GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 0	$ 6,331,000	$ 0
Goodwill	74,319,000	69,579,000	76,897,000
Accumulated goodwill impairment charges	9,800,000	9,500,000
Amortization expense for intangible assets	5,100,000	4,900,000	5,900,000
Favorable land leases
Weighted average remaining useful lives	51 years
Intangible assets excluding favorable land leases
Weighted average remaining useful lives	4 years
Australia
Goodwill impairment charges		6,400,000
Foreign currency translation gain related to goodwill impairment		600,000
One reporting unit within Americas Fabrication
Goodwill	$ 51,300,000	$ 51,300,000