Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended August 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

	Industrial		Energy			Electrical			Engineered Solutions			Total
Balance as of August 31, 2012	$	81,404	$	259,521		$	213,870		$	311,617		$	866,412
Business acquired (Viking)	—		87,734			—			—			87,734
Purchase accounting adjustments	—		117			—			(100		)	17
Impairment charge	—		—			(137,804		)	—			(137,804		)
Reclassification of discontinued operations	—		—			(76,877		)	—			(76,877		)
Divestiture of Nielsen Sessions business	—		—			—			(2,556		)	(2,556		)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	1,207		(5,469		)	811			1,477			(1,974		)
Balance as of August 31, 2013	82,611		341,903			—			310,438			734,952
Business acquired (Hayes)	17,536		—			—			—			17,536
Purchase accounting adjustments	—		(835		)	—			—			(835		)
Divestiture of RV business	—		—			—			(17,843		)	(17,843		)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	119		9,559			—			(718		)	8,960
Balance as of August 31, 2014	$	100,266	$	350,627		$	—		$	291,877		$	742,770

Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):

	Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	August 31, 2014						August 31, 2013
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships	15	$	325,164	$	117,706	$	207,458	$	318,143	$	95,215	$	222,928
Patents	10	31,678		17,494		14,184		30,564		18,747		11,817
Trademarks and tradenames	17	23,241		6,201		17,040		24,088		7,356		16,732
Non-compete agreements and other	4	7,373		6,783		590		7,034		6,458		576
Indefinite lived intangible assets:
Tradenames	N/A	125,905		—		125,905		124,639		—		124,639
		$	513,361	$	148,184	$	365,177	$	504,468	$	127,776	$	376,692