Enerpac Tool (EPAC) 10-K 27 Oct 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Aug-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
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 Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	64,969,276	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$2,468

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$354,349	$378,187	$327,770	$339,556	$327,260	$344,205	$300,468	$307,809	$1,399,862	$1,279,742	$1,276,521
Cost of products sold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	852,990	772,792	765,061
Gross profit	142,095	148,550	124,447	131,780	129,500	136,904	116,178	124,368	546,872	506,950	511,460
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	332,093	293,866	284,920
Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-13,495	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,166	22,939	22,026
Financing costs, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,045	24,837	29,561
Debt refinancing costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	16,830
Other expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,037	2,359	3,493
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	203,108	190,145	204,514
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	174,026	162,949	154,630
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	32,573	15,372	29,354
Earnings from continuing operations	35,587	50,557	22,304	33,005	45,115	46,077	25,834	30,551	141,453	147,577	125,276
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0	19,088	3,032	13,138	-139,060	2,601	5,792	22,120	-117,529	-37,986
Net earnings	$35,587	$50,557	$41,392	$36,037	$58,253	($92,983)	$28,435	$36,343	$163,573	$30,048	$87,290
Earnings from continuing operations per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.52	$0.72	$0.31	$0.45	$0.62	$0.63	$0.35	$0.42	$1.99	$2.02	$1.79
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.51	$0.70	$0.30	$0.44	$0.60	$0.62	$0.35	$0.41	$1.95	$1.98	$1.68
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.52	$0.72	$0.57	$0.49	$0.80	($1.27)	$0.39	$0.50	$2.31	$0.41	$1.25
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.51	$0.70	$0.56	$0.48	$0.78	($1.24)	$0.38	$0.49	$2.26	$0.40	$1.17
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	70,942	72,979	70,099
Diluted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	72,486	74,580	74,940

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net earnings	$163,573	$30,048	$87,290
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,344	-2,918	-48,571
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	-3,159	3,927	-6,175
Cash flow hedges	67	-197	2,953
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	252	812	-51,793
Total comprehensive income	$163,825	$30,860	$35,497

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$109,012	$103,986
Accounts receivable, net	227,008	219,075
Inventories, net	162,620	142,549
Deferred income taxes	11,050	18,796
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	33,300	28,228
Assets of discontinued operations	0	272,606
Total current assets	542,990	785,240
Property, plant and equipment	'	'
Land, buildings, and improvements	52,989	52,669
Machinery and equipment	281,763	305,200
Gross property, plant and equipment	334,752	357,869
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-165,651	-156,373
Property, plant and equipment, net	169,101	201,496
Goodwill	742,770	734,952
Other intangibles, net	365,177	376,692
Other long-term assets	36,841	20,952
Total assets	1,856,879	2,119,332
Current liabilities	'	'
Trade accounts payable	145,798	154,049
Accrued compensation and benefits	52,964	43,800
Current maturities of debt	4,500	0
Income taxes payable	38,347	14,014
Other current liabilities	57,512	56,899
Liabilities of discontinued operations	0	53,080
Total current liabilities	299,121	321,842
Long-term debt	385,500	515,000
Deferred income taxes	96,970	115,865
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	15,699	20,698
Other long-term liabilities	57,878	65,660
Total liabilities	855,168	1,039,065
Shareholders’ equity	'	'
Class A common stock, $0.20 par value per share, authorized 168,000,000 shares, issued 78,480,780 and 77,001,144 shares, respectively	15,695	15,399
Additional paid-in capital	93,449	49,758
Treasury stock, at cost, 12,195,359 shares and 3,983,513 shares, respectively	-388,627	-104,915
Retained earnings	1,349,602	1,188,685
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-68,408	-68,660
Stock held in trust	-4,083	-3,124
Deferred compensation liability	4,083	3,124
Total shareholders’ equity	1,001,711	1,080,267
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$1,856,879	$2,119,332

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Treasury stock, shares	12,195,359	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	78,480,780	77,001,144

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net earnings	$163,573	$30,048	$87,290
Non-cash items:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	60,635	53,902	54,263
Net gain on disposal of businesses	-29,152	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	17,115	13,440	13,346
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	40	-44,265	-10,524
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	1,829	1,940	1,990
Impairment charges	0	158,817	62,464
Non-cash debt refinancing costs	0	0	2,254
Other non-cash adjustments	-168	328	0
Changes in components of working capital and other:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,336	-10,925	-12,310
Inventories	-21,915	13,714	11,532
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,276	-4,603	-2,164
Trade accounts payable	-19,832	-9,279	5,902
Income taxes payable	-46,133	594	-17,903
Accrued compensation and benefits	11,779	-14,256	-6,292
Other accrued liabilities	-18,149	4,334	-7,519
Cash provided by operating activities	125,234	193,789	182,329
Investing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	44,274	1,621	8,501
Proceeds from sale of businesses	289,590	4,854	0
Capital expenditures	-41,857	-23,668	-22,740
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-30,500	-235,489	-69,309
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	261,507	-252,682	-83,548
Financing activities	'	'	'
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver	-125,000	125,000	-58,167
Principal repayments on term loans	0	-7,500	-2,500
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	0	0	-102
Proceeds from issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes	0	0	300,000
Redemption of 6.875% Senior Notes	0	0	-250,000
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	-1,585	-5,378	-958
Debt issuance costs	0	-2,035	-5,490
Purchase of treasury shares	-283,712	-41,832	-63,083
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	32,224	33,261	10,913
Cash dividend	-2,919	-2,911	-2,748
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-380,992	98,605	-72,135
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-723	-3,910	-2,683
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,026	35,802	23,963
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	103,986	68,184	44,221
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$109,012	$103,986	$68,184

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2003	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Apr. 16, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Apr. 16, 2012
	Convertible Notes	Convertible Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes
	2% Converitble Notes	2% Converitble Notes	5.625% Senior Notes	5.625% Senior Notes	5.625% Senior Notes	5.625% Senior Notes	6.875% Senior Notes	6.875% Senior Notes
Debt instrument, interest rate	2.00%	2.00%	5.63%	5.63%	5.63%	5.63%	6.88%	6.88%

