Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015
Net sales		$ 3,014,108	$ 2,819,714	$ 3,384,234
Cost of goods sold		2,478,203	2,367,121	2,920,701
Gross margin		535,905	452,593	463,533
Selling, general and administrative expense		316,373	297,402	295,920
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets			25,962	100,129
Restructuring and other expense		6,411	7,177	6,927
Operating income		213,121	122,052	60,557
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income, net		3,764	11,267	795
Interest expense		(29,796)	(31,670)	(35,800)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates		110,038	114,966	87,476
Earnings before income taxes	[1]	297,127	216,615	113,028
Income tax expense		79,190	58,987	25,772
Net earnings		217,937	157,628	87,256
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		13,422	13,913	10,471
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest		$ 204,515	$ 143,715	$ 76,785
Basic
Average common shares outstanding		62,443	62,469	66,309
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest		$ 3.28	$ 2.30	$ 1.16
Diluted
Average common shares outstanding		64,874	64,755	68,483
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest		$ 3.15	$ 2.22	$ 1.12

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