ZEP (ZEP) 10-K 5 Nov 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Oct. 29, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Zep Inc.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001408287	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Aug-13	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--08-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$190,037,045
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	22,817,970	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,402	$3,513
Accounts receivable, less reserve for doubtful accounts of $3,941 and $3,595 at August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	104,476	93,522
Inventories	68,633	71,451
Prepayments and other current assets	13,051	22,333
Deferred income taxes	8,002	6,702
Total Current Assets	196,564	197,521
Property, Plant, and Equipment, at cost:	'	'
Land	5,444	5,680
Buildings and leasehold improvements	60,686	62,208
Machinery and equipment	124,230	114,310
Total Property, Plant, and Equipment	190,360	182,198
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	108,032	101,277
Property, Plant, and Equipment, net	82,328	80,921
Other Assets:	'	'
Goodwill	121,102	84,604
Identifiable intangible assets	129,929	65,707
Deferred income taxes	875	979
Other long-term assets	16,960	5,555
Total Other Assets	268,866	156,845
Total Assets	547,758	435,287
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	25,000	15,000
Accounts payable	56,366	53,461
Accrued compensation	25,226	17,334
Other accrued liabilities	41,167	27,947
Total Current Liabilities	147,759	113,742
Long-term debt, less current maturities	184,908	124,250
Deferred Income Taxes	12,782	8,574
Self-insurance reserves, less current portion	3,267	2,954
Other long-term liabilities	15,073	17,850
Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 9)	'	'
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 22,065,059 and 21,832,328 shares issued and outstanding at August 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively	221	218
Paid-in capital	102,573	97,481
Retained earnings	69,023	57,367
Accumulated other comprehensive income	12,152	12,851
Total Stockholders' Equity	183,969	167,917
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$547,758	$435,287

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Accounts receivable, reserve for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$3,941	$3,595
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	22,065,059	21,832,328
Common stock, shares outstanding	22,065,059	21,832,328

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME	'	'	'
Net Sales	$689,576	$653,533	$645,972
Cost of Products Sold	365,034	352,737	343,095
Gross Profit	324,542	300,796	302,877
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	283,075	260,806	268,438
Restructuring charges	5,159	'	1,469
Acquisition and integration costs	3,086	1,210	429
Loss (gain) on assets held for sale and disposal of fixed assets	433	500	-676
Operating Profit	32,789	38,280	33,217
Other Expense (Income):	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	8,958	5,493	6,562
Bargain purchase gains from business combinations	'	-2,095	'
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	744	1,046	-40
Total other expense	9,702	4,444	6,522
Income before Provision for Income Taxes	23,087	33,836	26,695
Provision for income taxes	7,895	11,927	9,294
Net Income	$15,192	$21,909	$17,401
Earnings Per Share:	'	'	'
Basic Earnings per Share (in dollars per share)	$0.69	$1	$0.80
Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (in shares)	21,969	21,768	21,540
Diluted Earnings per Share (in dollars per share)	$0.68	$0.98	$0.78
Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (in shares)	22,435	22,166	22,027
Dividends Declared per Share (in dollars per share)	$0.16	$0.16	$0.16

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'	'	'
Net Income	$15,192	$21,909	$17,401
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-965	-3,929	5,420
Defined benefit pension plan adjustment	345	-308	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income before income taxes	-620	-4,237	5,420
Provision for income taxes related to other comprehensive income (loss) items	-79	76	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-699	-4,161	5,420
Comprehensive income	$14,493	$17,748	$22,821

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Cash Provided by Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net Income	$15,192	$21,909	$17,401
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	19,931	14,330	14,197
Loss (gain) on assets held for sale and disposal of fixed assets	433	706	-504
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	124	5	-869
Bargain purchase gains from business combinations	'	-2,095	'
Other non-cash charges	4,010	3,816	5,071
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-4,355	2,097	4,240
Inventories	2,885	-9,141	1,130
Deferred income taxes	3,011	3,509	3,943
Prepayments and other current assets	-2,493	-55	444
Accounts payable	2,782	-3,897	590
Accrued compensation and other current liabilities	11,066	-736	-8,315
Self insurance reserves and other long-term liabilities	-2,765	-5,271	-561
Other assets	195	-2,570	234
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	50,016	22,607	37,001
Cash Used for Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	-12,068	-18,356	-8,904
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-116,692	-11,923	-76,065
Loan to innovation partner	'	-12,500	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	21	'	926
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	-128,739	-42,779	-84,043
Cash Provided by Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	409,808	312,800	338,200
Repayment of borrowings from revolving credit facilities	-339,150	-293,200	-310,700
Proceeds from secured borrowings	9,304	'	'
Stock issuances	1,207	738	1,899
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	-124	-5	869
Dividend payments	-3,536	-3,512	-3,483
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	77,509	16,821	26,785
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	103	-355	2,219
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-1,111	-3,706	-18,038
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	3,513	7,219	25,257
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	2,402	3,513	7,219
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:	'	'	'
Income taxes paid during the year	5,162	8,610	5,001
Interest paid during the year	$7,797	$5,517	$6,508

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_STO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Aug. 31, 2010	$122,173	$213	$85,316	$25,052	$11,592
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2010	'	21,336,000	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	17,401	'	'	17,401	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax of $0)	5,420	'	'	'	5,420
Amortization, issuance, and forfeitures of restricted stock grants and stock options	3,893	3	3,890	'	'
Amortization, issuance, and forfeitures of restricted stock grants and stock options (in shares)	'	296,000	'	'	'
Deferred compensation plan	951	'	951	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan issuances	237	'	237	'	'
Stock option exercises	1,662	'	1,662	'	'
Dividend payments	-3,483	'	'	-3,483	'
Tax effect on stock options and restricted stock	869	'	869	'	'
Balance at Aug. 31, 2011	149,123	216	92,925	38,970	17,012
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2011	'	21,631,850	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	21,909	'	'	21,909	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax of $0)	-3,929	'	'	'	-3,929
Defined benefit pension plan adjustment (net of tax of $79 and $76)	-232	'	'	'	-232
Amortization, issuance, and forfeitures of restricted stock grants and stock options	3,210	2	3,208	'	'
Amortization, issuance, and forfeitures of restricted stock grants and stock options (in shares)	'	200,000	'	'	'
Deferred compensation plan	609	'	609	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan issuances	211	'	211	'	'
Stock option exercises	527	'	527	'	'
Dividend payments	-3,512	'	'	-3,512	'
Tax effect on stock options and restricted stock	1	'	1	'	'
Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	167,917	218	97,481	57,367	12,851
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012	21,832,328	21,832,328	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	15,192	'	'	15,192	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax of $0)	-965	'	'	'	-965
Defined benefit pension plan adjustment (net of tax of $79 and $76)	266	'	'	'	266
Amortization, issuance, and forfeitures of restricted stock grants and stock options	3,476	3	3,473	'	'
Amortization, issuance, and forfeitures of restricted stock grants and stock options (in shares)	'	233,000	'	'	'
Deferred compensation plan	536	'	536	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan issuances	193	'	193	'	'
Stock option exercises	1,014	'	1,014	'	'
Dividend payments	-3,536	'	'	-3,536	'
Tax effect on stock options and restricted stock	-124	'	-124	'	'
Balance at Aug. 31, 2013	$183,969	$221	$102,573	$69,023	$12,152
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013	22,065,059	22,065,059	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_STO1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	$0	$0	$0
Defined benefit pension plan adjustment, tax	$79	$76	'

Description_of_Business_Distri

Description of Business, Distribution and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Description of Business, Distribution and Basis of Presentation	'
Description of Business, Distribution and Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 1: Description of Business, Distribution and Basis of Presentation
	Description of the Business
	Zep Inc. ("Zep" or "we" or "our" or the "Company") is a leading consumable chemical packaged goods company, providing a wide variety of high-performance chemicals and related products and services that help professionals maintain, clean and protect their assets. We market our products and services under well recognized brand names, including Zep®, Zep Professional®, Zep Commercial®, Zep Automotive® and other Zep Inc. brands. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "ZEP."
	Basis of Presentation
	Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flow of Zep and its majority-owned subsidiaries. We consolidate all entities that we control. The general condition for control is ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity. Control may also exist in arrangements where we are the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). An entity that will have both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb the losses or receive the benefits significant to the VIE is considered a primary beneficiary of that entity. We have determined that we are not a primary beneficiary in any material VIE.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts after elimination of significant intercompany transactions and accounts.
	Revenue Recognition
	We record revenue when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the selling price to the customer is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer assumes the risks and rewards of ownership. Customers take delivery at the time of shipment for terms designated free on board shipping point. For sales designated free on board destination, customers take delivery when the product is delivered to the customer's delivery site. Provisions for rebates, sales incentives, product returns, and discounts to customers are recorded as an offset to revenue in the same period the related revenue is recorded. We also maintain one-time or on-going marketing and trade-promotion programs with certain customers that require us to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. These arrangements include cooperative marketing programs, merchandising of our products and introductory marketing funds for new products and other trade-promotion activities conducted by the customer. Costs associated with these programs are recorded as a reduction of revenues.
	We provide for limited product return rights to certain distributors and customers primarily for slow moving or damaged items subject to certain defined criteria. We monitor product returns and record, at the time revenue is recognized, a provision for the estimated amount of future returns based primarily on historical experience and specific notification of pending returns. Although historical product returns generally have been within expectations, there can be no assurance that future product returns will not exceed historical amounts. A significant increase in product returns could have a material impact on our operating results in future periods.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider time deposits and marketable securities purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents, which are included in the accompanying balance sheets at fair value.
	Accounts Receivable
	We record accounts receivable at net realizable value. This value includes an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts to reflect losses anticipated on accounts receivable balances. The allowance is based on historical write-offs, an analysis of past due accounts based on the contractual terms of the receivables, and the economic status of customers, if known. We believe that the allowance is sufficient to cover uncollectible amounts; however, there can be no assurance that unanticipated future business conditions of customers will not have a negative impact on our results of operations. We generally do not require collateral for our accounts receivable. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts should we conclude their collection is improbable. Expense recorded in connection with our allowance for estimated uncollectable accounts totaled $1.9 million, $1.7 million, and $2.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables, which are typically unsecured, are generally limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets using our products, as well as their dispersion across many different geographic areas. Receivables due from The Home Depot, our largest single customer, were approximately $11.8 million, $9.6 million, and $10.8 million as of the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Additionally, although net sales to The Home Depot were less than 10% of our total net sales in each of the fiscal years 2013 and 2012, net sales to The Home Depot accounted for approximately 10% of our total net sales during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of combined receivables or total net sales as of and for the years ended August 31, 2013 or 2012.
	Inventories
	Inventories, which include materials, direct labor, and related manufacturing overhead, are stated at the lower of cost (approximate costs determined on a first-in, first-out or average cost basis) or market, and consisted of the following at August 31, 2013 and 2012:
		2013			2012
	Raw materials and supplies	$	17,963		$	24,852
	Work in process		1,711			899
	Finished goods		50,755			47,864
			70,429			73,615
	Less: Reserves		(1,796	)		(2,164	)
		$	68,633		$	71,451
	Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
	As of August 31, 2013, our Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect a total of $121.1 million in goodwill. Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized, including expected synergies from the acquisitions. The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets for our acquisitions has been recorded as Goodwill within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. Our acquisitions during the three fiscal years ended August 31, 2013 are discussed further in Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis at the beginning of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may exceed its fair value. We have the option to perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill in lieu of completing the two-step process described below to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill and other intangible assets. If we conclude that this is the case, we must perform the two-step process. The first step identifies potential impairments by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit, Zep, with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value, the second step of the test requires a calculation of possible impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying value. If the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded. If the calculated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and the second step is not necessary.
	In fiscal 2013, certain qualitative factors were used to determine the likelihood of goodwill impairment for our one reporting unit. None of the analyses resulted in an impairment charge during fiscal 2013, 2012, or 2011. Changes in the carrying amount of Goodwill during fiscal years 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows:
	Balance as of August 31, 2011	$	84,418
	Acquisitions (Mykal)		567
	Currency translation adjustments		(381	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	$	84,604
	Acquisitions (Vehicle Care division of Ecolab Inc.)		36,692
	Currency translation adjustments		(194	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	121,102
	Our identifiable intangible assets primarily include the customer relationships, patents and formulations acquired through the above-mentioned business combinations. Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over their estimated useful lives using an amortization method that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or otherwise realized. The straight-line method is used for customer relationships. As a result of the negligible attrition rate in our customer base, the difference between the straight-line method and attrition methods is not material to our results. The estimated useful lives for our finite-lived intangible assets range from eight to 22 years, and are concentrated between 17 and 22 years. Our acquired trademarks have an indefinite useful life.
	Information summarizing our acquired intangible assets is as follows:
		August 31, 2013						August 31, 2012
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Definite-lived intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	112,700		$	(14,712	)	$	57,113		$	(7,989	)
	Patents and formulations		14,786			(1,245	)		10,079			(861	)
	Total	$	127,486		$	(15,957	)	$	67,192		$	(8,850	)
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	Trademarks	$	18,400			—		$	7,365			—
	Total	$	145,886		$	(15,957	)	$	74,557		$	(8,850	)
	Amortization expense totaled $7.1 million, $3.9 million, and $3.8 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The amortization expense associated with acquired finite-lived intangible assets established as of August 31, 2013 is expected to approximate $8 million during each of the next five years.
	Other Long-Term Liabilities
	Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following at August 31, 2013 and 2012:
		2013			2012
	Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits(1)	$	4,046		$	3,983
	Liabilities related to uncertain income tax positions(2)		1,000			1,064
	Environmental remediation liabilities(3)		8,912			10,452
	Acquisition earnout liability(4)		—			1,208
	Miscellaneous(5)		1,115			1,143
		$	15,073		$	17,850
	-1
	Postretirement benefits—We adopted a non-qualified deferred compensation plan effective October 31, 2007 for the benefit of eligible employees. The deferred compensation plan administered by us provides for elective deferrals of an eligible employee's compensation, which are matched with contributions from us as stipulated by the plan. In addition, the plan provides for an automatic contribution by us ranging from 3% to 5% of an eligible employee's compensation. The majority of the activity associated with these programs is recorded through corresponding short-term liability accounts. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding this plan.
	-2
	Liabilities related to uncertain income tax positions—See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
	-3
	Environmental remediation liabilities—The portion of these accruals related to amounts we expect to expend after fiscal year 2014 is classified within Other long-term liabilities. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our environmental remediation efforts.
	-4
Acquisition earnout liability—This amount represented the long-term portion of a total $1.3 million acquisition-related earnout obligation at August 31, 2012. During the year ended August 31, 2013, we reduced the fair value of this contingent consideration liability to zero based on our ongoing assessment of this liability's probable ultimate payout.See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our acquisition earnout liability valuation.
-5
Miscellaneous—These amounts represent a number of liabilities that will be settled beyond fiscal year 2014, the most significant of which pertains to deferred rents associated with facility lease agreements containing escalating rent clauses.
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs
We include shipping and handling fees billed to customers in Net Sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight and freight between manufacturing facilities are generally recorded in Cost of Products Sold, which also includes the cost normally incurred in acquiring and producing inventory for sale, purchasing and receiving costs, and inspection costs. Certain customer-related shipping and handling costs, as well as other distribution costs, are included in Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses. We believe this presentation is consistent with many of our peers and competitors. However, we acknowledge that our gross profit amounts may not be comparable to certain other entities, as some entities may include all of the costs related to their distribution network in their cost of products sold. Customer-related shipping and handling costs included within our Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses totaled $45.0 million, $42.3 million, and $42.4 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Other distribution costs, which primarily consist of the cost of warehousing finished goods inventory, totaled $22.1 million, $23.1 million, and $22.0 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based expense includes expense related to restricted stock and options issued, as well as share units deferred into the Director Deferred Compensation Plan and the Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan. We incurred $4.1 million, $4.0 million, and $5.0 million of share-based expense, which includes an estimate of forfeitures, for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We did not capitalize any expense related to share-based payments, and we record share-based expense within Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses. Equity awards having service-only vesting provisions are accounted for on a straight-line basis. The majority of the share-based compensation expense does not affect our overall cash position. Therefore, certain of these expenses are reflected as Other non-cash charges within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Share-based compensation accounting rules require that the benefit of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under prior guidance. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our share-based incentive programs.
Property, Plant, and Equipment and Depreciation
Total Property, Plant, and Equipment is stated at cost, and includes capitalized software costs. The net book value of capitalized software totaled $24.9 million and $20.9 million at August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Capitalized software amortization is included in depreciation of property, plant and equipment and totaled $3.0 million, $1.3 million and $1.7 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We report depreciation of property, plant and equipment in Cost of Products Sold and Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses based on the nature of the underlying assets. We record depreciation primarily related to the production of inventory within Cost of Products Sold. We record depreciation related to selling, distribution and administrative functions within Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is determined principally on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of plant and equipment (20 to 40 years for buildings and 5 to 12 years for machinery and equipment). Depreciation expense totaled $12.8 million, $10.4 million, and $10.4 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We amortize leasehold improvements over the life of the lease or the useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.
We sold a facility in the Boston, Massachusetts area during fiscal year 2011 and recognized the related gain within our operating results. We lease the majority of our branch and warehouse locations, and the sale of owned facilities has occurred infrequently.
As of August 31, 2013, Prepayments and other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets included held-for-sale fixed assets. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, we began marketing a facility in Lancaster, Texas after we transferred manufacturing activities at that location to other of our facilities. After assessing the property's fair value in fiscal year 2012, we adjusted the asset's fair market value down by $0.5 million to $2.1 million. After assessing the property's fair value in fiscal year 2013, we adjusted the asset's fair market value down by $0.3 million to $1.8 million. We recorded the charges associated with these write-downs in Loss (Gain) on Assets Held for Sale and Disposal of Fixed Assets in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Further detail regarding this action is included within Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In fiscal year 2013, we began marketing a facility in Wellingborough, England for sale. We reclassified this asset's value of $1.0 million from Buildings and leasehold improvements to Prepayments and other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with its held-for-sale status. The facility in Wellinborough, England sold in October 2013.
Research and Development
We expense research and development costs, which are included in Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income, as incurred. Research and development expenses ranged between $1.4 million and $1.6 million during the three years ended August 31, 2013.
Advertising
We expense advertising costs as incurred, and those costs are included within Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. These expenses totaled $4.1 million, $2.7 million, and $2.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency for our foreign operations is the local currency. The translation of foreign currencies into United States dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate each month during the year. The gains or losses resulting from the translation are included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and are excluded from net income. Gains or losses relating to foreign currency items are included in Miscellaneous expense (income), net, in our Consolidated Statements of Income and consisted of expense of $0.3 million for each of the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012, and income of $0.1 million for the year ended August 31, 2011.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, is composed primarily of interest expense on our variable-rate debt instruments, partially offset by interest income on cash and cash equivalents.
The following table summarizes the components of interest expense, net:
	2013			2012			2011
Interest expense	$	9,950		$	6,294		$	6,658
Interest income		(992	)		(801	)		(96	)
Interest expense, net	$	8,958		$	5,493		$	6,562
On July 15, 2010, we entered into a $320 million five-year senior, secured credit facility (the "2010 Credit Facility") with a syndicate of lenders. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our debt.
Miscellaneous Expense (Income), Net
Miscellaneous expense (income), net, is composed primarily of gains or losses on foreign currency transactions and other non-operating items.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that amended the requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance requires an entity to present components of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate, but consecutive statements. This guidance eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of stockholders' equity, and is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption of the guidance is permitted. We early adopted this guidance as of August 31, 2012. The implementation of this guidance did not have any effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance pertaining to the testing of certain intangible assets for impairment. The revised guidance purposes to reduce the cost and complexity of registrants' annual goodwill impairment tests by providing entities an option to perform a "qualitative" assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a more robust, quantitative impairment evaluation is required. The revised standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We implemented the new standard in our 2013 annual goodwill impairment testing. This guidance did not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Acquisitions_and_Loan_to_Innov

