Enerpac Tool (EPAC) 10-Q 8 Apr 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	28-Feb-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Trading Symbol	'ATU	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ACTUANT CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000006955	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--08-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	71,016,289

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$327,770	$300,468	$667,326	$608,277
Cost of products sold	203,323	184,290	411,099	367,731
Gross profit	124,447	116,178	256,227	240,546
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	79,240	73,339	161,158	148,199
Amortization of intangible assets	6,226	5,968	12,441	12,002
Operating profit	38,981	36,871	82,628	80,345
Financing costs, net	6,262	6,260	13,012	12,582
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	31,393	30,648	67,149	67,156
Other expense (income), net	1,326	-37	2,467	607
Income tax expense	9,089	4,814	11,840	10,771
Earnings from continuing operations	22,304	25,834	55,309	56,385
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	19,088	2,601	22,120	8,393
Net earnings	$41,392	$28,435	$77,429	$64,778
Earnings from continuing operations per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.31	$0.35	$0.76	$0.77
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.35	$0.74	$0.76
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.57	$0.39	$1.07	$0.89
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.56	$0.38	$1.04	$0.87
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	72,227	72,946	72,656	72,869
Diluted (in shares)	73,773	74,416	74,392	74,343

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	$41,392	$28,435	$77,429	$64,778
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,270	-11,945	21,317	144
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	50	90	100	305
Cash flow hedges	77	-116	-17	-245
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	4,397	-11,971	21,400	204
Comprehensive income	$45,789	$16,464	$98,829	$64,982

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$155,017	$103,986
Accounts receivable, net	233,951	219,075
Inventories, net	164,994	142,549
Deferred income taxes	16,326	18,796
Other current assets	30,116	28,228
Assets of discontinued operations	0	272,606
Total current assets	600,404	785,240
Property, plant and equipment	'	'
Land, buildings and improvements	54,575	52,669
Machinery and equipment	327,628	305,200
Gross property, plant and equipment	382,203	357,869
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-174,024	-156,373
Property, plant and equipment, net	208,179	201,496
Goodwill	749,782	734,952
Other intangibles, net	372,034	376,692
Other long-term assets	28,735	20,952
Total assets	1,959,134	2,119,332
Current liabilities	'	'
Trade accounts payable	153,726	154,049
Accrued compensation and benefits	45,824	43,800
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,250	0
Income taxes payable	32,849	14,014
Other current liabilities	63,646	56,899
Liabilities of discontinued operations	0	53,080
Total current liabilities	298,295	321,842
Long-term debt, less current maturities	387,750	515,000
Deferred income taxes	95,114	115,865
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	12,283	20,698
Other long-term liabilities	64,591	65,660
Shareholders’ equity	'	'
Class A common stock, $0.20 par value per share, authorized 168,000,000 shares, issued 78,169,316 and 77,001,144 shares, respectively	15,633	15,399
Additional paid-in capital	80,622	49,758
Treasury stock, at cost, 7,000,000 and 3,983,513 shares, respectively	-214,010	-104,915
Retained earnings	1,266,116	1,188,685
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-47,260	-68,660
Stock held in trust	-4,123	-3,124
Deferred compensation liability	4,123	3,124
Total shareholders’ equity	1,101,101	1,080,267
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$1,959,134	$2,119,332

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Treasury stock, shares	7,000,000	3,983,513
Common Class A	'	'
Common stock, par value	0.2	0.2
Common stock, shares authorized	168,000,000	168,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	78,169,316	77,001,144

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Operating Activities	'	'
Net earnings	$77,429	$64,778
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	31,965	28,898
Net gain on disposal of business	-26,339	0
Deferred income tax benefit	-11,064	-6,018
Stock-based compensation expense	10,612	7,128
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	983	992
Other non-cash adjustments	-743	-172
Sources (uses) of cash from changes in components of working capital and other:	'	'
Accounts receivable	4,769	-3,721
Inventories	-21,783	-4,152
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-1,071	-1,204
Trade accounts payable	-12,835	-22,281
Income taxes payable	-13,399	-2,722
Accrued compensation and benefits	3,673	-12,427
Other accrued liabilities	-5,314	-8,776
Net cash provided by operating activities	36,883	40,323
Investing Activities	'	'
Capital expenditures	-22,226	-11,726
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,008	1,177
Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction costs	243,386	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-83
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	223,168	-10,632
Financing Activities	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	-125,000	0
Principal repayments on term loan	0	-2,500
Purchase of treasury shares	-109,095	-8,821
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	25,803	10,772
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	-753	-1,350
Cash dividend	-2,919	-2,911
Net cash used in financing activities	-211,964	-4,810
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,944	-2,242
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	51,031	22,639
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	103,986	68,184
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	$155,017	$90,823

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Actuant Corporation (“Actuant,” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and with the instructions of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of August 31, 2013 was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by the United States generally accepted accounting principles. For additional information, including the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes in the Company’s fiscal 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of financial results have been made. Such adjustments consist of only those of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year ending August 31, 2014. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation, including amounts related to discontinued operations.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	Acquisitions result in the recognition of goodwill in the Company’s consolidated financial statements because their purchase price reflects the future earnings and cash flow potential of these companies, as well as the complementary strategic fit and resulting synergies these businesses are expected to bring to existing operations. The Company makes an initial allocation of the purchase price at the date of a business acquisition, based upon its understanding of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. The Company obtains this information during due diligence and through other sources. If additional information is obtained about these assets and liabilities within the measurement period (not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition), including through asset appraisals and learning more about the newly acquired business, the Company will refine its estimates of fair value.
	The Company acquired Viking SeaTech ("Viking") for $235.4 million on August 27, 2013. This Energy segment acquisition expanded the segment's geographic presence, technologies and services provided to the global offshore oil & gas industry. Headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, Viking is a support specialist providing a comprehensive range of equipment and services. Viking serves customers globally with primary markets in the North Sea (U.K. and Norway) and Australia. The majority of Viking's revenue is derived from offshore vessel mooring solutions which include design, rental, installation and inspection. Viking also provides survey, manpower and other marine services to offshore operators, drillers and energy asset owners. The purchase price allocation of the Viking acquisition resulted in the recognition of $87.7 million of goodwill (which is not deductible for tax purposes) and $65.4 million of intangible assets, including $40.5 million of customer relationships and $24.9 million of tradenames.
	The following unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, give effect to the Viking acquisition as though the transaction and related financing activities had occurred on September 1, 2012 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net sales
	As reported	$	327,770	$	300,468	$	667,326	$	608,277
	Pro forma	327,770		321,923		667,326		654,665
	Earnings from continuing operations
	As reported	$	22,304	$	25,834	$	55,309	$	56,385
	Pro forma	22,304		27,195		55,309		60,868
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
	As reported	$	0.31	$	0.35	$	0.76	$	0.77
	Pro forma	0.31		0.37		0.76		0.84
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
	As reported	$	0.3	$	0.35	$	0.74	$	0.76
	Pro forma	0.3		0.37		0.74		0.82

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	The Electrical segment was primarily involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of a broad range of electrical products to the retail DIY, wholesale, OEM, solar, utility, marine and other harsh environment markets. On December 13, 2013, the Company completed the sale of the Electrical segment for net cash proceeds of $243.4 million, which resulted in a pre-tax gain on disposal of $34.5 million. Remaining transaction costs and income taxes payable on the divestiture gain will result in cash outflows of approximately $18.0 million in future quarters, such that net cash proceeds on the sale transaction will be approximately $225.0 million.
	The following table summarizes the results of discontinued operations (in thousands), through the date of the sale, December 13, 2013:
		Three Months Ended February 28,					Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Net sales	$	9,127		$	69,902	$	72,139		$	139,341
	Operating income (loss) (1)	(10,102		)	5,073		(4,873		)	13,181
	Gain on disposal	34,459			—		34,459			—
	Income tax expense	5,269			2,472		7,466			4,788
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	19,088		$	2,601	$	22,120		$	8,393
	(1) The operating loss for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 includes certain divestiture costs and a non-cash charge for the accelerated vesting of equity compensation.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the six months ended February 28, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Industrial				Energy				Engineered				Total
										Solutions
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	82,611			$	341,903			$	310,438			$	734,952
	Purchase accounting adjustments	—				(18		)		—				(18		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	1,376				10,729				2,743				14,848
	Balance as of February 28, 2014	$	83,987			$	352,614			$	313,181			$	749,782
	The gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of the Company’s other intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
				28-Feb-14												31-Aug-13
		Weighted Average		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Amortization		Carrying				Amortization				Book				Carrying		Amortization		Book
		Period (Years)		Value								Value				Value				Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	15		$	325,469			$	108,073			$	217,396			$	318,143	$	95,215	$	222,928
	Patents	11		30,978				20,117				10,861				30,564		18,747		11,817
	Trademarks and tradenames	18		24,288				8,132				16,156				24,088		7,356		16,732
	Non-compete agreements and other	4		7,178				6,716				462				7,034		6,458		576
	Indefinite lived intangible assets:
	Tradenames	N/A		127,159				—				127,159				124,639		—		124,639
				$	515,072			$	143,038			$	372,034			$	504,468	$	127,776	$	376,692
	Amortization expense recorded on the intangible assets listed above was $6.2 million and $12.4 million for three and six months ended February 28, 2014, respectively and $6.0 million and $12.0 million for three and six months ended February 28, 2013, respectively. The Company estimates that amortization expense will be approximately $12.4 million for the remainder of fiscal 2014. Amortization expense for future years is estimated to be as follows: $24.8 million in fiscal 2015, $24.7 million in 2016, $24.1 million in fiscal 2017, $23.3 million in fiscal 2018, $23.1 million in fiscal 2019 and $112.5 million thereafter. These future amortization expense amounts represent estimates, which may change based on future acquisitions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates or other factors.

