Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Operating from continuing and discontinued operations:
Net income	$ 22,281	$ 24,169
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	16,419	15,023
Amortization	6,669	5,782
Deferred tax provision	(2,895)	(8,413)
Pension, postretirement benefits and other deferred compensation	4,494	4,398
Asset impairment	104	498
Curtailment (gain) loss	0	333
Gain on sale of assets from discontinued operations	(3,331)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(21,283)	(14,306)
Inventories	(13,107)	(19,199)
Accounts payable	(15,534)	(6,324)
Income taxes	229	(930)
Accrued payroll and other accrued liabilities	375	804
Other assets and long-term liabilities	(3,100)	(9,887)
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	(8,679)	(8,052)
Investing from continuing and discontinued operations:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(16,541)	(12,889)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	4,738	8,008
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(115,624)	(36,360)
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	(127,427)	(41,241)
Financing from continuing and discontinued operations:
Cash dividends paid	(11,777)	(11,713)
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt	2,469	2,081
Borrowings on long-term debt	686,955	70,696
Repayments on long-term debt	(583,914)	(56,565)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(1,782)	0
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	276	1,394
Redemptions of common stock	(361)	(397)
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,116)	(479)
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	90,750	5,017
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,355	(59)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(44,001)	(44,335)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	134,054	124,031
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 90,053	$ 79,696