Acquisitions and Loan to Innovation Partner	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Acquisitions and Loan to Innovation Partner	'
Acquisitions and Loan to Innovation Partner	'
	Note 3: Acquisitions and Loan to Innovation Partner
	Vehicle Care division of Ecolab Inc.
	We completed the acquisition of Ecolab's Vehicle Care division ("ZVC"), effective December 1, 2012 ("Closing Date"), for approximately $116.9 million in cash, subject to post-closing working capital adjustments. In February 2013, we received a return of purchase price totaling $0.1 million pursuant to an agreement involving the final determination of ZVC's Closing Date working capital. The return of cash effectively reduced the purchase price of ZVC to $116.8 million, and was offset against Goodwill within our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The combination of ZVC, our existing North American Sales and Service vehicle wash operations, and Niagara National LLC ("Niagara") created a new platform that we refer to as "Zep Vehicle Care." Zep Vehicle Care—which is based in Minnesota—is a leading provider of vehicle care products, including soaps, polishes, sealants, wheel and tire treatments and air fresheners to professional car washes, convenience stores, auto detailers, and commercial fleet wash customers. Zep Vehicle Care provides car, truck and fleet wash operators with high efficacy products for their wash tunnels and facilities. We financed the acquisition using existing debt capacity under the 2010 Credit Facility as amended (as defined in Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). We incurred acquisition and integration-related costs associated with advisory, legal and other services during the year ended August 31, 2013, of approximately $3.1 million, of which, $1.8 million is related to the ZVC acquisition. In addition, we entered into a transition services agreement under which Ecolab will continue to provide certain services to us until December 1, 2013.
	The operating results of ZVC were included in our consolidated financial statements commencing as of the Closing Date. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we made an allocation of the acquisition price to ZVC's net tangible and intangible assets based on their estimated fair values as of the Closing Date. The excess of the acquisition price over the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets has been recorded as Goodwill within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. This goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. Management obtained additional information about the fair value of ZVC's acquired assets and liabilities, including refinements of third party appraisals relating to intangible assets. A summary of the purchase price allocation that is inclusive of the aforementioned final $0.1 million working capital settlement is as follows:
	Tangible assets and liabilities
	Accounts receivable, and other current assets		6,248
	Property, plant and equipment		2,882
	Other assets		228
	Other liabilities assumed		(931	)
	Total net tangible assets	$	8,427
	Identifiable intangible assets
	Customer relationships		56,000
	Technology (patents and formulations)		4,700
	Trademarks		11,000
	Goodwill		36,700
	Total purchase price allocation	$	116,827
	Of the total purchase price, approximately $71.7 million was allocated to identifiable intangible assets. The value allocated to customer relationships is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 15 years. The value allocated to technology is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of nine years. We determined that acquired trademarks have an indefinite useful life. The amortization expense associated with acquired definite-lived intangible assets is expected to approximate $4.3 million during each of the next five years.
	Net sales reflected in theConsolidated Statements of Income for the year ended August 31, 2013 include $47.3 million of sales generated by ZVC subsequent to the acquisition.Income before Provision for Income Taxes reflected in theConsolidated Statements of Income for the year ended August 31, 2013 includes a profit of $2.3 million generated by ZVC subsequent to the acquisition. All costs associated with advisory, legal and other due diligence-related services incurred in connection with acquisition-related activity were expensed as incurred in accordance with purchase accounting rules. These costs are included inAcquisition and Integration Costs within ourConsolidated Statements of Income.
	The following unaudited pro forma combined results of operations give effect to the acquisition of ZVC as if it had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The unaudited pro forma combined results of operations are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to represent our actual consolidated results of operations had the acquisition occurred on the dates assumed, nor are these financial statements necessarily indicative of our future consolidated results of operations. We expect to incur costs and realize benefits associated with integrating our operations and ZVC. The unaudited pro forma combined results of operations do not reflect the costs of any integration activities, nonrecurring charges directly attributable to purchase accounting, or any benefits that may result from operating efficiencies or revenue synergies. Therefore, the unaudited pro forma results do not include the ZVC-related Acquisition and Integration Costs reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended August 31, 2013.
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012
	Net sales	$	705,993		$	719,459
	Net income	$	16,464		$	23,004
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.75		$	1.1
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.73		$	1.08
	Mykal Industries Limited
	On June 5, 2012, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of Mykal Industries Limited ("Mykal"), effective June 1, 2012. Mykal, based in the United Kingdom, is a leading manufacturer of a broad range of branded and private label cleaning and degreasing products for the European retail, do-it-yourself and professional distribution markets. The historical total assets and operating results of Mykal are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we made an allocation of the Mykal closing purchase price to the net tangible and intangible assets that we acquired based on their estimated fair values as of June 1, 2012.
	Hale Group Limited
	On January 31, 2012 we completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of Hale Group Limited ("Hale Group"), based in the United Kingdom. Hale Group's two subsidiaries, Forward Chemicals Limited and Rexodan International Limited, manufacture and supply liquid, powder and aerosol chemicals and solutions directly to industrial and commercial laundries. The historical total assets and operating results of the Hale Group are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	The purchase price of the Hale Group was determined upon the net asset value recorded on the books and records of the Hale Group as of December 31, 2011. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom, this net asset value excluded the full value of a pension asset associated with the overfunded status of a defined benefit pension plan maintained by the Hale Group. The plan documents state that the Hale Group is the beneficiary of any surplus of the plan after which time the plan satisfies all benefit obligations to its pensioners. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we must record the full value of any such surplus as a pension asset. To the best of our knowledge, the sellers of the Hale Group were unaware of the accounting differences created by local country accounting rules, and therefore did not consider this difference when negotiating the purchase price for the Hale Group. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we made an allocation of the Hale Group closing purchase price to the acquired net tangible and intangible assets based on those net assets' estimated fair values as of January 31, 2012, which resulted in a bargain purchase gain due to the above mentioned overfunded pension plan. We recognized this bargain purchase gain, which totaled $1.5 million, in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year 2012 only after re-examining the estimates involved with the remainder of the purchase accounting of this transaction. The defined benefit pension plan maintained by the Hale Group includes less than five active employees and less than 15 pensioners. The plan invests solely in a unitized with-profits insurance policy that provides members the option to purchase annuities at rates that are considerably favorable to prevailing rates. Due to the structure of this policy, these investments are not exposed to equity market volatility. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding this plan.
	Washtronics of America Inc.
	On December 7, 2011, we completed the acquisition of the brands and certain assets of Nevada-based Washtronics of America Inc. ("Washtronics"), a leading producer of automatic truck and fleet wash systems and products in a transaction approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court. The historical total assets and operating results of Washtronics are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We integrated the acquired assets into Niagara during fiscal year 2012. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we made an allocation of the Washtronics closing purchase price to the net tangible and intangible assets that we acquired from Washtronics based on their estimated fair values as of December 7, 2011. The acquisition of assets from Washtronics, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection prior to our purchase of its brands and certain assets, resulted in a bargain purchase gain of approximately $0.6 million during the year ended August 31, 2012, resulting primarily from the distressed sale and the fact that we did not assume any liabilities.
	Niagara National, LLC
	On October 1, 2010, we completed the acquisition of the brands and assets of Atlanta-based Niagara, a manufacturer of truck wash systems and products. The historical total assets and operating results of Niagara are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Through this acquisition, we have added the Niagara brand of custom truck wash, pressure washers, water recovery systems and maintenance chemicals to our transportation product portfolio. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we made an allocation of the Niagara closing purchase price to the net tangible and intangible assets that we acquired from Niagara based on their estimated fair values as of October 1, 2010. In January 2011, we finalized Niagara's closing date working capital in accordance with the asset purchase agreement and paid an immaterial additional amount to the sellers. This additional outlay of cash increased the purchase price by that amount, and is reflected as an adjustment to Goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Waterbury Companies, Inc.
	On September 2, 2010 (the "Waterbury Closing Date"), we acquired certain brands and assets and assumed certain liabilities of the North American operations of Waterbury Companies, Inc. ("Waterbury"), a provider of air-care delivery systems and products for facility maintenance. We concluded that this transaction resulted in the acquisition of a business. We did not acquire Waterbury's manufacturing facility. Waterbury entered into a transition services agreement with us pursuant to which it continued to make products for us until we completed the transfer of related manufacturing operations to our facilities. We completed this transfer during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. We acquired the Waterbury brands and assets for an initial cash purchase price of approximately $66 million (the "Waterbury Closing Purchase Price"). Of the $66 million purchase price, $62 million was funded through borrowings pursuant to our 2010 Credit Facility (discussed further in Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), and the remaining $4.0 million was funded through available cash.
	Under the acquisition method of accounting, we made an allocation of the Waterbury Closing Purchase Price to the net tangible and intangible assets that we acquired from Waterbury based on their estimated fair values as of September 2, 2010. The excess of the Waterbury Closing Purchase Price over the recorded net tangible and identifiable intangible assets was recorded as Goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The following summary allocation includes approximately $34.5 million of identifiable intangible assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—
	Inventory		6,998
	Other current assets		5,500
	Property, plant and equipment		1,125
	Accounts payable		(3,622	)
	Other liabilities assumed		(986	)
	Total net tangible assets	$	9,015
	Identifiable intangible assets
	Customer relationships	$	27,050
	Patents and formulations		3,700
	Trademarks		3,700
	Goodwill		22,758
	Total purchase price allocation	$	66,223
	We recognize the amortization of intangible assets with finite lives over their estimated useful lives using an amortization method that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or are realized. The value allocated to Waterbury's customer relationships will be amortized on a straight-line basis ranging from eight to 22 years. The weighted average useful life of Waterbury's acquired customer relationships is 21 years, and we expect to recognize amortization expense of approximately $1.3 million during each of the next five years in connection with these assets. As a result of the historical and expected attrition rate in the customer base acquired from Waterbury, the difference between amortizing these intangible assets on a straight-line basis and an attrition-based method is not considered significant. We will amortize the value allocated to patents and formulations on a straight-line basis ranging from five to 13 years. The weighted average useful life of Waterbury's acquired patents and formulations is 11 years. We determined that acquired trademarks have an indefinite useful life. We expect amortization expense associated with all finite-lived intangible assets acquired from Waterbury to approximate $1.8 million during each of the next five years.
	In January 2011, we finalized Waterbury's Closing Date working capital in accordance with the asset purchase agreement and received an immaterial amount from the sellers as part of such finalization. Also, while we acquired legal title to certain of the equipment used by Waterbury to manufacture products for us on the Waterbury Closing Date, we did not take physical possession of the majority of these assets until the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, during which time we finalized our inspection of these fixed assets' condition. Accordingly, we adjusted these assets' prior recorded amounts in August 2011. These adjustments affected the purchase price by immaterial amounts, which were reflected as an adjustment to Goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Supplemental pro forma information has not been provided for Waterbury as the acquired operations were a component of a larger legal entity and separate historical financial statements were not prepared. Since stand-alone financial information prior to the acquisition was not readily available, compilation of such data was impracticable. Separately, we determined the presentation of the results of operations beginning from the Waterbury Closing Date for the selected brands and assets acquired through the Waterbury acquisition was impracticable due to the integration activities that occurred subsequent to the Waterbury acquisition.
	Loan To Innovation Partner
	On December 19, 2011, we entered into a $12.5 million bridge loan agreement, as lender, with Adco Products, LLC ("Adco"), as borrower (the "Original Loan"). Adco is a specialty chemical manufacturer that provides products and services to customers in the dry-cleaning industry. It is an affiliate of Equinox Chemicals, LLC ("Equinox"), a contract research company with research, innovation, product development and commercialization capabilities that reach both domestic and foreign markets. We initially recorded the resulting loan receivable within Prepayments and other current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	On February 28, 2013, we entered into an amended and restated loan and security agreement (the "Amended Loan Agreement") with Adco. We entered into the Amended Loan Agreement to, among other things, (i) convert the term of the Original Loan from one to five years such that the loan now matures on February 28, 2018, and (ii) reduce the outstanding principal amount of the Original Loan by $2.5 million to $10.0 million in exchange for the issuance of warrants in both Adco and Equinox.
	In addition, the Amended Loan Agreement amends the Original Loan by changing the per annum interest rate to a rate equal to the lesser of (a) 325 basis points plus the average interest rate payable for the preceding fiscal quarter on our senior secured credit facility that is discussed further in Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and (b) 1,000 basis points plus the average prime rate. This interest rate is subject to change in the event we assign the Amended Loan Agreement to a third party.
	Adco is required to make certain payments of principal on each June 30 and December 31 through the term of the Amended Loan Agreement. Under certain circumstances, Adco is also required to prepay certain secured obligations with net proceeds from sales of assets. Moreover, Adco is required to meet two financial covenants relating to (i) its earnings before interest and taxes, and (ii) its capital expenditures. The warrants issued to us entitle us to purchase equity interests in Equinox and Adco equal to up to 19% of the then economic, beneficial and other equity interests in each company on a fully diluted basis and subject to certain adjustments. The warrants are exercisable at any time after the earlier of (i) January 31, 2014 or (ii) an event of default occurring under the terms of the Amended Loan Agreement. In accordance with the Amended Loan Agreement we have recorded the $2.5 million of warrants in Adco and Equinox and the $9.4 million long-term portion of the loan receivable within Other long-term assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have recorded the short-term portion of the loan receivable within Prepayments and other current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The Amended Loan Agreement contains customary protective covenants and default provisions for a term loan facility, including, but not limited to, limitations on liens, investments, dispositions and the incurrence of debt, covenants to preserve limited liability company existence and comply with laws and covenants regarding maintenance of insurance. The default provisions under the Amended Loan Agreement include, among other things, defaults for non-payment, breach of representations and warranties, insolvency, non-performance of covenants, cross-defaults and guarantor defaults. The occurrence of an event of default under the Amended Loan Agreement could result in the term loan facility becoming immediately due and payable.
	This loan agreement is considered a variable interest and currently provides the majority of Adco's financing. In connection with this loan, we also entered into a master service agreement with Equinox, pursuant to which Equinox will provide us with product-development services, and a technology sharing agreement with Equinox for access to new-product technology. The master service agreement and Amended Loan Agreement collectively do not provide us either ownership in or control of Adco's operations.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Note 4: Employee Benefit Plans
	We maintain a qualified defined contribution plan to which both our associates and the Company make contributions. Our cost for this plan during the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $2.7 million, $2.5 million, and $2.4 million, respectively. Employer matching amounts are allocated in accordance with plan participants' elective deferral investments. Plan participants may invest a percentage of their contributions into a Zep common stock fund. At August 31, 2013, assets of our defined contribution plan included shares of our common stock with a market value of approximately $2.0 million, which represented approximately 1.3% of the total fair market value of the assets in our defined contribution plan on that date.
	We also maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for the benefit of eligible employees. The deferred compensation plan provides for elective deferrals of an eligible employee's compensation, which are matched with contributions from us as stipulated by the plan. In addition, the plan provides for an automatic supplemental contribution by us ranging from 3% to 5% of an eligible employee's compensation, unless otherwise determined by our Board of Directors. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding this plan.
	We also have a defined benefit pension plan that is maintained by the Hale Group that covers less than five active employees and less than 15 pensioners (the "Non-U.S. Plan") that we acquired with the acquisition of the Hale Group. Benefits under the Non-U.S. Plan depend on compensation and years of service. The Non-U.S. Plan is funded in accordance with regulations in the United Kingdom. We use August 31 as the measurement date for the Non-U.S. Plan.
	Components of the net periodic (benefit) expense of the Non-U.S. Plan are as follows:
		2013			2012
	Current service cost	$	152		$	104
	Interest cost		206			140
	Expected return on plan assets		(402	)		(296	)
	Net pension expense (benefit)	$	(44	)	$	(52	)
	Assumptions used to determine net periodic pension benefit for the Non-U.S. Plan:
		2013			2012
	Discount rate		4	%		4.7	%
	Expected rate of return on plan assets		5	%		5	%
	Rate of compensation increase		3.9	%		4.2	%
	Underlying inflation rate		2.9	%		3.2	%
	At each period-end presented, our accumulated benefit obligation for the Non-U.S. Plan is equal to the benefit obligation shown. The obligations, plan assets and funding status of the Non-U.S. Plan were as follows:
		2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	5,141		$	4,393
	Cumulative foreign exchange effect		(108	)		39
	Service cost		152			104
	Interest cost		206			140
	Actuarial (gains) loss		(344	)		473
	Benefits paid		(22	)		(8	)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of period	$	5,025		$	5,141
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	8,514		$	8,041
	Cumulative foreign exchange effect		(184	)		68
	Actual return on plan assets		496			413
	Benefits paid		(22	)		(8	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	8,804		$	8,514
	Funded status:
	Ending funded status	$	3,779		$	3,373
	Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheet:
	Pension asset	$	3,779		$	3,373
	Assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligation for the Non-U.S. Plan:
		2013			2012
	Discount rate		4.6	%		4.2	%
	Rate of compensation increase		4.5	%		3.9	%
	Underlying inflation rate		3.5	%		2.9	%
	We base the discount rate on the return on high quality corporate bonds of equivalent currency and term to the plan obligation. The long-term expected rate of return on assets was determined based on historical and expected future rates of return.
	The plan assets of the Non-U.S. Plan are invested in accordance with the terms of a unitized with-profits insurance policy. We estimate the fair value of the insurance policy based on the cash surrender value of the policy. The fair values of the insurance policy and their input levels based on the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Fair Value			Quoted Market			Significant		Significant
					Prices for			Other		Unobservable
					Identical			Observable		Inputs
					Assets			Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	As of August 31, 2012	$	8,514		$	—		$	8,514	$	—
	As of August 31, 2013	$	8,804		$	—		$	8,804	$	—
	The Non-U.S. Plan is currently making benefit payments to one plan participant, which total less than $25,000 on an annual basis. Once that participant reaches retirement age, an annuity will be purchased thereby ending direct payments made from the Non-U.S. Plan to this participant. All other pensions in payment are facilitated by annuity policies that were purchased prior to our acquisition of the Hale Group. We do not expect to make cash contributions to the Non-U.S. Plan in fiscal year 2014. The Non-U.S. Plan does not have any prior service cost or transition obligations and does not have any amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefits cost.