Product_Warranty_Costs

Product Warranty Costs	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Product Warranty Costs	'
	Product Warranty Costs
	The Company generally offers its customers a warranty on products they purchase, although warranty periods vary by product type and application. The reserve for future warranty claims is based on historical claim rates and current warranty cost experience. The following is a rollforward of the accrued product warranty reserve from continuing operations (in thousands):
		Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	7,413		$	5,121
	Provision for warranties	1,208			3,647
	Warranty payments and costs incurred	(3,079		)	(3,493		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	63			42
	Ending balance	$	5,605		$	5,317

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	The following is a summary of the Company’s long-term indebtedness (in thousands):
		February 28,			August 31,
		2014			2013
	Senior Credit Facility
	Revolver	$	—		$	125,000
	Term Loan	90,000			90,000
		90,000			215,000
	5.625% Senior Notes	300,000			300,000
	Total Senior Indebtedness	390,000			515,000
	Less: current maturities of long-term debt	(2,250		)	—
	Total long-term debt, less current maturities	$	387,750		$	515,000
	The Company’s Senior Credit Facility, which matures on July 18, 2018, includes a $600 million revolving credit facility, a $90 million term loan and a $350 million expansion option, subject to certain conditions. Borrowings are subject to a pricing grid, which can result in increases or decreases to the borrowing spread above LIBOR, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio, ranging from 1.00% to 2.50% in the case of loans bearing interest at LIBOR and from 0.00% to 1.50% in the case of loans bearing interest at the base rate. At February 28, 2014, the borrowing spread on LIBOR based borrowings was 1.50% (aggregating to approximately 1.70%). In addition, a non-use fee is payable quarterly on the average unused credit line under the revolver ranging from 0.15% to 0.40% per annum. At February 28, 2014, the available and unused credit line under the revolver was $596.7 million. Quarterly principal payments of $1.1 million will begin on the term loan on September 30, 2014, increasing to $2.3 million per quarter beginning on September 30, 2015, with the remaining principal due at maturity. The Senior Credit Facility, which is secured by substantially all of the Company’s domestic personal property assets, also contains customary limits and restrictions concerning investments, sales of assets, liens on assets, dividends and other payments. The two financial covenants included in the Senior Credit Facility agreement are a maximum leverage ratio of 3.75:1 and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.50:1. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants at February 28, 2014.
	On April 16, 2012, the Company issued $300 million of 5.625% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes require no principal installments prior to their June 15, 2022 maturity, require semiannual interest payments in December and June of each year and contain certain financial and non-financial covenants.

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurement	'
	Fair Value Measurement
	The Company assesses the inputs used to measure the fair value of financial assets and liabilities using a three-tier hierarchy. Level 1 inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity rates and yield curves. Level 3 inputs are not observable in the market and include management’s own judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The following financial assets, measured at fair value, are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
		February 28,		August 31,
		2014		2013
	Level 1 Valuation:
	Cash equivalents	$	698	$	1,092
	Investments	2,010		1,793
	Level 2 Valuation:
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	431	$	143
	The fair value of the Company’s cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term borrowings and its variable rate long-term debt approximated book value at both February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013 due to their short-term nature and the fact that the interest rates approximated market rates. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding $300 million of 5.625% Senior Notes was $309.8 million and $300.8 million February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively. The fair value of the Senior Notes was based on quoted inactive market prices and are therefore classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

Derivatives

Derivatives	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	Derivatives
	All derivatives are recognized in the balance sheet at their estimated fair value. On the date it enters into a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative as a hedge of a recognized asset or liability ("fair value hedge") or a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability ("cash flow hedge"). The Company does not enter into derivatives for speculative purposes. Changes in the value of fair value hedges and non-designated hedges are recorded in earnings along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability, while changes in the value of cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows. The fair value of outstanding foreign currency derivatives was an asset of $0.4 million and $0.1 million at February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively.
	The Company is exposed to market risk for changes in foreign currency exchange rates due to the global nature of its operations. In order to manage this risk the Company has hedged portions of its forecasted inventory purchases that are denominated in non-functional currencies through cash flow hedges. The U.S. dollar equivalent notional value of these foreign currency forward contracts was $4.9 million and $9.7 million, at February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively. At February 28, 2014, unrealized losses of $0.1 million were included in accumulated other comprehensive loss and are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months.
	The Company also utilizes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk associated with recognized non-functional currency balances. The effects of changes in exchange rates are reflected concurrently in earnings for both the fair value of the foreign currency exchange contracts and the related non-functional currency asset or liability. The U.S. dollar equivalent notional value of these short duration foreign currency forward contracts was $150.5 million and $383.6 million, at February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively. Net foreign currency losses related to these derivative instruments were $2.6 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively and $11.3 million and $0.3 million for the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These derivative losses offset foreign currency gains from the related revaluation on non-functional currency assets and liabilities (amounts included in other income and expense in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings).

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	The reconciliations between basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	22,304	$	25,834	$	55,309	$	56,385
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	72,227		72,946		72,656		72,869
	Net effect of dilutive securities—stock based compensation plans	1,546		1,470		1,736		1,474
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	73,773		74,416		74,392		74,343
	Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
	Basic	$	0.31	$	0.35	$	0.76	$	0.77
	Diluted	$	0.3	$	0.35	$	0.74	$	0.76
	Anti-dilutive securities-stock based compensation plans (excluded from earnings per share calculation)	403		759		404		774

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company's income tax expense is impacted by a number of factors, including the amount of taxable earnings derived in foreign jurisdictions with tax rates that are higher or lower than the U.S. Federal statutory rate, permanent items, state tax rates and the ability to utilize various tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards. The Company adjusts the quarterly provision for income taxes based on the estimated annual effective income tax rate and facts and circumstances known at each interim reporting period. The effective income tax rate from continuing operations is as follows:
		Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Effective income tax rate	29	%	15.7	%	17.6	%	16	%
	The increase in the second quarter effective income tax rate, relative to the prior year, is primarily due to discrete income tax reserve adjustments and to a lesser extent, changes in the mix of taxable earnings derived in foreign jurisdictions with tax rates that are lower than the U.S. Federal statutory rate. Income tax expense for the three months ended February 28, 2014 includes a $0.7 million benefit related to changes in foreign statutory tax rates, while the prior year comparable period included discrete tax benefits related to changes in tax laws and the reinstatement of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit (collectively $1.2 million) and a $2.4 million reversal of tax reserves. Effective income tax rates for the first half of fiscal 2014 and 2013 both reflect the benefits of tax minimization planning, increased foreign tax credits, the generation of net operating losses (from the liquidation of foreign legal entities) and discrete tax items.
	The gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, increased from $18.0 million at August 31, 2013 to $19.2 million at February 28, 2014. Substantially all of these unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would reduce the effective income tax rate. In addition, as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, the Company had liabilities totaling $3.4 million and $2.9 million, respectively, for the payment of interest and penalties related to its unrecognized income tax benefits.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company is a global manufacturer of a broad range of industrial products and systems and is organized in three reportable segments: Industrial, Energy and Engineered Solutions. The Industrial segment is primarily involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded hydraulic and mechanical tools to the maintenance, industrial, infrastructure and production automation markets. The Energy segment provides joint integrity products and services, customized offshore vessel mooring solutions, as well as rope and cable solutions to the global oil & gas, power generation and energy markets. The Engineered Solutions segment provides highly engineered position and motion control systems to OEMs in various vehicle markets, as well as a variety of other products to the industrial and agricultural markets.
	The following tables summarize financial information by reportable segment and product line (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended February 28,						Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net Sales by Segment:
	Industrial	$	93,571		$	98,999		$	192,212		$	200,121
	Energy	106,031			80,794			213,956			171,563
	Engineered Solutions	128,168			120,675			261,158			236,593
		$	327,770		$	300,468		$	667,326		$	608,277
	Net Sales by Reportable Product Line:
	Industrial	$	93,571		$	98,999		$	192,212		$	200,121
	Energy	106,031			80,794			213,956			171,563
	Vehicle Systems	67,278			56,468			138,927			114,498
	Other	60,890			64,207			122,231			122,095
		$	327,770		$	300,468		$	667,326		$	608,277
	Operating Profit:
	Industrial	$	26,477		$	26,350		$	53,374		$	53,356
	Energy	9,504			9,677			18,427			25,064
	Engineered Solutions	9,548			8,275			22,737			15,900
	General Corporate	(6,548		)	(7,431		)	(11,910		)	(13,975		)
		$	38,981		$	36,871		$	82,628		$	80,345
		February 28, 2014			August 31, 2013
	Assets:
	Industrial	$	280,498		$	280,110
	Energy	851,618			817,547
	Engineered Solutions	690,537			652,581
	General Corporate	136,481			96,488
	Assets of Discontinued Operations	—			272,606
		$	1,959,134		$	2,119,332
	In addition to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the comparability of segment and product line information is also impacted by acquisition/divestiture activities and restructuring costs and the related benefits. Corporate assets, which are not allocated, principally represent cash and cash equivalents, capitalized debt issuance costs and deferred income taxes.

