Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 77,319	$ 207,490	$ (129,404)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	136,548	137,310	159,576
Provision for losses (recoveries) on receivables, net	4,430	(2,463)	306
Share-based compensation	18,693	13,125	12,893
Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain	(12,470)	(5,815)	0
Loss on debt extinguishment	4,758	0	0
Deferred income taxes (benefit)	54,655	(59,999)	(19,856)
Tax expense (benefit) from stock plans	1,444	(1,968)	(2,355)
Net gain on sale of assets and other	(25,371)	(11,932)	(1,315)
Write-down of inventory	3,003	13,917	25,503
Asset impairments	17,270	3,316	120,145
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	11,065	68,260	(168,779)
Accounts receivable sold (repurchased), net	(80,580)	(77,116)	78,297
Inventories	26,459	53,449	(200,204)
Other assets	2,894	5,001	73,382
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables	(87,375)	(157,025)	82,642
Other long-term liabilities	(5,010)	10,443	(3,084)
Net cash flows from operating activities	147,732	195,993	27,747
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(89,035)	(113,853)	(73,215)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	13,904	55,360	53,394
Proceeds from the sale of equity method investments	0	0	10,802
Proceeds from the sale of cost method investment	28,995	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	(48,386)
Decrease (increase) in deposit for letters of credit	0	31,053	(4,123)
Net cash flows used by investing activities	(46,136)	(27,440)	(61,528)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in documentary letters of credit	(6,221)	(74,493)	(55,950)
Short-term borrowings, net change	(19,524)	18,607	(10,253)
Repayments on long-term debt	(204,856)	(64,801)	(33,577)
Proceeds from termination of interest rate swaps	0	52,733	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	330,000	0	0
Payments for debt issuance costs	(4,684)	0	0
Debt extinguishment costs	(4,557)	0	0
Increase in restricted cash	(18,620)	0	0
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	951	(81)	9,615
Cash dividends	(56,028)	(55,617)	(55,177)
Tax benefit (expense) from stock plans	(1,444)	1,968	2,355
Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests	13	(55)	(4,027)
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities	15,030	(121,739)	(147,014)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(278)	(6,782)	3,872
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	116,348	40,032	(176,923)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	262,422	222,390	399,313
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 378,770	$ 262,422	$ 222,390