Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$ 200,579	$ 165,486
Other intangibles, gross	451,114	474,248
Other intangibles, net	250,535	308,762
Tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	$ 95,026	112,437
Customer relationships
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	15 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 298,079	302,518
Accumulated Amortization	165,990	132,007
Net Book Value	$ 132,089	170,511
Patents
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	10 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 30,493	30,899
Accumulated Amortization	21,020	19,928
Net Book Value	$ 9,473	10,971
Trademarks and tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	18 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 21,344	21,604
Accumulated Amortization	7,584	7,055
Net Book Value	$ 13,760	14,549
Other intangibles
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	3 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 6,172	6,790
Accumulated Amortization	5,985	6,496
Net Book Value	$ 187	$ 294