Contingencies_and_Litigation

Contingencies and Litigation	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies and Litigation	'
	Contingencies and Litigation
	The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $10.6 million and $10.7 million at February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively, the majority of which secure self-insured workers compensation liabilities.
	The Company is a party to various legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of business. These legal proceedings typically include product liability, environmental, labor, patent claims and other disputes. The Company has recorded reserves for loss contingencies based on the specific circumstances of each case. Such reserves are recorded when it is probable that a loss has been incurred as of the balance sheet date and can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these contingencies, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	The Company has facilities in numerous geographic locations that are subject to a range of environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures over the past two years have not been material. Management believes that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	The Company remains contingently liable for lease payments under leases of businesses that it previously divested or spun-off, in the event that such businesses are unable to fulfill their future lease payment obligations. The discounted present value of future minimum lease payments for these leases was $24.8 million at February 28, 2014 (including $14.5 million related to the recently divested Electrical segment).

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Subsequent Event [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	Subsequent Event
	On March 17, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved a resolution authorizing the buyback from time to time of an additional 7,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. This followed the completion of the purchase of the remaining shares under the initial 7,000,000 share authorization approved in September 2011.

Guarantor_Subsidiaries

Guarantor Subsidiaries	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'
	Guarantor Subsidiaries
	As discussed in Note 6, “Debt” on April 16, 2012, Actuant Corporation (the “Parent”) issued $300.0 million of 5.625% Senior Notes. All material domestic wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) fully and unconditionally guarantee (except for certain customary limitations) such debt on a joint and several basis. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Guarantors to make distributions to the Parent. The following tables present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of Actuant Corporation and its subsidiaries, the Guarantor and non-Guarantor entities, and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis.
	Certain assets, liabilities and expenses have not been allocated to the Guarantors and non-Guarantors and therefore are included in the Parent column in the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements. These items are of a corporate or consolidated nature and include, but are not limited to, tax provisions and related assets and liabilities, certain employee benefit obligations, prepaid and accrued insurance and corporate indebtedness. Intercompany activity in the condensed consolidating financial statements primarily includes loan activity, purchases and sales of goods or services, investments and dividends. Intercompany balances also reflect certain non-cash transactions including transfers of assets and liabilities between the Parent, Guarantor and non-Guarantor, allocation of non-cash expenses from the Parent to the Guarantors and non-Guarantors and the impact of foreign currency rate changes.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	43,595		$	75,203		$	208,972		$	—		$	327,770
	Cost of products sold	11,992			52,009			139,322			—			203,323
	Gross profit	31,603			23,194			69,650			—			124,447
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	19,399			13,753			46,088			—			79,240
	Amortization of intangible assets	318			2,576			3,332			—			6,226
	Operating profit	11,886			6,865			20,230			—			38,981
	Financing costs, net	6,499			—			(237		)	—			6,262
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(12,153		)	5,334			6,819			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	669			(125		)	782			—			1,326
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	16,871			1,656			12,866			—			31,393
	Income tax expense	4,885			479			3,725			—			9,089
	Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	11,986			1,177			9,141			—			22,304
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	50,097			(23,996		)	867			(26,968		)	—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	62,083			(22,819		)	10,008			(26,968		)	22,304
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(20,691		)	53,156			(13,377		)	—			19,088
	Net earnings (loss)	$	41,392		$	30,337		$	(3,369	)	$	(26,968	)	$	41,392
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	45,789		$	34,943		$	(5,804	)	$	(29,139	)	$	45,789
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2013
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	47,407		$	66,709		$	186,352		$	—		$	300,468
	Cost of products sold	14,938			47,395			121,957			—			184,290
	Gross profit	32,469			19,314			64,395			—			116,178
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	17,842			14,623			40,874			—			73,339
	Amortization of intangible assets	318			2,657			2,993			—			5,968
	Operating profit	14,309			2,034			20,528			—			36,871
	Financing costs, net	6,409			1			(150		)	—			6,260
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(4,651		)	(876		)	5,527			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	(384		)	(53		)	400			—			(37		)
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	12,935			2,962			14,751			—			30,648
	Income tax expense (benefit)	2,832			(785		)	2,767			—			4,814
	Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	10,103			3,747			11,984			—			25,834
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	18,684			10,765			(589		)	(28,860		)	—
	Earnings from continuing operations	28,787			14,512			11,395			(28,860		)	25,834
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(352		)	2,515			438			—			2,601
	Net earnings	$	28,435		$	17,027		$	11,833		$	(28,860	)	$	28,435
	Comprehensive income	$	16,464		$	4,840		$	12,009		$	(16,849	)	$	16,464
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	(in thousands)
		Six months ended February 28, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	88,686		$	154,839		$	423,801		$	—		$	667,326
	Cost of products sold	24,064			107,264			279,771			—			411,099
	Gross profit	64,622			47,575			144,030			—			256,227
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	36,257			29,705			95,196			—			161,158
	Amortization of intangible assets	636			5,151			6,654			—			12,441
	Operating profit	27,729			12,719			42,180			—			82,628
	Financing costs, net	13,278			3			(269		)	—			13,012
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(17,150		)	4,995			12,155			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	11,086			(418		)	(8,201		)	—			2,467
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	20,515			8,139			38,495			—			67,149
	Income tax expense	5,893			2,274			3,673			—			11,840
	Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	14,622			5,865			34,822			—			55,309
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	84,319			(10,663		)	4,067			(77,723		)	—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	98,941			(4,798		)	38,889			(77,723		)	55,309
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(21,512		)	56,494			(12,862		)	—			22,120
Net Earnings	$	77,429		$	51,696		$	26,027		$	(77,723	)	$	77,429
Comprehensive income	$	98,829		$	73,740		$	21,867		$	(95,607	)	$	98,829
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended February 28, 2013
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	93,245		$	136,899		$	378,133		$	—		$	608,277
Cost of products sold	27,347			95,698			244,686			—			367,731
Gross profit	65,898			41,201			133,447			—			240,546
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	34,959			29,726			83,514			—			148,199
Amortization of intangible assets	639			5,314			6,049			—			12,002
Operating profit	30,300			6,161			43,884			—			80,345
Financing costs, net	12,767			6			(191		)	—			12,582
Intercompany expense (income), net	(11,921		)	1,079			10,842			—			—
Other expense (income), net	(747		)	(464		)	1,818			—			607
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	30,201			5,540			31,415			—			67,156
Income tax expense (benefit)	6,008			(326		)	5,089			—			10,771
Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	24,193			5,866			26,326			—			56,385
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	41,235			28,664			435			(70,334		)	—
Earnings from continuing operations	65,428			34,530			26,761			(70,334		)	56,385
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(650	)	$	5,378		$	3,665		$	—		$	8,393
Net Earnings	$	64,778		$	39,908		$	30,426		$	(70,334	)	$	64,778
Comprehensive income	$	64,982		$	33,698		$	38,028		$	(71,726	)	$	64,982
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
	28-Feb-14
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,580		$	26		$	143,411		$	—		$	155,017
Accounts receivable, net	18,589			42,072			173,290			—			233,951
Inventories, net	32,100			45,070			87,824			—			164,994
Deferred income taxes	10,656			—			5,670			—			16,326
Other current assets	10,187			1,126			18,803			—			30,116
Total current assets	83,112			88,294			428,998			—			600,404
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,288			22,342			177,549			—			208,179
Goodwill	62,543			264,502			422,737			—			749,782
Other intangibles, net	12,611			136,107			223,316			—			372,034
Investment in subsidiaries	2,213,047			751,730			222,605			(3,187,382		)	—
Intercompany receivable	—			683,850			455,699			(1,139,549		)	—
Other long-term assets	12,957			22			15,756			—			28,735
Total assets	$	2,392,558		$	1,946,847		$	1,946,660		$	(4,326,931	)	$	1,959,134
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	$	20,342		$	29,988		$	103,396		$	—		$	153,726
Accrued compensation and benefits	10,439			3,183			32,202			—			45,824
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,250			—			—			—			2,250
Income taxes payable	35,187			—			(2,338		)	—			32,849
Other current liabilities	20,101			9,930			33,615			—			63,646
Total current liabilities	88,319			43,101			166,875			—			298,295
Long-term debt, less current maturities	387,750			—			—			—			387,750
Deferred income taxes	42,124			—			52,990			—			95,114
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	7,585			—			4,698			—			12,283
Other long-term liabilities	51,657			110			12,824			—			64,591
Intercompany payable	714,022			—			425,527			(1,139,549		)	—
Shareholders’ equity	1,101,101			1,903,636			1,283,746			(3,187,382		)	1,101,101
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,392,558		$	1,946,847		$	1,946,660		$	(4,326,931	)	$	1,959,134
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
	31-Aug-13
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	16,122		$	—		$	87,864		$	—		$	103,986
Accounts receivable, net	20,471			40,343			158,261			—			219,075
Inventories, net	27,343			38,948			76,258			—			142,549
Deferred income taxes	13,002			—			5,794			—			18,796
Other current assets	7,454			963			19,811			—			28,228
Assets of discontinued operations	—			192,129			80,477			—			272,606
Total current assets	84,392			272,383			428,465			—			785,240
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,050			22,801			171,645			—			201,496
Goodwill	62,543			264,502			407,907			—			734,952
Other intangibles, net	13,247			141,258			222,187			—			376,692
Investment in subsidiaries	2,086,534			201,779			96,333			(2,384,646		)	—
Intercompany receivable	—			480,633			360,620			(841,253		)	—
Other long-term assets	12,654			22			8,276			—			20,952
Total assets	$	2,266,420		$	1,383,378		$	1,695,433		$	(3,225,899	)	$	2,119,332
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	$	22,194		$	30,637		$	101,218		$	—		$	154,049
Accrued compensation and benefits	13,835			2,716			27,249			—			43,800
Income taxes payable	8,135			—			5,879			—			14,014
Other current liabilities	21,268			4,630			31,001			—			56,899
Liabilities of discontinued operations	—			23,466			29,614			—			53,080
Total current liabilities	65,432			61,449			194,961			—			321,842
Long-term debt	515,000			—			—			—			515,000
Deferred income taxes	64,358			—			51,507			—			115,865
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	16,267			—			4,431			—			20,698
Other long-term liabilities	51,479			390			13,791			—			65,660
Intercompany payable	473,617			—			367,636			(841,253		)	—
Shareholders’ equity	1,080,267			1,321,539			1,063,107			(2,384,646		)	1,080,267
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,266,420		$	1,383,378		$	1,695,433		$	(3,225,899	)	$	2,119,332
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended February 28, 2014
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(223	)	$	8,331		$	43,491		$	(14,716	)	$	36,883
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1			74			1,933			—			2,008
Proceeds (loss) on sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	(4,134		)	214,268			33,252			—			243,386
Intercompany investment	—			(99,963		)	—			99,963			—
Capital expenditures	(2,424		)	(2,379		)	(17,423		)	—			(22,226		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(6,557		)	112,000			17,762			99,963			223,168
Financing Activities
Net repayments on revolver	(125,000		)	—			—			—			(125,000		)
Changes in receivables and payables to subsidiaries	213,449			(120,305		)	(93,144		)	—			—
Intercompany capital contributions	—			—			99,963			(99,963		)	—
Purchase of treasury shares	(109,095		)	—			—			—			(109,095		)
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	25,803			—			—			—			25,803
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	—			—			(753		)	—			(753		)
Cash dividend	(2,919		)	—			(14,716		)	14,716			(2,919		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,238			(120,305		)	(8,650		)	(85,247		)	(211,964		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			2,944			—			2,944
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(4,542		)	26			55,547			—			51,031
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	16,122			—			87,864			—			103,986
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	11,580		$	26		$	143,411		$	—		$	155,017
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended February 28, 2013
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	5,606		$	8,913		$	25,804		$	—		$	40,323
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	562			74			541			—			1,177
Capital expenditures	(668		)	(2,014		)	(9,044		)	—			(11,726		)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			—			(83		)	—			(83		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(106		)	(1,940		)	(8,586		)	—			(10,632		)
Financing Activities
Principal repayments of term loans	(2,500		)	—			—			—			(2,500		)
Intercompany loan activity	(7,370		)	(7,064		)	14,434			—			—
Purchase of treasury shares	(8,821		)	—			—			—			(8,821		)
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	(1,350		)	—			—			—			(1,350		)
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	10,772			—			—			—			10,772
Cash dividend	(2,911		)	—			—			—			(2,911		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(12,180		)	(7,064		)	14,434			—			(4,810		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(2,242		)	—			(2,242		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(6,680		)	(91		)	29,410			—			22,639
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	12,401			91			55,692			—			68,184
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	5,721		$	—		$	85,102		$	—		$	90,823

