CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Operating activities
Net earnings	$ 163,573	$ 30,048	$ 87,290
Non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization	60,635	53,902	54,263
Net gain on disposal of businesses	(29,152)	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	17,115	13,440	13,346
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	40	(44,265)	(10,524)
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	1,829	1,940	1,990
Impairment charges	0	158,817	62,464
Non-cash debt refinancing costs	0	0	2,254
Other non-cash adjustments	(168)	328	0
Changes in components of working capital and other:
Accounts receivable	1,336	(10,925)	(12,310)
Inventories	(21,915)	13,714	11,532
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,276	(4,603)	(2,164)
Trade accounts payable	(19,832)	(9,279)	5,902
Income taxes payable	(46,133)	594	(17,903)
Accrued compensation and benefits	11,779	(14,256)	(6,292)
Other accrued liabilities	(18,149)	4,334	(7,519)
Cash provided by operating activities	125,234	193,789	182,329
Investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	44,274	1,621	8,501
Proceeds from sale of businesses	289,590	4,854	0
Capital expenditures	(41,857)	(23,668)	(22,740)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(30,500)	(235,489)	(69,309)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	261,507	(252,682)	(83,548)
Financing activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver	(125,000)	125,000	(58,167)
Principal repayments on term loans	0	(7,500)	(2,500)
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	0	0	(102)
Proceeds from issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes	0	0	300,000
Redemption of 6.875% Senior Notes	0	0	(250,000)
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	(1,585)	(5,378)	(958)
Debt issuance costs	0	(2,035)	(5,490)
Purchase of treasury shares	(283,712)	(41,832)	(63,083)
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	32,224	33,261	10,913
Cash dividend	(2,919)	(2,911)	(2,748)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(380,992)	98,605	(72,135)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(723)	(3,910)	(2,683)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,026	35,802	23,963
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	103,986	68,184	44,221
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$ 109,012	$ 103,986	$ 68,184