Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (2,728)	$ 7,299
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Other asset impairment charges	928	0
Exit-related asset impairment charges	566	0
Depreciation and amortization	41,047	41,573
Deferred income taxes	1,803	2,919
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	(777)	(349)
Share-based compensation expense	7,180	7,156
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	(54)	0
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets	(66)	188
Unrealized foreign exchange loss, net	808	469
Bad debt expense (recoveries), net	400	(572)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	5,342	(32,168)
Inventories	(7,581)	(45,736)
Income taxes	(3,284)	825
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,464	(11,312)
Intangibles and other long-term assets	273	378
Accounts payable	1,758	(10,595)
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	(1,771)	511
Other accrued liabilities	(115)	(5,366)
Environmental liabilities	(337)	21
Other long-term liabilities	(198)	(315)
Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	1,040	1,279
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	45,698	(43,795)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(21,064)	(47,823)
Joint venture payments, net	(1,468)	(510)
Proceeds from sale of assets	635	711
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(2,160)	(22,667)
Net cash used in investing activities	(24,057)	(70,289)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	257,500	315,000
Repayment of line of credit	(266,000)	(315,000)
Borrowings from long-term debt	185,027	158,324
Repayment of long-term debt	(180,477)	(94,987)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment arrangements	(676)	(1,161)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	54	0
Stock options exercised	240	300
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	0	1,970
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,072)	(1,002)
Dividends paid	(9,983)	(4,952)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(15,387)	58,492
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	668	269
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6,922	(55,323)
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	13,481	89,863
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	$ 20,403	$ 34,540