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Stock Held in Trust	Deferred Compensation Liability
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2011	$919,013	$13,731	($154,231)	$0	$1,077,192	($17,679)	($2,137)	$2,137
Shares, Issued at Aug. 31, 2011	'	68,657,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	87,290	'	'	'	87,290	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	-51,793	'	'	'	'	-51,793	'	'
Company stock contribution to employee benefit plans and other (in shares)	'	277,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Company stock contribution to employee benefit plans and other	5,585	55	5,530	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of 2% Convertible Notes (in shares)	'	5,962,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of 2% Convertible Notes	134,949	1,192	133,757	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards (in shares)	'	17,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards	0	3	-3	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividend ($0.04 per share)	-2,918	'	'	'	-2,918	'	'	'
Treasury stock repurchases	-63,083	'	'	-63,083	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	13,346	'	13,346	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises (in shares)	'	580,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises	6,550	116	6,434	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises	2,349	'	2,349	'	'	'	'	'
Stock issued to, acquired for and distributed from rabbi trust	548	5	543	'	'	'	-552	552
Stock issued to, acquired for and distributed from rabbi trust (in shares)	'	26,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	1,051,836	15,102	7,725	-63,083	1,161,564	-69,472	-2,689	2,689
Shares, Issued at Aug. 31, 2012	'	75,519,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	30,048	'	'	'	30,048	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	812	'	'	'	'	812	'	'
Company stock contribution to employee benefit plans and other (in shares)	'	21,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Company stock contribution to employee benefit plans and other	597	5	592	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards (in shares)	'	169,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards	0	34	-34	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividend ($0.04 per share)	-2,927	'	'	'	-2,927	'	'	'
Treasury stock repurchases	-41,832	'	'	-41,832	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	13,440	'	13,440	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises (in shares)	'	1,276,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises	24,840	255	24,585	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises	2,954	'	2,954	'	'	'	'	'
Stock issued to, acquired for and distributed from rabbi trust	499	3	496	'	'	'	-435	435
Stock issued to, acquired for and distributed from rabbi trust (in shares)	'	16,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2013	1,080,267	15,399	49,758	-104,915	1,188,685	-68,660	-3,124	3,124
Shares, Issued at Aug. 31, 2013	'	77,001,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	163,573	'	'	'	163,573	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	252	'	'	'	'	252	'	'
Company stock contribution to employee benefit plans and other (in shares)	'	16,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Company stock contribution to employee benefit plans and other	553	3	550	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards (in shares)	'	389,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards	0	78	-78	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividend ($0.04 per share)	-2,656	'	'	'	-2,656	'	'	'
Treasury stock repurchases	-283,712	'	'	-283,712	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	17,115	'	17,115	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises (in shares)	1,076,370	1,065,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises	21,995	213	21,782	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises	3,937	'	3,937	'	'	'	'	'
Stock issued to, acquired for and distributed from rabbi trust	387	2	385	'	'	'	-959	959
Stock issued to, acquired for and distributed from rabbi trust (in shares)	'	10,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2014	$1,001,711	$15,695	$93,449	($388,627)	$1,349,602	($68,408)	($4,083)	$4,083
Shares, Issued at Aug. 31, 2014	'	78,481,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Cash dividend, per share	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Nature of Operations:    Actuant Corporation (“Actuant” or the “Company”) is a global manufacturer of a broad range of industrial products and systems, organized into three reportable segments. 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 other 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.
	Consolidation and Presentation:    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Actuant consolidates companies in which it owns or controls more than fifty percent of the voting shares. The results of companies acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of acquisition or until the date of divestiture. All intercompany balances, transactions and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
	Cash Equivalents:    The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
	Inventories:    Inventories are comprised of material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead, and are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for a portion of the U.S. owned inventory (approximately 21% of total inventories in both 2014 and 2013). The first-in, first-out or average cost methods are used for all other inventories. If the LIFO method were not used, inventory balances would be higher than the amounts in the consolidated balance sheets by $5.7 million and $5.8 million at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The nature of the Company’s products is such that they generally have a very short production cycle. Consequently, the amount of work-in-process at any point in time is minimal. In addition, many parts or components are ultimately either sold individually or assembled with other parts making a distinction between raw materials and finished goods impractical to determine. Other locations maintain and manage their inventories using a job cost system where the distinction of categories of inventory by state of completion is also not available. As a result of these factors, it is neither practical nor cost effective to segregate the amounts of raw materials, work-in-process or finished goods inventories at the respective balance sheet dates, as segregation would only be possible as the result of physical inventories which are taken at dates different from the balance sheet dates.
	Property, Plant and Equipment:    Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from ten to forty years for buildings and improvements and two to fifteen years for machinery and equipment. Equipment includes assets (marine mooring equipment and joint integrity tools) which are rented to customers and asset owners in the Energy segment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the related asset or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Other intangible assets with definite lives, consisting primarily of purchased customer relationships, patents, trademarks and non-compete agreements, are amortized over periods from two to twenty-five years. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization, but are subject to annual impairment testing.
	The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment annually, at August 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company performs impairment reviews for its reporting units using a fair value method based on management’s judgments and assumptions. In estimating the fair value, the Company utilizes a discounted cash flow model, which is dependent on a number of assumptions including estimated future revenues and expenses, weighted average cost of capital, capital expenditures and other variables. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the goodwill is potentially impaired and the Company then determines the implied fair value of goodwill, which is compared to the carrying value to determine if impairment exists. Indefinite lived intangible assets are also subject to an annual impairment test. On an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, the fair value of the indefinite lived intangible assets are evaluated by the Company to determine if an impairment charge is required. A considerable amount of management judgment and assumptions are required in performing the impairment tests, principally in determining the fair value of each reporting unit and the indefinite lived intangible assets. While management believes the judgments and assumptions were reasonable; different assumptions or adverse market developments could change the estimated fair values, and therefore, impairment charges could be required.
	Product Warranty Costs:    The Company generally offers its customers a warranty on products sold, although warranty periods may 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 reconciliation of the changes in product warranty reserves for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	7,413		$	12,869
	Warranty reserves of acquired businesses	44			981
	Product line divestiture	(699		)	—
	Provision for warranties	2,769			7,907
	Warranty payments and costs incurred	(5,477		)	(11,616		)
	Discontinued operations reclassification	—			(3,107		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	6			379
	Ending balance	$	4,056		$	7,413
	Revenue Recognition:    The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured. For product sales, delivery does not occur until the passage of title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer (generally when products are shipped). Revenue from services and rental contracts are recognized when the services are provided or ratably over the contract term. Customer sales are recorded net of allowances for returns and discounts, which are recognized as a deduction from sales at the time of sale. The Company commits to one-time or on-going trade discounts and promotions with customers that require the Company to estimate and accrue the ultimate costs of such programs. The Company maintains an accrual at the end of each period for the earned, but unpaid costs related to the programs. The Company generally does not require collateral or other security for receivables and provides for an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience and a review of its existing receivables. Accounts Receivable are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $6.0 million and $3.7 million at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Shipping and Handling Costs:    The Company records costs associated with shipping its products in cost of products sold.
	Research and Development Costs:    Research and development costs consist primarily of an allocation of overall engineering and development resources and are expensed as incurred. Such costs incurred in the development of new products or significant improvements to existing products were $20.0 million, $21.0 million and $17.1 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company also incurs significant costs in connection with fulfilling custom orders and developing solutions for unique customer needs which are not included in these research and development expense totals.
	Other Income/Expense:    Other income and expense primarily consists of foreign exchange transaction losses of $4.2 million, $2.7 million and $3.9 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Financing Costs:    Financing costs represent interest expense, financing fees and amortization of debt issuance costs, net of interest income.
	Income Taxes:    The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, local and non-U.S. taxes on income. Tax credits,
	primarily for non-U.S. earnings, are recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes in the year in which they are
	available for U.S. tax purposes. Deferred taxes are provided on temporary differences between assets and liabilities for financial
	and tax reporting purposes as measured by enacted tax rates expected to apply when temporary differences are settled or
	realized. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of those benefits is considered to be more likely than
	not. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets for which realization is not more likely than not of being
	realized. The Company has not provided for any residual U.S. income taxes on unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries as
	such earnings are intended to be indefinitely reinvested. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized
	tax benefits in income tax expense.
	Foreign Currency Translation:    The financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and an appropriate weighted average exchange rate for each applicable period for revenues and expenses. Translation adjustments are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of shareholders' equity caption “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.”
	Use of Estimates:    The Company has recorded reserves, assets write downs or allowances for customer rebates, returns and discounts, doubtful accounts, inventory, incurred but not reported medical claims, environmental matters, warranty claims, workers compensation claims, product and non-product litigation and incentive compensation. These reserves require the use of estimates and judgment. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company believes that such estimates are made with consistent and appropriate assumptions. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
	New Accounting Pronouncements: In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which includes amendments that change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under ASU 2014-09, an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. It also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	The Company completed several business acquisitions during the last three years. All of the acquisitions resulted in the recognition of goodwill in the Company’s consolidated financial statements because the purchase prices reflect the future earnings and cash flow potential of these companies, as well as the complementary strategic fit and resulting synergies these businesses bring to existing operations. The Company incurred acquisition transaction costs of $0.5 million, $3.7 million and $1.4 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to various business acquisition activities.
	The Company makes an initial allocation of the purchase price, at the date of 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), through asset appraisals and learning more about the newly acquired business, the Company will refine its estimates of fair value and adjust the purchase price allocation. During fiscal 2014, goodwill related to prior year acquisitions decreased by $0.8 million, the net result of purchase accounting adjustments to the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities.
	Fiscal 2014
	The Company acquired Hayes Industries Ltd. ("Hayes") on May 23, 2014 for $30.5 million plus up to $4.0 million of potential contingent consideration (based on operating results). This Industrial segment acquisition is headquartered in Sugarland, Texas and maintains a leading position in the concrete tensioning market. Its products include patented encapsulated anchor systems, wedges and customized extruded cables. The preliminary purchase price allocation resulted in the recognition of $17.5 million of goodwill (which is deductible for tax purposes) and $10.6 million of intangible assets, including $5.0 million of patents, $3.3 million of customer relationships, $2.0 million of tradenames and $0.3 million for non-compete agreements.
	Fiscal 2013
	The Company acquired Viking SeaTech (“Viking”) for $235.5 million on August 27, 2013. Viking expands the Energy segment's geographic presence, technologies and services provided to the global energy market. Headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, Viking is a support specialist providing a comprehensive range of marine mooring equipment and services to the offshore oil & gas industry. 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 and other marine services to offshore operators, drillers and energy asset owners. The purchase price allocation for this acquisition resulted in the recognition of $86.9 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.
	Fiscal 2012
	During fiscal 2012, the Company completed two maximatecc tuck-in acquisitions to expand the geographic presence, product offerings and technologies of the Engineered Solutions segment. On July 20, 2012 the Company completed the acquisition of the stock of CrossControl AB (“CrossControl”) for $40.6 million of cash. CrossControl, headquartered in Sweden, provides advanced electronic solutions for human-machine interaction, vehicle control and mobile connectivity in critical environments. On March 28, 2012 the Company acquired the stock of Turotest Medidores Ltda (“Turotest”) for $8.1 million of cash and $5.3 million of deferred purchase price. Turotest, headquartered in Brazil, designs and manufactures instrument panels and gauges serving the Brazilian agriculture and industrial markets.
	In addition, on February 10, 2012 the Company completed the acquisition of the stock of Jeyco Pty Ltd (“Jeyco”) for $20.7 million of cash. This Cortland (Energy segment) tuck-in acquisition, designs and provides specialized mooring, rigging and towing systems and services to the offshore oil & gas industry in Australia and other international markets. Additionally, Jeyco’s products are used in a variety of applications for other markets including cyclone mooring and marine, defense and mining tow systems.
	The combined purchase price allocation for all three fiscal 2012 acquisitions resulted in the recognition of $40.1 million of goodwill (which is not deductible for tax purposes) and $32.8 million of intangible assets, including $24.2 million of customer relationships, $5.7 million of tradenames, $2.2 million of technologies and $0.7 million of non-compete agreements.
	The following unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company give effect to all acquisitions completed in the last three years as though the transactions and related financing activities had occurred on September 1, 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts).
			Year Ended August 31,
			2014		2013		2012
		Net sales
		As reported	$	1,399,862	$	1,279,742	$	1,276,521
		Pro forma	1,419,915		1,390,251		1,439,493
		Earnings from continuing operations
		As reported	$	141,453	$	147,577	$	125,276
		Pro forma	142,589		154,371		134,430
		Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
		As reported	$	1.99	$	2.02	$	1.79
		Pro forma	2.01		2.12		1.92
		Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
		As reported	$	1.95	$	1.98	$	1.68
		Pro forma	1.97		2.07		1.8

Discontinued_Operations_and_Di

Discontinued Operations and Divestitures	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations and Divestitures
	On June 13, 2014, the Company completed the divestiture of its Recreational Vehicle ("RV") business for $36.5 million in cash. This product line divestiture resulted in a $13.5 million pre-tax gain on sale ($2.8 million net of tax). The results of the RV business (which had sales of $22 million in fiscal 2014) are not material to the consolidated financial results and are included in continuing operations.
	The former Electrical segment designed, manufactured and distributed a broad range of electrical products to the retail DIY, wholesale, OEM, solar, utility and marine markets. On December 13, 2013, the Company completed the sale of the Electrical segment for net cash proceeds of $252.4 million, which resulted in a pre-tax gain on disposal of $34.5 million ($26.3 million net of tax). The following table summarizes the results of the Electrical segment which is reported as a discontinued operation for each of the last three fiscal years (in thousands):
		Year Ended August 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net sales	$	72,139		$	286,308		$	328,821
	Operating profit (loss) (1)	(4,873		)	34,536			28,148
	Impairment charge	—			(159,104		)	(62,464		)
	Gain on disposal	34,459			—			—
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(7,466		)	7,039			(3,670		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	22,120		$	(117,529	)	$	(37,986	)
	(1) The operating loss in fiscal 2014 includes the operating results of the Electrical segment through the sale date of December 13, 2013, certain divestiture costs and a $3.1 million non-cash charge for the accelerated vesting of equity compensation.
	During fiscal 2013, the Company committed to a plan to divest the former Electrical segment due to its decision to focus on businesses that are tied to targeted energy, infrastructure, food/farm productivity and natural resources/sustainability secular demand. As a result, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge in fiscal 2013 of $159.1 million, including a write-down of $137.8 million of goodwill and $21.3 million of indefinite lived intangible assets (tradenames). The impairment charge represented the excess of the net book value of the assets held for sale over the estimated fair value, less selling costs.
	During fiscal 2012, the Company recognized a $62.5 million non-cash impairment charge related to the goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets of the Electrical segment's Mastervolt business. The impairment charge consisted of the write-down of $36.6 million of goodwill and $25.9 million of indefinite lived intangible assets (tradenames).

