Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 207,490	$ (129,404)	$ (205,108)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	137,310	159,576	168,934
Provision for losses (recoveries) on receivables, net	(2,463)	306	(2,582)
Share-based compensation	13,125	12,893	13,132
Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain	(5,815)	0	0
Deferred income taxes (benefit)	(59,999)	(19,856)	59,286
Tax benefits from stock plans	(1,968)	(2,355)	(4,033)
Net gain on sale of assets and other	(11,932)	(1,315)	(4,740)
Write-down of inventory	13,917	25,503	53,203
Asset impairment	3,316	120,145	35,041
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	68,260	(168,779)	(106,402)
Accounts receivable sold (repurchased), net	(77,116)	78,297	10,239
Decrease (increase) in inventories	53,449	(200,204)	(60,612)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	5,001	73,382	(94,313)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses, other payables and income taxes	(157,025)	82,642	186,952
Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities	10,443	(3,084)	(4,087)
Net cash flows from operating activities	195,993	27,747	44,910
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(113,853)	(73,215)	(127,121)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	55,360	53,394	22,887
Proceeds from the sale of equity method investments	0	10,802	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(48,386)	(2,448)
Decrease (increase) in deposit for letters of credit	31,053	(4,123)	(26,930)
Net cash flows used by investing activities	(27,440)	(61,528)	(133,612)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in documentary letters of credit	(74,493)	(55,950)	117,423
Short-term borrowings, net change	18,607	(10,253)	14,636
Repayments on long-term debt	(64,801)	(33,577)	(29,939)
Proceeds from termination of interest rate swaps	52,733	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	0	22,438
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(81)	9,615	10,494
Cash dividends	(55,617)	(55,177)	(54,489)
Tax benefits from stock plans	1,968	2,355	4,033
Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests	(55)	(4,027)	21
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities	(121,739)	(147,014)	84,617
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(6,782)	3,872	(2,205)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	40,032	(176,923)	(6,290)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	222,390	399,313	405,603
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 262,422	$ 222,390	$ 399,313