Proforma Results of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales, As reported	$ 1,149,410	$ 1,249,254	$ 1,399,862
Net sales, Pro forma	1,175,304	1,275,965	1,450,014
Earnings from continuing operations	(105,174)	19,872	141,453
Earnings from continuing operations, Pro forma	$ (100,927)	$ 20,553	$ 142,124
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations, As reported	$ (1.78)	$ 0.32	$ 1.99
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations, Pro forma	(1.71)	0.34	2.00
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, As reported	(1.78)	0.32	1.95
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, Pro forma	$ (1.71)	$ 0.33	$ 1.96
Fiscal 2016 acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales, As reported	$ 19,100