Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$ 205,395	$ 165,486
Other intangibles, gross	461,316	474,248
Other intangibles, net	255,921	308,762
Tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	$ 95,228	112,437
Customer relationships
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	14 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 307,400	302,518
Accumulated Amortization	170,027	132,007
Net Book Value	$ 137,373	170,511
Patents
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	10 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 30,700	30,899
Accumulated Amortization	21,830	19,928
Net Book Value	$ 8,870	10,971
Trademarks and tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	18 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 21,233	21,604
Accumulated Amortization	7,658	7,055
Net Book Value	$ 13,575	14,549
Other intangibles
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	3 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 6,755	6,790
Accumulated Amortization	5,880	6,496
Net Book Value	$ 875	$ 294