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Pro Forma Results of Operations	'
	The following unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, give effect to the Viking acquisition as though the transaction and related financing activities had occurred on September 1, 2012 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net sales
	As reported	$	327,770	$	300,468	$	667,326	$	608,277
	Pro forma	327,770		321,923		667,326		654,665
	Earnings from continuing operations
	As reported	$	22,304	$	25,834	$	55,309	$	56,385
	Pro forma	22,304		27,195		55,309		60,868
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
	As reported	$	0.31	$	0.35	$	0.76	$	0.77
	Pro forma	0.31		0.37		0.76		0.84
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
	As reported	$	0.3	$	0.35	$	0.74	$	0.76
	Pro forma	0.3		0.37		0.74		0.82

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables) (Electrical)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Electrical	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	'
	The following table summarizes the results of discontinued operations (in thousands), through the date of the sale, December 13, 2013:
		Three Months Ended February 28,					Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Net sales	$	9,127		$	69,902	$	72,139		$	139,341
	Operating income (loss) (1)	(10,102		)	5,073		(4,873		)	13,181
	Gain on disposal	34,459			—		34,459			—
	Income tax expense	5,269			2,472		7,466			4,788
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	19,088		$	2,601	$	22,120		$	8,393
	(1) The operating loss for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 includes certain divestiture costs and a non-cash charge for the accelerated vesting of equity compensation.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the six months ended February 28, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Industrial				Energy				Engineered				Total
										Solutions
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	82,611			$	341,903			$	310,438			$	734,952
	Purchase accounting adjustments	—				(18		)		—				(18		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	1,376				10,729				2,743				14,848
	Balance as of February 28, 2014	$	83,987			$	352,614			$	313,181			$	749,782
Schedule Of Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Table	'
	The gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of the Company’s other intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
				28-Feb-14												31-Aug-13
		Weighted Average		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Amortization		Carrying				Amortization				Book				Carrying		Amortization		Book
		Period (Years)		Value								Value				Value				Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	15		$	325,469			$	108,073			$	217,396			$	318,143	$	95,215	$	222,928
	Patents	11		30,978				20,117				10,861				30,564		18,747		11,817
	Trademarks and tradenames	18		24,288				8,132				16,156				24,088		7,356		16,732
	Non-compete agreements and other	4		7,178				6,716				462				7,034		6,458		576
	Indefinite lived intangible assets:
	Tradenames	N/A		127,159				—				127,159				124,639		—		124,639
				$	515,072			$	143,038			$	372,034			$	504,468	$	127,776	$	376,692

Product_Warranty_Costs_Tables

Product Warranty Costs (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability	'
	The following is a rollforward of the accrued product warranty reserve from continuing operations (in thousands):
		Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	7,413		$	5,121
	Provision for warranties	1,208			3,647
	Warranty payments and costs incurred	(3,079		)	(3,493		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	63			42
	Ending balance	$	5,605		$	5,317

