Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 29,761	$ 85,451
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	61,437	53,983
Deferred income taxes	5,149	25,764
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	(2,174)	(3,389)
Share-based compensation expense	7,424	9,454
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	(511)	(201)
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets	(17)	934
Net gain on derivatives	0	(759)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss, net	558	(73)
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries	0	421
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	69,037	(112,906)
Inventories	11,104	(73,304)
Refundable income taxes	(9,344)	(506)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(3,812)	(46)
Intangibles and other long-term assets	(263)	665
Accounts payable	(17,434)	16,169
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	(13,748)	(1,487)
Other accrued liabilities	1,599	849
Accrued income taxes	(4,385)	7,870
Environmental liabilities	(317)	218
Other long-term liabilities	93	(836)
Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	2,280	4,405
Net cash provided by operating activities	136,437	12,676
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(54,945)	(74,968)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(294,030)
Joint venture receipts (payments), net	(559)	(1,316)
Proceeds from sale of assets	624	437
Net cash used in investing activities	(54,880)	(369,877)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	372,500	436,000
Repayment of line of credit	(372,500)	(433,500)
Borrowings from long-term debt	380,309	788,974
Repayment of long-term debt	(425,755)	(420,851)
Debt financing fees	(1,215)	(5,309)
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(14,748)	0
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment arrangements	(1,194)	(1,893)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	511	201
Stock options exercised	608	555
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	2,104	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,497)	(2,101)
Contingent consideration paid relating to business acquisitions	(4,485)	0
Dividends paid	(6,520)	(1,400)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(73,882)	360,676
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(667)	(1,016)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,008	2,459
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	49,462	30,342
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	$ 56,470	$ 32,801