Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 159,789	$ 46,978	$ (17,588)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Goodwill impairment charges	0	0	8,845
Other asset impairment charges (recoveries), net	(1,021)	(717)	20,682
Exit-related (gains), asset impairments and accelerated depreciation, net	(1,000)	(407)	1,790
Depreciation and amortization	49,672	49,840	54,630
Inventory write-downs	38	0	710
Deferred income taxes	(37,995)	2,278	507
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	(1,953)	(3,674)	(819)
Share-based compensation expense	18,965	10,847	10,437
Loss (gain) on the disposal of assets, net	56	448	(465)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss, net	(104)	361	(109)
Bad debt expense, net	323	126	131
Write-off of debt issuance costs	0	0	768
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(44,941)	(36,195)	(10,693)
Inventories	(24,280)	(22,207)	27,504
Income taxes	(1,755)	(1,086)	5,861
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(109)	(1,704)	(1,864)
Other long-term assets	(1,620)	537	266
Accounts payable	26,049	33,062	(763)
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	4,889	12,389	3,633
Other accrued liabilities	6,066	5,073	(4,362)
Environmental liabilities	3,053	1,884	(451)
Other long-term liabilities	4,404	(1,101)	30
Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	1,150	3,638	560
Net cash provided by operating activities	159,676	100,370	99,240
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(77,626)	(44,940)	(34,571)
Purchase of cost method investment	0	(6,017)	0
Acquisition	(2,300)	0	0
Joint venture receipts (payments), net	11	405	(11)
Proceeds from sale of assets	6,517	5,158	4,106
Net cash used in investing activities	(73,398)	(45,394)	(30,476)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings from long-term debt	515,480	433,336	152,311
Repayment of long-term debt	(556,456)	(481,757)	(187,951)
Proceeds from line of credit	0	0	135,500
Repayment of line of credit	0	0	(135,500)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(2,590)	(112)	(1,011)
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(17,361)	0	(3,479)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment awards	(3,082)	(3,474)	(2,213)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,796)	(2,271)	(2,126)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(600)	0	0
Dividends paid	(20,736)	(20,396)	(20,444)
Net cash used in financing activities	(88,141)	(74,674)	(64,913)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(701)	166	213
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(2,564)	(19,532)	4,064
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of year	7,287	26,819	22,755
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of year	4,723	7,287	26,819
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
Interest	8,113	7,016	6,077
Income taxes paid (refunds received), net	17,203	148	(5,691)
Schedule of noncash investing and financing transactions:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in current liabilities	$ 18,768	$ 11,082	$ 8,268