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill is not subject to amortization and is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Impairment tests are performed by the Company annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended August 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Industrial				Energy				Electrical				Engineered				Total
														Solutions
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	$	81,404			$	259,521			$	213,870			$	311,617			$	866,412
	Business acquired (Viking)	—				87,734				—				—				87,734
	Purchase accounting adjustments	—				117				—				(100		)		17
	Impairment charge	—				—				(137,804		)		—				(137,804		)
	Reclassification of discontinued operations	—				—				(76,877		)		—				(76,877		)
	Divestiture of Nielsen Sessions business	—				—				—				(2,556		)		(2,556		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	1,207				(5,469		)		811				1,477				(1,974		)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	82,611				341,903				—				310,438				734,952
	Business acquired (Hayes)	17,536				—				—				—				17,536
	Purchase accounting adjustments	—				(835		)		—				—				(835		)
	Divestiture of RV business	—				—				—				(17,843		)		(17,843		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	119				9,559				—				(718		)		8,960
	Balance as of August 31, 2014	$	100,266			$	350,627			$	—			$	291,877			$	742,770
	The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
		Weighted		31-Aug-14												31-Aug-13
		Average
		Amortization
		Period (Years)		Gross				Accumulated				Net Book				Gross				Accumulated		Net Book
				Carrying				Amortization				Value				Carrying				Amortization		Value
				Amount												Amount
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	15		$	325,164			$	117,706			$	207,458			$	318,143			$	95,215	$	222,928
	Patents	10		31,678				17,494				14,184				30,564				18,747		11,817
	Trademarks and tradenames	17		23,241				6,201				17,040				24,088				7,356		16,732
	Non-compete agreements and other	4		7,373				6,783				590				7,034				6,458		576
	Indefinite lived intangible assets:
	Tradenames	N/A		125,905				—				125,905				124,639				—		124,639
				$	513,361			$	148,184			$	365,177			$	504,468			$	127,776	$	376,692
	Changes in the gross carrying value of intangible assets result from foreign currency exchange rate changes, business acquisitions, divestitures and impairment charges. Amortization expense for future years is estimated to be: $25.6 million in each of fiscal years 2015 and 2016, $24.9 million in fiscal 2017, $24.1 million in fiscal 2018, $23.9 million in fiscal 2019 and $115.2 million in aggregate thereafter. The future amortization expense amounts represent estimates, which may change based on future acquisitions, foreign currency exchange rates and other factors.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	The following is a summary of the Company’s long-term indebtedness (in thousands):
			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	(4,500		)	—
		Total long-term debt, less current maturities	$	385,500		$	515,000
	The Company’s Senior Credit Facility, which matures on July 18, 2018, provides a $600.0 million revolving credit facility, a $90.0 million term loan and a $350.0 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, 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. As of August 31, 2014, the borrowing spread on LIBOR based borrowings was 1.25% (aggregating to approximately 1.44%). 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. As of August 31, 2014, the available and unused credit line under the revolver was $593.2 million. Quarterly term loan principal payments of $1.1 million begin on September 30, 2014, increase to $2.3 million per quarter 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 its financial covenants at August 31, 2014.
	On April 16, 2012, the Company issued $300.0 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. The Senior Notes include a call feature that allows the Company to repurchase them anytime on or after June 15, 2017 at stated redemption prices (ranging from 100.0% to 102.8%), plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company utilized the net proceeds from this issuance to fund the repurchase of all its then-outstanding $250 million 6.875% Senior Notes due 2017 at a cost of 104%, or $260.4 million.
	In November 2003, the Company issued $150.0 million of Senior Subordinated Convertible Debentures due November 15, 2023 (the “2% Convertible Notes”). In March 2012, the Company called all of the remaining $117.6 million of 2% Convertible Notes outstanding for cash at par. As a result of the call notice, substantially all of the holders of the 2% Convertible Notes converted them into newly issued shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (resulting in the issuance of 5,951,440 shares of common stock), while the remaining $0.1 million of 2% Convertible Notes were repurchased for cash. As a result of the 2% Convertible Notes being redeemed for the Company’s common stock, $15.6 million of the related prior income tax benefit was recaptured and repaid in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.
	In fiscal 2011, the Company entered into interest rate swap contracts that had a total notional value of $100.0 million and maturity dates of March 23, 2016. The interest rate swap contracts paid the Company variable interest at the three month LIBOR rate, while the Company paid the counterparties a fixed interest rate of approximately 2.06%. These interest rate swap contracts were entered into to synthetically convert $100.0 million of the Senior Credit Facility variable rate borrowings into fixed rate debt. The Company terminated the interest rate swap contracts on April 3, 2012, which resulted in a cash payment to the counterparty of $4.1 million, in full settlement of the fair value of the contracts.
	In connection with the debt refinancing activities, during the year ended August 31, 2012, the Company recognized a $16.8 million pre-tax debt refinancing charge, which included $10.4 million of tender premium paid to holders of the 6.875% Senior Notes, a $2.3 million write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount and a $4.1 million charge related to the termination of the interest rate swap agreements. The related tax benefit on the debt refinancing charge was $6.3 million.
	The Company made cash interest payments of $21.0 million, $21.0 million and $26.0 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	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 and liabilities, measured at fair value, are included in the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
			August 31,
			2014			2013
		Level 1 Valuation:
		Cash equivalents	$	1,207		$	1,092
		Investments	2,118			1,793
		Level 2 Valuation:
		Foreign currency forward contracts	$	(966	)	$	143
	At August 31, 2013, the assets and liabilities of the Electrical segment are classified as discontinued operations and therefore are valued at fair value, less cost to sell. In determining the fair value of the Electrical segment the Company utilized generally accepted valuation techniques, which required the Company to make assumptions and apply judgment to estimate macro economic factors, industry and market trends and the future profitability of current business strategies. These represent Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
	The fair value of the Company’s cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and its variable rate long-term debt approximated book value at August 31, 2014 and 2013 due to their short-term nature and the fact that the interest rates approximated year-end market rates. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding $300.0 million of 5.625% Senior Notes was $315.8 million and $300.8 million at August 31, 2014 and 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	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 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 the Company enters into a derivative contract, it 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 a liability of $1.0 million at August 31, 2014 and an asset of $0.1 million at 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 and other cash flows that are denominated in non-functional currencies (cash flow hedges). The U.S. dollar equivalent notional value of these foreign currency forward contracts was $1.0 million and $9.7 million, at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	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 $219.9 million and $383.6 million, at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net foreign currency losses related to these derivative instruments were $13.6 million for the year ended August 31, 2014 while the prior year included a gain of $0.8 million, which offset foreign currency gains/losses from the related revaluation on non-functional currency assets and liabilities (included in other income/expense in the consolidated statement of earnings).

