Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 123,536	$ 70,676	$ (31,363)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	74,866	63,418	60,681
Inventory write-down	0	368	51,968
Deferred income taxes	21,004	10,891	24,727
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	(4,622)	(3,076)	(537)
Share-based compensation expense	13,655	11,035	8,898
Excess tax (benefit) deficiency from share-based payment arrangements	(689)	128	(819)
Loss (gain) on disposal of a business and other assets	1,529	16,943	(2,034)
Environmental matters	662	(1,391)	(3,510)
Voluntary incentive award forfeitures	0	0	(5,504)
Net (gain) loss on derivatives	(772)	(4,299)	1,161
Unrealized foreign exchange loss, net	758	0	0
Bad debt expense (recoveries), net	334	(255)	8,916
Gain on settlement of joint venture separation and termination agreement	0	0	(6,761)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(91,715)	(11,569)	189,511
Inventories	(45,268)	(109,138)	198,840
Refundable income taxes	520	32,237	(46,147)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(11,486)	(2,640)	4,185
Intangibles and other long-term assets	(133)	(206)	(4,514)
Accounts payable	45,447	8,479	(79,086)
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	2,276	12,010	(35,851)
Other accrued liabilities	(15,676)	(2,519)	(4,858)
Accrued income taxes	22,183	1,040	(41,998)
Environmental liabilities	(759)	(944)	(577)
Other long-term liabilities	(167)	(2,128)	(1,574)
Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	4,980	430	3,825
Net cash provided by operating activities	140,463	89,490	287,579
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(104,964)	(64,324)	(59,044)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(293,880)	(40,944)	(93,053)
Joint venture payments, net	(1,587)	(340)	(1,876)
Proceeds from sale of business and other assets	530	41,319	3,497
Net cash used in investing activities	(399,901)	(64,289)	(150,476)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	655,500	402,600	331,700
Repayment of line of credit	(655,500)	(402,600)	(356,700)
Borrowings from long-term debt	811,531	577,900	440,500
Repayment of long-term debt	(508,675)	(589,242)	(491,329)
Debt financing fees	(5,310)	0	0
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(10,303)	(17,147)	(29,896)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment arrangements	(3,800)	(3,599)	(3,995)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	689	(128)	819
Stock options exercised	567	937	1,681
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,863)	(3,003)	(1,286)
Dividends paid	(1,885)	(1,416)	(2,386)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	279,951	(35,698)	(110,892)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,393)	(187)	(224)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	19,120	(10,684)	25,987
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of year	30,342	41,026	15,039
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of year	49,462	30,342	41,026
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
Interest	7,072	2,569	3,329
Income taxes paid (refunds received), net	$ 14,330	$ (3,783)	$ 42,443