CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 46,332	$ 54,762	$ 79,443
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	125,071	126,940	132,779
Share-based compensation	30,311	26,335	23,484
Loss on debt extinguishment	22,672	11,480	0
Write-down of inventory	21,529	15,555	37,652
Deferred income taxes	(14,184)	(3,889)	(13,071)
Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain	(11,657)	(7,597)	(7,597)
Asset impairments	8,238	55,793	14,610
Net loss (gain) on sales of a subsidiary, assets and other	6,049	(2,591)	(8,489)
Provision for losses on receivables, net	6,049	6,878	3,481
Tax expense from stock plans	0	1,697	1,213
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(78,527)	142,510	206,633
Proceeds (payments) on sale of accounts receivable programs, net	81,731	(19,472)	(117,753)
Inventories	(98,835)	209,555	127,583
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables	93,478	(43,577)	(180,517)
Other operating assets and liabilities	(63,785)	12,486	14,010
Net cash flows from operating activities	174,472	586,865	313,461
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(213,120)	(163,332)	(119,580)
Proceeds from the sale of subsidiaries	163,449	4,349	27,831
Acquisitions	(56,080)	0	0
Increase in restricted cash, net	(11,128)	(21,777)	0
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	3,164	5,113	14,925
Net cash flows used by investing activities	(113,715)	(175,647)	(76,824)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(711,850)	(211,394)	(11,335)
Proceeds from long-term debt transactions	475,454	0	0
Cash dividends	(55,514)	(55,342)	(55,945)
Debt extinguishment costs	(22,672)	(11,127)	0
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(5,498)	(6,034)	(1,492)
Debt issuance costs	(4,449)	0	0
Increase (decrease) in documentary letters of credit, net	22	(41,468)	(80,482)
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	14	29	38
Treasury stock acquired	0	(30,595)	(41,806)
Short-term borrowings, net change	0	(20,090)	7,802
Tax expense from stock plans	0	(1,697)	(1,213)
Decrease in restricted cash	0	1	3,742
Net cash flows used by financing activities	(324,493)	(377,717)	(180,691)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,213)	(1,280)	(5,548)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(264,949)	32,221	50,398
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	517,544	485,323	434,925
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	252,595	517,544	485,323
Noncash activities:
Liabilities related to additions of property, plant and equipment	$ 51,330	$ 29,763	$ 19,921