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	Leases
	The Company leases certain facilities, computers, equipment and vehicles under various lease agreements generally over periods of one to twenty years. Under most arrangements, the Company pays the property taxes, insurance, maintenance and expenses related to the leased property. Many of the leases include provisions that enable the Company to renew the lease based upon fair value rental rates on the date of expiration of the initial lease.
	As of August 31, 2014, future obligations under non-cancelable operating leases (related to continuing operations) were as follows: $32.1 million in fiscal 2015; $28.7 million in fiscal 2016; $25.5 million in fiscal 2017; $21.3 million in fiscal 2018; $18.0 million in fiscal 2019; and $45.3 million in aggregate thereafter. Total related rental expense under operating leases was $31.6 million, $26.0 million and $24.2 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In fiscal 2014, the Company completed the sale leaseback (seven year term) of certain rental assets of the Viking business for proceeds of $41 million.
	As discussed in Note 14, “Contingencies and Litigation” the Company remains contingently liable for lease payments under leases of businesses that it previously divested or spun off.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Employee Benefit Plans
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans
	The Company has several defined benefit pension plans which cover certain existing and former employees of domestic businesses it acquired, that were entitled to those benefits prior to acquisition, or existing and former employees of foreign businesses. Most of the U.S. defined benefit pension plans are frozen, and as a result, the majority of the plan participants no longer earn additional benefits. The following table provides detail of changes in the projected benefit obligations, the fair value of plan assets and the funded status of the Company’s U.S. defined benefit pension plans as of the August 31 measurement date (in thousands):
			2014				2013
	Reconciliation of benefit obligations:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	45,046			$	50,870
	Adjustment		—				(280		)
	Interest cost		2,146				1,928
	Actuarial (gain) loss		3,769				(4,983		)
	Benefits paid		(3,416		)		(2,489		)
	Benefit obligation at end of year		$	47,545			$	45,046
	Reconciliation of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	34,054			$	33,695
	Actual return on plan assets		5,180				2,252
	Company contributions		8,824				596
	Benefits paid from plan assets		(3,416		)		(2,489		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		44,642				34,054
	Funded status of the plans (underfunded)		$	(2,903	)		$	(10,992	)
	The following table provides detail on the Company’s net periodic benefit costs (in thousands):
			Year ended August 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Interest cost		$	2,146			$	1,928			$	2,162
	Expected return on assets		(2,959		)		(2,468		)		(2,471		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss		667				878				675
	Net benefit cost (income)		$	(146	)		$	338			$	366
	At August 31, 2014 and 2013, $12.6 million and $12.0 million, respectively, of pension plan actuarial losses, which have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost, were included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes. During fiscal 2015, $0.5 million of these actuarial losses are expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost.
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine U.S. pension plan obligations as of August 31 and weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended August 31 are as follows:
				2014			2013			2012
		Assumptions for benefit obligations:
		Discount rate		4.15	%		4.9	%		3.9	%
		Assumptions for net periodic benefit cost:
		Discount rate		4.9	%		3.9	%		5	%
		Expected return on plan assets		7.65	%		7.75	%		7.9	%
	The Company employs a total return on investment approach for its pension plan assets whereby a mix of equity and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return for plan assets, at a prudent level of risk. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments. Within the equity allocation, a blend of growth and value investments are maintained in a variety of market capitalizations and diversified between U.S. and non-U.S. stocks. The Company’s targeted asset allocation as a percentage of total plan assets is 60% - 80% in equity securities, with the remainder invested in fixed income securities and cash. Cash balances are maintained at levels adequate to meet near-term plan expenses and benefit payments. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis. At August 31, 2014, Company’s overall expected long-term rate of return for assets in U.S. pension plans was 7.50%. The expected long-term rate of return is based on the portfolio as a whole and not on the sum of the returns on individual asset categories. The target return is based on historical returns adjusted to reflect the current view of the long-term investment market.
	The fair value of all U.S. pension plan assets are determined based on quoted market prices and therefore all plan assets are determined based on Level 1 inputs, except for fixed income securities which are valued based on Level 2 inputs, as defined in Note 6, “Fair Value Measurements.” The U.S. pension plan investment allocations by asset category were as follows (in thousands):
			Year Ended August 31,
			2014				%			2013				%
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	—			—	%		$	348			1	%
	Fixed income securities:
	Corporate bonds		9,749				21.8			8,741				25.7
	Mutual funds		4,474				10			3,464				10.2
			14,223				31.8			12,205				35.9
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		30,419				68.2			21,501				63.1
	Total plan assets		$	44,642			100	%		$	34,054			100	%
	Projected benefit payments from plan assets to participants in the Company’s U.S. pension plans are approximately $2.7 million per year for fiscal 2015 through 2019 and $15.0 million in aggregate for the following five years.
	Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
	The Company has several non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans which cover certain existing and former employees of businesses outside the U.S. Most of the non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans continue to earn additional benefits. The funded status of these plans is summarized as follows (in thousands):
				August 31,
				2014				2013
		Benefit obligation		$	18,599			$	12,912
		Fair value of plan assets		10,312				7,790
		Funded status of plans (underfunded)		$	(8,287	)		$	(5,122	)
	Net periodic benefit cost for these non-U.S. plans was $1.3 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The weighted average discount rate utilized for determining the benefit obligation at August 31, 2014 and 2013 was 3.2% and 4.3%, respectively. The plan assets of these non-U.S. pension plans consist primarily of participating units in fixed income securities and insurance contracts. The Company’s overall expected long-term rate of return on these investments is 4.6%. During fiscal 2015, the Company anticipates contributing $0.9 million in aggregate to these pension plans.
	Other Postretirement Health Benefit Plans
	The Company provides other postretirement health benefits (“OPEB”) to certain existing and former employees of domestic businesses it acquired, who were entitled to such benefits prior to acquisition. These unfunded plans had a benefit obligation of $3.1 million and $2.9 million at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These obligations are determined utilizing assumptions consistent with those used for U.S. pension plans and a health care cost trend rate of 8.0%, trending downward to 5.0% by the year 2022, and remaining level thereafter. Net periodic benefit costs for the other postretirement benefits was a benefit of approximately $0.2 million for each of the years ended August 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Benefit payments from the plan are funded through participant contributions and Company contributions, which are projected to be $0.3 million in fiscal 2015.
	Defined Contribution Benefit Plans
	The Company maintains a 401(k) Plan for substantially all full time U.S. employees (the “401(k) Plan”). Under plan provisions, the Company either funds cash or issues new shares of Class A common stock for its contributions. Amounts are allocated to accounts set aside for each employee’s retirement. Employees generally may contribute up to 50% of their compensation to individual accounts within the 401(k) Plan. While contributions vary, the Company generally makes core contributions to employee accounts equal to 3% of each employee’s eligible annual cash compensation, subject to IRS limitations. The Company also maintains a Restoration Plan that allows eligible highly compensated employees (as defined by the Internal Revenue Code) to receive a core contribution as if no IRS limits were in place. Company contributions to the Restoration Plan are made in the form of Actuant common stock and are contributed into each eligible participant’s Deferred Compensation Plan account. In addition, the Company matches approximately 25% of each employee’s contribution up to 6% of the employee’s eligible compensation. Expense recognized related to the 401(k) plan totaled approximately $4.5 million, $4.5 million and $5.1 million for the years ended August 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	In addition to the 401(k) Plan the Company sponsors a nonqualified supplemental executive retirement plan (“the SERP Plan”). The unfunded SERP Plan covers certain executive employees and has a benefit accrual formula based on age and years of service (with Company contributions ranging from 3% to 6% of eligible wages). This unfunded plan had a benefit obligation of $2.0 million and $1.7 million at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Expense recognized in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 for the SERP Plan was $0.4 million, $0.6 million, and $0.7 million respectively.
	Deferred Compensation Plan
	The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan to allow eligible U.S. employees to defer receipt of current cash compensation in order to provide future savings benefits. Eligibility is limited to all employees that earn compensation that exceeds certain pre-defined levels. Participants have the option to invest their deferrals in a fixed income investment, in Company common stock, or a combination of the two. The fixed income portion of the plan is unfunded, and therefore all compensation deferred under the plan is held by the Company and commingled with its general assets. Liabilities of $22.8 million and $23.2 million are included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to reflect the unfunded portion of the deferred compensation liability. The Company recorded expense of $1.7 million, $1.6 million and $1.5 million for the years ended August 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for non-funded interest on participant deferrals in the fixed income investment option. Company common stock contributions to fund the plan are held in a rabbi trust, accounted for in a manner similar to treasury stock and are recorded at cost in “Stock held in trust” within shareholders’ equity with the corresponding deferred compensation liability also recorded within shareholders’ equity. Since no investment diversification is permitted within the trust, changes in fair value of Actuant common stock are not recognized. The shares held in the trust are included in both the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations. The cost of the shares held in the trust was $2.9 million and $1.9 million at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense from continuing operations is summarized as follows (in thousands):
				Year ended August 31,
				2014				2013				2012
		Currently payable:
		Federal		$	23,211			$	24,809			$	22,078
		Foreign		9,059				13,335				10,396
		State		(657		)		902				1,534
				31,613				39,046				34,008
		Deferred:
		Federal		4,224				(13,514		)		(495		)
		Foreign		(4,130		)		(9,942		)		(4,598		)
		State		866				(218		)		439
				960				(23,674		)		(4,654		)
				$	32,573			$	15,372			$	29,354
	Income tax expense from continuing operations recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings differs from the amounts computed by applying the Federal income tax rate to earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense. A reconciliation of income taxes at the Federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate is summarized in the following table:
				Year ended August 31,
				2014			2013			2012
		Federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
		State income taxes, net of Federal effect		0.8			0.9			1.2
		Net effect of foreign tax rates and credits		(10.5	)		(8.8	)		(14.6	)
		NOL utilization and changes in valuation allowance		(4.1	)		(3.1	)		0.1
		Tax contingency reserve		(0.7	)		(5.6	)		(2.2	)
		Change in income tax accounting method, net		(5.6	)		—			—
		Business (RV) divestiture		3			—			—
		Prior period correction (1)		—			(6.5	)		—
		Other items		0.8			(2.5	)		(0.5	)
		Effective income tax rate		18.7	%		9.4	%		19	%
	(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded a $10.6 million adjustment to properly state deferred income tax balances associated with its equity compensation programs. The correction was not material to current or previously issued financial statements.
	Temporary differences and carryforwards that gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities include the following items (in thousands):
				August 31,
				2014				2013
		Deferred income tax assets:
		Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards		$	25,295			$	29,611
		Compensation related liabilities		23,496				20,864
		Postretirement benefits		5,082				7,731
		Inventory		2,775				8,657
		Book reserves and other items		12,214				12,643
		Total deferred income tax assets		68,862				79,506
		Valuation allowance		(12,841		)		(17,268		)
		Net deferred income tax assets		56,021				62,238
		Deferred income tax liabilities:
		Depreciation and amortization		(124,688		)		(151,370		)
		Other items		(5,728		)		(2,077		)
		Deferred income tax liabilities		(130,416		)		(153,447		)
		Net deferred income tax liability		$	(74,395	)		$	(91,209	)
	The Company has $51.6 million of state net operating loss carryforwards, which are available to reduce future state tax liabilities. These state net operating carryforwards expire at various times through 2031. The Company also has $95.4 million of foreign loss carryforwards which are available to reduce certain future foreign tax liabilities. Approximately half of the foreign loss carryforwards are not subject to any time restrictions on their future use and the remaining expire at various times through 2024. The valuation allowance represents a reserve for net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards for which utilization is uncertain.
	Changes in the Company’s gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, are as follows (in thousands):
			2014				2013				2012
	Beginning balance		$	18,006			$	24,608			$	26,179
	Increases based on tax positions related to the current year		21,300				3,601				2,776
	Increase (decrease) for tax positions taken in a prior period		—				(100		)		624
	Decrease due to settlements		—				(2,581		)		(392		)
	Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations		(7,030		)		(7,522		)		(4,579		)
	Ending balance		$	32,276			$	18,006			$	24,608
	Substantially all of these unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate. As of August 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized $2.0 million, $2.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to underpayment of income taxes as a component of income tax expense. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local and foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities in our major tax jurisdictions for years before fiscal 2006. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease up to $0.5 million within the next twelve months.
	The Company’s policy is to remit earnings from foreign subsidiaries only to the extent any resultant foreign income taxes are creditable in the United States. Accordingly, the Company does not currently provide for the additional United States and foreign income taxes which would become payable upon remission of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. Undistributed earnings on which additional income taxes have not been provided amounted to $324.0 million at August 31, 2014. If all such undistributed earnings were remitted, an additional income tax provision of $31.0 million would have been necessary as of August 31, 2014. The percentage of incremental U.S. taxes on unremitted earnings as of August 31, 2014 was 9.4%.
	Earnings before income taxes, for continuing operations, are summarized as follows (in thousands):
				Year Ended August 31,
				2014				2013				2012
		Domestic		$	84,854			$	67,392			$	65,685
		Foreign		89,172				95,557				88,945
				$	174,026			$	162,949			$	154,630
Both domestic and foreign pre-tax earnings are impacted by changes in sales levels, acquisition and divestiture activities (see Note 2, “Acquisitions” and Note 3, “Discontinued Operations and Divestitures”), restructuring costs and the related benefits, growth investments, debt levels, interest rates and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, fiscal 2014 domestic earnings included a $13.5 million gain on the RV divesiture, while fiscal 2012 domestic earnings include a $16.8 million debt refinancing charge.
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds was $57.2 million, $42.1 million and $56.5 million during the years ended August 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Capital Stock	'
	Capital Stock
	The authorized common stock of the Company as of August 31, 2014 consisted of 168,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.20 par value, of which 78,480,780 shares were issued and 66,285,421 outstanding; 1,500,000 shares of Class B common stock, $0.20 par value, none of which were issued and outstanding; and 160,000 shares of cumulative preferred stock, $1.00 par value (“preferred stock”), none of which have been issued. Holders of both classes of the Company’s common stock are entitled to dividends, as the Company’s board of directors may declare out of funds legally available, subject to any contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions on the common stock. If the Company were to issue any of its preferred stock, no dividends could be paid or set apart for payment on shares of common stock, unless paid in common stock, until dividends on all of the issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock had been paid or set apart for payment and provision had been made for any mandatory sinking fund payments.
	The Company's Board of Directors authorized two separate authorizations (September 2011 and March 2014) to repurchase up to 7,000,000 shares each of the Company’s outstanding common stock. At August 31, 2014, total shares repurchased under these publicly announced programs were 12,195,359. As summarized in the following table, on October 1, 2014 all 14,000,000 shares under the these two authorizations had been repurchased, with $447.1 million of total capital deployed over three fiscal years.
	Period	Shares Repurchased		Average Price Paid per Share
	Fiscal 2012	2,658,751		$	23.7
	Fiscal 2013	1,324,762		31.55
	Fiscal 2014	8,211,846		34.52
	Fiscal 2015 (September 1 - October 1)	1,804,641		32.58
		14,000,000		$	31.93
	The Board of Directors authorized a new (third) stock repurchase program to acquire up to 7,000,000 additional shares of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock on October 1, 2014.
	Earnings Per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Year Ended August 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net earnings	$	163,573		$	30,048	$	87,290
	Plus: 2% Convertible Notes financings costs, net of taxes	—			—		425
	Net earnings for diluted earnings per share	$	163,573		$	30,048	$	87,715
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	70,942			72,979		70,099
	Net effect of dilutive securities—employee stock compensation plans	1,544			1,601		1,119
	Net effect of 2% Convertible Notes based on the if-converted method	—			—		3,722
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	72,486			74,580		74,940
	Basic Earnings Per Share:	$	2.31		$	0.41	$	1.25
	Diluted Earnings Per Share:	$	2.26		$	0.4	$	1.17
	At August 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, outstanding share based awards to acquire 522,000, 619,000 and 2,582,000 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Stock_Plans

