CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 193,673	$ 212,026
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	195,022	173,734
Recognition of stock-based compensation expense	36,513	39,734
Other, net	5,519	(7,661)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	(172,161)	(1,024)
Inventories	(222,645)	(119,816)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(6,349)	(31,761)
Other assets	(2,799)	(1,719)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	288,004	(259,021)
Income taxes payable	(9,093)	736
Net cash provided by operating activities	305,684	5,228
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for business and intangible asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(5,862)	(128,462)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(371,472)	(180,506)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	9,504	9,666
Investments in non-marketable equity securities	(2,942)
Cost of receivables acquired, net of cash collections		497
Net cash used in investing activities	(370,772)	(298,805)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under debt agreements	2,178,021	4,633,328
Payments toward debt agreements	(2,091,043)	(4,425,749)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(34,748)	(32,148)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options and issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	10,867	14,403
Payments to acquire treasury stock	(129,262)	(39,964)
Treasury stock minimum tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(20,221)	(31,056)
Excess tax benefit related to stock awards	330	750
Capital contribution to noncontrolling interest	316
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(85,740)	119,564
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(4,773)	(7,248)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(155,601)	(181,261)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,217,256	888,611
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,061,655	$ 707,350