CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 279,503	$ 198,093	$ 138,506
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	165,758	158,671	131,659
Deferred income taxes and other long-term taxes	49,580	49,523	14,377
Share-based compensation	31,850	25,106	23,929
Amortization of acquired unfavorable contract backlog	(29,367)	(74,784)	0
Asset impairments	7,611	384	15,053
Net gain on sales of a subsidiary, assets and other	(4,213)	(2,281)	(1,322)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(1,778)	0	0
Provision for losses on receivables, net	578	388	2,510
Write-down of inventory and other	2,065	723	1,407
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	146,375	27,204	(10,802)
Inventories	78,903	89,664	(43,198)
Other operating assets and liabilities	15,065	(52,851)	(15,423)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables	45,718	(15,315)	(20,163)
Beneficial interest in securitized accounts receivable	0	(367,521)	(670,457)
Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities	791,204	37,004	(433,924)
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(187,618)	(138,836)	(174,655)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(18,137)	(700,941)	(6,980)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	11,843	3,910	8,103
Proceeds from insurance, sale of discontinued operations and other	974	6,298	102,857
Advances under accounts receivable programs	0	0	226,325
Repayments under accounts receivable programs	0	0	(304,178)
Beneficial interest in securitized accounts receivable	0	367,521	670,457
Net cash flows from (used by) investing activities	(192,938)	(462,048)	521,929
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	62,539	180,000	350,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(246,523)	(127,704)	(19,967)
Proceeds from accounts receivable programs	234,482	288,896	0
Repayments under accounts receivable programs	(237,828)	(296,033)	0
Cash dividends	(57,056)	(56,537)	(56,076)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(3,420)	(1,876)	(9,302)
Debt issuance costs	0	0	(5,254)
Other	16	10	31
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities	(247,790)	(13,244)	259,432
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	759	(598)	(703)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	351,235	(438,886)	346,734
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	193,729	632,615	285,881
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year	544,964	193,729	632,615
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for income taxes	44,499	7,977	7,198
Cash paid for interest	59,711	65,190	39,972
Noncash activities:
Liabilities related to additions of property, plant and equipment	25,100	57,640	32,274
Cash and cash equivalents	542,103	192,461	622,473
Restricted cash	$ 2,861	$ 1,268	$ 10,142