Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 9,591	$ (280,023)	$ 28,917
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Goodwill impairment charge	0	321,000	0
Other asset impairment charges	1,460	13,053	0
Exit-related asset impairment charges	566	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	79,209	83,070	82,256
Deferred income taxes	(3,815)	(59,102)	8,321
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	(1,196)	(1,183)	(2,307)
Share-based compensation expense	14,506	11,475	8,793
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	(194)	(343)	(817)
(Gain) loss on the disposal of assets	(1,126)	131	(135)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss, net	240	1,583	(334)
Bad debt expense, net	449	584	688
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(16,360)	(79,118)	81,701
Inventories	36,264	46,826	94,095
Income taxes	4,129	2,440	(20,018)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(2,453)	(13,852)	(4,010)
Intangibles and other long-term assets	996	977	(82)
Accounts payable	9,409	(10,901)	(26,074)
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	8,114	2,720	(13,161)
Other accrued liabilities	(91)	(1,770)	6,500
Environmental liabilities	(1,581)	(146)	(2,201)
Other long-term liabilities	1,825	113	253
Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	1,310	1,755	2,405
Net cash provided by operating activities	141,252	39,289	244,790
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(39,147)	(90,381)	(78,560)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(2,160)	(25,366)	(6,567)
Joint venture payments, net	(3,765)	(2,194)	(92)
Proceeds from sale of assets	3,841	5,491	953
Net cash used in investing activities	(41,231)	(112,450)	(84,266)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	469,500	545,500	495,500
Repayment of line of credit	(478,000)	(537,000)	(495,500)
Borrowings from long-term debt	313,207	265,858	439,070
Repayment of long-term debt	(368,496)	(230,923)	(507,745)
Debt financing fees	0	0	(1,282)
Repurchase of Class A common stock	0	0	(33,194)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment arrangements	(1,578)	(2,673)	(2,307)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	194	343	817
Stock options exercised	240	316	608
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	0	1,970	4,008
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(3,115)	(2,794)	(4,087)
Contingent consideration paid relating to business acquisitions	0	0	(4,485)
Dividends paid	(20,126)	(20,010)	(11,455)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0	(24,734)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(88,174)	(4,147)	(120,052)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	344	926	(71)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,191	(76,382)	40,401
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of year	13,481	89,863	49,462
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of year	25,672	13,481	89,863
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
Interest	8,838	8,542	10,968
Income taxes paid (refunds received), net	69	(483)	24,517
Schedule of noncash investing and financing transactions:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in current liabilities	$ 7,249	$ 8,922	$ 15,826