Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common stock [Member]	Preferred stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]
Balance, beginning of year at Aug. 31, 2009		$ 13,157		$ 93,829	$ 7,944	$ (2,814)
Treasury stock	(32,757)
Tax deficiency on stock option and awards				(321)
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax	(864)					(864)
Net income (loss)	6,683				6,683
Stock based compensation				1,586
Loss (gain) from derivative transactions reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income, net of tax	2,537					2,537
Other					(41)
Issuance of restricted stock, net		33		(33)
Foreign currency translation adjustments						930
Gain from foreign currency translation reclassified into earnings						(13,420)
Issuance of preferred stock				7,242
Issuance of preferred stock, Series B			100
Net (increase) decrease in postretirement liabilities, net of tax						(219)
Total shareholders' equity	83,572
Balance, end of year at Aug. 31, 2010		13,190	100	102,303	14,586	(13,850)
Treasury stock	(32,757)
Tax deficiency on stock option and awards				(297)
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax	(6,018)					(6,018)
Net income (loss)	(5,117)				(5,117)
Stock based compensation				1,117
Loss (gain) from derivative transactions reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income, net of tax	7,331					7,331
Other					(101)
Issuance of restricted stock, net		53		(53)
Net (increase) decrease in postretirement liabilities, net of tax						4,978
Total shareholders' equity	85,465
Balance, end of year at Aug. 31, 2011		13,243	100	103,070	9,368	(7,559)
Treasury stock	(32,757)
Tax deficiency on stock option and awards				(314)
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax	2,315					2,315
Net income (loss)	(9,566)				(9,566)
Stock based compensation				1,387
Loss (gain) from derivative transactions reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income, net of tax	(1,408)					(1,408)
Other					(88)
Issuance of restricted stock, net		38		(38)
Series B preferred stock converted to common shares		1,000	(100)	(900)
Net (increase) decrease in postretirement liabilities, net of tax						(8,941)
Total shareholders' equity	68,850
Balance, end of year at Aug. 31, 2012		$ 14,281		$ 103,205	$ (286)	$ (15,593)