Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$ 149,180	$ 127,776
Other intangibles, gross	525,429	504,468
Other intangibles, net	376,249	376,692
Tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	127,316	124,639
Customer relationships
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	15 years
Gross Carrying Value	328,496	318,143
Accumulated Amortization	113,228	95,215
Net Book Value	215,268	222,928
Patents
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	11 years
Gross Carrying Value	35,878	30,564
Accumulated Amortization	20,688	18,747
Net Book Value	15,190	11,817
Trademarks and tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	18 years
Gross Carrying Value	26,304	24,088
Accumulated Amortization	8,492	7,356
Net Book Value	17,812	16,732
Non-compete agreements and other
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	4 years
Gross Carrying Value	7,435	7,034
Accumulated Amortization	6,772	6,458
Net Book Value	$ 663	$ 576