CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 87,541	$ 127,167	$ 254,896
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	773,704	760,405	696,752
Restructuring and related charges	16,264	94,346	1,170
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	38,030	10,112	919
Recognition of stock-based compensation expense and related charges	90,664	48,544	58,997
Deferred income taxes	52,705	(63,001)	(23,155)
Other, net	(13,600)	22,109	21,369
Change in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	(316,262)	(31,353)	122,115
Inventories	(499,105)	(445,089)	67,966
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(76,602)	19,346	(194,337)
Other assets	(34,747)	(30,413)	(4,425)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	815,258	744,470	(86,060)
Net cash provided by operating activities	933,850	1,256,643	916,207
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(1,036,651)	(716,485)	(924,239)
Proceeds and advances from sale of property, plant and equipment	350,291	175,000	26,031
Cash paid for business and intangible asset acquisitions, net of cash	(109,664)	(36,620)	(242,143)
Issuance of notes receivable	(6,500)	0	(29,380)
Other, net	4,140	(1,360)	(10,250)
Net cash used in investing activities	(798,384)	(579,465)	(1,179,981)
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities:
Borrowings under debt agreements	9,677,424	7,434,107	6,904,215
Payments toward debt agreements	(9,206,016)	(7,479,150)	(6,445,922)
Payments to acquire treasury stock	(450,319)	(306,640)	(148,340)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(57,833)	(59,959)	(62,436)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options and issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	24,865	21,791	20,910
Treasury stock minimum tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(22,597)	(12,268)	(10,656)
Other, net	(12,568)	(2,427)	(4,259)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(47,044)	(404,546)	253,512
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(20,392)	5,228	8,358
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	68,030	277,860	(1,904)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,189,919	912,059	913,963
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,257,949	1,189,919	912,059
Supplemental disclosure information:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	167,278	130,635	128,013
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	$ 180,423	$ 187,871	$ 140,704