Debt_Obligations

Debt Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Debt Obligations	'
Debt Obligations	'
	Note 5: Debt Obligations
	Our indebtedness and credit arrangements consisted of the following at the end of our two most recent fiscal years:
		August 31, 2013		August 31, 2012
	Long-term borrowings:
	Term loan	$	48,750	$	60,000
	Industrial revenue bonds		7,150		7,150
	Revolving credit facility		154,008		72,100
			209,908		139,250
	Less: Current maturities of long-term debt		25,000		15,000
		$	184,908	$	124,250
	Future maturities of our outstanding debt obligations are as follows for fiscal years ending August 31:
		Amount
	2014	$	25,000
	2015		177,758
	2016		—
	2017		—
	2018		—
	Thereafter		7,150
		$	209,908
	Further detail regarding each of the above mentioned debt instruments, including amounts outstanding under each as of August 31, 2013, is provided below. On July 15, 2010, we entered into a $320 million five-year senior, secured credit facility (the "2010 Credit Facility") with a syndicate of lenders. The 2010 Credit Facility is comprised of a revolving loan facility that provides for advances in the initial aggregate principal amount of up to $245 million and a term loan in the initial aggregate principal amount of $75 million. We may, at our option and subject to customary conditions, request an increase in the aggregate principal amount available under the 2010 Credit Facility by an additional $30 million. Borrowings under the 2010 Credit Facility are secured by a lien on substantially all of our owned real and personal property. The 2010 Credit Facility will mature on July 15, 2015, at which time all amounts outstanding thereunder will be due and payable. We are required to make term loan repayments of $2.8 million each quarter until 2015 when the remaining term loan outstanding balance becomes due and payable.
	Amounts outstanding under the 2010 Credit Facility bear interest at an "Alternate Base Rate" or a "Eurocurrency Rate." Alternate Base Rate loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) the greater of (A) JPMorgan Chase Bank's prime rate, (B) the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System plus 0.5% or (C) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as defined below) for a one month interest period plus 1% (the "Alternate Base Rate"), and (ii) an applicable margin that ranges from 1.25% to 2.50% based on our leverage ratio. Eurocurrency Rate advances outstanding bear interest at a rate based upon the London interbank offered rate for the interest period multiplied by a statutory reserve rate, plus an applicable margin that ranges from 2.25% to 3.50% based upon our leverage ratio (plus any mandatory costs) (the "Adjusted LIBO Rate").
	We are required to pay certain fees in connection with the 2010 Credit Facility. For example, we must pay an annual commitment fee. This fee is payable quarterly in arrears and is determined by our leverage ratio as defined in the 2010 Credit Facility. This facility fee ranges from 0.4% to 0.5% of the unused portion of the $320 million commitment of the lenders under the 2010 Credit Facility. Additionally, we are also required to pay certain fees to the Administrative Agent for administrative services. Facility, commitment and amendment fees incurred by us during fiscal year 2013 under the 2010 Credit Facility and its predecessor facilities totaled $1.4 million.
	The 2010 Credit Facility contains customary covenants and default provisions, including, but not limited to, financial covenants, limitations on liens and the incurrence of debt, covenants to preserve corporate existence and comply with laws and covenants regarding the use of loans made pursuant to the 2010 Credit Facility. In October 2012, we amended our 2010 Credit Facility in support of our $116.8 million acquisition of ZVC on December 1, 2012 (the "Amendment"). The primary purpose of the Amendment was to permit the execution and delivery of the ZVC asset purchase agreement (the "Asset Purchase Agreement") and the consummation of the transactions thereunder within the terms and conditions of the 2010 Credit Facility. The Amendment, among other things, provides that the execution of the Asset Purchase Agreement would not result in an event of default under the 2010 Credit Facility. The Amendment amended the covenant relating to the maximum leverage ratio, which is the ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense) such that we will not permit such ratio, determined as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, all calculated for us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be greater than (a) 4.25 to 1.00 for our second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013, and the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, (b) 4.00 to 1.00 for our second and third quarters of fiscal year 2014, and (c) 3.75 to 1.00 for our fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal quarter thereafter; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, on and after the date, if any, on which we deliver to the administrative agent a covenant reversion notice, the maximum leverage ratio permitted under the 2010 Credit Facility, as amended, will revert to 3.75 to 1.00. Finally, the Amendment also amended the covenant relating to the fixed charge coverage ratio, which is the ratio of EBITDA (minus certain items) to fixed charges, such that we will not permit such ratio, determined as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be less than (x) 1.15 to 1.00 for our second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013, and the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, (y) 1.20 to 1.00 for our second and third quarters of fiscal year 2014, and (z) 1.25 to 1.00 for our fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal quarter thereafter; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, on and after the date, if any, on which we deliver to the administrative agent a covenant reversion notice, the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio permitted under the 2010 Credit Facility, as amended, will revert to 1.25 to 1.00.
	As of August 31, 2013, $177.8 million of the total $202.8 million in borrowings made under the 2010 Credit Facility were reflected within Long-term debt, less current maturities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets given our current intent and ability to repay $177.8 million of those borrowings in periods subsequent to August 31, 2014. Under the terms of the 2010 Credit Facility, we may refinance all amounts borrowed under our 2010 Credit Facility until 2015. Therefore, the short- and long-term classification of debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets may fluctuate not only in response to repayment of those amounts, but also concurrent with changes in our projected cash flow for the 12-month period subsequent to the balance sheet date. The base interest rate associated with borrowings made under the 2010 Credit Facility approximated 0.37% during fiscal year 2013. In addition to this base interest rate, our effective interest rate includes an applicable margin that adjusts in accordance with our leverage ratio. During fiscal year 2013, this applicable margin has averaged 3.22%. As of August 31, 2013, we had additional borrowing capacity under the 2010 Credit Facility of $61.3 million, which represents the full amount of the 2010 Credit Facility as amended less the aforementioned borrowings, amounts drawn under the term loan portion of that facility and outstanding letters of credit totaling $11.8 million that have been issued under the 2010 Credit Facility. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of August 31, 2013, and we believe that our liquidity and capital resources are sufficient to meet our working capital, capital expenditure and other anticipated cash requirements over the next twelve months, excluding acquisitions that we may choose to execute in pursuit of our strategic initiatives. We do not expect the sources of or intended uses for our cash to change significantly in the foreseeable future, excluding acquisitions. Our obligations under the 2010 Credit Facility, as amended, will become current during fiscal year 2014, and as such, we will be reviewing refinancing alternatives which could affect our interest expense during fiscal year 2014.
	Industrial Revenue Bonds
	The industrial revenue bonds due 2018 were issued by the City of DeSoto Industrial Development Authority, Inc. in May 1991 in connection with the construction of our facility in DeSoto, Texas. Pursuant to a loan agreement between us and the DeSoto Industrial Development Authority, we are required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds. The bonds currently bear interest at a weekly rate. The interest rate during the twelve months ended August 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012 averaged 0.23% and 0.25%, per annum, respectively. The outstanding principal amount of the bonds is payable upon their maturity in 2018. The payment of principal and interest on the bonds is secured by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
	Letters of Credit
	We have outstanding letters of credit totaling $11.8 million for the purpose of providing credit support for our industrial revenue bonds, securing collateral requirements under our casualty insurance programs, and securing certain environmental obligations. These letters of credit were issued under the 2010 Credit Facility, as amended, as of August 31, 2013, thereby reducing the total availability under the facility by such amount.

Securitization_of_Certain_Acco

Securitization of Certain Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Securitization of Certain Accounts Receivable	'
Securitization of Certain Accounts Receivable	'
	Note 6: Securitization of Certain Accounts Receivable
	On May 31, 2013, we entered into a Master Receivables Purchase Agreement with Bank of America N.A. ("BofA"), whereby BofA may periodically purchase certain accounts receivable amounts from us. Proceeds received from these transfers will be discounted at a rate of LIBOR plus 225 basis points, which is currently less than our cost of borrowing. We receive the majority of those proceeds immediately upon our transfer of qualifying receivable balances to BofA, whereas the billing terms associated with accounts receivable that we may subject to this program can range up to one year. We believe these transfers represent an economical means to manage operating working capital. We will continue to administer the collection of the accounts receivable that are securitized under this agreement. Therefore, we account for the transfer of these receivables as securitized borrowing transactions rather than a true sale of accounts receivable. Accounts receivable subject to this agreement remain classified as Accounts Receivable, less reserve for doubtful accounts on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of August 31, 2013, the amount of securitized borrowings reflected within Other accrued liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $9.3 million. The expense that we recorded in connection with the discount incurred on the transfer of receivables during fiscal year 2013 totaled less than $0.1 million, which is reflected within Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. The proceeds received from these transfers are reflected as Proceeds from secured borrowings on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Common_Stock_and_Related_Matte

Common Stock and Related Matters	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Common Stock and Related Matters	'
Common Stock and Related Matters	'
	Note 7: Common Stock and Related Matters
	Common and Preferred Stock
	We have 500 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 50 million shares of preferred stock ("Preferred Stock"), authorized as of August 31, 2013. No shares of preferred stock were issued as of that date.
	Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement
	Our Board of Directors adopted the Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") effective October 30, 2007, which was approved by its then sole shareholder. The Rights Agreement contains provisions that are intended to protect our stockholders in the event of an unsolicited offer to acquire us, including offers that do not treat all stockholders equally and other coercive, unfair, or inadequate takeover bids and practices that could impair the ability of our Board of Directors to fully represent stockholders' interests. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of one "Right" for each one of our outstanding shares of common stock as of October 30, 2007. The Rights will be represented by, and trade together with, our common stock until and unless certain events occur, including the acquisition of in excess of 15% of our common stock by a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (with certain exceptions, "Acquiring Persons"); provided, however, that our Board of Directors, at its sole discretion, may grant its prior consent to a person or group of affiliated or associated persons to acquire more than 15% of our outstanding common stock, subject to any conditions the Board may impose, without such acquisition triggering the Rights Agreement. Unless previously redeemed by our Board of Directors, upon the occurrence of one of the specified triggering events, each Right that is not held by an Acquiring Person will entitle its holder to purchase one share of common stock or, under certain circumstances, additional shares of common stock at a discounted price. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire us on terms not approved by our Board of Directors. Thus, the Rights are intended to encourage persons who may seek to acquire control of us to initiate such an acquisition through negotiation with our Board of Directors.
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income adjusted for presumed dividend payments on unvested shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Unvested shares of restricted stock are excluded from basic shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly, but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if dilutive options were exercised and restricted stock awards were vested.
	The following table reflects basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three years ended August 31, 2013:
		Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income	$	15,192		$	21,909		$	17,401
	Less: Allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities		(16	)		(90	)		(197	)
	Net income available to common shareholders—basic	$	15,176		$	21,819		$	17,204
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		21,969			21,768			21,540
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.69		$	1		$	0.8
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income available to common shareholders—basic	$	15,176		$	21,819		$	17,204
	Add: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested shareholders		—			1			2
	Net income available to common shareholders—diluted	$	15,176		$	21,820		$	17,206
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		21,969			21,768			21,540
	Common stock equivalents (stock options and restricted stock)		466			398			487
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		22,435			22,166			22,027
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.68		$	0.98		$	0.78
	For the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, we excluded from our earnings per share calculation 0.9 million, 0.8 million, and 0.2 million common stock equivalents, respectively, because their effect was anti-dilutive.
	Dividends
	Our Board of Directors evaluates our dividend policy quarterly, taking into consideration the composition of our stockholder base; our financial condition, earnings and funding requirements; our growth prospects; applicable law; and any other factors our Board of Directors deems, in its discretion, relevant. We review our capital structure, including dividend policy, quarterly to ensure it remains aligned with the best interests of our stockholders.
	Our ability to fund a regular quarterly dividend is impacted by our financial results and the availability of surplus funds. All dividends are paid out of current year earnings. Delaware law prohibits the payment of dividends or otherwise distributing funds to our stockholders absent a legally available surplus. Also, restrictions under the instruments governing our indebtedness could impair our ability to make dividend payments in the future.

