Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 107,736	$ 742
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	35,028	40,643
Provision for losses (recoveries) on receivables, net	239	(522)
Share-based compensation	3,881	2,135
Deferred income taxes	(112,237)	72
Tax benefits from stock plans		(71)
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets and other	374	(1,527)
Write-down of inventory	5,907	3,815
Asset impairment	1,044
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	94,061	(16,233)
Accounts receivable sold, net	47,785	21,994
Increase in inventories	(24,786)	(22,428)
Decrease in other assets	2,978	291
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses, other payables and income taxes	(121,167)	(35,710)
Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities	(2,704)	1,208
Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities	38,139	(5,591)
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(29,925)	(11,904)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	7,014	51,518
Increase in deposit for letters of credit	(865)	(1,523)
Net cash flows from (used by) investing activities	(23,776)	38,091
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in documentary letters of credit	13,080	(108,614)
Short-term borrowings, net change	44,432	79,127
Repayments on long-term debt	(44,584)	(7,390)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		45
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans	(27)	389
Cash dividends	(13,863)	(13,722)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(30)
Tax benefits from stock plans		71
Net cash flows used by financing activities	(992)	(50,094)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(7,658)	1,081
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,713	(16,513)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	222,390	399,313
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 228,103	$ 382,800