CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 105,584	$ 113,781
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	95,203	85,861
Recognition of stock-based compensation expense	18,803	18,665
Other, net	1,498	(561)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(308,487)	(29,659)
Inventories	(195,316)	(173,336)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,256	(49,009)
Other assets	233	6,319
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	424,119	147,107
Income taxes payable	21	(4,595)
Net cash provided by operating activities	151,914	114,573
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(166,485)	(103,234)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,981	8,148
Cost of receivables acquired, net of cash collections		510
Net cash used in investing activities	(164,504)	(94,576)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under debt agreements	776,517	2,380,710
Payments toward debt agreements	(787,196)	(2,370,864)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(18,551)	(15,528)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options and issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	3,201	3,183
Payments to acquire treasury stock	(129,262)
Treasury stock minimum tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(19,908)	(30,868)
Capital contribution to noncontrolling interest	317
Excess tax benefit related to stock awards	330	888
Net cash used in financing activities	(174,552)	(32,479)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(80)	(14,225)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(187,222)	(26,707)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,217,256	888,611
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,030,034	$ 861,904