Stock Plans	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Plans	'
	Stock Plans
	Stock options may be granted to key employees and directors under the Actuant Corporation 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). At August 31, 2014, 9,400,000 shares of Class A common stock were authorized for issuance under the Plan, of which 3,915,647 shares were available for future award grants. The Plan permits the Company to grant share-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock and Performance Shares to employees and directors. Options generally have a maximum term of ten years, an exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and generally vest 50% after three years and 100% after five years. The Company’s restricted stock grants generally have similar vesting provisions. The Performance Shares include a three-year performance period, with vesting based 50% on achievement of an absolute Free Cash Flow Conversion target and 50% on the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) relative to the S&P 600 SmallCap Industrial index. The provisions of share-based awards may vary by individual grant with respect to vesting period, dividend and voting rights, performance conditions and forfeitures.
	A summary of stock option activity during fiscal 2014 is as follows:
			Shares			Weighted-Average				Weighted-Average		Aggregate
						Exercise Price (Per Share)				Remaining Contractual		Intrinsic Value
										Term
	Outstanding on September 1, 2013		4,179,551			$	23.66
	Granted		211,276			35.98
	Exercised		(1,076,370	)		21.16
	Forfeited		(64,056	)		26.44
	Outstanding on August 31, 2014		3,250,401			$	25.24			4.6		$	27.6	million
	Exercisable on August 31, 2014		2,255,920			$	24.48			3.4		$	20.9	million
	Intrinsic value is the difference between the market value of the stock at August 31, 2014 and the exercise price which is aggregated for all options outstanding and exercisable. A summary of the weighted-average grant-date fair value of options, total intrinsic value of options exercised, and cash receipts from options exercised is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Year Ended August 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted (per share)	$	14.46			$	10.49			$	8.73
	Intrinsic value of options exercised	16,380				15,803				7,946
	Cash receipts from exercise of options	21,995				24,840				6,550
	A summary of restricted stock activity (including Performance Shares) during fiscal 2014 is as follows:
			Number of			Weighted-Average Fair  Value at Grant Date (Per Share)
			Shares
	Outstanding August 31, 2013		1,594,189			$25.83
	Granted		311,425			36.05
	Forfeited		(98,582	)		27.36
	Vested		(480,572	)		25.42
	Outstanding August 31, 2014		1,326,460			28.27
	As of August 31, 2014, there was $23.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock awards/units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.9 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014 and 2013 was $17.9 million and $6.2 million, respectively.
	The Company generally records compensation expense (over the vesting period) for restricted stock awards based on the market value of Actuant common stock on the grant date. Stock based compensation expense is determined using a binomial pricing model for options. The fair value of Performance Shares with market vesting conditions is determined utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation model. Assumptions used to determine the fair value of each option were based upon historical data and standard industry valuation practices and methodology. The following weighted-average assumptions were used in each fiscal year:
		Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend yield	0.11	%		0.14	%		0.18	%
	Expected volatility	38.3	%		38.36	%		39.97	%
	Risk-free rate of return	0.7	%		0.84	%		1.19	%
	Expected forfeiture rate	14	%		15	%		15	%
	Expected life	6.1 years			6.1 years			6.1 years

Business_Segment_Geographic_an

Business Segment, Geographic and Customer Information	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segment, Geographic and Customer Information	'
	Business Segment, Geographic and Customer Information
	The Company is a global manufacturer of a broad range of industrial products and systems and is organized into 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):
			Year Ended August 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Net Sales by Segment:
	Industrial		$	413,902		$	422,620		$	419,295
	Energy		462,368			363,372			349,163
	Engineered Solutions		523,592			493,750			508,063
			$	1,399,862		$	1,279,742		$	1,276,521
	Net Sales by Reportable Product Line:
	Industrial		$	413,902		$	422,620		$	419,295
	Energy		462,368			363,372			349,163
	Vehicle Systems		272,201			253,073			279,549
	Other		251,391			240,677			228,514
			$	1,399,862		$	1,279,742		$	1,276,521
	Operating Profit (Loss):
	Industrial		$	120,250		$	117,644		$	114,777
	Energy		56,412			63,280			62,205
	Engineered Solutions		55,430			40,328			60,851
	General Corporate		(28,984		)	(31,107		)	(33,319		)
			$	203,108		$	190,145		$	204,514
	Depreciation and Amortization:
	Industrial		$	7,597		$	8,553		$	8,358
	Energy		33,983			18,451			18,115
	Engineered Solutions		17,602			16,949			15,093
	General Corporate		1,453			2,145			2,030
	Discontinued Operations		—			7,804			10,667
			$	60,635		$	53,902		$	54,263
	Capital Expenditures:
	Industrial		$	3,349		$	3,524		$	5,333
	Energy		26,787			9,417			8,962
	Engineered Solutions		8,763			7,001			3,463
	General Corporate		2,956			867			1,905
	Discontinued Operations		2			2,859			3,077
			$	41,857		$	23,668		$	22,740
			August 31,
			2014			2013
	Assets:
	Industrial		$	307,058		$	280,110
	Energy		788,915			817,547
	Engineered Solutions		643,323			652,581
	General Corporate		117,583			96,488
	Assets of Discontinued Operations		—			272,606
			$	1,856,879		$	2,119,332
	In addition to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the comparability of segment and product line information is impacted by acquisition/divestiture activities, restructuring costs and related benefits. Corporate assets, which are not allocated, principally represent cash and cash equivalents, capitalized debt issuance costs and deferred income taxes.
	The following tables summarize financial information from continuing operations by geographic region (in thousands):
				Year Ended August 31,
				2014			2013			2012
		Net Sales:
		United States		$	573,590		$	549,057		$	599,831
		United Kingdom		162,508			144,131			141,037
		Netherlands		151,549			159,396			185,112
		Australia		82,778			68,255			47,472
		France		53,542			52,806			48,681
		All other		375,895			306,097			254,388
				$	1,399,862		$	1,279,742		$	1,276,521
				August 31,
				2014			2013
		Long-lived Assets:
		United States		$	44,971		$	41,161
		Norway		29,715			59,557
		United Kingdom		28,364			54,136
	Australia		20,431			5,104
	China		19,166			19,551
	All other		42,317			25,673
			$	184,964		$	205,182
The Company’s largest customer accounted for less than 3.0% of sales in each of the last three fiscal years. Export sales from domestic operations were approximately 8.3% of total net sales in each of the periods presented.

Contingencies_and_Litigation

Contingencies and Litigation	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies and Litigation	'
	Contingencies and Litigation
	The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $14.0 million and $10.7 million at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, the majority of which secure self-insured workers compensation obligations.
	The Company is a party to various legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of its business. These legal proceedings typically include product liability, environmental, labor, patent claims and divestiture 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 will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, 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 $20.6 million at August 31, 2014 (including $14.0 million related to the divested Electrical segment).
	The Company has facilities in numerous geographic locations that are subject to a range of environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures over the past three 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.

Guarantor_Subsidiaries

Guarantor Subsidiaries	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'
	Guarantor Subsidiaries
	On April 16, 2012, Actuant Corporation (the “Parent”) issued $300.0 million of 5.625% Senior Notes. All of our material domestic wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) fully and unconditionally guarantee (except for certain customary limitations) the 5.625% Senior Notes 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 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 consolidating financial statements primarily includes loan activity, purchases and sales of goods or services 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, the impact of foreign currency rate changes and non-cash intercompany dividends.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended August 31, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	195,573		$	315,715		$	888,574		$	—		$	1,399,862
	Cost of products sold	57,464			219,750			575,776			—			852,990
	Gross profit	138,109			95,965			312,798			—			546,872
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	96,220			44,102			191,771			—			332,093
	Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	1,200			(14,695		)	—			—			(13,495		)
	Amortization of intangible assets	1,272			10,520			13,374			—			25,166
	Operating profit	39,417			56,038			107,653			—			203,108
	Financing costs, net	25,611			3			(569		)	—			25,045
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(27,601		)	5,520			22,081			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	12,716			153			(8,832		)	—			4,037
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	28,691			50,362			94,973			—			174,026
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(16,529		)	30,793			18,309			—			32,573
	Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	45,220			19,569			76,664			—			141,453
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	139,865			33,061			6,160			(179,086		)	—
	Earnings from continuing operations	185,085			52,630			82,824			(179,086		)	141,453
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(21,512		)	56,494			(12,862		)	—			22,120
	Net earnings	$	163,573		$	109,124		$	69,962		$	(179,086	)	$	163,573
	Comprehensive income	$	163,825		$	123,148		$	55,990		$	(179,138	)	$	163,825
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended August 31, 2013
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	196,531		$	293,884		$	789,327		$	—		$	1,279,742
	Cost of products sold	65,178			201,704			505,910			—			772,792
	Gross profit	131,353			92,180			283,417			—			506,950
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	69,734			59,358			164,774			—			293,866
	Amortization of intangible assets	1,276			10,481			11,182			—			22,939
	Operating profit	60,343			22,341			107,461			—			190,145
	Financing costs, net	25,270			9			(442		)	—			24,837
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(21,041		)	1,082			19,959			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	(2,105		)	(571		)	5,035			—			2,359
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	58,219			21,821			82,909			—			162,949
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(798		)	2,009			14,161			—			15,372
	Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	59,017			19,812			68,748			—			147,577
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	(26,527		)	7,822			2,173			16,532			—
	Earnings from continuing operations	32,490			27,634			70,921			16,532			147,577
	Loss from discontinued operations	(2,442		)	(76,634		)	(38,453		)	—			(117,529		)
	Net earnings (loss)	$	30,048		$	(49,000	)	$	32,468		$	16,532		$	30,048
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	30,860		$	(48,416	)	$	31,099		$	17,317		$	30,860
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended August 31, 2012
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	206,894		$	328,295		$	741,332		$	—		$	1,276,521
	Cost of products sold	69,902			220,271			474,888			—			765,061
	Gross profit	136,992			108,024			266,444			—			511,460
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	79,742			61,113			144,065			—			284,920
	Amortization of intangible assets	1,341			10,515			10,170			—			22,026
	Operating profit	55,909			36,396			112,209			—			204,514
	Financing costs, net	29,983			(14		)	(408		)	—			29,561
	Debt refinancing costs	16,830			—			—			—			16,830
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(32,185		)	6,281			25,904			—			—
	Other expense, net	1,351			1,992			150			—			3,493
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	39,930			28,137			86,563			—			154,630
	Income tax expense	6,700			4,677			17,977			—			29,354
	Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	33,230			23,460			68,586			—			125,276
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	56,407			14,373			1,649			(72,429		)	—
Earnings from continuing operations	89,637			37,833			70,235			(72,429		)	125,276
Earnings (loss) from discontinuing operations	(2,347		)	11,373			(47,012		)	—			(37,986		)
Net earnings	$	87,290		$	49,206		$	23,223		$	(72,429	)	$	87,290
Comprehensive income	$	35,497		$	24,934		$	6,064		$	(30,998	)	$	35,497
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
	31-Aug-14
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	27,931		$	3,325		$	77,756		$	—		$	109,012
Accounts receivable, net	22,811			38,511			165,686			—			227,008
Inventories, net	31,024			38,860			92,736			—			162,620
Deferred income taxes	7,503			—			3,547			—			11,050
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,871			1,057			28,372			—			33,300
Total current assets	93,140			81,753			368,097			—			542,990
Property, plant & equipment, net	9,096			22,879			137,126			—			169,101
Goodwill	44,700			280,693			417,377			—			742,770
Other intangibles, net	11,974			140,400			212,803			—			365,177
Intercompany receivable	—			678,073			622,818			(1,300,891		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	2,286,068			806,414			237,207			(3,329,689		)	—
Other long-term assets	23,432			—			13,409			—			36,841
Total assets	$	2,468,410		$	2,010,212		$	2,008,837		$	(4,630,580	)	$	1,856,879
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Trade accounts payable	$	20,014		$	25,673		$	100,111		$	—		$	145,798
Accrued compensation and benefits	15,135			3,293			34,536			—			52,964
Income taxes payable	31,582			—			6,765			—			38,347
Current maturities of debt	4,500			—			—			—			4,500
Other current liabilities	19,081			3,989			34,442			—			57,512
Total current liabilities	90,312			32,955			175,854			—			299,121
Long-term debt	385,500			—			—			—			385,500
Deferred income taxes	47,543			—			49,427			—			96,970
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	8,668			—			7,031			—			15,699
Other long-term liabilities	42,647			4,138			11,093			—			57,878
Intercompany payable	892,029			—			408,861			(1,300,890		)	—
Shareholders’ equity	1,001,711			1,973,119			1,356,571			(3,329,690		)	1,001,711
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,468,410		$	2,010,212		$	2,008,837		$	(4,630,580	)	$	1,856,879
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
	31-Aug-13
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
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
Prepaid expenses and 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 & 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
Intercompany receivable	—			480,633			360,620			(841,253		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	2,086,534			201,779			96,333			(2,384,646		)	—
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
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)
	Year Ended August 31, 2014
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	75,924		$	(20,966	)	$	84,992		$	(14,716	)	$	125,234
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	85			484			43,705			—			44,274
Proceeds from sale of business	(4,586		)	250,748			43,428			—			289,590
Intercompany investment	—			(99,963		)	—			99,963			—
Capital expenditures	(4,498		)	(4,675		)	(32,684		)	—			(41,857		)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(30,500		)	—			—			—			(30,500		)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(39,499		)	146,594			54,449			99,963			261,507
Financing Activities
Intercompany loan activity	354,791			(122,303		)	(232,488		)	—			—
Net repayments on revolver	(125,000		)	—			—			—			(125,000		)
Intercompany capital contribution	—			—			99,963			(99,963		)	—
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	—			—			(1,585		)	—			(1,585		)
Purchase of treasury shares	(283,712		)	—			—			—			(283,712		)
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	32,224			—			—			—			32,224
Cash dividend	(2,919		)	—			(14,716		)	14,716			(2,919		)
Cash used in financing activities	(24,616		)	(122,303		)	(148,826		)	(85,247		)	(380,992		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(723		)	—			(723		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	11,809			3,325			(10,108		)	—			5,026
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	16,122			—			87,864			—			103,986
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$	27,931		$	3,325		$	77,756		$	—		$	109,012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
	Year Ended August 31, 2013
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	81,597		$	26,095		$	86,097		$	—		$	193,789
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	563			206			852			—			1,621
Proceeds from sale of business	—			—			4,854			—			4,854
Capital expenditures	(2,022		)	(4,021		)	(17,625		)	—			(23,668		)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			—			(235,489		)	—			(235,489		)
Cash used in investing activities	(1,459		)	(3,815		)	(247,408		)	—			(252,682		)
Financing Activities
Net borrowings on revolver	125,000			—			—			—			125,000
Intercompany loan activity	(179,050		)	(22,371		)	201,421			—			—
Principal repayment on term loans	(7,500		)	—			—			—			(7,500		)
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	(1,350		)	—			(4,028		)	—			(5,378		)
Debt issuance costs	(2,035		)	—			—			—			(2,035		)
Purchase of treasury shares	(41,832		)	—			—			—			(41,832		)
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	33,261			—			—			—			33,261
Cash dividend	(2,911		)	—			—			—			(2,911		)
Cash provided (used in) financing activities	(76,417		)	(22,371		)	197,393			—			98,605
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(3,910		)	—			(3,910		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,721			(91		)	32,172			—			35,802
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	12,401			91			55,692			—			68,184
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$	16,122		$	—		$	87,864		$	—		$	103,986
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
	Year Ended August 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	97,454		$	20,363		$	64,512		$	—		$	182,329
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	1,909			353			6,239			—			8,501
Capital expenditures	(5,062		)	(4,069		)	(13,609		)	—			(22,740		)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			—			(69,309		)	—			(69,309		)
Cash used in investing activities	(3,153		)	(3,716		)	(76,679		)	—			(83,548		)
Financing Activities
Net repayments on revolver	(57,990		)	—			(177		)	—			(58,167		)
Principal repayment on term loans	(2,500		)	—			—			—			(2,500		)
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	(102		)	—			—			—			(102		)
Proceeds from issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes	300,000			—			—			—			300,000
Redemption of 6.875% Senior Notes	(250,000		)	—			—			—			(250,000		)
Intercompany loan activity	(11,482		)	(16,556		)	28,038			—			—
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	(290		)	—			(668		)	—			(958		)
Debt issuance costs	(5,490		)	—			—			—			(5,490		)
Purchase of treasury shares	(63,083		)	—			—			—			(63,083		)
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	10,913			—			—			—			10,913
Cash dividend	(2,748		)	—			—			—			(2,748		)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(82,772		)	(16,556		)	27,193			—			(72,135		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(2,683		)	—			(2,683		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	11,529			91			12,343			—			23,963
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	872			—			43,349			—			44,221
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$	12,401		$	91		$	55,692		$	—		$	68,184

