Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land and improvements	$ 101,754	$ 109,348
Buildings	736,853	657,497
Leasehold improvements	410,212	348,572
Machinery and equipment	2,152,828	2,175,526
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment	124,297	121,190
Computer hardware and software	461,239	435,428
Transportation equipment	20,598	20,822
Construction in progress	187,674	144,572
Property plant and equipment, gross	4,195,455	4,012,955
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,923,750	1,703,635
Property plant and equipment, net	$ 2,271,705	$ 2,309,320