Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2014		$ 742,770us-gaap_Goodwill
Purchase accounting adjustments		(3,157)
Goodwill Impairment Charge	(78,000)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss	(78,530)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates		(45,130)us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
Balance as of February 28, 2015	615,953us-gaap_Goodwill	615,953us-gaap_Goodwill
Industrial
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2014		100,266
Purchase accounting adjustments		(3,157)
Goodwill Impairment Charge		0
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates		(4,681)
Balance as of February 28, 2015	92,428	92,428
Energy
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2014		350,627
Purchase accounting adjustments		0
Goodwill Impairment Charge		(78,530)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates		(29,556)
Balance as of February 28, 2015	242,540	242,540
Engineered Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2014		291,877
Purchase accounting adjustments		0
Goodwill Impairment Charge		0
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates		(10,893)
Balance as of February 28, 2015	$ 280,984	$ 280,984

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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