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	'
	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	Quarterly financial data for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 is as follows:
		Year Ended August 31, 2014
		First		Second		Third			Fourth		Total
	Net sales	$	339,556	$	327,770	$	378,187		$	354,349	$	1,399,862
	Gross profit	131,780		124,447		148,550			142,095		546,872
	Earnings from continuing operations	33,005		22,304		50,557			35,587		141,453
	Earnings from discontinued operations	3,032		19,088		—			—		22,120
	Net earnings	36,037		41,392		50,557			35,587		163,573
	Earnings from continuing operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.45	$	0.31	$	0.72		$	0.52	$	1.99
	Diluted	0.44		0.3		0.7			0.51		1.95
	Earnings from discontinued operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.04	$	0.26	$	—		$	—	$	0.32
	Diluted	0.04		0.26		—			—		0.32
	Net earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.49	$	0.57	$	0.72		$	0.52	$	2.31
	Diluted	0.48		0.56		0.7			0.51		2.26
		Year Ended August 31, 2013
		First		Second		Third			Fourth		Total
	Net sales	$	307,809	$	300,468	$	344,205		$	327,260	$	1,279,742
	Gross profit	124,368		116,178		136,904			129,500		506,950
	Earnings from continuing operations	30,551		25,834		46,077			45,115		147,577
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	5,792		2,601		(139,060		)	13,138		(117,529		)
	Net earnings (loss)	36,343		28,435		(92,983		)	58,253		30,048
	Earnings from continuing operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.42	$	0.35	$	0.63		$	0.62	$	2.02
	Diluted	0.41		0.35		0.62			0.6		1.98
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.08	$	0.04	$	(1.90	)	$	0.18	$	(1.61	)
	Diluted	0.08		0.03		(1.86		)	0.18		(1.58		)
	Net earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	0.5	$	0.39	$	(1.27	)	$	0.8	$	0.41
	Diluted	0.49		0.38		(1.24		)	0.78		0.4
	The sum of the quarters may not equal the total of the respective year’s earnings per share on either a basic or diluted basis due to changes in the weighted average shares outstanding during the year.
	During the third quarter of fiscal 2013 the Company recognized a $170.3 million non-cash impairment charge related to the goodwill and intangible assets of the former Electrical segment (discontinued operations).  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company re-assessed its initial estimate of fair value less selling costs for the Electrical segment and recognized an $11.2 million increase to the carrying value of the Electrical segment assets (discontinued operations).
	During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded a $10.6 million adjustment (reduction to income tax expense) to properly state deferred income tax balances associated with its equity compensation programs.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
	SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	(in thousands)
				Additions					Deductions
	Description	Balance at		Charged to		Acquisition/ (Divestiture)			Accounts			Other			Balance at
		Beginning of		Costs and					Written Off						End of
		Period		Expenses					Less						Period
									Recoveries
	Allowance for losses—Trade accounts receivable
	31-Aug-14	$	3,701	$	2,447	$	440		$	(664	)	$	110		$	6,034
	31-Aug-13	4,375		584		(437		)	(787		)	(34		)	3,701
	31-Aug-12	7,173		107		96			(2,740		)	(261		)	4,375
	Valuation allowance—Income taxes
	31-Aug-14	$	17,268	$	1,243	$	(5,487	)	$	(183	)	$	—		$	12,841
	31-Aug-13	8,153		4,527		5,772			(1,184		)	—			17,268
	31-Aug-12	7,260		2,954		—			(2,061		)	—			8,153

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations	'
	Nature of Operations:    Actuant Corporation (“Actuant” or the “Company”) is a global manufacturer of a broad range of industrial products and systems, organized into three reportable segments. 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 other 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.
Consolidation and Presentation	'
	Consolidation and Presentation:    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Actuant consolidates companies in which it owns or controls more than fifty percent of the voting shares. The results of companies acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of acquisition or until the date of divestiture. All intercompany balances, transactions and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation
Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash Equivalents:    The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventories	'
	Inventories:    Inventories are comprised of material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead, and are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for a portion of the U.S. owned inventory (approximately 21% of total inventories in both 2014 and 2013). The first-in, first-out or average cost methods are used for all other inventories. If the LIFO method were not used, inventory balances would be higher than the amounts in the consolidated balance sheets by $5.7 million and $5.8 million at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The nature of the Company’s products is such that they generally have a very short production cycle. Consequently, the amount of work-in-process at any point in time is minimal. In addition, many parts or components are ultimately either sold individually or assembled with other parts making a distinction between raw materials and finished goods impractical to determine. Other locations maintain and manage their inventories using a job cost system where the distinction of categories of inventory by state of completion is also not available. As a result of these factors, it is neither practical nor cost effective to segregate the amounts of raw materials, work-in-process or finished goods inventories at the respective balance sheet dates, as segregation would only be possible as the result of physical inventories which are taken at dates different from the balance sheet dates.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment:    Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from ten to forty years for buildings and improvements and two to fifteen years for machinery and equipment. Equipment includes assets (marine mooring equipment and joint integrity tools) which are rented to customers and asset owners in the Energy segment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the related asset or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter.
Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Other intangible assets with definite lives, consisting primarily of purchased customer relationships, patents, trademarks and non-compete agreements, are amortized over periods from two to twenty-five years. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization, but are subject to annual impairment testing.
	The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment annually, at August 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company performs impairment reviews for its reporting units using a fair value method based on management’s judgments and assumptions. In estimating the fair value, the Company utilizes a discounted cash flow model, which is dependent on a number of assumptions including estimated future revenues and expenses, weighted average cost of capital, capital expenditures and other variables. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the goodwill is potentially impaired and the Company then determines the implied fair value of goodwill, which is compared to the carrying value to determine if impairment exists. Indefinite lived intangible assets are also subject to an annual impairment test. On an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, the fair value of the indefinite lived intangible assets are evaluated by the Company to determine if an impairment charge is required. A considerable amount of management judgment and assumptions are required in performing the impairment tests, principally in determining the fair value of each reporting unit and the indefinite lived intangible assets. While management believes the judgments and assumptions were reasonable; different assumptions or adverse market developments could change the estimated fair values, and therefore, impairment charges could be required.
Product Warranty Costs	'
	Product Warranty Costs:    The Company generally offers its customers a warranty on products sold, although warranty periods may 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 reconciliation of the changes in product warranty reserves for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	7,413		$	12,869
	Warranty reserves of acquired businesses	44			981
	Product line divestiture	(699		)	—
	Provision for warranties	2,769			7,907
	Warranty payments and costs incurred	(5,477		)	(11,616		)
	Discontinued operations reclassification	—			(3,107		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	6			379
	Ending balance	$	4,056		$	7,413
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition:    The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured. For product sales, delivery does not occur until the passage of title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer (generally when products are shipped). Revenue from services and rental contracts are recognized when the services are provided or ratably over the contract term. Customer sales are recorded net of allowances for returns and discounts, which are recognized as a deduction from sales at the time of sale. The Company commits to one-time or on-going trade discounts and promotions with customers that require the Company to estimate and accrue the ultimate costs of such programs. The Company maintains an accrual at the end of each period for the earned, but unpaid costs related to the programs. The Company generally does not require collateral or other security for receivables and provides for an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience and a review of its existing receivables. Accounts Receivable are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $6.0 million and $3.7 million at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Shipping and Handling Costs	'
	Shipping and Handling Costs:    The Company records costs associated with shipping its products in cost of products sold.
Research and Development Costs	'
	Research and Development Costs:    Research and development costs consist primarily of an allocation of overall engineering and development resources and are expensed as incurred. Such costs incurred in the development of new products or significant improvements to existing products were $20.0 million, $21.0 million and $17.1 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company also incurs significant costs in connection with fulfilling custom orders and developing solutions for unique customer needs which are not included in these research and development expense totals.
Other Income/Expense	'
	Other Income/Expense:    Other income and expense primarily consists of foreign exchange transaction losses of $4.2 million, $2.7 million and $3.9 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Financing Costs	'
	Financing Costs:    Financing costs represent interest expense, financing fees and amortization of debt issuance costs, net of interest income.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes:    The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, local and non-U.S. taxes on income. Tax credits,
	primarily for non-U.S. earnings, are recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes in the year in which they are
	available for U.S. tax purposes. Deferred taxes are provided on temporary differences between assets and liabilities for financial
	and tax reporting purposes as measured by enacted tax rates expected to apply when temporary differences are settled or
	realized. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of those benefits is considered to be more likely than
	not. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets for which realization is not more likely than not of being
	realized. The Company has not provided for any residual U.S. income taxes on unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries as
	such earnings are intended to be indefinitely reinvested. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized
	tax benefits in income tax expense.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	Foreign Currency Translation:    The financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and an appropriate weighted average exchange rate for each applicable period for revenues and expenses. Translation adjustments are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of shareholders' equity caption “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.”
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates:    The Company has recorded reserves, assets write downs or allowances for customer rebates, returns and discounts, doubtful accounts, inventory, incurred but not reported medical claims, environmental matters, warranty claims, workers compensation claims, product and non-product litigation and incentive compensation. These reserves require the use of estimates and judgment. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company believes that such estimates are made with consistent and appropriate assumptions. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements: In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which includes amendments that change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under ASU 2014-09, an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. It also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Changes in Accrued Product Warranty	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the changes in product warranty reserves for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	7,413		$	12,869
	Warranty reserves of acquired businesses	44			981
	Product line divestiture	(699		)	—
	Provision for warranties	2,769			7,907
	Warranty payments and costs incurred	(5,477		)	(11,616		)
	Discontinued operations reclassification	—			(3,107		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	6			379
	Ending balance	$	4,056		$	7,413

