Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$ 143,038	$ 127,776
Other intangibles, gross	515,072	504,468
Other intangibles, net	372,034	376,692
Tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	127,159	124,639
Customer relationships
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	15 years
Gross Carrying Value	325,469	318,143
Accumulated Amortization	108,073	95,215
Net Book Value	217,396	222,928
Patents
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	11 years
Gross Carrying Value	30,978	30,564
Accumulated Amortization	20,117	18,747
Net Book Value	10,861	11,817
Trademarks and tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	18 years
Gross Carrying Value	24,288	24,088
Accumulated Amortization	8,132	7,356
Net Book Value	16,156	16,732
Non-compete agreements and other
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	4 years
Gross Carrying Value	7,178	7,034
Accumulated Amortization	6,716	6,458
Net Book Value	$ 462	$ 576