ShareBased_Incentive_Programs

Share-Based Incentive Programs	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Share-Based Incentive Programs	'
Share-Based Incentive Programs	'
	Note 8: Share-Based Incentive Programs
	2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan
	On January 7, 2010, our stockholders approved the Zep Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2010 Incentive Plan"), under which 4,300,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance with respect to long-term equity incentive awards. The 2010 Incentive Plan replaced our previous share-based incentive plan. The number of shares available for issuance under the 2010 Incentive Plan was reduced on a share-for-share basis by the number of shares reserved for issuance under our previous share-based incentive plans; however, shares that were reserved for issuance under our previous share-based incentive plan, and shares subject to awards under the previous plan that are subsequently forfeited, that are cancelled or that expire are available for issuance pursuant to the 2010 Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the 2010 Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of our Board of Directors is authorized to issue awards consisting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and/or restricted unit awards, performance stock and/or unit awards and cash-based awards to eligible employees, non-employee directors and outside consultants.
	Stock options granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan may be either non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options. The exercise price of stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Generally, all options granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan have terms of ten years. Options granted by the Committee in fiscal year 2010 generally vest over four years. Vested options held by terminated employees allow for an exercise period of three months following termination. Restricted stock and/or units granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan generally vest proportionately over four years. The fair value of restricted stock awards is measured based on their date of grant fair market value, and the related compensation expense is recognized over a requisite service period equal to the awards' vesting period. Restricted stock and/or units granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan that become vested upon the attainment of a stock price appreciation target and a specific vesting date ("stock appreciation awards") generally vest in their entirety after a service period of three years is completed by the award holder. The fair value of our market-conditioned stock appreciation awards is determined using Monte-Carlo simulation valuation model that is able to accommodate stock price appreciation and other provisions of our performance awards. Restricted stock and/or units granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan having both service and earnings based vesting conditions will vest in their entirety on the third anniversary of their grant date provided that not only time-based service requirements are achieved, but also that thresholds based upon Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") as measured over a three-year period are achieved. At August 31, 2013, 1.7 million options to purchase shares of our common stock, 0.4 million restricted stock awards and units, and 0.2 million market and performance conditioned restricted stock awards and units were outstanding under the 2010 Incentive Plan, including those that were previously issued and outstanding under our prior long-term incentive plan.
	A total of 0.6 million shares were available for grant under the 2010 Incentive Plan at August 31, 2013. Forfeited shares and shares that are exchanged to pay taxes due upon exercise of stock options or the release of awards are returned to the pool of shares available for grant.
	Service Conditioned Restricted Stock Awards
	The majority of restricted stock awards issued to our employees vest over a four-year period in accordance with time-based service conditions. Restricted stock awards issued to our non-employee directors vest over one and three-year periods. The fair value of restricted stock at the date of grant is equal to the closing stock price on that date.
	Restricted stock transactions during the years ended August 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 can be summarized as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at August 31, 2010		360		$	15.38
	Granted		135		$	17.87
	Vested		(174	)	$	14.79
	Forfeited		(17	)	$	15.44
	Outstanding at August 31, 2011		304		$	16.79
	Granted		174		$	14.61
	Vested		(159	)	$	16.22
	Forfeited		(22	)	$	16.47
	Outstanding at August 31, 2012		297		$	15.87
	Granted		299		$	13.86
	Vested		(129	)	$	16.05
	Forfeited		(22	)	$	14.95
	Outstanding at August 31, 2013		445		$	14.5
	As of August 31, 2013, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock of our employees was approximately $4.0 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of two years. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, was approximately $2.5 million, $2.1 million, and $2.5 million, respectively.
	Market and Performance Conditioned Restricted Stock Awards
	Market Conditioned Restricted Stock Awards
	Stock appreciation awards issued to employees under the 2010 Incentive Plan generally vest upon the achievement of stock price (market) targets ("Stock Appreciation Target") and service-related target dates ("Target Date"), in each case as specified at the time of grant of the award. The Stock Appreciation Targets may be met at any time during a period, generally four years, beginning on the grant date and ending on the last Target Date. Generally, achievement of a particular Stock Appreciation Target occurs when the average closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for 20 consecutive trading days, on a rolling basis, is equal to or exceeds the particular Stock Appreciation Target. If a Stock Appreciation Target is achieved prior to the corresponding Target Date, then that Stock Appreciation Target will be considered to have been met, regardless of changes in the price of a share of our common stock that occurs later. The fair value of a stock appreciation award at the date of grant is derived using a Monte-Carlo simulation model. If upon the final Target Date some or all of the Stock Appreciation Targets have not been achieved, any remaining unvested shares of stock appreciation awards will become fully vested as of the final Target Date if our stock price over the period following the grant date equals or exceeds the return of an index or peer group specified at the time of the award over the same period. Any shares of stock appreciation awards not otherwise vested on the last Target Date will be forfeited. Upon the achievement of each Stock Appreciation Target, the recipient of the award will be entitled to receive dividends or similar distributions on, and be entitled to vote, the shares of common stock underlying the corresponding stock appreciation awards.
	Performance Conditioned Restricted Stock Awards
	Restricted stock and/or units granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan having both service and earnings-based (performance) vesting conditions will vest in their entirety on the third anniversary of their grant date provided that not only time-based service requirements are achieved, but also that thresholds based upon our cumulative EBITDA and average return on invested capital ("ROIC") as measured over a three-year period are met. The level of cumulative EBITDA and average ROIC achieved will determine the ultimate number of performance shares received by an award holder.
	Activity involving market and performance conditioned awards during the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 is collectively summarized as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at August 31, 2010		94		$	13.47
	Granted		53			15.67
	Vested		(24	)		13.71
	Forfeited		(9	)		13.35
	Outstanding at August 31, 2011		114		$	14.19
	Granted		47			18.09
	Vested		(34	)		14.53
	Forfeited		(10	)		14.34
	Outstanding at August 31, 2012		117		$	15.64
	Granted		143			15.18
	Vested		(18	)		12.97
	Forfeited		(10	)		15.18
	Outstanding at August 31, 2013		232		$	15.58
	As of August 31, 2013 the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested market and performance conditioned awards was approximately $1.6 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of two years.
	As stated above, the grant date fair value of our stock appreciation awards was derived using a Monte-Carlo simulation model. The following weighted average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of these stock appreciation awards issued in fiscal years 2011 and 2010. We did not issue stock appreciation awards during our fiscal years 2013 or 2012.
		2011			2010
	Dividend yield		1	%		1.1	%
	Expected volatility		49.08	%		43.68	%
	Risk-free interest rate		0.91	%		1.98	%
	Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 1	$	16.48		$	13.61
	Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 2	$	15.98		$	13.17
	Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 3	$	15.39		$	12.82
	Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 4	$	14.84		$	12.43
	Stock Options
	The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. The dividend yield was calculated based on annual dividends paid and the trailing historical average closing stock price at the time of grant. Expected volatility for awards issued under our long-term incentive programs was based on the volatilities of well-established guideline companies as well as our own historical volatility. We phased out the use of guideline companies as a determinant for volatility because our own trading history is established and is a more appropriate measure of our expected volatility. We base our risk-free rate on the United States Treasury yield for a term equal to the expected life of the options at the time of grant. We use historical exercise behavior data to determine the expected life of options. All inputs into the Black-Scholes model are estimates made at the time of grant. Actual realized value of each option grant could materially differ from these estimates, though without impact to future reported net income.
	The following weighted average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of stock options we awarded in fiscal years ended August 31:
		2013			2012			2011
Dividend yield		1.1	%		0.8	%		1	%
Expected volatility		48.1	%		45.9	%		43.1	%
Risk-free interest rate		0.8	%		1.4	%		1.5	%
Expected life of options		6 years			6 years			6 years
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$	6.26		$	7.44		$	6.87
Stock option transactions during the years ended August 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013 can be summarized as follows:
	Outstanding						Exercisable
	(share data in thousands)						(share data in thousands)
	Number of			Weighted			Number of			Weighted
	Shares			Average			Shares			Average
				Exercise Price						Exercise Price
Outstanding at August 31, 2010		1,758		$	13.48			782		$	11.87
Granted		121		$	17.65
Exercised		(121	)	$	13.6
Forfeited		(65	)	$	15.16
Outstanding at August 31, 2011		1,693		$	13.7			1,045		$	12.58
Granted		113		$	18.09
Exercised		(38	)	$	13.85
Forfeited		(40	)	$	16.87
Outstanding at August 31, 2012		1,728		$	13.91			1,383		$	13.1
Granted		116		$	15.18
Exercised		(114	)	$	10.67
Forfeited		(35	)	$	16.68
Outstanding at August 31, 2013		1,695		$	14.16			1,453		$	13.75
Range of option exercise prices through August 31, 2013:
$8.00 – $11.00 (average life – 1.9 years)		258		$	9.81			258		$	9.81
$11.00 – $15.00 (average life – 4.2 years)		588		$	12.52			588		$	12.52
$15.00 – $17.50 (average life – 5.9 years)		632		$	16.13			519		$	16.34
$17.51 – $22.00 (average life – 7.5 years)		217		$	18.02			88		$	18.16
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $0.5 million, $0.1 million, and $0.6 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options outstanding, expected to vest, and exercisable as of August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $2.0 million, $2.8 million, and $2.8 million, respectively. As of August 31, 2013the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years, was approximately $1.0 million. The weighted-average remaining contractual terms of options outstanding and currently exercisable as of August 31, 2013 were both approximately five years.
Share Units
In fiscal year 2008, we adopted the Zep Inc. Nonemployee Director Deferred Compensation Plan. We require our Directors to defer at least 50% of their annual retainer into this program, and our Directors may defer additional amounts at their election. Under this plan, share deferrals are valued at fair market value at the date of deferral. Of the 300,000 shares reserved for issuance under this plan, 25,706 have been issued. As of August 31, 2013, approximately 75,000 share units were accounted for in this plan.
We also maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation program, the Zep Inc. Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan. This program provides for elective deferrals of an eligible employee's compensation. These deferrals may be matched with contributions from us as stipulated by the plan. In addition, when participants defer a minimum of 1% of base salary, the plan provides for a supplemental contribution by us ranging from 0% to 5% of an eligible employee's compensation, unless otherwise determined by our Board of Directors. Share unit deferrals resulting from the match and supplemental contributions provided by us are valued at their fair market value at the date of deferral and are ultimately distributed to plan participants in stock. Associates may also elect to defer salary and/or bonus into the share units. Of the 400,000 shares of our common stock reserved under the plan, approximately 18,000 have been issued. As of August 31, 2013, approximately 92,000 fully vested share units were accounted for in this plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In fiscal year 2008, we adopted the Zep Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan for the benefit of eligible employees. Under the plan, associates are able to purchase our common stock at a 5% discount on a monthly basis. Discounts received under this plan are not compensatory. Of the 200,000 shares of common stock reserved for purchase under the plan, approximately 107,000 shares remained available as of August 31, 2013. Eligible employees may participate at their discretion.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 9: Commitments and Contingencies
	Self-Insurance
	We self-insure, up to certain limits, risks including workers' compensation, comprehensive general liability, and auto liability. As of August 31, 2008, our self-insured retention for each claim involving workers' compensation, and comprehensive general liability (including toxic tort and other product liability claims) was limited to $0.5 million per occurrence. However, due to our historical claims experience, our comprehensive general liability self-insurance retention limits were increased to $1.5 million for claims incurred after August 31, 2008. Our estimate of the aggregate liability for claims incurred, and a provision for claims under this self-insured program is derived from both internal and external sources including but not limited to our independent actuary. We also self-insured up to certain limits for certain other insurable risks, primarily physical loss to property ($1.0 million per occurrence) and business interruptions resulting from such loss and lasting three days or more in duration. We also insure against catastrophic property and casualty exposures as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. We are fully self-insured for certain other types of liabilities, including environmental, product recall, patent infringement, and errors and omissions.
	We are also self-insured with respect to the majority of our medical benefits plans. We estimate our aggregate liability for claims incurred by applying a lag factor to our historical claims and administrative cost experience. We evaluate the appropriateness of our lag factor annually or when changes in trends or circumstances warrant.
	Leases
	We lease certain of our buildings and equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Certain of these operating lease agreements contain rent escalation clauses. We expense rent on a straight-line basis over the life of our leases, which commences on the date we have the right to control leased property. Minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases for years subsequent to August 31, 2013, are as follows: 2014—$8.7 million; 2015—$6.3 million; 2016—$4.3 million; 2017—$2.6 million; 2018—$1.9 million; after 2018—$1.6 million. Rent expense totaled $9.3 million in 2013, $9.2 million in 2012, and $8.5 million in 2011.
	Collective Bargaining Agreements
	Certain of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, which renew periodically. The collective bargaining agreement covering certain employees at our manufacturing facility on Seaboard Industrial Boulevard and our primary distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia is scheduled to renew during fiscal year 2014.
	Litigation
	We are subject to various legal claims arising in the normal course of business. We are self-insured up to specified limits for certain types of claims, including product liability, and are fully self-insured for certain other types of claims, including environmental, product recall, and patent infringement. Based on information currently available, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of pending and threatened legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flow. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of such matters, if unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flow in future periods. We establish accruals for legal claims when the costs associated with the claims become probable and can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving legal claims may be substantially higher or lower than the amounts reserved for such claims. However, unless otherwise disclosed, we cannot make a meaningful estimate of actual costs or a range of reasonably possible losses that could be higher or lower than the amounts accrued.
	California Sales Representative Litigation
	Britto Action:
	Britto and Cowan were sales representatives based in California. They filed suit, styled Britto et al. v. Zep Inc. and Acuity Specialty Products, Inc. ("Britto"), in December 2010 on behalf of themselves and on behalf of all other sales representatives who were employed by Acuity Specialty Products, Inc. in the State of California at any time between December 30, 2006 and the present. Approximately 171 persons were members of the putative class proposed by the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs asserted two primary causes of action against Zep for (i) failure to reimburse work-related expenses (the "Expense Reimbursement Claim") and (ii) failure to pay wages by reason of unlawful deductions from wages (the "Wage Deduction Claim"), as well as derivative claims under the California Labor Code Private Attorney General Act of 2004 ("PAGA") for civil penalties and under the California Business and Professions Code for unfair business practices. The Company has settled with approximately half of the members of the putative class.
	The Court denied the plaintiff's motion for class certification in May 2012. Following the denial of class certification, plaintiffs sought leave to bring 55 additional plaintiffs into the case. Although the trial court initially granted leave, the Company successfully appealed this decision. The Company also successfully obtained summary adjudication in part on plaintiff Britto's claims for his failure to disclose them in bankruptcy.
	In June 2013, the Company made an offer of compromise to plaintiffs in the amount of $323,000—$26,000 to Britto, $22,000 to Cowan, and $275,000 for PAGA civil penalties—plus interest, costs and attorneys' fees to the extent permitted by law and with the amount to be determined by the Court in accordance with law. In July 2013, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Acceptance of the Offer to Compromise. The PAGA civil penalties amount is subject to Court approval. The amount of the offer of compromise does not include attorney's fees and costs.
	Aguilar Action:
	In December 2012, 55 of the current and former sales representatives who sought to intervene in the Britto Action filed a lawsuit against the Company in which they assert the Expense Reimbursement Claim and Wage Deduction Claim, as well as an additional claim for improper wages statements on behalf of themselves individually. This lawsuit is styled Aguilar et al v. Zep Inc. and Acuity Specialty Products, Inc. ("Aguilar").
	After answering the complaint and successfully removing the case from state court to federal court, the Company asserted counter-claims against three plaintiffs. The Company also successfully compelled eight plaintiffs who signed arbitration agreements to arbitration. The Company has settled with 17 of the 55 individual plaintiffs and plans to continue negotiating settlements with plaintiffs on an individual basis.
	In August 2013, a plaintiff in the Aguilar case filed a motion for partial judgment as to the issue of liability on the business expense reimbursement claim. In October 2013, the Aguilar court granted the plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment as to part of his claims and denied it as to the remainder of them. In terms of additional motion practice, the Company plans to bring summary judgments shortly as to enforce the settlement agreements of two plaintiffs who previously settled.
	With respect to the arbitrations, the Company elected to proceed with eight separate arbitrations before Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services ("JAMS"). These arbitrations are proceeding according to the JAMS streamlined process, and currently JAMS has set arbitration hearing dates beginning in mid October and continuing through the end of November. Two of the plaintiffs who are subject to arbitration agreements previously settled their claims against the Company. The Company filed dispositive motions to enforce their settlement agreements. The arbitrator hearing the claims of one of the plaintiffs denied the Company's motion as to that plaintiff; therefore, arbitration will proceed with respect to that plaintiff.
	During our fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, we established a $1.8 million accrual with respect to our potential liability to the plaintiffs in the Britto lawsuit. During fiscal year 2013, we reevaluated the adequacy of this reserve based on the settlements we reached with plaintiffs during that period. We reduced the reserve by approximately $0.3 million, reflecting the amounts paid in settlement during the period and then increased the reserve by approximately $0.4 million, reflecting the accrual of additional pre-judgment interest on the liability that we think is probable. Based on the facts known as of the time of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our current accrual of $1.7 million continues to represent our best estimate of the probable settlement cost related to the Britto lawsuit and the Aguilar lawsuits.
	We believe that we have substantial factual and legal defenses to the claims made in the lawsuits, which we are asserting aggressively. If we are not successful in our defense against the claims asserted in the lawsuits and if there is an adverse verdict on the merits from which there is no successful appeal, or in the event of a negotiated settlement of the litigation, the resulting liability could be material to our financial condition or results of operations. However, because of the uncertainty of the outcome of the lawsuits, including the amount of damages, if any, any plaintiff may be able to prove, and because our liability, if any, arising from the litigation, including the amount of any damages awarded if plaintiffs are successful in the litigation or any negotiated settlement, could vary widely, we cannot estimate the reasonably possible losses or range of loss that may arise from the litigation in excess of the amounts described above.
	Environmental Matters
	General
	Our operations are subject to federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulations relating to the generation, storage, handling, transportation, and disposal of hazardous substances and solid and hazardous waste, and the remediation of contaminated sites. Permits and environmental controls are required for certain of our operations to limit air and water pollution, and these permits are subject to modification, renewal, and revocation by the issuing authorities. We will incur capital and operating costs relating to environmental compliance on an ongoing basis. Environmental laws and regulations have generally become stricter in recent years, and the cost of responding to future changes may be substantial. While management believes that we are currently in substantial compliance with all material environmental laws and regulations, and have taken reasonable steps to ensure such compliance, there can be no assurance that we will not incur significant costs to remediate violations of such laws and regulations, particularly in connection with acquisitions of existing operating facilities, or to comply with changes in, or stricter or different interpretations of, existing laws and regulations. Such costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
	Superfund Sites
	Certain of our subsidiaries are currently a party to federal and state administrative proceedings arising under federal and state laws enacted for the protection of the environment where a state or federal agency or a private party alleges that hazardous substances generated by our subsidiary have been discharged into the environment and a state or federal agency is requiring a cleanup of soil and/or groundwater pursuant to federal or state superfund laws. In each of these proceedings in which our subsidiary has been named as a party that allegedly generated hazardous substances that were transported to a waste site owned and operated by another party, either: (1) our subsidiary is one of many other identified generators who have reached an agreement regarding the allocation of costs for cleanup among the various generators and our potential liability is not material; (2) our subsidiary has been identified as a potential generator and the sites have been remediated by the Environmental Protection Agency or by a state for a cost that is not material; (3) other generators have cleaned up the site and have not pursued a claim against our subsidiary and our liability, if any, would not be material; or (4) our subsidiary has been identified as a potential generator but has been indemnified by its waste broker and transporter.
	Environmental Remediation Orders
	One of our subsidiaries has been named as a responsible party with respect to the facility located on Seaboard Industrial Boulevard in Atlanta, Georgia that it owns and currently uses in the manufacture of our products. Our subsidiary and the current and former owners of adjoining properties have agreed to share the expected costs and responsibilities of remediation. Further, our subsidiary has executed a Consent Order with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division ("EPD") covering this remediation, and is operating under an EPD approved Corrective Action Plan, which may be amended from time to time based on the progression of our remediation. In May 2007, we accrued an undiscounted pre-tax liability of $5.0 million representing our best estimate of costs associated with subsurface remediation, primarily to remove, or secure, contaminants from soil underlying this property, and other related environmental issues. While it is reasonably possible that the total remediation cost could range up to $10.0 million, management's best estimate of the probable total remediation costs continues to be $5.0 million. To date, we have expended approximately $2.7 million of the $5.0 million accrual established in May 2007. Further sampling, engineering studies, and/or changes in regulatory requirements could cause us to revise the current estimate. We arrived at the current estimates based on studies prepared by independent third party environmental consulting firms.
	One of our subsidiaries has been named as a responsible party with respect to its primary manufacturing location in Marietta, Georgia. With regard to this location, our subsidiary is responsible for the expected costs of implementing an Amended Corrective Action Plan that was conditionally approved by the EPD in June 2012 under the Georgia Hazardous Response Act. The State of Georgia has introduced a Voluntary Remediation Program ("VRP") that provides for a risk-based approach toward environmental remediation. We believe the provisions of the VRP are applicable to the Marietta site. As of August 31, 2013, liabilities related to the remediation of the Marietta site presented within our Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect an undiscounted, pre-tax liability of approximately $6.8 million, which represents our best estimate of remaining remediation costs for this site. We arrived at the current estimates based on studies prepared by independent third party environmental consulting firms. In the future, we plan to submit an application to enter the Marietta, Georgia site into the VRP.
	Additionally, one of our subsidiaries previously conducted manufacturing operations at a facility in Cartersville, Georgia that has since been sold and where sub-surface contamination exists. Pursuant to the terms of the sale, the subsidiary retained environmental exposure that might arise from its previous use of this property. Management is preparing a plan to address sub-surface contamination at this location. Based on recent data, the contamination has migrated off site and is present at a greater depth than originally anticipated. In the future, we will submit an application to enter the Cartersville, Georgia site into the VRP. As of August 31, 2013, liabilities related to the remediation of the Cartersville site presented within our Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect an undiscounted, pre-tax liability of approximately $0.5 million, which represents our best estimate of remaining remediation costs for this site.
	The actual cost of remediation of the Marietta and Cartersville sites could vary depending upon the results of additional testing and geological studies, the rate at which site conditions may change, the success of initial remediation designed to address the most significant areas of contamination, and changes in regulatory requirements. While it is reasonably possible that the total costs incurred by us in connection with these matters could range up to an aggregate of $16.0 million, management's best estimate of total remaining remediation costs for these two sites combined is $7.3 million.

