Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (195,076)	$ 9,591	$ (280,023)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Goodwill impairment charges	141,021	0	321,000
Other asset impairment charges	45,119	1,460	13,053
Exit-related asset impairment charges	6,502	566	0
Depreciation and amortization	67,936	79,209	83,070
Inventory write-down	3,031	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(1,988)	(3,815)	(59,102)
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	(1,490)	(1,196)	(1,183)
Share-based compensation expense	10,481	14,506	11,475
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	(343)	(194)	(343)
(Gain) loss on the disposal of assets	(2,875)	(1,126)	131
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss, net	(1,909)	240	1,583
Bad debt expense (recoveries), net	(264)	449	584
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	55,600	(16,360)	(79,118)
Inventories	69,256	36,264	46,826
Income taxes	(5,846)	4,129	2,440
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,403	(2,453)	(13,852)
Intangibles and other long-term assets	1,064	996	977
Accounts payable	(35,638)	9,409	(10,901)
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	(6,330)	8,114	2,720
Other accrued liabilities	(2,710)	(91)	(1,770)
Environmental liabilities	(702)	(1,581)	(146)
Other long-term liabilities	(3,384)	1,825	113
Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	770	1,310	1,755
Net cash provided by operating activities	144,628	141,252	39,289
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(32,297)	(39,147)	(90,381)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(150)	(2,160)	(25,366)
Joint venture payments, net	(1)	(3,765)	(2,194)
Proceeds from sale of assets	4,270	3,841	5,491
Net cash used in investing activities	(28,178)	(41,231)	(112,450)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	266,500	469,500	545,500
Repayment of line of credit	(266,500)	(478,000)	(537,000)
Borrowings from long-term debt	140,536	313,207	265,858
Repayment of long-term debt	(231,103)	(368,496)	(230,923)
Payment of debt modification fees	(978)	0	0
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(1,347)	0	0
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment arrangements	(1,997)	(1,578)	(2,673)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	343	194	343
Stock options exercised	0	240	316
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	0	0	1,970
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(3,110)	(3,115)	(2,794)
Contingent consideration paid relating to business acquisitions	(759)	0	0
Dividends paid	(20,336)	(20,126)	(20,010)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0	0	(24,734)
Net cash used in financing activities	(118,751)	(88,174)	(4,147)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(616)	344	926
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(2,917)	12,191	(76,382)
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of year	25,672	13,481	89,863
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of year	22,755	25,672	13,481
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
Interest	7,138	8,838	8,542
Income taxes paid (refunds received), net	(1,866)	69	(483)
Schedule of noncash investing and financing transactions:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in current liabilities	$ 6,086	$ 7,249	$ 8,922