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Indebtedness	'
	The following is a summary of the Company’s long-term indebtedness (in thousands):
		February 28,			August 31,
		2014			2013
	Senior Credit Facility
	Revolver	$	—		$	125,000
	Term Loan	90,000			90,000
		90,000			215,000
	5.625% Senior Notes	300,000			300,000
	Total Senior Indebtedness	390,000			515,000
	Less: current maturities of long-term debt	(2,250		)	—
	Total long-term debt, less current maturities	$	387,750		$	515,000

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	The following financial assets, measured at fair value, are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
		February 28,		August 31,
		2014		2013
	Level 1 Valuation:
	Cash equivalents	$	698	$	1,092
	Investments	2,010		1,793
	Level 2 Valuation:
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	431	$	143

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliations between Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The reconciliations between basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	22,304	$	25,834	$	55,309	$	56,385
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	72,227		72,946		72,656		72,869
	Net effect of dilutive securities—stock based compensation plans	1,546		1,470		1,736		1,474
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	73,773		74,416		74,392		74,343
	Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
	Basic	$	0.31	$	0.35	$	0.76	$	0.77
	Diluted	$	0.3	$	0.35	$	0.74	$	0.76
	Anti-dilutive securities-stock based compensation plans (excluded from earnings per share calculation)	403		759		404		774

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Tabl

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Effective tax rate	'
	The effective income tax rate from continuing operations is as follows:
		Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Effective income tax rate	29	%	15.7	%	17.6	%	16	%

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment and Product Line	'
	The following tables summarize financial information by reportable segment and product line (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended February 28,						Six Months Ended February 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net Sales by Segment:
	Industrial	$	93,571		$	98,999		$	192,212		$	200,121
	Energy	106,031			80,794			213,956			171,563
	Engineered Solutions	128,168			120,675			261,158			236,593
		$	327,770		$	300,468		$	667,326		$	608,277
	Net Sales by Reportable Product Line:
	Industrial	$	93,571		$	98,999		$	192,212		$	200,121
	Energy	106,031			80,794			213,956			171,563
	Vehicle Systems	67,278			56,468			138,927			114,498
	Other	60,890			64,207			122,231			122,095
		$	327,770		$	300,468		$	667,326		$	608,277
	Operating Profit:
	Industrial	$	26,477		$	26,350		$	53,374		$	53,356
	Energy	9,504			9,677			18,427			25,064
	Engineered Solutions	9,548			8,275			22,737			15,900
	General Corporate	(6,548		)	(7,431		)	(11,910		)	(13,975		)
		$	38,981		$	36,871		$	82,628		$	80,345
		February 28, 2014			August 31, 2013
	Assets:
	Industrial	$	280,498		$	280,110
	Energy	851,618			817,547
	Engineered Solutions	690,537			652,581
	General Corporate	136,481			96,488
	Assets of Discontinued Operations	—			272,606
		$	1,959,134		$	2,119,332

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Tables

Guarantor Subsidiaries (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Earnings And Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	43,595		$	75,203		$	208,972		$	—		$	327,770
	Cost of products sold	11,992			52,009			139,322			—			203,323
	Gross profit	31,603			23,194			69,650			—			124,447
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	19,399			13,753			46,088			—			79,240
	Amortization of intangible assets	318			2,576			3,332			—			6,226
	Operating profit	11,886			6,865			20,230			—			38,981
	Financing costs, net	6,499			—			(237		)	—			6,262
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(12,153		)	5,334			6,819			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	669			(125		)	782			—			1,326
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	16,871			1,656			12,866			—			31,393
	Income tax expense	4,885			479			3,725			—			9,089
	Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	11,986			1,177			9,141			—			22,304
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	50,097			(23,996		)	867			(26,968		)	—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	62,083			(22,819		)	10,008			(26,968		)	22,304
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(20,691		)	53,156			(13,377		)	—			19,088
	Net earnings (loss)	$	41,392		$	30,337		$	(3,369	)	$	(26,968	)	$	41,392
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	45,789		$	34,943		$	(5,804	)	$	(29,139	)	$	45,789
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2013
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	47,407		$	66,709		$	186,352		$	—		$	300,468
	Cost of products sold	14,938			47,395			121,957			—			184,290
	Gross profit	32,469			19,314			64,395			—			116,178
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	17,842			14,623			40,874			—			73,339
	Amortization of intangible assets	318			2,657			2,993			—			5,968
	Operating profit	14,309			2,034			20,528			—			36,871
	Financing costs, net	6,409			1			(150		)	—			6,260
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(4,651		)	(876		)	5,527			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	(384		)	(53		)	400			—			(37		)
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	12,935			2,962			14,751			—			30,648
	Income tax expense (benefit)	2,832			(785		)	2,767			—			4,814
	Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	10,103			3,747			11,984			—			25,834
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	18,684			10,765			(589		)	(28,860		)	—
	Earnings from continuing operations	28,787			14,512			11,395			(28,860		)	25,834
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(352		)	2,515			438			—			2,601
	Net earnings	$	28,435		$	17,027		$	11,833		$	(28,860	)	$	28,435
	Comprehensive income	$	16,464		$	4,840		$	12,009		$	(16,849	)	$	16,464
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	(in thousands)
		Six months ended February 28, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	88,686		$	154,839		$	423,801		$	—		$	667,326
	Cost of products sold	24,064			107,264			279,771			—			411,099
	Gross profit	64,622			47,575			144,030			—			256,227
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	36,257			29,705			95,196			—			161,158
	Amortization of intangible assets	636			5,151			6,654			—			12,441
	Operating profit	27,729			12,719			42,180			—			82,628
	Financing costs, net	13,278			3			(269		)	—			13,012
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(17,150		)	4,995			12,155			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	11,086			(418		)	(8,201		)	—			2,467
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	20,515			8,139			38,495			—			67,149
	Income tax expense	5,893			2,274			3,673			—			11,840
	Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	14,622			5,865			34,822			—			55,309
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	84,319			(10,663		)	4,067			(77,723		)	—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	98,941			(4,798		)	38,889			(77,723		)	55,309
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(21,512		)	56,494			(12,862		)	—			22,120
	Net Earnings	$	77,429		$	51,696		$	26,027		$	(77,723	)	$	77,429
	Comprehensive income	$	98,829		$	73,740		$	21,867		$	(95,607	)	$	98,829
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended February 28, 2013
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	93,245		$	136,899		$	378,133		$	—		$	608,277
Cost of products sold	27,347			95,698			244,686			—			367,731
Gross profit	65,898			41,201			133,447			—			240,546
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	34,959			29,726			83,514			—			148,199
Amortization of intangible assets	639			5,314			6,049			—			12,002
Operating profit	30,300			6,161			43,884			—			80,345
Financing costs, net	12,767			6			(191		)	—			12,582
Intercompany expense (income), net	(11,921		)	1,079			10,842			—			—
Other expense (income), net	(747		)	(464		)	1,818			—			607
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	30,201			5,540			31,415			—			67,156
Income tax expense (benefit)	6,008			(326		)	5,089			—			10,771
Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	24,193			5,866			26,326			—			56,385
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	41,235			28,664			435			(70,334		)	—
Earnings from continuing operations	65,428			34,530			26,761			(70,334		)	56,385
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(650	)	$	5,378		$	3,665		$	—		$	8,393
Net Earnings	$	64,778		$	39,908		$	30,426		$	(70,334	)	$	64,778
Comprehensive income	$	64,982		$	33,698		$	38,028		$	(71,726	)	$	64,982
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(in thousands)
		28-Feb-14
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,580		$	26		$	143,411		$	—		$	155,017
	Accounts receivable, net	18,589			42,072			173,290			—			233,951
	Inventories, net	32,100			45,070			87,824			—			164,994
	Deferred income taxes	10,656			—			5,670			—			16,326
	Other current assets	10,187			1,126			18,803			—			30,116
	Total current assets	83,112			88,294			428,998			—			600,404
	Property, plant and equipment, net	8,288			22,342			177,549			—			208,179
	Goodwill	62,543			264,502			422,737			—			749,782
	Other intangibles, net	12,611			136,107			223,316			—			372,034
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,213,047			751,730			222,605			(3,187,382		)	—
	Intercompany receivable	—			683,850			455,699			(1,139,549		)	—
	Other long-term assets	12,957			22			15,756			—			28,735
	Total assets	$	2,392,558		$	1,946,847		$	1,946,660		$	(4,326,931	)	$	1,959,134
	LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities
	Trade accounts payable	$	20,342		$	29,988		$	103,396		$	—		$	153,726
	Accrued compensation and benefits	10,439			3,183			32,202			—			45,824
	Current maturities of long-term debt	2,250			—			—			—			2,250
	Income taxes payable	35,187			—			(2,338		)	—			32,849
	Other current liabilities	20,101			9,930			33,615			—			63,646
	Total current liabilities	88,319			43,101			166,875			—			298,295
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	387,750			—			—			—			387,750
	Deferred income taxes	42,124			—			52,990			—			95,114
	Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	7,585			—			4,698			—			12,283
	Other long-term liabilities	51,657			110			12,824			—			64,591
	Intercompany payable	714,022			—			425,527			(1,139,549		)	—
	Shareholders’ equity	1,101,101			1,903,636			1,283,746			(3,187,382		)	1,101,101
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,392,558		$	1,946,847		$	1,946,660		$	(4,326,931	)	$	1,959,134
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(in thousands)
		31-Aug-13
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	16,122		$	—		$	87,864		$	—		$	103,986
	Accounts receivable, net	20,471			40,343			158,261			—			219,075
	Inventories, net	27,343			38,948			76,258			—			142,549
	Deferred income taxes	13,002			—			5,794			—			18,796
	Other current assets	7,454			963			19,811			—			28,228
	Assets of discontinued operations	—			192,129			80,477			—			272,606
	Total current assets	84,392			272,383			428,465			—			785,240
	Property, plant and equipment, net	7,050			22,801			171,645			—			201,496
	Goodwill	62,543			264,502			407,907			—			734,952
	Other intangibles, net	13,247			141,258			222,187			—			376,692
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,086,534			201,779			96,333			(2,384,646		)	—
	Intercompany receivable	—			480,633			360,620			(841,253		)	—
	Other long-term assets	12,654			22			8,276			—			20,952
	Total assets	$	2,266,420		$	1,383,378		$	1,695,433		$	(3,225,899	)	$	2,119,332
	LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities
	Trade accounts payable	$	22,194		$	30,637		$	101,218		$	—		$	154,049
	Accrued compensation and benefits	13,835			2,716			27,249			—			43,800
	Income taxes payable	8,135			—			5,879			—			14,014
	Other current liabilities	21,268			4,630			31,001			—			56,899
	Liabilities of discontinued operations	—			23,466			29,614			—			53,080
	Total current liabilities	65,432			61,449			194,961			—			321,842
	Long-term debt	515,000			—			—			—			515,000
Deferred income taxes	64,358			—			51,507			—			115,865
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	16,267			—			4,431			—			20,698
Other long-term liabilities	51,479			390			13,791			—			65,660
Intercompany payable	473,617			—			367,636			(841,253		)	—
Shareholders’ equity	1,080,267			1,321,539			1,063,107			(2,384,646		)	1,080,267
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,266,420		$	1,383,378		$	1,695,433		$	(3,225,899	)	$	2,119,332
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(in thousands)
		Six Months Ended February 28, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Operating Activities
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(223	)	$	8,331		$	43,491		$	(14,716	)	$	36,883
	Investing Activities
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1			74			1,933			—			2,008
	Proceeds (loss) on sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	(4,134		)	214,268			33,252			—			243,386
	Intercompany investment	—			(99,963		)	—			99,963			—
	Capital expenditures	(2,424		)	(2,379		)	(17,423		)	—			(22,226		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(6,557		)	112,000			17,762			99,963			223,168
	Financing Activities
	Net repayments on revolver	(125,000		)	—			—			—			(125,000		)
	Changes in receivables and payables to subsidiaries	213,449			(120,305		)	(93,144		)	—			—
	Intercompany capital contributions	—			—			99,963			(99,963		)	—
	Purchase of treasury shares	(109,095		)	—			—			—			(109,095		)
	Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	25,803			—			—			—			25,803
	Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	—			—			(753		)	—			(753		)
	Cash dividend	(2,919		)	—			(14,716		)	14,716			(2,919		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,238			(120,305		)	(8,650		)	(85,247		)	(211,964		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			2,944			—			2,944
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(4,542		)	26			55,547			—			51,031
	Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	16,122			—			87,864			—			103,986
	Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	11,580		$	26		$	143,411		$	—		$	155,017
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(in thousands)
		Six Months Ended February 28, 2013
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Operating Activities
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	5,606		$	8,913		$	25,804		$	—		$	40,323
	Investing Activities
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	562			74			541			—			1,177
	Capital expenditures	(668		)	(2,014		)	(9,044		)	—			(11,726		)
	Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			—			(83		)	—			(83		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	(106		)	(1,940		)	(8,586		)	—			(10,632		)
	Financing Activities
	Principal repayments of term loans	(2,500		)	—			—			—			(2,500		)
	Intercompany loan activity	(7,370		)	(7,064		)	14,434			—			—
	Purchase of treasury shares	(8,821		)	—			—			—			(8,821		)
	Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	(1,350		)	—			—			—			(1,350		)
	Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	10,772			—			—			—			10,772
	Cash dividend	(2,911		)	—			—			—			(2,911		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(12,180		)	(7,064		)	14,434			—			(4,810		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(2,242		)	—			(2,242		)
	Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(6,680		)	(91		)	29,410			—			22,639
	Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	12,401			91			55,692			—			68,184
	Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	5,721		$	—		$	85,102		$	—		$	90,823

