Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012
Distribution sales	$ 28,323	$ 27,114	$ 57,442	$ 53,264
Cost of goods sold	20,382	19,846	41,446	38,780
Gross profit from distribution operations	7,941	7,268	15,996	14,484
Rental revenue	197	312	338	623
Cost of rental operations	92	100	187	293
Gross profit from rental operations	105	212	151	330
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	7,350	6,850	14,610	13,324
Total operating expenses	7,350	6,850	14,610	13,324
Income from operations	696	630	1,537	1,490
Non-operating income (expense):
(Loss) gain on sale of trading securities	(111)	62	(78)	62
Unrealized gain (loss) on trading securities	14	92	(41)	285
Gain on sale of asset	540	0	540	0
Interest expense, net	(166)	(178)	(333)	(359)
Total non-operating income (expense)	277	(24)	88	(12)
Net income before income taxes	973	606	1,625	1,478
Provision for income taxes	332	203	601	450
Net income	641	403	1,024	1,028
Cumulative preferred stock dividend	(19)	(19)	(38)	(38)
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 622	$ 384	$ 986	$ 990
Basic and diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.08	$ 0.20	$ 0.20
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	4,861,590	4,861,590	4,861,590	4,861,590