Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]

Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment [Table Text Block]

Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following as of August 31 (in thousands):

	2012			2011
Machinery and equipment	$	671,615		$	640,573
Land and improvements	231,925			216,230
Buildings and leasehold improvements	91,411			85,131
Office equipment	43,240			40,580
ERP systems	15,246			14,087
Construction in progress	46,476			29,988
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,099,913			1,026,589
Less: accumulated depreciation	(535,728		)	(471,305		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	564,185		$	555,284