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 (loss)	$ (1,443)	$ 7,745
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	20,899	20,346
Deferred income taxes	2,261	906
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	(40)	(963)
Share-based compensation expense	4,210	4,613
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	0	(413)
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets	226	(116)
Unrealized foreign exchange loss, net	46	272
Bad debt recoveries	(1,573)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(20,010)	8,278
Inventories	(50,776)	(74,117)
Income taxes	903	(20,126)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,173	(1,148)
Intangibles and other long-term assets	298	(1,079)
Accounts payable	(10,429)	(19,193)
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	(1,950)	(14,745)
Other accrued liabilities	(3,687)	3,452
Environmental liabilities	(74)	(312)
Other long-term liabilities	(303)	(81)
Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures	735	525
Net cash used in operating activities	(59,534)	(86,156)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(26,675)	(25,551)
Joint venture receipts, net	222	353
Proceeds from sale of assets	532	251
Net cash used in investing activities	(25,921)	(24,947)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	135,500	173,000
Repayment of line of credit	(127,000)	(159,000)
Borrowings from long-term debt	72,742	294,212
Repayment of long-term debt	(61,449)	(214,396)
Repurchase of Class A common stock	0	(3,117)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment arrangements	(1,104)	(840)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	0	413
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	1,970	454
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(375)	(1,477)
Dividends paid	0	(468)
Net cash provided by financing activities	20,284	88,781
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(288)	(151)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(65,459)	(22,473)
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	89,863	49,462
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	$ 24,404	$ 26,989