Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,543,583	$ 2,621,911	$ 3,340,938
Operating expense:
Cost of goods sold	2,324,823	2,415,391	3,079,716
Selling, general and administrative	191,213	193,533	205,178
Income from joint ventures	(1,196)	(1,183)	(2,636)
Goodwill impairment charge	0	321,000	0
Other asset impairment charges	1,460	13,053	0
Restructuring charges and other exit-related costs	6,967	7,906	5,012
Operating income (loss)	20,316	(327,789)	53,668
Interest expense	(10,804)	(9,743)	(11,880)
Other income, net	1,223	83	1,168
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	10,735	(337,449)	42,956
Income tax (expense) benefit	(2,001)	57,426	(14,039)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	8,734	(280,023)	28,917
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	857	0	0
Net income (loss)	9,591	(280,023)	28,917
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,667)	(1,419)	(1,513)
Net income (loss) attributable to SSI	$ 5,924	$ (281,442)	$ 27,404
Basic:
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI	$ 0.19	$ (10.56)	$ 1.00
Income per share from discontinued operations attributable to SSI	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI	$ 0.22	$ (10.56)	$ 1.00
Diluted:
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI	$ 0.19	$ (10.56)	$ 0.99
Income per share from discontinued operations attributable to SSI	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI	$ 0.22	$ (10.56)	$ 0.99
Weighted average number of common shares:
Basic	26,834	26,656	27,317
Diluted	27,000	26,656	27,553
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.750	$ 0.750	$ 0.410