Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$ 156,034	$ 193,941
Gross Carrying Value	306,069	374,978
Net Book Value	150,035	181,037
Tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Net Book Value	84,054	87,253
Gross Carrying Value	$ 84,054	87,253
Customer relationships
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	15 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 188,974	230,601
Accumulated Amortization	126,738	147,451
Net Book Value	$ 62,236	83,150
Patents
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	11 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 20,946	30,355
Accumulated Amortization	19,041	25,327
Net Book Value	$ 1,905	5,028
Trademarks and tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	15 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 6,904	20,823
Accumulated Amortization	5,083	15,347
Net Book Value	$ 1,821	5,476
Other intangibles
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	3 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 5,191	5,946
Accumulated Amortization	5,172	5,816
Net Book Value	$ 19	$ 130