Components of Inventories (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Line Items]
Manufacturing supplies and raw materials	$ 240,382	$ 228,092
Work-in-process	77,216	71,210
Finished goods	51,230	22,571
Excess and obsolete adjustment	(5,186)	(5,132)
Inventories	$ 363,642	$ 316,741

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Certain changes made in the current period to the value and amount of inventory reported.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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Amount before last-in first-out (LIFO) and valuation reserves of merchandise or goods held by the entity that are readily available for sale.

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Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies held for future sale or to be used in manufacturing, servicing or production process.

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Gross amount of unprocessed items to be consumed in the manufacturing or production process. Also includes purchased parts that will be used as components of a finished product.

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Gross amount of merchandise or goods which are partially completed, are generally comprised of raw materials, labor and factory overhead costs, and which require further materials, labor and overhead to be converted into finished goods, and which generally require the use of estimates to determine percentage complete and pricing.

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