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Proforma Results of Operations	'
	The following unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company give effect to all acquisitions completed in the last three years as though the transactions and related financing activities had occurred on September 1, 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts).
			Year Ended August 31,
			2014		2013		2012
		Net sales
		As reported	$	1,399,862	$	1,279,742	$	1,276,521
		Pro forma	1,419,915		1,390,251		1,439,493
		Earnings from continuing operations
		As reported	$	141,453	$	147,577	$	125,276
		Pro forma	142,589		154,371		134,430
		Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
		As reported	$	1.99	$	2.02	$	1.79
		Pro forma	2.01		2.12		1.92
		Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
		As reported	$	1.95	$	1.98	$	1.68
		Pro forma	1.97		2.07		1.8

Discontinued_Operations_and_Di1

Discontinued Operations and Divestitures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	'
	The following table summarizes the results of the Electrical segment which is reported as a discontinued operation for each of the last three fiscal years (in thousands):
		Year Ended August 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net sales	$	72,139		$	286,308		$	328,821
	Operating profit (loss) (1)	(4,873		)	34,536			28,148
	Impairment charge	—			(159,104		)	(62,464		)
	Gain on disposal	34,459			—			—
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(7,466		)	7,039			(3,670		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	22,120		$	(117,529	)	$	(37,986	)
	(1) The operating loss in fiscal 2014 includes the operating results of the Electrical segment through the sale date of December 13, 2013, certain divestiture costs and a $3.1 million non-cash charge for the accelerated vesting of equity compensation.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended August 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Industrial				Energy				Electrical				Engineered				Total
														Solutions
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	$	81,404			$	259,521			$	213,870			$	311,617			$	866,412
	Business acquired (Viking)	—				87,734				—				—				87,734
	Purchase accounting adjustments	—				117				—				(100		)		17
	Impairment charge	—				—				(137,804		)		—				(137,804		)
	Reclassification of discontinued operations	—				—				(76,877		)		—				(76,877		)
	Divestiture of Nielsen Sessions business	—				—				—				(2,556		)		(2,556		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	1,207				(5,469		)		811				1,477				(1,974		)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	82,611				341,903				—				310,438				734,952
	Business acquired (Hayes)	17,536				—				—				—				17,536
	Purchase accounting adjustments	—				(835		)		—				—				(835		)
	Divestiture of RV business	—				—				—				(17,843		)		(17,843		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	119				9,559				—				(718		)		8,960
	Balance as of August 31, 2014	$	100,266			$	350,627			$	—			$	291,877			$	742,770
Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets	'
	The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
		Weighted		31-Aug-14												31-Aug-13
		Average
		Amortization
		Period (Years)		Gross				Accumulated				Net Book				Gross				Accumulated		Net Book
				Carrying				Amortization				Value				Carrying				Amortization		Value
				Amount												Amount
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	15		$	325,164			$	117,706			$	207,458			$	318,143			$	95,215	$	222,928
	Patents	10		31,678				17,494				14,184				30,564				18,747		11,817
	Trademarks and tradenames	17		23,241				6,201				17,040				24,088				7,356		16,732
	Non-compete agreements and other	4		7,373				6,783				590				7,034				6,458		576
	Indefinite lived intangible assets:
	Tradenames	N/A		125,905				—				125,905				124,639				—		124,639
				$	513,361			$	148,184			$	365,177			$	504,468			$	127,776	$	376,692

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Indebtedness	'
	The following is a summary of the Company’s long-term indebtedness (in thousands):
			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	(4,500		)	—
		Total long-term debt, less current maturities	$	385,500		$	515,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	The following financial assets and liabilities, measured at fair value, are included in the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
			August 31,
			2014			2013
		Level 1 Valuation:
		Cash equivalents	$	1,207		$	1,092
		Investments	2,118			1,793
		Level 2 Valuation:
		Foreign currency forward contracts	$	(966	)	$	143

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'
Weighted Average Assumption used to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine U.S. pension plan obligations as of August 31 and weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended August 31 are as follows:
				2014			2013			2012
		Assumptions for benefit obligations:
		Discount rate		4.15	%		4.9	%		3.9	%
		Assumptions for net periodic benefit cost:
		Discount rate		4.9	%		3.9	%		5	%
		Expected return on plan assets		7.65	%		7.75	%		7.9	%
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'
Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets	'
	The following table provides detail of changes in the projected benefit obligations, the fair value of plan assets and the funded status of the Company’s U.S. defined benefit pension plans as of the August 31 measurement date (in thousands):
			2014				2013
	Reconciliation of benefit obligations:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	45,046			$	50,870
	Adjustment		—				(280		)
	Interest cost		2,146				1,928
	Actuarial (gain) loss		3,769				(4,983		)
	Benefits paid		(3,416		)		(2,489		)
	Benefit obligation at end of year		$	47,545			$	45,046
	Reconciliation of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	34,054			$	33,695
	Actual return on plan assets		5,180				2,252
	Company contributions		8,824				596
	Benefits paid from plan assets		(3,416		)		(2,489		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		44,642				34,054
	Funded status of the plans (underfunded)		$	(2,903	)		$	(10,992	)
Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	The following table provides detail on the Company’s net periodic benefit costs (in thousands):
			Year ended August 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Interest cost		$	2,146			$	1,928			$	2,162
	Expected return on assets		(2,959		)		(2,468		)		(2,471		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss		667				878				675
	Net benefit cost (income)		$	(146	)		$	338			$	366
U.S. Pension Plan Investment Allocations by Asset Category	'
	The U.S. pension plan investment allocations by asset category were as follows (in thousands):
			Year Ended August 31,
			2014				%			2013				%
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	—			—	%		$	348			1	%
	Fixed income securities:
	Corporate bonds		9,749				21.8			8,741				25.7
	Mutual funds		4,474				10			3,464				10.2
			14,223				31.8			12,205				35.9
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		30,419				68.2			21,501				63.1
	Total plan assets		$	44,642			100	%		$	34,054			100	%
Other Pension Plans, Defined Benefit	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'
Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets	'
	The Company has several non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans which cover certain existing and former employees of businesses outside the U.S. Most of the non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans continue to earn additional benefits. The funded status of these plans is summarized as follows (in thousands):
				August 31,
				2014				2013
		Benefit obligation		$	18,599			$	12,912
		Fair value of plan assets		10,312				7,790
		Funded status of plans (underfunded)		$	(8,287	)		$	(5,122	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Expense from Continuing Operations	'
	Income tax expense from continuing operations is summarized as follows (in thousands):
				Year ended August 31,
				2014				2013				2012
		Currently payable:
		Federal		$	23,211			$	24,809			$	22,078
		Foreign		9,059				13,335				10,396
		State		(657		)		902				1,534
				31,613				39,046				34,008
		Deferred:
		Federal		4,224				(13,514		)		(495		)
		Foreign		(4,130		)		(9,942		)		(4,598		)
		State		866				(218		)		439
				960				(23,674		)		(4,654		)
				$	32,573			$	15,372			$	29,354
Reconciliation of Income Taxes at Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate	'
	A reconciliation of income taxes at the Federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate is summarized in the following table:
				Year ended August 31,
				2014			2013			2012
		Federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
		State income taxes, net of Federal effect		0.8			0.9			1.2
		Net effect of foreign tax rates and credits		(10.5	)		(8.8	)		(14.6	)
		NOL utilization and changes in valuation allowance		(4.1	)		(3.1	)		0.1
		Tax contingency reserve		(0.7	)		(5.6	)		(2.2	)
		Change in income tax accounting method, net		(5.6	)		—			—
		Business (RV) divestiture		3			—			—
		Prior period correction (1)		—			(6.5	)		—
		Other items		0.8			(2.5	)		(0.5	)
		Effective income tax rate		18.7	%		9.4	%		19	%
	(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded a $10.6 million adjustment to properly state deferred income tax balances associated with its equity compensation programs. The correction was not material to current or previously issued financial statements.
Temporary Differences and Carryforwards of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	Temporary differences and carryforwards that gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities include the following items (in thousands):
				August 31,
				2014				2013
		Deferred income tax assets:
		Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards		$	25,295			$	29,611
		Compensation related liabilities		23,496				20,864
		Postretirement benefits		5,082				7,731
		Inventory		2,775				8,657
		Book reserves and other items		12,214				12,643
		Total deferred income tax assets		68,862				79,506
		Valuation allowance		(12,841		)		(17,268		)
		Net deferred income tax assets		56,021				62,238
		Deferred income tax liabilities:
		Depreciation and amortization		(124,688		)		(151,370		)
		Other items		(5,728		)		(2,077		)
		Deferred income tax liabilities		(130,416		)		(153,447		)
		Net deferred income tax liability		$	(74,395	)		$	(91,209	)
Changes in Gross Liability for Unrecognized Tax benefits, Excluding Interest and Penalties	'
	Changes in the Company’s gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, are as follows (in thousands):
			2014				2013				2012
	Beginning balance		$	18,006			$	24,608			$	26,179
	Increases based on tax positions related to the current year		21,300				3,601				2,776
	Increase (decrease) for tax positions taken in a prior period		—				(100		)		624
	Decrease due to settlements		—				(2,581		)		(392		)
	Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations		(7,030		)		(7,522		)		(4,579		)
	Ending balance		$	32,276			$	18,006			$	24,608
Earnings before Income Taxes, Including both Continuing and Discontinued Operations	'
	Earnings before income taxes, for continuing operations, are summarized as follows (in thousands):
				Year Ended August 31,
				2014				2013				2012
		Domestic		$	84,854			$	67,392			$	65,685
		Foreign		89,172				95,557				88,945
				$	174,026			$	162,949			$	154,630