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 27, 2013	Aug. 27, 2013	Aug. 27, 2013
			Viking SeaTech	Viking SeaTech	Tradenames
				Customer relationships	Viking SeaTech
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$0	$83,000	$235,400,000	'	'
Recognition of goodwill due to acquisitions	'	'	87,700,000	'	'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill	'	'	$65,400,000	$40,500,000	$24,900,000

Acquisitions_Proforma_Results_

Acquisitions - Proforma Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Net sales	'	'	'	'
Net sales, As reported	$327,770	$300,468	$667,326	$608,277
Net sales, Pro forma	327,770	321,923	667,326	654,665
Earnings from continuing operations	'	'	'	'
Earnings from continuing operations, As reported	22,304	25,834	55,309	56,385
Earnings from continuing operations, Pro Forma	$22,304	$27,195	$55,309	$60,868
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations, As reported (in dollars per share)	$0.31	$0.35	$0.76	$0.77
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations, Pro Forma (in dollars per share)	$0.31	$0.37	$0.76	$0.84
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	'	'	'	'
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, As reported (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.35	$0.74	$0.76
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, Pro Forma (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.37	$0.74	$0.82

Discontinued_Operations_Income

Discontinued Operations Income Statement and Balance Sheet Summary (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 13, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	$19,088	$2,601	$22,120	$8,393
Electrical	'	'	'	'	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	9,127	69,902	72,139	139,341
Operating income (loss)	'	-10,102	5,073	-4,873	13,181
Gain on disposal	34,500	34,459	0	34,459	0
Income tax expense	'	5,269	2,472	7,466	4,788
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	$19,088	$2,601	$22,120	$8,393

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations Narrative (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Dec. 13, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds (loss) on sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	'	'	'	$243,386,000	'
Electrical	'	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds (loss) on sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	243,400,000	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposal	34,500,000	34,459,000	0	34,459,000	0
Future cash outflow of discontinued operations	18,000,000	'	'	'	'
Estimated proceeds net of transaction costs	$225,000,000	'	'	'	'

Changes_in_Carrying_Value_of_G

Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance as of August 31, 2013	$734,952
Purchase accounting adjustments	-18
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	14,848
Balance as of February 28, 2014	749,782
Industrial	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance as of August 31, 2013	82,611
Purchase accounting adjustments	0
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	1,376
Balance as of February 28, 2014	83,987
Energy	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance as of August 31, 2013	341,903
Purchase accounting adjustments	-18
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	10,729
Balance as of February 28, 2014	352,614
Engineered Solutions	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance as of August 31, 2013	310,438
Purchase accounting adjustments	0
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	2,743
Balance as of February 28, 2014	$313,181

Gross_Carrying_Amount_and_Accu

Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated Amortization	$143,038	$127,776
Other intangibles, gross	515,072	504,468
Other intangibles, net	372,034	376,692
Tradenames	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	127,159	124,639
Customer relationships	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	'15 years	'
Gross Carrying Value	325,469	318,143
Accumulated Amortization	108,073	95,215
Net Book Value	217,396	222,928
Patents	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	'11 years	'
Gross Carrying Value	30,978	30,564
Accumulated Amortization	20,117	18,747
Net Book Value	10,861	11,817
Trademarks and tradenames	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	'18 years	'
Gross Carrying Value	24,288	24,088
Accumulated Amortization	8,132	7,356
Net Book Value	16,156	16,732
Non-compete agreements and other	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	'4 years	'
Gross Carrying Value	7,178	7,034
Accumulated Amortization	6,716	6,458
Net Book Value	$462	$576

