Gross Carrying Value and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Accumulated Amortization	$ 193,941	$ 192,660
Net Book Value	181,037	220,489
Intangible assets, gross	374,978	413,149
Trade Names
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	87,253	91,080
Finite-Lived Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Net Book Value	87,253	91,080
Customer Relationships
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	230,601	263,498
Finite-Lived Accumulated Amortization	147,451	153,003
Net Book Value	$ 83,150	110,495
Weighted Average Amortization Period	15 years
Patents
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 30,355	30,401
Finite-Lived Accumulated Amortization	25,327	24,027
Net Book Value	$ 5,028	6,374
Weighted Average Amortization Period	11 years
Trademarks and Tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 20,823	21,498
Finite-Lived Accumulated Amortization	15,347	9,396
Net Book Value	$ 5,476	12,102
Weighted Average Amortization Period	18 years
Non-Compete Agreements and Other
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 5,946	6,672
Finite-Lived Accumulated Amortization	5,816	6,234
Net Book Value	$ 130	$ 438
Weighted Average Amortization Period	3 years