CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 54,762	$ 79,443	$ 113,244
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	126,940	132,779	136,004
Provision for losses on receivables, net	6,878	3,481	(1,760)
Share-based compensation	26,335	23,484	18,051
Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain	(7,597)	(7,597)	(7,597)
Loss on debt extinguishment	11,480	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(3,889)	(13,071)	30,143
Tax expense from stock plans	1,697	1,213	4,426
Net gain on sale of a subsidiary, cost method investment and other	(2,591)	(8,489)	(13,833)
Write-down of inventory	15,555	37,652	5,015
Asset impairments	55,793	14,610	3,498
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	142,510	206,633	(143,397)
Advance payments on sale of accounts receivable programs, net	(19,472)	(117,753)	120,957
Inventories	209,555	127,583	(191,356)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables	(43,577)	(180,517)	90,604
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities	12,486	14,010	(27,059)
Net cash flows from operating activities	586,865	313,461	136,940
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(163,332)	(119,580)	(101,749)
Increase in restricted cash	(21,777)	0	0
Proceeds from the sale of subsidiaries	4,349	27,831	52,609
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	5,113	14,925	17,572
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	(15,693)
Net cash flows used by investing activities	(175,647)	(76,824)	(47,261)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Repayments on long-term debt	(211,394)	(11,335)	(7,677)
Cash dividends	(55,342)	(55,945)	(56,428)
Increase (decrease) in documentary letters of credit, net	(41,468)	(80,482)	11,753
Treasury stock acquired	(30,595)	(41,806)	0
Short-term borrowings, net change	(20,090)	7,802	6,315
Debt issuance and extinguishment costs	(11,127)	0	(431)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(6,034)	(1,492)	(1,488)
Tax expense from stock plans	(1,697)	(1,213)	(4,426)
Decrease in restricted cash	1	3,742	18,000
Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests	29	38	(15)
Net cash flows used by financing activities	(377,717)	(180,691)	(34,397)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,280)	(5,548)	873
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	32,221	50,398	56,155
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	485,323	434,925	378,770
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	517,544	485,323	434,925
Noncash activities:
Liabilities related to additions of property, plant and equipment	$ 29,763	$ 19,921	$ 21,207