Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Operating from continuing and discontinued operations:
Net income	$ 27,798	$ 56,992	$ 27,328
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	37,257	33,697	29,982
Amortization	21,983	14,207	11,469
Deferred tax provision	(19,253)	(3,007)	(1,194)
Pension, postretirement benefits and other compensation	7,560	10,802	6,282
Restricted stock compensation - CEO transition costs, net of cash	4,789	0	0
Asset impairment	0	104	5,873
Curtailment and settlement (gains) losses	0	214	333
Gain on sale of assets from discontinued operations	0	(3,365)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(2,395)	(5,875)	1,790
Inventories	(17,382)	7,099	(6,376)
Accounts payable	(8,139)	(3,497)	8,924
Income taxes	(3,342)	(1,372)	(320)
Tax (windfall) shortfall related to share-based incentive compensation	(506)	0	0
Accrued payroll and other accrued liabilities	18,359	5,189	5,415
Other assets and long-term liabilities	(6,559)	1,954	(5,793)
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	60,170	113,142	83,713
Investing from continuing and discontinued operations:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(42,587)	(35,089)	(26,568)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	1,985	6,004	13,886
Investment in equity investees	(12,456)	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash	(808,258)	(206,625)	(36,805)
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	(861,316)	(235,710)	(49,487)
Financing from continuing and discontinued operations:
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(24,024)	(23,665)	(22,934)
Cash dividends paid to special stockholders	(1,813)	0	0
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt	(8,759)	13,774	3,324
Borrowings on long-term debt	1,430,513	795,745	264,908
Repayments on long-term debt including current portion	(713,717)	(653,894)	(264,613)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(15,007)	(1,782)	0
Noncontrolling interests' contributions (distributions)	(1,750)	600	0
Tax windfall (shortfall) related to share-based incentive compensation	506	0	0
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	289	487	1,561
Issuances of convertible special stock, net	120,289	0	0
Redemptions of common stock	(4,999)	(361)	(396)
Purchases of treasury stock	(3,335)	(1,116)	(8,091)
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	778,193	129,788	(26,241)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(15,668)	(5,781)	2,038
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(38,621)	1,439	10,023
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	135,493	134,054	124,031
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	96,872	135,493	134,054
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	11,187	7,578	5,487
Income taxes	$ 22,651	$ 21,720	$ 15,598