Proforma Results of Operations (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales, As reported	$ 1,182,611,000	$ 1,095,784,000	$ 1,149,410,000
Net sales, Pro forma			1,175,303,915
Earnings from continuing operations			(105,174,000)
Earnings from continuing operations, Pro forma			$ (100,926,578)
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations, As reported			$ (1.78)
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations, Pro forma			(1.71)
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, As reported			(1.78)
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, Pro forma			$ (1.71)
Fiscal 2016 acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales, As reported	$ 44,700,000	$ 32,800,000	$ 19,100,000