Note 12 - Geographic And Segment Information (Detail) - Net Sales By Geographic Location as a Percentage of Total Consolidated Net Sales:	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Net Sales, Percentage of Total	100.00%	100.00%
Inside the U.S.A to Unaffiliated Customers [Member]
Net Sales, Percentage of Total	64.00%	63.20%
Joint Ventures In Which The Company Is A Shareholder Directly And Indirectly - Outside the U.S.A [Member]
Net Sales, Percentage of Total	12.10%	16.50%
Unaffiliated Customers - Outside the U.S.A [Member]
Net Sales, Percentage of Total	23.90%	20.30%