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Restructuring Charges	'
Restructuring Charges	'
	Note 10: Restructuring Charges
	During fiscal year 2008, we recorded pretax charges of $10.0 million reflecting the cost of restructuring and other special items during fiscal year 2008. During fiscal year 2009, we recorded pretax charges of $3.4 million reflecting severance costs and facility consolidation. During fiscal year 2010, Restructuring Charges recorded within our Consolidated Statements of Income reflect 1) the consolidation of our logistics branch network, 2) the further streamlining of our organizational structure, which resulted in the reduction of non-sales headcount, and 3) the continued integration of ours and then newly acquired Amrep's manufacturing capabilities. We also put up for sale Amrep's Lancaster, Texas property as manufacturing activities at that location have been transferred to other of our facilities. As discussed in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, after assessing the property's fair value in fiscal year 2012, we adjusted the asset's fair market value down by $0.5 million. After assessing the property's fair value in fiscal year 2013, we adjusted the asset's fair market value down by $0.3 million to $1.8 million. We recorded the charges associated with these write-downs in Loss (Gain) on Disposal of Fixed Assets in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
	In the first-half of fiscal year 2011, we recorded a pretax restructuring charge of $1.5 million for costs associated with facility consolidations and reduction of non-sales headcount.
	In fiscal year 2013, we developed a plan and began executing a variety of complexity-reduction activities, including facilities consolidation, process simplification, product-line and customer rationalization, and headcount reductions related to such activities. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we recorded a $5.2 million restructuring charge in connection with these efforts.
	The changes to our restructuring reserve (included within Accrued compensation and Other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets) are summarized as follows:
		Severance			Facility
		Costs			Exit
					Costs
	Balance as of August 31, 2010	$	2,567		$	3,433
	Restructuring charges recorded during fiscal year 2011		1,096			373
	Early termination of lease accruals		—			(817	)
	Payments made from restructuring reserves		(3,035	)		(1,109	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2011	$	628		$	1,880
	Restructuring charges recorded during fiscal year 2012		—			—
	Payments made from restructuring accruals		(568	)		(1,323	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	$	60		$	557
	Restructuring charges recorded during fiscal year 2013		4,631			528
	Payments made from restructuring accruals		(387	)		(649	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	4,304		$	436

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 11: Income Taxes
	The components of income before taxes are as follows:
		Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	United States		16,614			26,343			19,594
	Foreign		6,473			7,493			7,101
	Income before provision for income taxes	$	23,087		$	33,836		$	26,695
	We account for income taxes using the asset and liability approach. This approach requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns.
	Using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and the tax basis of an asset or liability.
	The provision for income taxes consists of the following components:
		Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Provision for current federal taxes	$	1,810		$	6,484		$	2,520
	Provision for current state taxes		459			859			713
	Provision for current foreign taxes		2,615			2,527			2,333
	Provision for deferred federal taxes		3,456			1,592			3,346
	Provision for deferred state taxes		32			522			328
	Provision for deferred foreign taxes		(477	)		(57	)		54
	Total provision for income taxes	$	7,895		$	11,927		$	9,294
	A reconciliation from the federal statutory rate to the total provision for income taxes is as follows:
		Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$	8,080		$	11,842		$	9,343
	State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit		485			846			783
	Permanent differences		168			(154	)		(108	)
	Foreign permanent differences and rate differential		(213	)		(275	)		(225	)
	Change in valuation allowance		(162	)		55			12
	Research and development credit		(120	)		(96	)		(145	)
	Other, net		(343	)		(291	)		(366	)
	Total provision for income taxes	$	7,895		$	11,927		$	9,294
	Components of the net deferred income tax liability at August 31, 2013 and 2012 include:
		2013			2012
	Deferred Income Tax Liabilities:
	Depreciation	$	(10,724	)	$	(8,084	)
	Goodwill and intangibles		(14,819	)		(13,355	)
	Other liabilities		(2,262	)		(2,139	)
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	$	(27,805	)	$	(23,578	)
	Deferred Income Tax Assets:
	Self-insurance		2,218			2,347
	Deferred compensation		6,594			6,208
	Foreign tax losses		1,160			1,256
	Environmental reserve		3,599			4,033
	Other accruals not yet deductible		10,340			8,989
	Other assets and tax losses		1,338			1,383
	Total deferred income tax assets		25,249			24,216
	Valuation allowance		(1,344	)		(1,531	)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(3,900	)	$	(893	)
	As of August 31, 2013, we had cumulative undistributed earnings of approximately $23.2 million for which we had not provided residual income tax or withholding tax because we consider them to be indefinitely reinvested. We intend to continue indefinitely to reinvest in our foreign subsidiaries all undistributed earnings of and original investments in such subsidiaries. If these earnings were distributed to the United States in the form of dividends or otherwise, or if the shares of the relevant foreign subsidiaries were sold or otherwise transferred, we would be subject to additional United States income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and foreign withholding taxes. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability is not practicable due to uncertainties related to the timing and source of any potential distribution of such funds, along with other important factors such as the amount of associated foreign tax credits.
	Deferred tax assets were partially offset by valuation allowances of $1.3 million at August 31, 2013 and $1.5 million at August 31, 2012. Our deferred tax asset valuation allowances are primarily the result of uncertainties regarding the future realization of recorded tax benefits of state tax credits and foreign capital loss carryforwards. In 2013, we recognized a net decrease in our valuation allowance of less than $0.2 million reflecting an adjustment to the expected realizable value of state tax credits. In 2012, we recognized a net increase in our valuation allowance of less than $0.1 million reflecting an adjustment to the expected realizable value of state tax credits.
	At August 31, 2013, certain domestic state net operating loss carryforwards, which expire from tax year 2018 to 2033, were $9.1 million. At August 31, 2013, foreign net operating and capital loss carryforwards, the majority of which have no expiration, were approximately $4.0 million. Additionally, we have state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $1.4 million, which will expire between 2014 and 2023.
	In June 2006, the FASB issued guidance that clarified the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement implications of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a company's tax return.
	In our results from operations during the twelve months ended August 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, we recognized less than $0.1 million additional income tax expense in each respective period related to changes in gross tax-effected unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties.
	We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of August 31, 2013, we had gross tax-effected unrecognized tax benefits of $1.0 million (including interest and penalties of $0.2 million), of which $0.9 million before federal benefit (including interest and penalties), if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate due to the offsetting receivable from Acuity Brands provided for in the tax disaffiliation agreement. Interest and penalties recognized had a de minimis impact on our fiscal year 2013 operating results. There are no significant increases or decreases to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits anticipated within the next twelve months.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance at August 31, 2010	$	1,249
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		31
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		4
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(150	)
	Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities		—
	Reductions for closings of statutes of prior years		(54	)
	Balance at August 31, 2011	$	1,080
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		64
Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
Additions for tax positions of prior years		5
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(205	)
Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities		—
Reductions for closings of statutes of prior years		(56	)
Balance at August 31, 2012	$	888
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		35
Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
Additions for tax positions of prior years		45
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(101	)
Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities		(34	)
Reductions for closings of statutes of prior years		(19	)
Balance at August 31, 2013	$	814
We conduct business globally, and as a result, one or more of our subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including various jurisdictions in Europe, Canada and the United States. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations for tax years before 2009, or non-U.S. income tax examinations for tax years before 2007.

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures	'
Fair Value Disclosures	'
	Note 12. Fair Value Disclosures
	Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, and debt. The net book values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables are representative of their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. We estimate that the carrying value of all of our outstanding debt obligations approximates fair value based on the variable nature of our effective interest rate associated with the indebtedness, which is a Level 2 estimate based on a market approach.
	During the quarter ended November 30, 2010, in connection with one of our acquisitions, we recorded a $3.75 million earnout liability whose payment is contingent upon earnings targets that are relative to a portion of our business, which are attainable at any time during a three-year period. We estimate the fair value of this Level 3 liability at each reporting date using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis, which requires the evaluation of significant unobservable inputs that include projected revenues, expenses and cash flow, and assumed discount rates. During the year ended August 31, 2012, we reduced the fair value of this contingent consideration liability to $1.3 million based on our ongoing assessment of the portion of the contingency the acquiree will likely realize. We recorded the approximate $2.5 million reduction of this liability within Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses within our Consolidated Statements of Income. During the year ended August 31, 2013, we reduced the fair value of this contingent consideration liability to zero based on our ongoing assessment of this liability's probable ultimate payout. We recorded the approximate $1.3 million reduction of this liability within Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses within our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	'
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	'
	Note 13: Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
		Net		Gross		Income		Net		Basic		Diluted
		Sales		Profit		Before Taxes		Income		Earnings		Earnings
										Per Share(1)		Per Share(1)
	2013(2)
	1st Quarter	$	158,026	$	74,962	$	5,525	$	3,481	$	0.16	$	0.16
	2nd Quarter		163,386		77,440		4,116		2,791		0.13		0.12
	3rd Quarter		185,988		86,893		9,610		6,255		0.28		0.28
	4th Quarter		182,176		85,247		3,836		2,665		0.12		0.12
	2012(3)
	1st Quarter	$	153,498	$	72,927	$	5,557	$	3,579	$	0.16	$	0.16
	2nd Quarter		151,715		67,995		3,955		2,434		0.11		0.11
	3rd Quarter		176,625		81,732		13,766		8,622		0.39		0.39
	4th Quarter		171,695		78,142		10,558		7,274		0.33		0.33
	-1
	We calculate basic and diluted earnings per share independently for each of the quarters presented in accordance with applicable earnings per share guidance. Therefore, the sum of quarterly basic and diluted earnings per share may not total to reported annual basic and diluted earnings per share.
	-2
	In fiscal year 2013, we developed a plan and began executing a variety of complexity-reduction activities, including facilities consolidation, process simplification, product-line and customer rationalization, and headcount reductions related to such activities. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we recorded a $5.2 million restructuring charge in connection with these efforts.
	In connection with the lawsuits discussed in Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we incurred legal defense costs of approximately $0.4 million, $0.2 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million, during the first, second, third, and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013, respectively.
	We recorded an adjustment to a contingent consideration liability in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. The amount of the benefit was $1.3 million.
	We recorded acquisition costs in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013 of $0.7 million, $1.1 million, $0.1 million, and $0.1 million, respectively.
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, we recorded an adjustment to the fair market value of an asset that is held for sale. The amount of the expense was $0.3 million.
	The impact of these charges, costs and benefits are included within the fiscal year 2013 quarterly data presented.
	-3
	In connection with the lawsuits discussed in Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we incurred legal defense costs of approximately $0.6 million, $0.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million, during the first, second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2012, respectively.
	In the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 we recorded a bargain purchase gain of $0.6 million related to the Washtronics acquisition. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 we recorded a bargain purchase gain of $1.5 million related to the Hale Group acquisition. These acquisitions are discussed further in Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In the second half of fiscal year 2012, we incurred approximately $1.9 million in costs associated with a packaging quality issue.
	We recorded adjustments to a contingent consideration liability. The amounts of the benefit recorded in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2012, were $1.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
	We recorded acquisition costs in the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2012 of $0.8 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, we recorded an adjustment to fair market value of an asset that is held for sale. The amount of the expense was $0.5 million.
	The impact of these charges, costs and benefits are included within the fiscal year 2012 quarterly data presented.

Geographic_Distribution_of_Ope

Geographic Distribution of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Geographic Distribution of Operations	'
Geographic Distribution of Operations	'
	Note 14: Geographic Distribution of Operations
	We manage our entity as a single business unit. Strategies and policies regarding our revenue growth, product sourcing, brand management, pricing, supply chain, and marketing of product formulations are facilitated by personnel within our corporate office, which is located in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional functions including but not limited to tax, legal, treasury, environmental compliance, research and development, and risk management are managed through our central, shared-service organization, also located within our Atlanta-based headquarters. We report revenues in one line item as a group of similar products, given our products have similar profit contributions, are marketed to a similar customer base, and share similar methods of production and distribution.
	The geographic distribution of our net sales and long-lived assets is summarized in the following table for the years ended August 31:
		2013		2012		2011
	Net sales(1)
	Domestic(2)	$	565,311	$	539,683	$	529,915
	International		124,265		113,850		116,057
		$	689,576	$	653,533	$	645,972
	Long-lived assets(3)
	Domestic(2)	$	85,049	$	73,855	$	64,662
	International		14,239		12,621		7,441
		$	99,288	$	86,476	$	72,103
	-1
	Net sales are attributed to each country based on the selling location. Sales generated in Canada approximated 9.4%, 9.3%, and 10.2% of total net sales for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. None of the remaining countries categorized in the above table as "International" were responsible for more than 10% of our total consolidated net sales.
	-2
	Domestic amounts include net sales and long-lived assets for U.S. based operations.
	-3
	Long-lived assets include net property, plant, and equipment and other long-term assets.

SCHEDULE_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	'
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	'
	SCHEDULE II
	Zep Inc.
	VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2013, 2012, AND 2011
	(in thousands)
				Additions and
				Reductions
				Charged to
		Balance at		Costs and		Other		Deductions		Balance at
		Beginning		Expenses		Accounts				End of
		of Year								Year
	Year Ended August 31, 2013:
	Reserve for doubtful accounts	$	3,595		1,918		—		1,572	$	3,941
	Reserve for estimated returns and allowances	$	787		12,798		—		12,349	$	1,236
	Year Ended August 31, 2012:
	Reserve for doubtful accounts	$	4,515		1,705		—		2,625	$	3,595
	Reserve for estimated returns and allowances	$	578		14,689		—		14,480	$	787
	Year Ended August 31, 2011:
	Reserve for doubtful accounts	$	4,995		2,007		—		2,487	$	4,515
	Reserve for estimated returns and allowances	$	424		14,015		—		13,861	$	578

