Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 7,299	$ 18,107
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	41,573	40,991
Deferred income taxes	2,919	4,109
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	(349)	(1,833)
Share-based compensation expense	7,156	5,895
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	0	(497)
Loss on disposal of assets	188	112
Unrealized foreign exchange loss, net	469	89
Bad debt recoveries, net of expense	(572)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(32,168)	8,237
Inventories	(45,736)	13,579
Income taxes	825	(19,772)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(11,312)	(943)
Intangibles and other long-term assets	378	456
Accounts payable	(10,595)	(14,882)
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	511	(14,056)
Other accrued liabilities	(5,366)	836
Environmental liabilities	21	(323)
Other long-term liabilities	(315)	(136)
Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	1,279	1,400
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(43,795)	41,369
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(47,823)	(43,178)
Joint venture receipts, net	(510)	(335)
Proceeds from sale of assets	711	519
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(22,667)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(70,289)	(42,994)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	315,000	211,000
Repayment of line of credit	(315,000)	(211,000)
Borrowings from long-term debt	158,324	315,661
Repayment of long-term debt	(94,987)	(305,986)
Repurchase of Class A common stock	0	(3,117)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment arrangements	(1,161)	(840)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	0	497
Stock options exercised	300	498
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	1,970	2,104
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,002)	(2,368)
Contingent consideration paid relating to business acquisitions	0	(1,469)
Dividends paid	(4,952)	(932)
Net cash provided by financing activities	58,492	4,048
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	269	(165)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(55,323)	2,258
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	89,863	49,462
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	$ 34,540	$ 51,720