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$6,226,000	$5,968,000	$12,441,000	$12,002,000
Future amortization expense, remainder of 2014	12,400,000	'	12,400,000	'
Future amortization expense, 2015	24,800,000	'	24,800,000	'
Future amortization expense, 2016	24,700,000	'	24,700,000	'
Future amortization expense, 2017	24,100,000	'	24,100,000	'
Future amortization expense, 2018	23,300,000	'	23,300,000	'
Future amortization expense, 2019	23,100,000	'	23,100,000	'
Future amortization expense, thereafter	$112,500,000	'	$112,500,000	'

Rollforward_of_Accrued_Product

Rollforward of Accrued Product Warranty Reserve (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	$7,413	$5,121
Provision for warranties	1,208	3,647
Warranty payments and costs incurred	-3,079	-3,493
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	63	42
Ending balance	$5,605	$5,317

LongTerm_Indebtedness_Details

Long-Term Indebtedness (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Senior Indebtedness	$390,000	$515,000
Less: current maturities of long-term debt	-2,250	0
Total long-term debt, less current maturities	387,750	515,000
Line of Credit	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Senior Indebtedness	90,000	215,000
Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Senior Indebtedness	0	125,000
Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Senior Indebtedness	90,000	90,000
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Senior Indebtedness	$300,000	$300,000

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Apr. 16, 2012

Minimum

Maximum

Libor Rate

Libor Rate

Libor Rate

Base Rate

Base Rate

Revolving Credit Facility

Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan

Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan

Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan

Line of Credit

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Starting on September 30, 2014

starting on September 30, 2015

Senior Credit Facility - Revolver

5.625% Senior Notes

5.625% Senior Notes

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$600,000,000

$90,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Senior credit facility expansion option, available

350,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, interest rate over variable rate

'

'

'

1.50%

1.00%

2.50%

0.00%

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, actual interest rate

1.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

'

0.15%

0.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unused credit line

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

596,700,000

'

'

Quarterly installments, payable on term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

2,300,000

'

'

'

Leverage ratio

'

'

3.75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest coverage ratio

'

3.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000,000

$300,000,000

Debt instrument, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.63%

5.63%

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Assets

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 1 Valuation:	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	$698	$1,092
Investments	2,010	1,793
Level 2 Valuation:	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign currency derivatives	$431	$143

Fair_Value_Measurement_Additio

Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) (Senior Notes, 5.625% Senior Notes, USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Apr. 16, 2012
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Face amount	$300,000,000	'	$300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.63%	'	5.63%
Fair value of long-term debt	$309,800,000	$300,800,000	'

Derivatives_Narrative_Details

Derivatives Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
					Level 2 Valuation:	Level 2 Valuation:	Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	Fair Value Hedging [Member]	Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency derivatives	'	'	'	'	$431,000	$143,000	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,900,000	9,700,000	150,500,000	383,600,000
Unrealized losses expected to be reclassified during next 12 months	-100,000	'	-100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net foreign currency gain (loss)	($2,600,000)	($900,000)	($11,300,000)	($300,000)	'	'	'	'	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Detail

Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Earnings from continuing operations	$22,304	$25,834	$55,309	$56,385
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	72,227	72,946	72,656	72,869
Net effect of dilutive securities—stock based compensation plans	1,546	1,470	1,736	1,474
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	73,773	74,416	74,392	74,343
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.31	$0.35	$0.76	$0.77
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.35	$0.74	$0.76
Anti-dilutive securities-stock based compensation plans (excluded from earnings per share calculation)	403	759	404	774

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	29.00%	15.70%	17.60%	16.00%	'
Discrete item, changes in foreign statutory tax rates	$0.70	'	'	'	'
Discrete item, change in tax law and reinstatement of US Federal research and development tax credit	'	1.2	'	'	'
Reversal of tax reserves	'	2.4	'	'	'
Gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties	19.2	'	19.2	'	18
Liabilities for payment of interest and penalties related to its unrecognized tax benefits	$3.40	'	$3.40	'	$2.90

Summary_of_Financial_Informati

Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment and Product Line (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
			Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	3	'	'
Net sales	$327,770	$300,468	$667,326	$608,277	'
Operating profit (Loss)	38,981	36,871	82,628	80,345	'
Assets	1,959,134	'	1,959,134	'	2,119,332
Assets of discontinued operations	0	'	0	'	272,606
Industrial	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	93,571	98,999	192,212	200,121	'
Operating profit (Loss)	26,477	26,350	53,374	53,356	'
Assets	280,498	'	280,498	'	280,110
Energy	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	106,031	80,794	213,956	171,563	'
Operating profit (Loss)	9,504	9,677	18,427	25,064	'
Assets	851,618	'	851,618	'	817,547
Engineered Solutions	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	128,168	120,675	261,158	236,593	'
Operating profit (Loss)	9,548	8,275	22,737	15,900	'
Assets	690,537	'	690,537	'	652,581
Vehicle Systems	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	67,278	56,468	138,927	114,498	'
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	60,890	64,207	122,231	122,095	'
General Corporate	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating profit (Loss)	-6,548	-7,431	-11,910	-13,975	'
Assets	$136,481	'	$136,481	'	$96,488

Contingencies_and_Litigation_A

Contingencies and Litigation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding letters of credit	$10.60	$10.70
Discounted present value of future minimum lease payments	24.8	'
Electrical	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Discounted present value of future minimum lease payments	$14.50	'

Subsequent_Event_Details

Subsequent Event (Details)	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2011	Mar. 17, 2014
	2011 Plan	Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Shares	7,000,000	7,000,000

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Additio

Guarantor Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Detail) (5.625% Senior Notes, Senior Notes, USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Apr. 16, 2012
5.625% Senior Notes | Senior Notes	'	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Issuance of Senior Notes	$300,000,000	$300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.63%	5.63%

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$327,770	$300,468	$667,326	$608,277
Cost of products sold	203,323	184,290	411,099	367,731
Gross profit	124,447	116,178	256,227	240,546
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	79,240	73,339	161,158	148,199
Amortization of intangible assets	6,226	5,968	12,441	12,002
Operating profit	38,981	36,871	82,628	80,345
Financing costs, net	6,262	6,260	13,012	12,582
Intercompany expense (income), net	0	0	0	0
Other expense (income), net	1,326	-37	2,467	607
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	31,393	30,648	67,149	67,156
Income tax expense	9,089	4,814	11,840	10,771
Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	22,304	25,834	55,309	56,385
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Earnings from continuing operations	22,304	25,834	55,309	56,385
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	19,088	2,601	22,120	8,393
Net earnings	41,392	28,435	77,429	64,778
Comprehensive income (loss)	45,789	16,464	98,829	64,982
Parent	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	43,595	47,407	88,686	93,245
Cost of products sold	11,992	14,938	24,064	27,347
Gross profit	31,603	32,469	64,622	65,898
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	19,399	17,842	36,257	34,959
Amortization of intangible assets	318	318	636	639
Operating profit	11,886	14,309	27,729	30,300
Financing costs, net	6,499	6,409	13,278	12,767
Intercompany expense (income), net	-12,153	-4,651	-17,150	-11,921
Other expense (income), net	669	-384	11,086	-747
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	16,871	12,935	20,515	30,201
Income tax expense	4,885	2,832	5,893	6,008
Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	11,986	10,103	14,622	24,193
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	50,097	18,684	84,319	41,235
Earnings from continuing operations	62,083	28,787	98,941	65,428
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-20,691	-352	-21,512	-650
Net earnings	41,392	28,435	77,429	64,778
Comprehensive income (loss)	45,789	16,464	98,829	64,982
Guarantors	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	75,203	66,709	154,839	136,899
Cost of products sold	52,009	47,395	107,264	95,698
Gross profit	23,194	19,314	47,575	41,201
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	13,753	14,623	29,705	29,726
Amortization of intangible assets	2,576	2,657	5,151	5,314
Operating profit	6,865	2,034	12,719	6,161
Financing costs, net	0	1	3	6
Intercompany expense (income), net	5,334	-876	4,995	1,079
Other expense (income), net	-125	-53	-418	-464
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	1,656	2,962	8,139	5,540
Income tax expense	479	-785	2,274	-326
Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	1,177	3,747	5,865	5,866
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-23,996	10,765	-10,663	28,664
Earnings from continuing operations	-22,819	14,512	-4,798	34,530
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	53,156	2,515	56,494	5,378
Net earnings	30,337	17,027	51,696	39,908
Comprehensive income (loss)	34,943	4,840	73,740	33,698
Non-Guarantors	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	208,972	186,352	423,801	378,133
Cost of products sold	139,322	121,957	279,771	244,686
Gross profit	69,650	64,395	144,030	133,447
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	46,088	40,874	95,196	83,514
Amortization of intangible assets	3,332	2,993	6,654	6,049
Operating profit	20,230	20,528	42,180	43,884
Financing costs, net	-237	-150	-269	-191
Intercompany expense (income), net	6,819	5,527	12,155	10,842
Other expense (income), net	782	400	-8,201	1,818
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	12,866	14,751	38,495	31,415
Income tax expense	3,725	2,767	3,673	5,089
Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	9,141	11,984	34,822	26,326
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	867	-589	4,067	435
Earnings from continuing operations	10,008	11,395	38,889	26,761
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-13,377	438	-12,862	3,665
Net earnings	-3,369	11,833	26,027	30,426
Comprehensive income (loss)	-5,804	12,009	21,867	38,028
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Cost of products sold	0	0	0	0
Gross profit	0	0	0	0
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	0	0	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0	0	0
Operating profit	0	0	0	0
Financing costs, net	0	0	0	0
Intercompany expense (income), net	0	0	0	0
Other expense (income), net	0	0	0	0
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-26,968	-28,860	-77,723	-70,334
Earnings from continuing operations	-26,968	-28,860	-77,723	-70,334
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net earnings	-26,968	-28,860	-77,723	-70,334
Comprehensive income (loss)	($29,139)	($16,849)	($95,607)	($71,726)

