CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Net sales	$ 377,248	$ 392,799
Cost of products sold	230,262	240,191
Gross profit	146,986	152,608
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	87,830	88,109
Amortization of intangible assets	7,854	7,218
Operating profit	51,302	57,281
Financing costs, net	6,322	8,222
Other expense, net	364	657
Earnings before income tax expense	44,616	48,402
Income tax expense	8,273	11,228
Net earnings	$ 36,343	$ 37,174
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.50	$ 0.54
Diluted	$ 0.49	$ 0.50
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	72,791	68,421
Diluted	74,271	75,142