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts after elimination of significant intercompany transactions and accounts.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	We record revenue when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the selling price to the customer is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer assumes the risks and rewards of ownership. Customers take delivery at the time of shipment for terms designated free on board shipping point. For sales designated free on board destination, customers take delivery when the product is delivered to the customer's delivery site. Provisions for rebates, sales incentives, product returns, and discounts to customers are recorded as an offset to revenue in the same period the related revenue is recorded. We also maintain one-time or on-going marketing and trade-promotion programs with certain customers that require us to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. These arrangements include cooperative marketing programs, merchandising of our products and introductory marketing funds for new products and other trade-promotion activities conducted by the customer. Costs associated with these programs are recorded as a reduction of revenues.
	We provide for limited product return rights to certain distributors and customers primarily for slow moving or damaged items subject to certain defined criteria. We monitor product returns and record, at the time revenue is recognized, a provision for the estimated amount of future returns based primarily on historical experience and specific notification of pending returns. Although historical product returns generally have been within expectations, there can be no assurance that future product returns will not exceed historical amounts. A significant increase in product returns could have a material impact on our operating results in future periods.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider time deposits and marketable securities purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents, which are included in the accompanying balance sheets at fair value.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable
	We record accounts receivable at net realizable value. This value includes an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts to reflect losses anticipated on accounts receivable balances. The allowance is based on historical write-offs, an analysis of past due accounts based on the contractual terms of the receivables, and the economic status of customers, if known. We believe that the allowance is sufficient to cover uncollectible amounts; however, there can be no assurance that unanticipated future business conditions of customers will not have a negative impact on our results of operations. We generally do not require collateral for our accounts receivable. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts should we conclude their collection is improbable. Expense recorded in connection with our allowance for estimated uncollectable accounts totaled $1.9 million, $1.7 million, and $2.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Concentrations of Credit Risk	'
	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables, which are typically unsecured, are generally limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets using our products, as well as their dispersion across many different geographic areas. Receivables due from The Home Depot, our largest single customer, were approximately $11.8 million, $9.6 million, and $10.8 million as of the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Additionally, although net sales to The Home Depot were less than 10% of our total net sales in each of the fiscal years 2013 and 2012, net sales to The Home Depot accounted for approximately 10% of our total net sales during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of combined receivables or total net sales as of and for the years ended August 31, 2013 or 2012.
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories, which include materials, direct labor, and related manufacturing overhead, are stated at the lower of cost (approximate costs determined on a first-in, first-out or average cost basis) or market, and consisted of the following at August 31, 2013 and 2012:
		2013			2012
	Raw materials and supplies	$	17,963		$	24,852
	Work in process		1,711			899
	Finished goods		50,755			47,864
			70,429			73,615
	Less: Reserves		(1,796	)		(2,164	)
		$	68,633		$	71,451
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
	As of August 31, 2013, our Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect a total of $121.1 million in goodwill. Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized, including expected synergies from the acquisitions. The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets for our acquisitions has been recorded as Goodwill within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. Our acquisitions during the three fiscal years ended August 31, 2013 are discussed further in Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis at the beginning of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may exceed its fair value. We have the option to perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill in lieu of completing the two-step process described below to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill and other intangible assets. If we conclude that this is the case, we must perform the two-step process. The first step identifies potential impairments by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit, Zep, with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value, the second step of the test requires a calculation of possible impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying value. If the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded. If the calculated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and the second step is not necessary.
	In fiscal 2013, certain qualitative factors were used to determine the likelihood of goodwill impairment for our one reporting unit. None of the analyses resulted in an impairment charge during fiscal 2013, 2012, or 2011. Changes in the carrying amount of Goodwill during fiscal years 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows:
	Balance as of August 31, 2011	$	84,418
	Acquisitions (Mykal)		567
	Currency translation adjustments		(381	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	$	84,604
	Acquisitions (Vehicle Care division of Ecolab Inc.)		36,692
	Currency translation adjustments		(194	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	121,102
	Our identifiable intangible assets primarily include the customer relationships, patents and formulations acquired through the above-mentioned business combinations. Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over their estimated useful lives using an amortization method that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or otherwise realized. The straight-line method is used for customer relationships. As a result of the negligible attrition rate in our customer base, the difference between the straight-line method and attrition methods is not material to our results. The estimated useful lives for our finite-lived intangible assets range from eight to 22 years, and are concentrated between 17 and 22 years. Our acquired trademarks have an indefinite useful life.
	Information summarizing our acquired intangible assets is as follows:
		August 31, 2013						August 31, 2012
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Definite-lived intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	112,700		$	(14,712	)	$	57,113		$	(7,989	)
	Patents and formulations		14,786			(1,245	)		10,079			(861	)
	Total	$	127,486		$	(15,957	)	$	67,192		$	(8,850	)
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	Trademarks	$	18,400			—		$	7,365			—
	Total	$	145,886		$	(15,957	)	$	74,557		$	(8,850	)
	Amortization expense totaled $7.1 million, $3.9 million, and $3.8 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The amortization expense associated with acquired finite-lived intangible assets established as of August 31, 2013 is expected to approximate $8 million during each of the next five years.
Other Long-Term Liabilities	'
	Other Long-Term Liabilities
	Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following at August 31, 2013 and 2012:
		2013			2012
	Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits(1)	$	4,046		$	3,983
	Liabilities related to uncertain income tax positions(2)		1,000			1,064
	Environmental remediation liabilities(3)		8,912			10,452
	Acquisition earnout liability(4)		—			1,208
	Miscellaneous(5)		1,115			1,143
		$	15,073		$	17,850
	-1
	Postretirement benefits—We adopted a non-qualified deferred compensation plan effective October 31, 2007 for the benefit of eligible employees. The deferred compensation plan administered by us provides for elective deferrals of an eligible employee's compensation, which are matched with contributions from us as stipulated by the plan. In addition, the plan provides for an automatic contribution by us ranging from 3% to 5% of an eligible employee's compensation. The majority of the activity associated with these programs is recorded through corresponding short-term liability accounts. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding this plan.
	-2
	Liabilities related to uncertain income tax positions—See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
	-3
	Environmental remediation liabilities—The portion of these accruals related to amounts we expect to expend after fiscal year 2014 is classified within Other long-term liabilities. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our environmental remediation efforts.
	-4
	Acquisition earnout liability—This amount represented the long-term portion of a total $1.3 million acquisition-related earnout obligation at August 31, 2012. During the year ended August 31, 2013, we reduced the fair value of this contingent consideration liability to zero based on our ongoing assessment of this liability's probable ultimate payout.See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our acquisition earnout liability valuation.
	-5
	Miscellaneous—These amounts represent a number of liabilities that will be settled beyond fiscal year 2014, the most significant of which pertains to deferred rents associated with facility lease agreements containing escalating rent clauses.
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs	'
	Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs
	We include shipping and handling fees billed to customers in Net Sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight and freight between manufacturing facilities are generally recorded in Cost of Products Sold, which also includes the cost normally incurred in acquiring and producing inventory for sale, purchasing and receiving costs, and inspection costs. Certain customer-related shipping and handling costs, as well as other distribution costs, are included in Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses. We believe this presentation is consistent with many of our peers and competitors. However, we acknowledge that our gross profit amounts may not be comparable to certain other entities, as some entities may include all of the costs related to their distribution network in their cost of products sold. Customer-related shipping and handling costs included within our Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses totaled $45.0 million, $42.3 million, and $42.4 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Other distribution costs, which primarily consist of the cost of warehousing finished goods inventory, totaled $22.1 million, $23.1 million, and $22.0 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	Share-based expense includes expense related to restricted stock and options issued, as well as share units deferred into the Director Deferred Compensation Plan and the Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan. We incurred $4.1 million, $4.0 million, and $5.0 million of share-based expense, which includes an estimate of forfeitures, for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We did not capitalize any expense related to share-based payments, and we record share-based expense within Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses. Equity awards having service-only vesting provisions are accounted for on a straight-line basis. The majority of the share-based compensation expense does not affect our overall cash position. Therefore, certain of these expenses are reflected as Other non-cash charges within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Share-based compensation accounting rules require that the benefit of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under prior guidance. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our share-based incentive programs.
Property, Plant, and Equipment and Depreciation	'
	Property, Plant, and Equipment and Depreciation
	Total Property, Plant, and Equipment is stated at cost, and includes capitalized software costs. The net book value of capitalized software totaled $24.9 million and $20.9 million at August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Capitalized software amortization is included in depreciation of property, plant and equipment and totaled $3.0 million, $1.3 million and $1.7 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We report depreciation of property, plant and equipment in Cost of Products Sold and Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses based on the nature of the underlying assets. We record depreciation primarily related to the production of inventory within Cost of Products Sold. We record depreciation related to selling, distribution and administrative functions within Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is determined principally on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of plant and equipment (20 to 40 years for buildings and 5 to 12 years for machinery and equipment). Depreciation expense totaled $12.8 million, $10.4 million, and $10.4 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We amortize leasehold improvements over the life of the lease or the useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.
	We sold a facility in the Boston, Massachusetts area during fiscal year 2011 and recognized the related gain within our operating results. We lease the majority of our branch and warehouse locations, and the sale of owned facilities has occurred infrequently.
	As of August 31, 2013, Prepayments and other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets included held-for-sale fixed assets. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, we began marketing a facility in Lancaster, Texas after we transferred manufacturing activities at that location to other of our facilities. After assessing the property's fair value in fiscal year 2012, we adjusted the asset's fair market value down by $0.5 million to $2.1 million. After assessing the property's fair value in fiscal year 2013, we adjusted the asset's fair market value down by $0.3 million to $1.8 million. We recorded the charges associated with these write-downs in Loss (Gain) on Assets Held for Sale and Disposal of Fixed Assets in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Further detail regarding this action is included within Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In fiscal year 2013, we began marketing a facility in Wellingborough, England for sale. We reclassified this asset's value of $1.0 million from Buildings and leasehold improvements to Prepayments and other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with its held-for-sale status. The facility in Wellinborough, England sold in October 2013.
Research and Development	'
	Research and Development
	We expense research and development costs, which are included in Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income, as incurred. Research and development expenses ranged between $1.4 million and $1.6 million during the three years ended August 31, 2013.
Advertising	'
	Advertising
	We expense advertising costs as incurred, and those costs are included within Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. These expenses totaled $4.1 million, $2.7 million, and $2.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currency for our foreign operations is the local currency. The translation of foreign currencies into United States dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate each month during the year. The gains or losses resulting from the translation are included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and are excluded from net income. Gains or losses relating to foreign currency items are included in Miscellaneous expense (income), net, in our Consolidated Statements of Income and consisted of expense of $0.3 million for each of the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012, and income of $0.1 million for the year ended August 31, 2011.
Interest Expense, Net	'
	Interest Expense, Net
	Interest expense, net, is composed primarily of interest expense on our variable-rate debt instruments, partially offset by interest income on cash and cash equivalents.
	The following table summarizes the components of interest expense, net:
		2013			2012			2011
	Interest expense	$	9,950		$	6,294		$	6,658
	Interest income		(992	)		(801	)		(96	)
	Interest expense, net	$	8,958		$	5,493		$	6,562
	On July 15, 2010, we entered into a $320 million five-year senior, secured credit facility (the "2010 Credit Facility") with a syndicate of lenders. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our debt.
Miscellaneous Expense (Income), Net	'
	Miscellaneous Expense (Income), Net
	Miscellaneous expense (income), net, is composed primarily of gains or losses on foreign currency transactions and other non-operating items.
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that amended the requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance requires an entity to present components of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate, but consecutive statements. This guidance eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of stockholders' equity, and is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption of the guidance is permitted. We early adopted this guidance as of August 31, 2012. The implementation of this guidance did not have any effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
	In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance pertaining to the testing of certain intangible assets for impairment. The revised guidance purposes to reduce the cost and complexity of registrants' annual goodwill impairment tests by providing entities an option to perform a "qualitative" assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a more robust, quantitative impairment evaluation is required. The revised standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We implemented the new standard in our 2013 annual goodwill impairment testing. This guidance did not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
Schedule of inventories	'
		2013			2012
	Raw materials and supplies	$	17,963		$	24,852
	Work in process		1,711			899
	Finished goods		50,755			47,864
			70,429			73,615
	Less: Reserves		(1,796	)		(2,164	)
		$	68,633		$	71,451
Schedule of changes in carrying amount of Goodwill	'
	Balance as of August 31, 2011	$	84,418
	Acquisitions (Mykal)		567
	Currency translation adjustments		(381	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	$	84,604
	Acquisitions (Vehicle Care division of Ecolab Inc.)		36,692
	Currency translation adjustments		(194	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	121,102
Schedule of acquired intangible assets	'
		August 31, 2013						August 31, 2012
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Definite-lived intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	112,700		$	(14,712	)	$	57,113		$	(7,989	)
	Patents and formulations		14,786			(1,245	)		10,079			(861	)
	Total	$	127,486		$	(15,957	)	$	67,192		$	(8,850	)
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	Trademarks	$	18,400			—		$	7,365			—
	Total	$	145,886		$	(15,957	)	$	74,557		$	(8,850	)
Schedule of other long-term liabilities	'
		2013			2012
	Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits(1)	$	4,046		$	3,983
	Liabilities related to uncertain income tax positions(2)		1,000			1,064
	Environmental remediation liabilities(3)		8,912			10,452
	Acquisition earnout liability(4)		—			1,208
	Miscellaneous(5)		1,115			1,143
		$	15,073		$	17,850
	-1
	Postretirement benefits—We adopted a non-qualified deferred compensation plan effective October 31, 2007 for the benefit of eligible employees. The deferred compensation plan administered by us provides for elective deferrals of an eligible employee's compensation, which are matched with contributions from us as stipulated by the plan. In addition, the plan provides for an automatic contribution by us ranging from 3% to 5% of an eligible employee's compensation. The majority of the activity associated with these programs is recorded through corresponding short-term liability accounts. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding this plan.
	-2
	Liabilities related to uncertain income tax positions—See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
	-3
	Environmental remediation liabilities—The portion of these accruals related to amounts we expect to expend after fiscal year 2014 is classified within Other long-term liabilities. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our environmental remediation efforts.
	-4
	Acquisition earnout liability—This amount represented the long-term portion of a total $1.3 million acquisition-related earnout obligation at August 31, 2012. During the year ended August 31, 2013, we reduced the fair value of this contingent consideration liability to zero based on our ongoing assessment of this liability's probable ultimate payout.See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our acquisition earnout liability valuation.
	-5
	Miscellaneous—These amounts represent a number of liabilities that will be settled beyond fiscal year 2014, the most significant of which pertains to deferred rents associated with facility lease agreements containing escalating rent clauses.
Schedule of components of interest expense, net	'
		2013			2012			2011
	Interest expense	$	9,950		$	6,294		$	6,658
	Interest income		(992	)		(801	)		(96	)
	Interest expense, net	$	8,958		$	5,493		$	6,562

Acquisitions_and_Loan_to_Innov1

Acquisitions and Loan to Innovation Partner (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Business acquisitions	'
Schedule of purchase price allocation	'
	Tangible assets and liabilities
	Accounts receivable, and other current assets		6,248
	Property, plant and equipment		2,882
	Other assets		228
	Other liabilities assumed		(931	)
	Total net tangible assets	$	8,427
	Identifiable intangible assets
	Customer relationships		56,000
	Technology (patents and formulations)		4,700
	Trademarks		11,000
	Goodwill		36,700
	Total purchase price allocation	$	116,827
Schedule of unaudited pro forma combined results of operations	'
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012
	Net sales	$	705,993		$	719,459
	Net income	$	16,464		$	23,004
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.75		$	1.1
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.73		$	1.08
Waterbury Companies, Inc.	'
Business acquisitions	'
Schedule of purchase price allocation	'
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—
	Inventory		6,998
	Other current assets		5,500
	Property, plant and equipment		1,125
	Accounts payable		(3,622	)
	Other liabilities assumed		(986	)
	Total net tangible assets	$	9,015
	Identifiable intangible assets
	Customer relationships	$	27,050
	Patents and formulations		3,700
	Trademarks		3,700
	Goodwill		22,758
	Total purchase price allocation	$	66,223

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans	'
Schedule of components of the net periodic (benefit) expense of the Non-U.S. Plan	'
		2013			2012
	Current service cost	$	152		$	104
	Interest cost		206			140
	Expected return on plan assets		(402	)		(296	)
	Net pension expense (benefit)	$	(44	)	$	(52	)
Schedule of assumptions used to determine net periodic pension benefit for the Non-U.S. Plan	'
		2013			2012
	Discount rate		4	%		4.7	%
	Expected rate of return on plan assets		5	%		5	%
	Rate of compensation increase		3.9	%		4.2	%
	Underlying inflation rate		2.9	%		3.2	%
Schedule of the obligations, plan assets and funding status of the Non-U.S. Plan	'
		2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	5,141		$	4,393
	Cumulative foreign exchange effect		(108	)		39
	Service cost		152			104
	Interest cost		206			140
	Actuarial (gains) loss		(344	)		473
	Benefits paid		(22	)		(8	)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of period	$	5,025		$	5,141
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	8,514		$	8,041
	Cumulative foreign exchange effect		(184	)		68
	Actual return on plan assets		496			413
	Benefits paid		(22	)		(8	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	8,804		$	8,514
	Funded status:
	Ending funded status	$	3,779		$	3,373
	Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheet:
	Pension asset	$	3,779		$	3,373
Schedule of the assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligation for the Non-U.S. Plan	'
		2013			2012
	Discount rate		4.6	%		4.2	%
	Rate of compensation increase		4.5	%		3.9	%
	Underlying inflation rate		3.5	%		2.9	%
Schedule of fair values of the insurance policy and their input levels based on the fair value hierarchy	'
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Fair Value			Quoted Market			Significant		Significant
					Prices for			Other		Unobservable
					Identical			Observable		Inputs
					Assets			Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	As of August 31, 2012	$	8,514		$	—		$	8,514	$	—
	As of August 31, 2013	$	8,804		$	—		$	8,804	$	—

Debt_Obligations_Tables

Debt Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Debt Obligations	'
Schedule of indebtedness and credit arrangements	'
		August 31, 2013		August 31, 2012
	Long-term borrowings:
	Term loan	$	48,750	$	60,000
	Industrial revenue bonds		7,150		7,150
	Revolving credit facility		154,008		72,100
			209,908		139,250
	Less: Current maturities of long-term debt		25,000		15,000
		$	184,908	$	124,250
Schedule of future maturities of outstanding debt obligations	'
		Amount
	2014	$	25,000
	2015		177,758
	2016		—
	2017		—
	2018		—
	Thereafter		7,150
		$	209,908

Common_Stock_and_Related_Matte1

Common Stock and Related Matters (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Common Stock and Related Matters	'
Schedule of basic and diluted earnings per common share	'
		Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income	$	15,192		$	21,909		$	17,401
	Less: Allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities		(16	)		(90	)		(197	)
	Net income available to common shareholders—basic	$	15,176		$	21,819		$	17,204
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		21,969			21,768			21,540
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.69		$	1		$	0.8
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income available to common shareholders—basic	$	15,176		$	21,819		$	17,204
	Add: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested shareholders		—			1			2
	Net income available to common shareholders—diluted	$	15,176		$	21,820		$	17,206
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		21,969			21,768			21,540
	Common stock equivalents (stock options and restricted stock)		466			398			487
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		22,435			22,166			22,027
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.68		$	0.98		$	0.78

ShareBased_Incentive_Programs_

Share-Based Incentive Programs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Share-Based Incentive Programs	'
Schedule of restricted stock transactions	'
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at August 31, 2010		360		$	15.38
	Granted		135		$	17.87
	Vested		(174	)	$	14.79
	Forfeited		(17	)	$	15.44
	Outstanding at August 31, 2011		304		$	16.79
	Granted		174		$	14.61
	Vested		(159	)	$	16.22
	Forfeited		(22	)	$	16.47
	Outstanding at August 31, 2012		297		$	15.87
	Granted		299		$	13.86
	Vested		(129	)	$	16.05
	Forfeited		(22	)	$	14.95
	Outstanding at August 31, 2013		445		$	14.5
Schedule of Performance Stock transactions	'
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at August 31, 2010		94		$	13.47
	Granted		53			15.67
	Vested		(24	)		13.71
	Forfeited		(9	)		13.35
	Outstanding at August 31, 2011		114		$	14.19
	Granted		47			18.09
	Vested		(34	)		14.53
	Forfeited		(10	)		14.34
	Outstanding at August 31, 2012		117		$	15.64
	Granted		143			15.18
	Vested		(18	)		12.97
	Forfeited		(10	)		15.18
	Outstanding at August 31, 2013		232		$	15.58
Schedule of weighted average assumptions used to estimate the fair value Performance Stock awards	'
		2011			2010
	Dividend yield		1	%		1.1	%
	Expected volatility		49.08	%		43.68	%
	Risk-free interest rate		0.91	%		1.98	%
	Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 1	$	16.48		$	13.61
	Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 2	$	15.98		$	13.17
	Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 3	$	15.39		$	12.82
	Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 4	$	14.84		$	12.43
Schedule of weighted average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options awarded	'
		2013			2012			2011
	Dividend yield		1.1	%		0.8	%		1	%
	Expected volatility		48.1	%		45.9	%		43.1	%
	Risk-free interest rate		0.8	%		1.4	%		1.5	%
	Expected life of options		6 years			6 years			6 years
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$	6.26		$	7.44		$	6.87
Schedule of stock option transactions	'
		Outstanding						Exercisable
		(share data in thousands)						(share data in thousands)
		Number of			Weighted			Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average			Shares			Average
					Exercise Price						Exercise Price
	Outstanding at August 31, 2010		1,758		$	13.48			782		$	11.87
	Granted		121		$	17.65
	Exercised		(121	)	$	13.6
	Forfeited		(65	)	$	15.16
	Outstanding at August 31, 2011		1,693		$	13.7			1,045		$	12.58
	Granted		113		$	18.09
	Exercised		(38	)	$	13.85
	Forfeited		(40	)	$	16.87
	Outstanding at August 31, 2012		1,728		$	13.91			1,383		$	13.1
	Granted		116		$	15.18
	Exercised		(114	)	$	10.67
	Forfeited		(35	)	$	16.68
	Outstanding at August 31, 2013		1,695		$	14.16			1,453		$	13.75
	Range of option exercise prices through August 31, 2013:
	$8.00 – $11.00 (average life – 1.9 years)		258		$	9.81			258		$	9.81
	$11.00 – $15.00 (average life – 4.2 years)		588		$	12.52			588		$	12.52
	$15.00 – $17.50 (average life – 5.9 years)		632		$	16.13			519		$	16.34
	$17.51 – $22.00 (average life – 7.5 years)		217		$	18.02			88		$	18.16

Restructuring_Charges_Tables

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Restructuring Charges	'
Schedule of changes in restructuring reserve	'
		Severance			Facility
		Costs			Exit
					Costs
	Balance as of August 31, 2010	$	2,567		$	3,433
	Restructuring charges recorded during fiscal year 2011		1,096			373
	Early termination of lease accruals		—			(817	)
	Payments made from restructuring reserves		(3,035	)		(1,109	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2011	$	628		$	1,880
	Restructuring charges recorded during fiscal year 2012		—			—
	Payments made from restructuring accruals		(568	)		(1,323	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	$	60		$	557
	Restructuring charges recorded during fiscal year 2013		4,631			528
	Payments made from restructuring accruals		(387	)		(649	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	4,304		$	436

