Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net earnings	$ 111,559	$ 24,031	$ 13,723
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	52,996	51,875	51,978
Net loss (gain) on disposal of businesses	11,695	(334)	(15,831)
Stock-based compensation expense	10,758	8,399	8,609
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	6,480	(2,876)	(17,847)
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	2,904	3,969	4,531
Impairment charges		36,139	58,274
Other non-cash adjustments	(46)	(855)	1,585
Changes in components of working capital and other:
Accounts receivable	(2,564)	(14,507)	71,215
Expiration of accounts receivable securitization program		(37,106)
Inventories	(29,909)	(7,964)	57,963
Prepaid expenses and other assets	5,876	3,817	1,075
Trade accounts payable	7,158	32,727	(61,932)
Income taxes payable	4,155	16,000	(9,180)
Accrued compensation and benefits	12,178	27,361	(25,836)
Other accrued liabilities	(21,674)	(19,590)	8,388
Cash provided by operating activities	171,566	121,086	146,715
Investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,779	1,236	1,862
Proceeds from sale of businesses	3,463	7,516	38,455
Capital expenditures	(23,096)	(19,966)	(21,454)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(313,456)	(45,866)	(239,422)
Cash used in investing activities	(331,310)	(57,080)	(220,559)
Financing activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and short-term borrowings	58,204	(14,313)	16,657
Principal repayments on term loans and other debt			(270,000)
Proceeds from issuance of term loans	100,000		115,000
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	(34)	(22,894)	(9,100)
Debt issuance costs	(5,197)		(9,158)
Proceeds from equity offering, net of transaction costs			124,781
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	8,235	3,315	4,024
Cash dividend	(2,716)	(2,702)	(2,251)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	158,492	(36,594)	(30,047)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	5,251	1,425	(7,273)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,999	28,837	(111,164)
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of year	40,222	11,385	122,549
Cash and cash equivalents-end of year	$ 44,221	$ 40,222	$ 11,385