BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of certain financial information from continuing operations by reportable segment

The following is a summary of certain financial information from continuing operations by reportable segment:

	Three Months Ended November 30, 2014
	Americas								International
(in thousands)	Recycling			Mills		Fabrication			Mill		Marketing and Distribution		Corporate			Eliminations			Continuing Operations
Net sales-unaffiliated customers	$	269,802		$	303,859	$	408,237		$	177,629	$	519,631	$	832		$	—		$	1,679,990
Intersegment sales	46,257			220,992		4,251			—		18,175		—			(289,675		)	—
Net sales	316,059			524,851		412,488			177,629		537,806		832			(289,675		)	1,679,990
Adjusted operating profit (loss)	(1,143		)	75,382		(3,009		)	4,223		18,252		(19,611		)	(805		)	73,289
Total assets at November 30, 2014*	310,139			665,388		678,267			454,143		1,022,760		1,035,764			(652,430		)	3,514,031
	Three Months Ended November 30, 2013
	Americas								International
(in thousands)	Recycling			Mills		Fabrication			Mill		Marketing and Distribution		Corporate			Eliminations			Continuing Operations
Net sales-unaffiliated customers	$	293,475		$	291,573	$	353,992		$	228,492	$	443,358	$	6,185		$	—		$	1,617,075
Intersegment sales	44,727			189,578		4,226			658		1,984		—			(241,173		)	—
Net sales	338,202			481,151		358,218			229,150		445,342		6,185			(241,173		)	1,617,075
Adjusted operating profit (loss)	839			65,814		2,217			15,268		2,042		(18,049		)	597			68,728
Total assets at August 31, 2014*	296,564			647,437		691,765			466,449		949,016		1,100,995			(470,716		)	3,681,510

* Excludes total assets from discontinued operations of $102.3 million at November 30, 2014 and $7.0 million at August 31, 2014.

Reconciliations of earnings from continuing operations to adjusted operating profit

Reconciliations of earnings from continuing operations to adjusted operating profit are provided below:

	Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2014		2013
Earnings from continuing operations	$	38,334	$	33,700
Income taxes	15,447		15,091
Interest expense	19,057		19,408
Discounts on sales of accounts receivable	451		529
Adjusted operating profit	$	73,289	$	68,728