Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 378,770	$ 262,422
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,042 and $9,480)	989,694	958,364
Inventories, net	757,417	807,923
Other	240,314	211,122
Total current assets	2,366,195	2,239,831
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	80,764	79,123
Buildings and improvements	486,494	483,708
Equipment	1,666,250	1,656,328
Construction in process	18,476	41,036
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	2,251,984	2,260,195
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,311,747)	(1,265,891)
Property, plant and equipment, Net	940,237	994,304
Goodwill	69,579	76,897
Other assets	118,790	130,214
Total assets	3,494,801	3,441,246
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	342,678	433,132
Accounts payable-documentary letters of credit	112,281	95,870
Accrued expenses and other payables	314,949	343,337
Notes payable	5,973	24,543
Current maturities of long-term debt	5,228	4,252
Total current liabilities	781,109	901,134
Deferred income taxes	46,558	20,271
Other long-term liabilities	118,165	116,261
Long-term debt	1,278,814	1,157,073
Total liabilities	2,224,646	2,194,739
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued 129,060,664 shares; outstanding 117,010,990 and 116,351,424 shares	1,290	1,290
Additional paid-in capital	363,772	365,778
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(27,176)	(18,136)
Retained earnings	1,166,732	1,145,445
Less treasury stock, 12,049,674 and 12,709,240 shares at cost	(234,619)	(248,009)
Stockholders’ equity attributable to CMC	1,269,999	1,246,368
Stockholders’ equity attributable to noncontrolling interests	156	139
Total equity	1,270,155	1,246,507
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 3,494,801	$ 3,441,246