Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2013

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

	Industrial			Energy			Electrical			Engineered Solutions			Total
Balance as of August 31, 2011	$	85,409		$	252,285		$	260,777		$	289,995		$	888,466
Businesses acquired	—			14,101			—			26,188			40,289
Purchase accounting adjustments	—			—			(3,995		)	715			(3,280		)
Impairment charge	—			—			(36,557		)	—			(36,557		)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	(4,005		)	(6,865		)	(6,355		)	(5,281		)	(22,506		)
Balance as of August 31, 2012	81,404			259,521			213,870			311,617			866,412
Business acquired	—			87,734			—			—			87,734
Purchase accounting adjustments	—			117			—			(100		)	17
Impairment charge	—			—			(137,804		)	—			(137,804		)
Reclassification to discontinued operations	—			—			(76,877		)	—			(76,877		)
Divestiture of Nielsen Sessions business	—			—			—			(2,556		)	(2,556		)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	1,207			(5,469		)	811			1,477			(1,974		)
Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	82,611		$	341,903		$	—		$	310,438		$	734,952

Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):

	Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	August 31, 2013						August 31, 2012
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships	15	$	318,143	$	95,215	$	222,928	$	347,739	$	93,768	$	253,971
Patents	11	30,564		18,747		11,817		52,851		34,842		18,009
Trademarks and tradenames	19	24,088		7,356		16,732		43,820		8,670		35,150
Non-compete agreements and other	4	7,034		6,458		576		7,677		6,316		1,361
Indefinite lived intangible assets:
Tradenames	N/A	124,639		—		124,639		137,393		—		137,393
		$	504,468	$	127,776	$	376,692	$	589,480	$	143,596	$	445,884