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'
Schedule of components of income before taxes	'
		Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	United States		16,614			26,343			19,594
	Foreign		6,473			7,493			7,101
	Income before provision for income taxes	$	23,087		$	33,836		$	26,695
Schedule of provision for income taxes	'
		Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Provision for current federal taxes	$	1,810		$	6,484		$	2,520
	Provision for current state taxes		459			859			713
	Provision for current foreign taxes		2,615			2,527			2,333
	Provision for deferred federal taxes		3,456			1,592			3,346
	Provision for deferred state taxes		32			522			328
	Provision for deferred foreign taxes		(477	)		(57	)		54
	Total provision for income taxes	$	7,895		$	11,927		$	9,294
Schedule of reconciliation from federal statutory rate to total provision for income taxes	'
		Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$	8,080		$	11,842		$	9,343
	State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit		485			846			783
	Permanent differences		168			(154	)		(108	)
	Foreign permanent differences and rate differential		(213	)		(275	)		(225	)
	Change in valuation allowance		(162	)		55			12
	Research and development credit		(120	)		(96	)		(145	)
	Other, net		(343	)		(291	)		(366	)
	Total provision for income taxes	$	7,895		$	11,927		$	9,294
Schedule of deferred tax liabilities and components of net deferred income tax assets	'
		2013			2012
	Deferred Income Tax Liabilities:
	Depreciation	$	(10,724	)	$	(8,084	)
	Goodwill and intangibles		(14,819	)		(13,355	)
	Other liabilities		(2,262	)		(2,139	)
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	$	(27,805	)	$	(23,578	)
	Deferred Income Tax Assets:
	Self-insurance		2,218			2,347
	Deferred compensation		6,594			6,208
	Foreign tax losses		1,160			1,256
	Environmental reserve		3,599			4,033
	Other accruals not yet deductible		10,340			8,989
	Other assets and tax losses		1,338			1,383
	Total deferred income tax assets		25,249			24,216
	Valuation allowance		(1,344	)		(1,531	)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(3,900	)	$	(893	)
Schedule of reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance at August 31, 2010	$	1,249
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		31
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		4
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(150	)
	Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities		—
	Reductions for closings of statutes of prior years		(54	)
	Balance at August 31, 2011	$	1,080
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		64
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		5
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(205	)
	Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities		—
	Reductions for closings of statutes of prior years		(56	)
	Balance at August 31, 2012	$	888
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		35
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		45
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(101	)
	Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities		(34	)
	Reductions for closings of statutes of prior years		(19	)
	Balance at August 31, 2013	$	814

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	'
Schedule of quarterly financial data (unaudited)	'
		Net		Gross		Income		Net		Basic		Diluted
		Sales		Profit		Before Taxes		Income		Earnings		Earnings
										Per Share(1)		Per Share(1)
	2013(2)
	1st Quarter	$	158,026	$	74,962	$	5,525	$	3,481	$	0.16	$	0.16
	2nd Quarter		163,386		77,440		4,116		2,791		0.13		0.12
	3rd Quarter		185,988		86,893		9,610		6,255		0.28		0.28
	4th Quarter		182,176		85,247		3,836		2,665		0.12		0.12
	2012(3)
	1st Quarter	$	153,498	$	72,927	$	5,557	$	3,579	$	0.16	$	0.16
	2nd Quarter		151,715		67,995		3,955		2,434		0.11		0.11
	3rd Quarter		176,625		81,732		13,766		8,622		0.39		0.39
	4th Quarter		171,695		78,142		10,558		7,274		0.33		0.33
	-1
	We calculate basic and diluted earnings per share independently for each of the quarters presented in accordance with applicable earnings per share guidance. Therefore, the sum of quarterly basic and diluted earnings per share may not total to reported annual basic and diluted earnings per share.
	-2
	In fiscal year 2013, we developed a plan and began executing a variety of complexity-reduction activities, including facilities consolidation, process simplification, product-line and customer rationalization, and headcount reductions related to such activities. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we recorded a $5.2 million restructuring charge in connection with these efforts.
	In connection with the lawsuits discussed in Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we incurred legal defense costs of approximately $0.4 million, $0.2 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million, during the first, second, third, and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013, respectively.
	We recorded an adjustment to a contingent consideration liability in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. The amount of the benefit was $1.3 million.
	We recorded acquisition costs in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013 of $0.7 million, $1.1 million, $0.1 million, and $0.1 million, respectively.
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, we recorded an adjustment to the fair market value of an asset that is held for sale. The amount of the expense was $0.3 million.
	The impact of these charges, costs and benefits are included within the fiscal year 2013 quarterly data presented.
	-3
	In connection with the lawsuits discussed in Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we incurred legal defense costs of approximately $0.6 million, $0.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million, during the first, second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2012, respectively.

Geographic_Distribution_of_Ope1

Geographic Distribution of Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Geographic Distribution of Operations	'
Summary of geographic distribution of net sales and long-lived assets	'
		2013		2012		2011
	Net sales(1)
	Domestic(2)	$	565,311	$	539,683	$	529,915
	International		124,265		113,850		116,057
		$	689,576	$	653,533	$	645,972
	Long-lived assets(3)
	Domestic(2)	$	85,049	$	73,855	$	64,662
	International		14,239		12,621		7,441
		$	99,288	$	86,476	$	72,103
	-1
	Net sales are attributed to each country based on the selling location. Sales generated in Canada approximated 9.4%, 9.3%, and 10.2% of total net sales for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. None of the remaining countries categorized in the above table as "International" were responsible for more than 10% of our total consolidated net sales.
	-2
	Domestic amounts include net sales and long-lived assets for U.S. based operations.
	-3
	Long-lived assets include net property, plant, and equipment and other long-term assets.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Accounts Receivable	'	'	'
Expense recorded in connection with allowance for estimated uncollectable accounts	$1,900,000	$1,700,000	$2,000,000
Concentration of Credit Risk	'	'	'
Receivables due	104,476,000	93,522,000	'
Receivables | Concentrations of credit risk | The Home Depot	'	'	'
Concentration of Credit Risk	'	'	'
Receivables due	$11,800,000	$9,600,000	$10,800,000
Net sales | Customer concentration risk | The Home Depot	'	'	'
Concentration of Credit Risk	'	'	'
Percentage of concentration risk	'	'	10.00%
Net sales | Customer concentration risk | The Home Depot | Maximum	'	'	'
Concentration of Credit Risk	'	'	'
Percentage of concentration risk	10.00%	10.00%	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories	'	'
Raw materials and supplies	$17,963	$24,852
Work in process	1,711	899
Finished goods	50,755	47,864
Inventory gross	70,429	73,615
Less: Reserves	-1,796	-2,164
Inventory, net	$68,633	$71,451

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Dec. 02, 2012
	segment		Mykal	Vehicle Care division of Ecolab Inc.	Vehicle Care division of Ecolab Inc.
Business acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reporting units	1	'	'	'	'
Changes in the carrying amount of Goodwill	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	$84,604	$84,418	'	'	$36,700
Acquisitions	'	'	567	36,692	'
Currency translation adjustments	-194	-381	'	'	'
Balance at the end of the period	$121,102	$84,604	'	'	$36,700

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Finite and indefinite-lived intangible asset	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$127,486,000	$67,192,000	'
Gross carrying amount, indefinite-lived intangible trademarks	18,400,000	7,365,000	'
Gross carrying amount of intangible assets	145,886,000	74,557,000	'
Accumulated Amortization	-15,957,000	-8,850,000	'
Amortization expense	7,100,000	3,900,000	3,800,000
Year one	8,000,000	'	'
Year two	8,000,000	'	'
Year three	8,000,000	'	'
Year four	8,000,000	'	'
Year five	8,000,000	'	'
Customer relationships	'	'	'
Finite and indefinite-lived intangible asset	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	112,700,000	57,113,000	'
Accumulated Amortization	-14,712,000	-7,989,000	'
Patents and formulations	'	'	'
Finite and indefinite-lived intangible asset	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	14,786,000	10,079,000	'
Accumulated Amortization	($1,245,000)	($861,000)	'
Minimum	'	'	'
Finite and indefinite-lived intangible asset	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'8 years	'	'
Concentrated estimated useful lives	'17 years	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'
Finite and indefinite-lived intangible asset	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'22 years	'	'
Concentrated estimated useful lives	'22 years	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2007	Oct. 31, 2007
				Non-qualified deferred compensation plan	Non-qualified deferred compensation plan
				Minimum	Maximum
Other Long-Term Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits	$4,046,000	$3,983,000	'	'	'
Liabilities related to uncertain income tax positions	1,000,000	1,064,000	'	'	'
Environmental remediation liabilities	8,912,000	10,452,000	'	'	'
Acquisition earnout liability	'	1,208,000	'	'	'
Miscellaneous	1,115,000	1,143,000	'	'	'
Total	15,073,000	17,850,000	'	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of annual contribution per employee	'	'	'	3.00%	5.00%
Total acquisition-related earnout obligation	'	1,300,000	'	'	'
Fair value of contingent consideration liability	0	'	'	'	'
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs	'	'	'	'	'
Customer-related shipping and handling costs included in Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses	45,000,000	42,300,000	42,400,000	'	'
Other distribution costs	22,100,000	23,100,000	22,000,000	'	'
Share-Based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based expense	$4,100,000	$4,000,000	$5,000,000	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Property, Plant, and Equipment and Depreciation	'	'	'	'	'
Net book value of capitalized software	$24.90	$20.90	$24.90	$20.90	'
Amortization of capitalized software	'	'	3	1.3	1.7
Property, plant, and equipment and depreciation	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	'	'	12.8	10.4	10.4
Write down adjustment to the property's fair market value after assessment	0.3	0.5	0.3	0.5	'
Fixed assets classified as held-for-sale	1.8	'	1.8	'	'
Facility in Lancaster, Texas	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment and depreciation	'	'	'	'	'
Write down adjustment to the property's fair market value after assessment	'	'	0.3	0.5	'
Fixed assets classified as held-for-sale	1.8	2.1	1.8	2.1	'
Buildings and leasehold improvements in Wellingborough, England	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment and depreciation	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed assets classified as held-for-sale	$1	'	$1	'	'
Building | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment and depreciation	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment	'	'	'20 years	'	'
Building | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment and depreciation	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment	'	'	'40 years	'	'
Machinery and equipment | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment and depreciation	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment	'	'	'5 years	'	'
Machinery and equipment | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment and depreciation	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment	'	'	'12 years	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account9

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 7) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'	'	'
Advertising costs	$4,100,000	$2,700,000	$2,000,000
Foreign Currency Translation	'	'	'
Gains relating to foreign currency items	-300,000	-300,000	100,000
Interest Expense, Net	'	'	'
Interest expense	9,950,000	6,294,000	6,658,000
Interest income	-992,000	-801,000	-96,000
Interest expense, net	8,958,000	5,493,000	6,562,000
Minimum	'	'	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'	'	'
Research and development expense	1,400,000	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'	'	'
Research and development expense	$1,600,000	'	'

Recovered_Sheet1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 8) (2010 Credit Facility, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 15, 2010
2010 Credit Facility	'
Credit facility	'
Maximum borrowing capacity of debt	$320
Term of facility	'5 years

Acquisitions_and_Loan_to_Innov2

Acquisitions and Loan to Innovation Partner (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2011

Dec. 02, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 02, 2012

Dec. 02, 2012

Dec. 02, 2012

Jun. 05, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Sep. 02, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Sep. 02, 2010

Sep. 02, 2010

Sep. 02, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Sep. 02, 2010

Sep. 02, 2010

Sep. 02, 2010

Sep. 02, 2010

Sep. 02, 2010

Feb. 28, 2012

ZVC

ZVC

ZVC

ZVC

ZVC

ZVC

Mykal Industries Limited

Hale Group Limited

Hale Group Limited

Hale Group Limited

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Waterbury Companies, Inc.

Washtronics of America Inc.

Trademarks

Customer relationships

Patents and formulations

item

Maximum

2010 Credit Facility

Trademarks

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Patents and formulations

Patents and formulations

Patents and formulations

item

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Business acquisitions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price in cash, subject to post-closing working capital adjustments

'

'

'

$116,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$66,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings to fund purchase price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

62,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding shares (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, cash payment funded through available cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bargain purchase gain

2,095,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

Number of active employees under the defined benefit pension plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of pensioners under the defined benefit pension plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Return of purchase price received

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition and integration-related costs associated with advisory, legal and other services

'

3,100,000

'

'

1,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tangible assets and liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inventory

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,998,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other current assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable, and other current assets

'

'

'

6,248,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, plant and equipment

'

'

'

2,882,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,125,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,622,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other assets

'

'

'

228,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other liabilities assumed

'

'

'

-931,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-986,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total net tangible assets

'

'

'

8,427,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,015,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible asset amount

'

'

'

71,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

34,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible asset amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

56,000,000

4,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27,050,000

'

'

'

3,700,000

'

'

'

Intangible asset amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

84,604,000

121,102,000

84,418,000

36,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,758,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total purchase price allocation

'

'

'

116,827,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

66,223,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average useful life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'9 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'21 years

'

'8 years

'22 years

'11 years

'5 years

'13 years

'

Future amortization expense on finite lived intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Year one

'

8,000,000

'

'

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,800,000

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Year two

'

8,000,000

'

'

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,800,000

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Year three

'

8,000,000

'

'

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,800,000

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Year four

'

8,000,000

'

'

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,800,000

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Year five

'

8,000,000

'

'

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,800,000

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

47,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income before provision of income taxes

'

'

'

'

$2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions_and_Loan_to_Innov3

Acquisitions and Loan to Innovation Partner (Details 2) (Ecolab's Vehicle Care division, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Ecolab's Vehicle Care division	'	'
Pro Forma Results of Operations	'	'
Net Sales	$705,993	$719,459
Net Income	$16,464	$23,004
Basic earnings per Share (in dollars per share)	$0.75	$1.10
Diluted earnings per Share (in dollars per share)	$0.73	$1.08

Acquisitions_and_Loan_to_Innov4

Acquisitions and Loan to Innovation Partner (Details 3) (Adco Products, LLC, USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Dec. 19, 2011	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
	item	Maximum	Bridge loan agreement, as lender	Bridge loan agreement, as lender	Amended Loan Agreement	Amended Loan Agreement
						Minimum
Loan To Innovation Partner	'	'	'	'	'	'
Face amount of loan receivable	'	'	'	$12.50	$10	'
Term of loan	'	'	'1 year	'	'5 years	'
Warrants accepted as a reduction in outstanding principal amount	'	'	'	'	2.5	'
Loan agreement interest rate, spread over average prime rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	10.00%	3.25%
Number of financial covenants	2	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of warrants issued to purchase equity interest in each company on fully diluted basis and subject to certain adjustments	'	19.00%	'	'	'	'
Long-term portion of the loan receivable	'	'	'	'	$9.40	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013
				Hale Group	Non-U.S. Plan	Non-U.S. Plan	Non-U.S. Plan
				Maximum	Hale Group	Hale Group	Hale Group
				item			Maximum
							item
Employee Benefit Plans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of defined contribution plan (in dollars)	$2,700,000	$2,500,000	$2,400,000	'	'	'	'
Market value of Zep common stock included in assets of contribution plan (in dollars)	2,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Value of Zep common stock as a percentage of total fair market value of plan assets	1.30%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Annual contribution per employee percentage, low end of the range	3.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Annual contribution per employee percentage, high end of the range	5.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of active employees under the defined benefit pension plan	'	'	'	5	'	'	5
Number of pensioners under the defined benefit pension plan	'	'	'	15	'	'	15
Components of the net periodic (benefit) expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current service cost	'	'	'	'	152,000	104,000	'
Interest cost	'	'	'	'	206,000	140,000	'
Expected return on plan assets	'	'	'	'	-402,000	-296,000	'
Net pension expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	-44,000	-52,000	'
Assumptions used to determine net periodic pension benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	4.00%	4.70%	'
Expected rate of return on plan assets (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	5.00%	5.00%	'
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	3.90%	4.20%	'
Underlying inflation rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	2.90%	3.20%	'
Change in benefit obligation:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period	'	'	'	'	5,141,000	4,393,000	'
Cumulative foreign exchange effect	'	'	'	'	-108,000	39,000	'
Service cost	'	'	'	'	152,000	104,000	'
Interest cost	'	'	'	'	206,000	140,000	'
Actuarial (gains) loss	'	'	'	'	-344,000	473,000	'
Benefits paid	'	'	'	'	-22,000	-8,000	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of period	'	'	'	'	5,025,000	5,141,000	'
Change in plan assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	'	'	'	'	8,514,000	8,041,000	'
Cumulative foreign exchange effect	'	'	'	'	-184,000	68,000	'
Actual return on plan assets	'	'	'	'	496,000	413,000	'
Benefits paid	'	'	'	'	-22,000	-8,000	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	'	'	'	'	8,804,000	8,514,000	'
Funded status:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending funded status	'	'	'	'	3,779,000	3,373,000	'
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheet:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pension asset	'	'	'	'	$3,779,000	$3,373,000	'
Assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	4.60%	4.20%	'
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	4.50%	3.90%	'
Underlying inflation rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	3.50%	2.90%	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details1

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2) (Non-U.S. Plan, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
	item	Fair Value	Fair Value	Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Defined benefit pension plan	'	'	'	'	'
Fair values of the insurance policy	'	$8,804	$8,514	$8,804	$8,514
Number of plan participants who will receive benefit payments under the plan	1	'	'	'	'
Maximum benefit payments on an annual basis	$25	'	'	'	'

Debt_Obligations_Details

Debt Obligations (Details) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term borrowings:	'	'
Long-term debt, total	$209,908	$139,250
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt	25,000	15,000
Long-term debt excluding current maturities, total	184,908	124,250
Term loan	'	'
Long-term borrowings:	'	'
Long-term debt, total	48,750	60,000
Industrial revenue bonds	'	'
Long-term borrowings:	'	'
Long-term debt, total	7,150	7,150
Revolving credit facility	'	'
Long-term borrowings:	'	'
Long-term debt, total	$154,008	$72,100

Debt_Obligations_Details_2

Debt Obligations (Details 2) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future maturities of outstanding debt obligations	'	'
2014	$25,000	'
2015	177,758	'
Thereafter	7,150	'
Long-term debt, total	$209,908	$139,250

Debt_Obligations_Details_3

Debt Obligations (Details 3) (USD $)

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2012

Jul. 15, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Jul. 15, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Jul. 15, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

ZVC

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

2010 Credit Facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Industrial revenue bonds

Industrial revenue bonds

Industrial revenue bonds

Industrial revenue bonds

item

Minimum

Maximum

Alternate Base Rate

Alternate Base Rate

JPMorgan Chase Bank's prime rate

Weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions

Adjusted LIBO Rate

Eurocurrency Rate

Eurocurrency Rate

Weighted-average

Weighted-average

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Debt obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

$320,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$245,000,000

'

'

$75,000,000

'

'

'

'

Term of facility

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Option to increase additional borrowing capacity under credit facility

'

'

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quarterly periodic repayments of debt until 2015

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable rate basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'JPMorgan Chase Bank's prime rate

'the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System

'the Adjusted LIBO Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional interest margin added to variable rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

3.22%

'

'

1.25%

2.50%

'

'

'

2.25%

3.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Facility fee (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

0.40%

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Facility, commitment and amendment fees

'

'

'

'

1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price of assets to be acquired

'

'

116,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum leverage ratio for the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013, and the first quarter of fiscal year 2014

'

'

'

'

4.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum leverage ratio for the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2014

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum leverage ratio for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal quarter thereafter