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$155,017	$103,986	$90,823	$68,184
Accounts receivable, net	233,951	219,075	'	'
Inventories, net	164,994	142,549	'	'
Deferred income taxes	16,326	18,796	'	'
Other current assets	30,116	28,228	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	0	272,606	'	'
Total current assets	600,404	785,240	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	208,179	201,496	'	'
Goodwill	749,782	734,952	'	'
Other intangibles, net	372,034	376,692	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Intercompany receivable	0	0	'	'
Other long-term assets	28,735	20,952	'	'
Total assets	1,959,134	2,119,332	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	153,726	154,049	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	45,824	43,800	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,250	0	'	'
Income taxes payable	32,849	14,014	'	'
Other current liabilities	63,646	56,899	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	0	53,080	'	'
Total current liabilities	298,295	321,842	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	387,750	515,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	95,114	115,865	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	12,283	20,698	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	64,591	65,660	'	'
Intercompany payable	0	0	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	1,101,101	1,080,267	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,959,134	2,119,332	'	'
Parent	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	11,580	16,122	5,721	12,401
Accounts receivable, net	18,589	20,471	'	'
Inventories, net	32,100	27,343	'	'
Deferred income taxes	10,656	13,002	'	'
Other current assets	10,187	7,454	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	'	0	'	'
Total current assets	83,112	84,392	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,288	7,050	'	'
Goodwill	62,543	62,543	'	'
Other intangibles, net	12,611	13,247	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	2,213,047	2,086,534	'	'
Intercompany receivable	0	0	'	'
Other long-term assets	12,957	12,654	'	'
Total assets	2,392,558	2,266,420	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	20,342	22,194	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	10,439	13,835	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,250	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	35,187	8,135	'	'
Other current liabilities	20,101	21,268	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	'	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	88,319	65,432	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	387,750	515,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	42,124	64,358	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	7,585	16,267	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	51,657	51,479	'	'
Intercompany payable	714,022	473,617	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	1,101,101	1,080,267	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,392,558	2,266,420	'	'
Guarantors	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	26	0	0	91
Accounts receivable, net	42,072	40,343	'	'
Inventories, net	45,070	38,948	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	1,126	963	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	'	192,129	'	'
Total current assets	88,294	272,383	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,342	22,801	'	'
Goodwill	264,502	264,502	'	'
Other intangibles, net	136,107	141,258	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	751,730	201,779	'	'
Intercompany receivable	683,850	480,633	'	'
Other long-term assets	22	22	'	'
Total assets	1,946,847	1,383,378	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	29,988	30,637	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	3,183	2,716	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	0	0	'	'
Other current liabilities	9,930	4,630	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	'	23,466	'	'
Total current liabilities	43,101	61,449	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	110	390	'	'
Intercompany payable	0	0	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	1,903,636	1,321,539	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,946,847	1,383,378	'	'
Non-Guarantors	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	143,411	87,864	85,102	55,692
Accounts receivable, net	173,290	158,261	'	'
Inventories, net	87,824	76,258	'	'
Deferred income taxes	5,670	5,794	'	'
Other current assets	18,803	19,811	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	'	80,477	'	'
Total current assets	428,998	428,465	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	177,549	171,645	'	'
Goodwill	422,737	407,907	'	'
Other intangibles, net	223,316	222,187	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	222,605	96,333	'	'
Intercompany receivable	455,699	360,620	'	'
Other long-term assets	15,756	8,276	'	'
Total assets	1,946,660	1,695,433	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	103,396	101,218	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	32,202	27,249	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	-2,338	5,879	'	'
Other current liabilities	33,615	31,001	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	'	29,614	'	'
Total current liabilities	166,875	194,961	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	52,990	51,507	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	4,698	4,431	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	12,824	13,791	'	'
Intercompany payable	425,527	367,636	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	1,283,746	1,063,107	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,946,660	1,695,433	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Inventories, net	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	0	0	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	'	0	'	'
Total current assets	0	0	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-3,187,382	-2,384,646	'	'
Intercompany receivable	-1,139,549	-841,253	'	'
Other long-term assets	0	0	'	'
Total assets	-4,326,931	-3,225,899	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	0	0	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	0	0	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	0	0	'	'
Other current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	'	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	'	'
Intercompany payable	-1,139,549	-841,253	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	-3,187,382	-2,384,646	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	($4,326,931)	($3,225,899)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem1

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$36,883	$40,323
Investing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,008	1,177
Proceeds (loss) on sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	243,386	'
Intercompany investment	0	'
Capital expenditures	-22,226	-11,726
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-83
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	223,168	-10,632
Financing Activities	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	-125,000	0
Principal repayments on term loan	0	-2,500
Intercompany loan activity	'	0
Changes in receivables and payables to subsidiaries	0	'
Intercompany capital contributions	0	'
Purchase of treasury shares	-109,095	-8,821
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	25,803	10,772
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	-753	-1,350
Cash dividend	-2,919	-2,911
Net cash used in financing activities	-211,964	-4,810
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,944	-2,242
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	51,031	22,639
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	103,986	68,184
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	155,017	90,823
Parent	'	'
Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-223	5,606
Investing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1	562
Proceeds (loss) on sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	-4,134	'
Intercompany investment	0	'
Capital expenditures	-2,424	-668
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-6,557	-106
Financing Activities	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	-125,000	'
Principal repayments on term loan	'	-2,500
Intercompany loan activity	'	-7,370
Changes in receivables and payables to subsidiaries	213,449	'
Intercompany capital contributions	0	'
Purchase of treasury shares	-109,095	-8,821
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	25,803	10,772
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	0	-1,350
Cash dividend	-2,919	-2,911
Net cash used in financing activities	2,238	-12,180
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-4,542	-6,680
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	16,122	12,401
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	11,580	5,721
Guarantors	'	'
Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	8,331	8,913
Investing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	74	74
Proceeds (loss) on sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	214,268	'
Intercompany investment	-99,963	'
Capital expenditures	-2,379	-2,014
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	112,000	-1,940
Financing Activities	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	0	'
Principal repayments on term loan	'	0
Intercompany loan activity	'	-7,064
Changes in receivables and payables to subsidiaries	-120,305	'
Intercompany capital contributions	0	'
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	0	0
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	0	0
Cash dividend	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-120,305	-7,064
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	26	-91
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	0	91
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	26	0
Non-Guarantors	'	'
Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	43,491	25,804
Investing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,933	541
Proceeds (loss) on sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	33,252	'
Intercompany investment	0	'
Capital expenditures	-17,423	-9,044
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	-83
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	17,762	-8,586
Financing Activities	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	0	'
Principal repayments on term loan	'	0
Intercompany loan activity	'	14,434
Changes in receivables and payables to subsidiaries	-93,144	'
Intercompany capital contributions	99,963	'
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	0	0
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	-753	0
Cash dividend	-14,716	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-8,650	14,434
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,944	-2,242
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	55,547	29,410
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	87,864	55,692
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	143,411	85,102
Eliminations	'	'
Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-14,716	0
Investing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	0
Proceeds (loss) on sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	0	'
Intercompany investment	99,963	'
Capital expenditures	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	99,963	0
Financing Activities	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	0	'
Principal repayments on term loan	'	0
Intercompany loan activity	'	0
Changes in receivables and payables to subsidiaries	0	'
Intercompany capital contributions	-99,963	'
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	0	0
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	0	0
Cash dividend	14,716	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-85,247	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	$0	$0