Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$ 209,353	$ 202,311
Other intangibles, gross	434,912	441,786
Other intangibles, net	225,559	239,475
Tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	$ 89,630	90,909
Customer relationships
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	15 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 287,584	292,671
Accumulated Amortization	171,853	166,252
Net Book Value	$ 115,731	126,419
Patents
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	11 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 29,992	30,296
Accumulated Amortization	23,047	22,233
Net Book Value	$ 6,945	8,063
Trademarks and tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	18 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 21,200	21,283
Accumulated Amortization	8,503	7,936
Net Book Value	$ 12,697	13,347
Other intangibles
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	3 years
Gross Carrying Value	$ 6,506	6,627
Accumulated Amortization	5,950	5,890
Net Book Value	$ 556	$ 737