Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Operating:
Net income	$ 52,049	$ 41,685	$ 44,111
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	29,176	32,342	25,188
Amortization	9,608	7,932	2,261
Deferred Tax Provision	(14,733)	1,261	(25,742)
Pension, postretirement benefits and other deferred compensation	10,276	(909)	10,739
Net (gains) losses on asset sales	0	(140)	96
Asset impairment	3,392	8,150	5,668
Curtailment (gains) losses	(310)	0	270
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	16,788	(28,564)	(27,582)
Inventories	(6,222)	(27,269)	(43,067)
Accounts payable	9,584	32,803	21,621
Income taxes	(4,832)	9,052	(4,639)
Accrued payroll and other accrued liabilities	(11,563)	(1,463)	(2,255)
Other assets and long-term liabilities	6,284	(5,934)	(2,226)
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	99,497	68,946	4,443
Investing:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(34,003)	(26,359)	(18,977)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	1,581	10,041	6,570
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(64,918)	(15,944)	(99,223)
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	(97,340)	(32,262)	(111,630)
Financing:
Cash dividends paid	(20,938)	(19,389)	(16,754)
Increase (decrease) in notes payable	(6,339)	(2,196)	3,975
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities	188,730	250,268	86,000
Repayments on revolving credit facilities	(155,669)	(218,768)	(32,500)
Repayments on long-term debt	(3,552)	(115)	(25,951)
Payment of debt issuance costs	0	(2,220)	0
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	(580)	(700)	0
Preferred stock redemption	0	0	(2)
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	1,347	1,168	4,045
Redemptions of common stock	(382)	(1,043)	(956)
Purchases of treasury stock	(26,752)	(22,154)	0
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	(24,135)	(15,149)	17,857
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(9,744)	11,464	(16,590)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(31,722)	32,999	(105,920)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	155,753	122,754	228,674
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	124,031	155,753	122,754
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	7,472	5,737	4,920
Income taxes	$ 26,964	$ 10,402	$ 18,187