Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 467,250	$ 433,151	$ 373,763
Cost of sales	422,203	389,241	339,928
Gross margin	45,047	43,910	33,835
Operating expenses	29,773	28,013	24,618
Research and development expenses	5,870	5,838	4,772
Income from operations	9,404	10,059	4,445
Interest expense	(3,989)	(8,633)	(9,364)
Other non-operating income (expense), net	75	(6,186)	115
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,490	(4,760)	(4,804)
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,483	4,806	313
Net income (loss)	$ 4,007	$ (9,566)	$ (5,117)
Weighted average common shares and equivalents outstanding:
Basic	12,369,487	12,293,749	12,250,914
Diluted	12,618,158	12,293,749	12,250,914
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ 0.32	$ (0.78)	$ (0.42)
Diluted	$ 0.32	$ (0.78)	$ (0.42)
Dividends declared per common share