Supplemental Cash Flow Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Supplemental Cash Flow Data
Income taxes paid	$ 5,561	$ 7,465	$ 8,038
Interest paid	352	276	314
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
Issuance of stock based compensation previously accrued for			152
Common stock received for payment of stock option exercises		386
Property, plant & equipment additions included in accounts payable	117	329	66
Notes payable to CIM shareholders related to acquisitions			3,000
Accrual of additional proceeds on sale of business			1,146
ServiWrap product line
Acquisition of certain assets
Property, plant & equipment			460
Goodwill			258
Intangible assets			8,981
Cash provided through operating cash and increase in debt			(9,699)
CIM Industries
Acquisition of certain assets
Current assets (net of cash acquired)			1,991
Property, plant & equipment			4,262
Goodwill			8,573
Intangible assets			8,100
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(439)
Deferred tax liabilities			(3,593)
Cash provided through operating cash and increase in debt			(18,894)
NEPTCO
Acquisition of certain assets
Current assets (net of cash acquired)	24,948
Property, plant & equipment	18,657
Goodwill	20,676
Intangible assets	23,165
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(10,841)
Long term liabilities	(736)
Deferred tax liabilities	(12,059)
Minority interest of joint venture partner	(1,593)
Cash provided through operating cash and increase in debt	(62,217)
Electronic manufacturing services business
Sale of business
Current assets (excluding cash)			(6,867)
Property and equipment			(857)
Goodwill			(5,999)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			193
Deferred tax liabilities			1,553
Gain on sale of business			(712)
Cash received from sale of business, net of transaction costs			$ 12,689