Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

May 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of inventory

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory is comprised of the following amounts:

(In thousands)	2012		2011
Raw materials	$	19,138	$	16,900
Work in process	13,052		18,907
Finished goods	219,015		213,851
	$	251,205	$	249,658

Estimated useful lives

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method primarily over the following estimated useful lives, in years:

Buildings	30 to 40
Building improvements	5 to 20
Equipment	3 to 10
Leasehold improvements	2 to 15

Current accrued liabilities

Current accrued liabilities include the following amounts:

(In thousands)	2012		2011
General insurance liabilities	$	82,611	$	58,892
Employee benefit related liabilities	56,134		48,827
Taxes and related liabilities	8,523		18,886
Accrued interest	29,523		21,224
Other	79,851		94,862
	$	256,642	$	242,691