Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 238,770	$ 252,607
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	55,796	56,646
Depreciation - restructuring and merger and integration	23,127	21,440
Amortization	40,794	36,998
Share-based compensation expense	12,554	12,268
Other noncash restructuring charges	1,769	5,367
Loss on sale of assets - net	2,726	1,027
Loss on sale of business	11,287	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect from business acquired:
Trade receivables	(106,362)	(177,018)
Inventories	(272,613)	(167,945)
Accounts payable and accrued items	71,133	95,208
Proceeds from settlement of interest rate swaps - net	17,718	0
Defined benefit pension contributions	(4,496)	(12,312)
Accrued and prepaid income taxes	(33,069)	(105,166)
Other - net	800	426
Net cash provided by operating activities	59,934	19,546
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Business acquired, net of cash acquired	(362,846)	0
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(135,707)	(62,073)
Proceeds from sale of business	9,268	0
Sale and maturity of marketable securities	18,600	9,000
Purchases of marketable securities	0	(57,037)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant, and equipment	903	339
Other - net	(2,250)	11
Net cash used for investing activities	(472,032)	(109,760)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayments of long-term debt	0	(10,000)
Proceeds from long-term debt - net	748,560	400,000
Quarterly dividends paid	(104,825)	(95,333)
Purchase of treasury shares	(44,592)	(5,147)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	518	2,100
Other - net	(5,101)	2,476
Net cash provided by financing activities	594,560	294,096
Effect of exchange rate changes	(6,019)	11
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	176,443	203,893
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	319,845	283,570
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 496,288	$ 487,463