Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 12,275	$ 20,475
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	977	5,918
Capital expenditures	(7,689)	(5,595)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(83)	(290)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(6,795)	33
Financing Activities
Principal repayment of term loans	(1,250)
Net borrowings on revolver and other debt		4,809
Purchase of treasury shares	(7,142)	(20,410)
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	5,473	2,782
Cash dividend	(2,911)	(2,748)
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,830)	(15,567)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	477	(1,043)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	127	3,898
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	68,184	44,221
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	68,311	48,119
Parent
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(658)	(10,089)
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	571
Capital expenditures	(399)	(2,206)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(290)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	172	(2,496)
Financing Activities
Principal repayment of term loans	(1,250)
Net borrowings on revolver and other debt		4,700
Intercompany loan activity	(4,991)	28,060
Purchase of treasury shares	(7,142)	(20,410)
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	5,473	2,782
Cash dividend	(2,911)	(2,748)
Net cash used in financing activities	(10,821)	12,384
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(11,307)	(201)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	12,401	872
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	1,094	671
Guarantors
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	4,779	7,121
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	14	68
Capital expenditures	(1,291)	(571)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(1,277)	(503)
Financing Activities
Intercompany loan activity	(3,593)	(6,618)
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,593)	(6,618)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(91)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	91
Non-Guarantors
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	8,154	23,443
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	392	5,850
Capital expenditures	(5,999)	(2,818)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(83)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(5,690)	3,032
Financing Activities
Net borrowings on revolver and other debt		109
Intercompany loan activity	8,584	(21,442)
Net cash used in financing activities	8,584	(21,333)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	477	(1,043)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	11,525	4,099
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	55,692	43,349
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	$ 67,217	$ 47,448