CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 412,865	$ 279,503	$ 198,093
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	167,613	165,758	158,671
Deferred income taxes and other long-term taxes	(39,873)	49,580	49,523
Stock-based compensation	43,677	31,850	25,106
Amortization of acquired unfavorable contract backlog	(6,035)	(29,367)	(74,784)
Asset impairments	6,784	7,611	384
Net gain on disposals of subsidiaries, assets and other	(8,807)	(4,213)	(2,281)
Loss on debt extinguishment	16,841	1,778	0
Other	541	2,643	1,111
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(228,026)	146,375	27,204
Inventories	(316,316)	78,903	89,664
Other operating assets and liabilities	(15,591)	15,065	(52,851)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables	194,801	45,718	(15,315)
Beneficial interest in securitized accounts receivable	0	0	(367,521)
Net cash flows from operating activities	228,474	791,204	37,004
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(184,165)	(187,618)	(138,836)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,888)	(18,137)	(700,941)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	26,424	11,843	3,910
Beneficial interest in securitized accounts receivable	0	0	367,521
Other	(2,500)	974	6,298
Net cash flows used by investing activities	(162,129)	(192,938)	(462,048)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net	309,279	62,539	180,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(368,527)	(246,523)	(127,704)
Proceeds from accounts receivable facilities	296,586	234,482	288,896
Repayments under accounts receivable facilities	(269,858)	(237,828)	(296,033)
Dividends	(57,766)	(57,056)	(56,537)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(3,166)	(3,420)	(1,876)
Debt extinguishment costs	(13,128)	0	0
Debt issuance costs	(2,830)	0	0
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	20	16	10
Net cash flows used by financing activities	(109,390)	(247,790)	(13,244)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(790)	759	(598)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(43,835)	351,235	(438,886)
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	544,964	193,729	632,615
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year	501,129	544,964	193,729
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for income taxes	140,950	44,499	7,977
Cash paid for interest	58,325	59,711	65,190
Noncash activities:
Liabilities related to additions of property, plant and equipment	39,899	25,100	57,640
Cash and cash equivalents	497,745	542,103	192,461
Restricted cash	$ 3,384	$ 2,861	$ 1,268