229,046
Investing activities:
Investment in property, plant and equipment	(97,036)	(96,255)	(71,338)
Investment in notes receivable		(7,300)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(34,206)	(105,291)	(11,517)
Distributions from (investments in) unconsolidated affiliates	(5,595)	(8,230)	9,223
Proceeds from sale of assets and insurance	9,797	14,007	27,438
Net cash used by investing activities	(127,040)	(203,069)	(46,194)
Financing activities:
Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings, net of issuance costs	(85,843)	79,047	(103,618)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs	921	30,572	247,566
Principal payments on long-term debt	(862)	(102,852)	(1,219)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	8,707	2,910	4,618
Excess tax benefits - stock-based compensation		7,178	8,880
Payments to noncontrolling interests	(9,106)	(13,379)	(40,969)
Repurchase of common shares	(99,847)	(127,360)	(128,218)
Dividends paid	(47,193)	(46,434)	(31,198)
Net cash used by financing activities	(233,223)	(170,318)	(44,158)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	53,121	(159,012)	138,694
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	31,067	190,079	51,385
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 84,188	$ 31,067	$ 190,079