CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 258,869	$ 263,289	$ 524,662	$ 568,300
Cost of products sold	171,543	172,259	344,269	368,709
Gross profit	87,326	91,030	180,393	199,591
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	66,957	67,172	135,561	140,083
Amortization of intangible assets	5,069	5,880	10,330	11,779
Director & officer transition charges	0	0	7,784	0
Restructuring Charges	2,101	3,582	5,048	7,962
Asset Impairment Charges	0	186,511	0	186,511
Operating profit (loss)	13,199	(172,115)	21,670	(146,744)
Financing costs, net	7,334	6,866	14,467	13,982
Other expense (income), net	591	235	(38)	855
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	5,274	(179,216)	7,241	(161,581)
Income tax expense (benefit)	200	(20,026)	(2,798)	(17,839)
Net earnings (loss)	$ 5,074	$ (159,190)	$ 10,039	$ (143,742)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$ 0.09	$ (2.70)	$ 0.17	$ (2.43)
Diluted	$ 0.08	$ (2.70)	$ 0.17	$ (2.43)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	59,368	58,991	59,170	59,089
Diluted	60,146	58,991	59,881	59,089