'

'

'

'

3.75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of consecutive quarters for which ratio of EBITDA to fixed charges is required to be maintained under financial covenants

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio for the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013, and the first quarter of fiscal year 2014

'

'

'

'

1.15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio for the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2014

'

'

'

'

1.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal quarter thereafter

'

'

'

'

1.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed charge coverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

1.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, less current maturities

184,908,000

124,250,000

'

'

177,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings

209,908,000

139,250,000

'

'

202,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

154,008,000

72,100,000

'

48,750,000

60,000,000

'

7,150,000

7,150,000

'

'

Projected time period entity believes sufficient liquidity and capital resources to meet needs

'

'

'

'

'12 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Base interest rate during the period (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

0.37%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

61,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate during the period (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.23%

0.25%

Outstanding letters of credit

'

'

'

'

$11,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Securitization_of_Certain_Acco1

Securitization of Certain Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013
Securitization of Certain Accounts Receivable	'
Variable discounting rate basis	'LIBOR
Basis spread on discounting rate (as a percent)	2.25%
Maximum period under billing terms associated with accounts receivable	'1 year
Amount of securitized borrowings reflected within Other accrued liabilities	$9.30
Maximum discount expense incurred on the transfer of accounts receivables	$0.10

Common_Stock_and_Related_Matte2

Common Stock and Related Matters (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2007	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
		item
Common and Preferred Stock	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	'	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	'	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	'	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	0	0
Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement	'	'	'
Number of rights declared as dividend for each outstanding share	$1	'	'
Minimum percentage of acquisition of common stock	'	15.00%	'
Number of specified triggering events' occurrence	'	1	'
Number of shares of common stock which the registered holder of each right is entitled to purchase when exercisable	'	1	'

Common_Stock_and_Related_Matte3

Common Stock and Related Matters (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Feb. 28, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Basic earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	$2,665	$6,255	$2,791	$3,481	$7,274	$8,622	$2,434	$3,579	$15,192	$21,909	$17,401
Less: Allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-16	-90	-197
Net income available to common shareholders-basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,176	21,819	17,204
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,969,000	21,768,000	21,540,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.12	$0.28	$0.13	$0.16	$0.33	$0.39	$0.11	$0.16	$0.69	$1	$0.80
Diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income available to common shareholders-basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,176	21,819	17,204
Add: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	2
Net income available to common shareholders-diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$15,176	$21,820	$17,206
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,969,000	21,768,000	21,540,000
Common stock equivalents (stock options and restricted stock) (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	466,000	398,000	487,000
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,435,000	22,166,000	22,027,000
Diluted Earnings per Share (in dollars per share)	$0.12	$0.28	$0.12	$0.16	$0.33	$0.39	$0.11	$0.16	$0.68	$0.98	$0.78
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	900,000	800,000	200,000

ShareBased_Incentive_Programs_1

Share-Based Incentive Programs (Details)

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Jan. 07, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Market and Performance Conditioned Restricted Stock Awards

Market and Performance Conditioned Restricted Stock Awards

Market and Performance Conditioned Restricted Stock Awards

Market and Performance Conditioned Restricted Stock Awards

2010 Incentive Plan

2010 Incentive Plan

2010 Incentive Plan

2010 Incentive Plan

2010 Incentive Plan

2010 Incentive Plan

Stock Options

Restricted stock

Restricted stock and/or units

Market and Performance Conditioned Restricted Stock Awards

Share-Based Incentive Programs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of common stock reserved for issuance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

Vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'4 years

'

'

Options outstanding (in shares)

1,695,000

1,728,000

1,693,000

1,758,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,700,000

'

'

'

Awards outstanding (in shares)

'

'

'

'

445,000

297,000

304,000

360,000

232,000

117,000

114,000

94,000

'

'

'

'

400,000

200,000

Shares available for grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

ShareBased_Incentive_Programs_2

Share-Based Incentive Programs (Details 2) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted Stock Awards

Performance Stock Awards

Performance Stock Awards

Performance Stock Awards

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Options

Stock Appreciation Awards

Stock Appreciation Awards

2010 Incentive Plan

2010 Incentive Plan

2010 Incentive Plan

Employee

Director

Director

Exercise Price Range, $8.00-$11.00

Exercise Price Range, $11.00-$15.00

Exercise Price Range, $15.00-$17.50

Exercise Price Range, $17.51-$22.00

Restricted Stock Awards

Performance Stock Awards

Stock Options

Minimum

Maximum

Share-Based Incentive Programs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Service period to be completed by the award holder

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

Period over which threshold to be achieved

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

Vesting period

'

'

'

'4 years

'1 year

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'4 years

Number of Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)

297

304

360

'

'

'

117

114

94

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200

'

Granted (in shares)

299

174

135

'

'

'

143

47

53

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vested (in shares)

-129

-159

-174

'

'

'

-18

-34

-24

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forfeited (in shares)

-22

-22

-17

'

'

'

-10

-10

-9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)

445

297

304

'

'

'

232

117

114

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200

'

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)

$15.87

$16.79

$15.38

'

'

'

$15.64

$14.19

$13.47

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted (in dollars per share)

$13.86

$14.61

$17.87

'

'

'

$15.18

$18.09

$15.67

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vested (in dollars per share)

$16.05

$16.22

$14.79

'

'

'

$12.97

$14.53

$13.71

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forfeited (in dollars per share)

$14.95

$16.47

$15.44

'

'

'

$15.18

$14.34

$13.35

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)

$14.50

$15.87

$16.79

'

'

'

$15.58

$15.64

$14.19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total unrecognized compensation cost (in dollars)

'

'

'

$4

'

'

$1.60

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average period

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of shares vested (in dollars)

2.5

2.1

2.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period for meeting stock appreciation targets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of consecutive trading days for which closing price equals or exceeds Stock Appreciation Target

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend yield (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.10%

0.80%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

1.10%

'

'

'

Expected volatility (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48.10%

45.90%

43.10%

'

'

'

'

'

49.08%

43.68%

'

'

'

Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.80%

1.40%

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

0.91%

1.98%

'

'

'

Expected life of options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 years

'6 years

'6 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$6.26

$7.44

$6.87

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 1 (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$16.48

$13.61

'

'

'

Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 2 (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$15.98

$13.17

'

'

'

Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 3 (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$15.39

$12.82

'

'

'

Weighted-average fair value of stock appreciation awards granted in Tranche 4 (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14.84

$12.43

'

'

'

Outstanding Number of Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,728

1,693

1,758

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

116

113

121

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercised (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-114

-38

-121

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forfeited (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-35

-40

-65

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,695

1,728

1,693

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,700

Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$13.91

$13.70

$13.48

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$15.18

$18.09

$17.65

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercised (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10.67

$13.85

$13.60

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forfeited (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$16.68

$16.87

$15.16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14.16

$13.91

$13.70

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable Number of Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable number of shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,453

1,383

1,045

782

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average exercise price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$13.75

$13.10

$12.58

$11.87

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Range of options exercise prices

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8

$11

$15

$17.51

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$11

$15

$17.50

$22

'

'

'

'

'

Average life of shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 10 months 24 days

'4 years 2 months 12 days

'5 years 10 months 24 days

'7 years 6 months

'

'

'

'

'

Average life of shares exercisable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 10 months 24 days

'4 years 2 months 12 days

'5 years 10 months 24 days

'7 years 6 months

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

258

588

632

217

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$9.81

$12.52

$16.13

$18.02

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

258

588

519

88

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$9.81

$12.52

$16.34

$18.16

'

'

'

'

'

Other information

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of options exercised (in dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.5

0.1

0.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of options outstanding (in dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

2.8

2.8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected to vest (in dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

2.8

2.8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable (in dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

2.8

2.8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average remaining contractual terms of options outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average remaining contractual terms of options exercisable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

ShareBased_Incentive_Programs_3

Share-Based Incentive Programs (Details 3) (Share units)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2008
Zep Inc. Nonemployee Director Deferred Compensation Plan	'	'
Deferred Compensation Plan	'	'
Shares reserved for issuance under the plan	'	300,000
Share units issued accounted for under the plan	75,000	'
Shares issued under the plan	25,706	'
Zep Inc. Nonemployee Director Deferred Compensation Plan | Director | Minimum	'	'
Deferred Compensation Plan	'	'
Percentage of deferment	'	50.00%
Zep Inc. Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan	'	'
Deferred Compensation Plan	'	'
Common stock reserved (in shares)	400,000	'
Shares issued under the plan	18,000	'
Shares vested	92,000	'
Zep Inc. Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan | Minimum	'	'
Deferred Compensation Plan	'	'
Percentage of base salary deferred	1.00%	'
Supplemental contribution by employer (as a percent)	0.00%	'
Zep Inc. Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan | Maximum	'	'
Deferred Compensation Plan	'	'
Supplemental contribution by employer (as a percent)	5.00%	'

ShareBased_Incentive_Programs_4

Share-Based Incentive Programs (Details 4) (Employee stock purchase plan)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2008
Employee stock purchase plan	'
Share-Based Incentive Programs	'
Percentage of discount per month for purchase of common stock	5.00%
Common stock reserved for purchase under the plan (in shares)	200,000
Common stock available for issuance (in shares)	107,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2011

30-May-12

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-07

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2008

Aug. 31, 2008

Aug. 31, 2008

Aug. 31, 2013

Subsidiaries

Britto

Britto

Britto

Britto

Britto

Mr. Britto

Mr. Cowan

PAGA

Aguilar case

Aguilar case

Aguilar case

Britto and Aguilar lawsuit

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

Self insurance for workers' compensation, and comprehensive general liability claims

Self insurance for comprehensive general liability

Self insurance for physical loss to property claims

Self insurance for physical loss to property claims

item

item

Motion for leave to intervene

item

Motion for leave to intervene

Motion for summary judgment

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Minimum

item

item

Subsequent events

item

Marietta

Cartesville

Subsidiaries

item

Commitments and contingencies

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Self-insured amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$500,000

'

$1,000,000

'

Increased self-insurance claim per occurrence for claims occurring after August 31, 2008

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

Loss contingency period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 days

Non-cancelable operating lease agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2014

8,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

6,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017

2,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2018

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

After 2018

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent expense

9,300,000

9,200,000

8,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss contingency information

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of putative class members

'

'

'

'

171

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of primary causes of action against Zep

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of class members accepting settlement offer, approximate

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of individual plaintiffs on whose behalf a motion for leave to intervene in the suit was filed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss contingency accrual

'

'

'

'

'

'

323,000

1,800,000

'

26,000

22,000

275,000

'

'

'

1,700,000

'

'

7,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of current and former sales representatives who sought to intervene in lawsuit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of plaintiffs against whom counter-claims were asserted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of plaintiffs who have signed arbitration agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of plaintiffs with whom claims are settled

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of separate arbitrations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reduction in reserve reflecting the amounts paid in settlement

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in reserve reflecting the accrual of additional pre-judgment interest on the liability

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reserve

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate amount expected to be incurred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

10,000,000

16,000,000

'

'

'

'

Amount expended to date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Undiscounted pre-tax liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$6,800,000

$500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of sites in Georgia under environmental remediation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of identified generators who have reached an agreement regarding the allocation of costs

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring_Charges_Details

Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2008	Feb. 28, 2011	Aug. 31, 2009
							Severance costs and facility consolidation	Severance costs and facility consolidation
Restructuring reserve	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pretax restructuring charges	$5,200,000	'	$5,159,000	'	$1,469,000	$10,000,000	$1,500,000	$3,400,000
Write down adjustment to the property's fair market value after assessment	300,000	500,000	300,000	500,000	'	'	'	'
Fixed assets classified as held-for-sale	$1,800,000	'	$1,800,000	'	'	'	'	'

Restructuring_Charges_Details_

Restructuring Charges (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2008	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
					Severance Costs	Severance Costs	Severance Costs	Facility Exit Costs	Facility Exit Costs	Facility Exit Costs
Changes to restructuring reserve	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	'	'	$60	$628	$2,567	$557	$1,880	$3,433
Restructuring charges recorded	5,200	5,159	1,469	10,000	4,631	'	1,096	528	'	373
Early termination of lease obligation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-817
Payments made from restructuring accruals	'	'	'	'	-387	-568	-3,035	-649	-1,323	-1,109
Balance at the end of the period	'	'	'	'	$4,304	$60	$628	$436	$557	$1,880

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Feb. 28, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Components of income before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
United States	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$16,614	$26,343	$19,594
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,473	7,493	7,101
Income before Provision for Income Taxes	3,836	9,610	4,116	5,525	10,558	13,766	3,955	5,557	23,087	33,836	26,695
Provision for income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Provision for current federal taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,810	6,484	2,520
Provision for current state taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	459	859	713
Provision for current foreign taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,615	2,527	2,333
Provision for deferred federal taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,456	1,592	3,346
Provision for deferred state taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	32	522	328
Provision for deferred foreign taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-477	-57	54
Total provision for income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$7,895	$11,927	$9,294

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Reconciliation from federal statutory rate to total provision for income taxes	'	'	'
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$8,080	$11,842	$9,343
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	485	846	783
Permanent differences	168	-154	-108
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	-213	-275	-225
Change in valuation allowance	-162	55	12
Research and development credit	-120	-96	-145
Other, net	-343	-291	-366
Total provision for income taxes	$7,895	$11,927	$9,294

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities:	'	'
Depreciation	($10,724)	($8,084)
Goodwill and intangibles	-14,819	-13,355
Other liabilities	-2,262	-2,139
Total deferred income tax liabilities	-27,805	-23,578
Deferred Income Tax Assets:	'	'
Self-insurance	2,218	2,347
Deferred compensation	6,594	6,208
Foreign tax losses	1,160	1,256
Environmental reserve	3,599	4,033
Other accruals not yet deductible	10,340	8,989
Other assets and tax losses	1,338	1,383
Total deferred income tax assets	25,249	24,216
Valuation allowance	-1,344	-1,531
Net deferred income tax liability	($3,900)	($893)

Income_Taxes_Details_4

Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
					Maximum	Maximum	State tax credits	Foreign
Valuation allowance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cumulative undistributed earnings	$23,200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net increase (decrease) in valuation allowance	'	'	'	'	200,000	100,000	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,100,000	4,000,000
State tax credit carryforwards	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,400,000	'
Gross tax-effected unrecognized tax benefits	814,000	888,000	1,080,000	1,249,000	'	'	'	'
Additional income tax expense related to changes in gross tax-effected unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties	100,000	'	'	'	'	100,000	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties	200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	$900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Details_5

Income Taxes (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	$888	$1,080	$1,249
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	35	64	31
Additions for tax positions of prior years	45	5	4
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-101	-205	-150
Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities	-34	'	'
Reductions for closings of statutes of prior years	-19	-56	-54
Balance at the end of the period	$814	$888	$1,080

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Details

Fair Value Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2010
					Performance-based earnout liability	Performance-based earnout liability	2010 Acquisition
							Performance-based earnout liability
							item
Changes in the fair value of contingent liability	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	1
Earnout liability	'	'	'	'	'	'	$3.75
Period for attainment of earnings targets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'3 years
Fair value of contingent consideration liability	'	'	'	0	0	1.3	'
Fair value adjustments	1.3	1.5	1	'	1.3	2.5	'
Amounts earned under the agreement provision	'	'	'	'	$0	'	'

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-12

Feb. 28, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2008

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

$182,176,000

$185,988,000

$163,386,000

$158,026,000

$171,695,000

$176,625,000

$151,715,000

$153,498,000

'

$689,576,000

$653,533,000

$645,972,000

'

Gross Profit

85,247,000

86,893,000

77,440,000

74,962,000

78,142,000

81,732,000

67,995,000

72,927,000

'

324,542,000

300,796,000

302,877,000

'

Income Before Taxes

3,836,000

9,610,000

4,116,000

5,525,000

10,558,000

13,766,000

3,955,000

5,557,000

'

23,087,000

33,836,000

26,695,000

'

Net Income

2,665,000

6,255,000

2,791,000

3,481,000

7,274,000

8,622,000

2,434,000

3,579,000

'

15,192,000

21,909,000

17,401,000

'

Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)

$0.12

$0.28

$0.13

$0.16

$0.33

$0.39

$0.11

$0.16

'

$0.69

$1

$0.80

'

Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)

$0.12

$0.28

$0.12

$0.16

$0.33

$0.39

$0.11

$0.16

'

$0.68

$0.98

$0.78

'

Quarterly financial data (unaudited)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring charges

5,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,159,000

'

1,469,000

10,000,000

Legal defense fees

500,000

400,000

200,000

400,000

300,000

500,000

700,000

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

Fair market value adjustment of an asset held for sale

'

'

1,300,000

'

1,500,000

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition costs

100,000

100,000

1,100,000

700,000

200,000

300,000

800,000

'

'

3,086,000

1,210,000

429,000

'

Fair market value adjustment of an asset held for sale

300,000

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

300,000

500,000

'

'

Bargain purchase gain

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,095,000

'

'

Packaging quality issue costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

Washtronics of America Inc.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quarterly financial data (unaudited)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bargain purchase gain

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Hale Group Limited

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quarterly financial data (unaudited)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bargain purchase gain

'

'

'

'

$1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Geographic_Distribution_of_Ope2

Geographic Distribution of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Feb. 28, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Geographic distribution of operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	$182,176	$185,988	$163,386	$158,026	$171,695	$176,625	$151,715	$153,498	$689,576	$653,533	$645,972
Long-lived assets	99,288	'	'	'	86,476	'	'	'	99,288	86,476	72,103
Domestic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic distribution of operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	565,311	539,683	529,915
Long-lived assets	85,049	'	'	'	73,855	'	'	'	85,049	73,855	64,662
International	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic distribution of operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	124,265	113,850	116,057
Long-lived assets	$14,239	'	'	'	$12,621	'	'	'	$14,239	$12,621	$7,441
Canada	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic distribution of operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of sales generated of total net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9.40%	9.30%	10.20%

SCHEDULE_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL1

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Reserve for doubtful accounts	'	'	'
Valuation allowance and reserves	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Year	$3,595	$4,515	$4,995
Additions and Reductions Charged to Costs and Expenses	1,918	1,705	2,007
Deductions	1,572	2,625	2,487
Balance at End of Year	3,941	3,595	4,515
Reserve for estimated returns and allowances	'	'	'
Valuation allowance and reserves	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Year	787	578	424
Additions and Reductions Charged to Costs and Expenses	12,798	14,689	14,015
Deductions	12,349	14,480	13,861
Balance at End of Year	$1,236	$787	$578