Capital_Stock_Tables

Capital Stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Share repurchase	'
	As summarized in the following table, on October 1, 2014 all 14,000,000 shares under the these two authorizations had been repurchased, with $447.1 million of total capital deployed over three fiscal years.
	Period	Shares Repurchased		Average Price Paid per Share
	Fiscal 2012	2,658,751		$	23.7
	Fiscal 2013	1,324,762		31.55
	Fiscal 2014	8,211,846		34.52
	Fiscal 2015 (September 1 - October 1)	1,804,641		32.58
		14,000,000		$	31.93
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Year Ended August 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net earnings	$	163,573		$	30,048	$	87,290
	Plus: 2% Convertible Notes financings costs, net of taxes	—			—		425
	Net earnings for diluted earnings per share	$	163,573		$	30,048	$	87,715
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	70,942			72,979		70,099
	Net effect of dilutive securities—employee stock compensation plans	1,544			1,601		1,119
	Net effect of 2% Convertible Notes based on the if-converted method	—			—		3,722
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	72,486			74,580		74,940
	Basic Earnings Per Share:	$	2.31		$	0.41	$	1.25
	Diluted Earnings Per Share:	$	2.26		$	0.4	$	1.17

Stock_Plans_Tables

Stock Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary Stock option Activity	'
	A summary of stock option activity during fiscal 2014 is as follows:
			Shares			Weighted-Average				Weighted-Average		Aggregate
						Exercise Price (Per Share)				Remaining Contractual		Intrinsic Value
										Term
	Outstanding on September 1, 2013		4,179,551			$	23.66
	Granted		211,276			35.98
	Exercised		(1,076,370	)		21.16
	Forfeited		(64,056	)		26.44
	Outstanding on August 31, 2014		3,250,401			$	25.24			4.6		$	27.6	million
	Exercisable on August 31, 2014		2,255,920			$	24.48			3.4		$	20.9	million
Summary of Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Of options, Total Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised, and Cash Receipts from Options Exercised	'
	A summary of the weighted-average grant-date fair value of options, total intrinsic value of options exercised, and cash receipts from options exercised is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Year Ended August 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted (per share)	$	14.46			$	10.49			$	8.73
	Intrinsic value of options exercised	16,380				15,803				7,946
	Cash receipts from exercise of options	21,995				24,840				6,550
Summary Of Restricted Stock Activity	'
	A summary of restricted stock activity (including Performance Shares) during fiscal 2014 is as follows:
			Number of			Weighted-Average Fair  Value at Grant Date (Per Share)
			Shares
	Outstanding August 31, 2013		1,594,189			$25.83
	Granted		311,425			36.05
	Forfeited		(98,582	)		27.36
	Vested		(480,572	)		25.42
	Outstanding August 31, 2014		1,326,460			28.27
Weighted Average Assumptions	'
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used in each fiscal year:
		Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend yield	0.11	%		0.14	%		0.18	%
	Expected volatility	38.3	%		38.36	%		39.97	%
	Risk-free rate of return	0.7	%		0.84	%		1.19	%
	Expected forfeiture rate	14	%		15	%		15	%
	Expected life	6.1 years			6.1 years			6.1 years

Business_Segment_Geographic_an1

Business Segment, Geographic and Customer Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 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):
			Year Ended August 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Net Sales by Segment:
	Industrial		$	413,902		$	422,620		$	419,295
	Energy		462,368			363,372			349,163
	Engineered Solutions		523,592			493,750			508,063
			$	1,399,862		$	1,279,742		$	1,276,521
	Net Sales by Reportable Product Line:
	Industrial		$	413,902		$	422,620		$	419,295
	Energy		462,368			363,372			349,163
	Vehicle Systems		272,201			253,073			279,549
	Other		251,391			240,677			228,514
			$	1,399,862		$	1,279,742		$	1,276,521
	Operating Profit (Loss):
	Industrial		$	120,250		$	117,644		$	114,777
	Energy		56,412			63,280			62,205
	Engineered Solutions		55,430			40,328			60,851
	General Corporate		(28,984		)	(31,107		)	(33,319		)
			$	203,108		$	190,145		$	204,514
	Depreciation and Amortization:
	Industrial		$	7,597		$	8,553		$	8,358
	Energy		33,983			18,451			18,115
	Engineered Solutions		17,602			16,949			15,093
	General Corporate		1,453			2,145			2,030
	Discontinued Operations		—			7,804			10,667
			$	60,635		$	53,902		$	54,263
	Capital Expenditures:
	Industrial		$	3,349		$	3,524		$	5,333
	Energy		26,787			9,417			8,962
	Engineered Solutions		8,763			7,001			3,463
	General Corporate		2,956			867			1,905
	Discontinued Operations		2			2,859			3,077
			$	41,857		$	23,668		$	22,740
			August 31,
			2014			2013
	Assets:
	Industrial		$	307,058		$	280,110
	Energy		788,915			817,547
	Engineered Solutions		643,323			652,581
	General Corporate		117,583			96,488
	Assets of Discontinued Operations		—			272,606
			$	1,856,879		$	2,119,332
Financial Information From Continuing Operations By Geographic Region	'
	The following tables summarize financial information from continuing operations by geographic region (in thousands):
				Year Ended August 31,
				2014			2013			2012
		Net Sales:
		United States		$	573,590		$	549,057		$	599,831
		United Kingdom		162,508			144,131			141,037
		Netherlands		151,549			159,396			185,112
		Australia		82,778			68,255			47,472
		France		53,542			52,806			48,681
		All other		375,895			306,097			254,388
				$	1,399,862		$	1,279,742		$	1,276,521
				August 31,
				2014			2013
		Long-lived Assets:
		United States		$	44,971		$	41,161
		Norway		29,715			59,557
		United Kingdom		28,364			54,136
		Australia		20,431			5,104
		China		19,166			19,551
		All other		42,317			25,673
				$	184,964		$	205,182

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Tables

Guarantor Subsidiaries (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended August 31, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	195,573		$	315,715		$	888,574		$	—		$	1,399,862
	Cost of products sold	57,464			219,750			575,776			—			852,990
	Gross profit	138,109			95,965			312,798			—			546,872
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	96,220			44,102			191,771			—			332,093
	Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	1,200			(14,695		)	—			—			(13,495		)
	Amortization of intangible assets	1,272			10,520			13,374			—			25,166
	Operating profit	39,417			56,038			107,653			—			203,108
	Financing costs, net	25,611			3			(569		)	—			25,045
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(27,601		)	5,520			22,081			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	12,716			153			(8,832		)	—			4,037
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	28,691			50,362			94,973			—			174,026
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(16,529		)	30,793			18,309			—			32,573
	Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	45,220			19,569			76,664			—			141,453
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	139,865			33,061			6,160			(179,086		)	—
	Earnings from continuing operations	185,085			52,630			82,824			(179,086		)	141,453
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(21,512		)	56,494			(12,862		)	—			22,120
	Net earnings	$	163,573		$	109,124		$	69,962		$	(179,086	)	$	163,573
	Comprehensive income	$	163,825		$	123,148		$	55,990		$	(179,138	)	$	163,825
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended August 31, 2013
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	196,531		$	293,884		$	789,327		$	—		$	1,279,742
	Cost of products sold	65,178			201,704			505,910			—			772,792
	Gross profit	131,353			92,180			283,417			—			506,950
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	69,734			59,358			164,774			—			293,866
	Amortization of intangible assets	1,276			10,481			11,182			—			22,939
	Operating profit	60,343			22,341			107,461			—			190,145
	Financing costs, net	25,270			9			(442		)	—			24,837
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(21,041		)	1,082			19,959			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	(2,105		)	(571		)	5,035			—			2,359
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	58,219			21,821			82,909			—			162,949
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(798		)	2,009			14,161			—			15,372
	Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	59,017			19,812			68,748			—			147,577
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	(26,527		)	7,822			2,173			16,532			—
	Earnings from continuing operations	32,490			27,634			70,921			16,532			147,577
	Loss from discontinued operations	(2,442		)	(76,634		)	(38,453		)	—			(117,529		)
	Net earnings (loss)	$	30,048		$	(49,000	)	$	32,468		$	16,532		$	30,048
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	30,860		$	(48,416	)	$	31,099		$	17,317		$	30,860
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended August 31, 2012
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	206,894		$	328,295		$	741,332		$	—		$	1,276,521
	Cost of products sold	69,902			220,271			474,888			—			765,061
	Gross profit	136,992			108,024			266,444			—			511,460
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	79,742			61,113			144,065			—			284,920
	Amortization of intangible assets	1,341			10,515			10,170			—			22,026
	Operating profit	55,909			36,396			112,209			—			204,514
	Financing costs, net	29,983			(14		)	(408		)	—			29,561
	Debt refinancing costs	16,830			—			—			—			16,830
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(32,185		)	6,281			25,904			—			—
	Other expense, net	1,351			1,992			150			—			3,493
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	39,930			28,137			86,563			—			154,630
	Income tax expense	6,700			4,677			17,977			—			29,354
	Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	33,230			23,460			68,586			—			125,276
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	56,407			14,373			1,649			(72,429		)	—
	Earnings from continuing operations	89,637			37,833			70,235			(72,429		)	125,276
	Earnings (loss) from discontinuing operations	(2,347		)	11,373			(47,012		)	—			(37,986		)
Net earnings	$	87,290		$	49,206		$	23,223		$	(72,429	)	$	87,290
Comprehensive income	$	35,497		$	24,934		$	6,064		$	(30,998	)	$	35,497
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(in thousands)
		31-Aug-14
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	27,931		$	3,325		$	77,756		$	—		$	109,012
	Accounts receivable, net	22,811			38,511			165,686			—			227,008
	Inventories, net	31,024			38,860			92,736			—			162,620
	Deferred income taxes	7,503			—			3,547			—			11,050
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,871			1,057			28,372			—			33,300
	Total current assets	93,140			81,753			368,097			—			542,990
	Property, plant & equipment, net	9,096			22,879			137,126			—			169,101
	Goodwill	44,700			280,693			417,377			—			742,770
	Other intangibles, net	11,974			140,400			212,803			—			365,177
	Intercompany receivable	—			678,073			622,818			(1,300,891		)	—
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,286,068			806,414			237,207			(3,329,689		)	—
	Other long-term assets	23,432			—			13,409			—			36,841
	Total assets	$	2,468,410		$	2,010,212		$	2,008,837		$	(4,630,580	)	$	1,856,879
	LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Trade accounts payable	$	20,014		$	25,673		$	100,111		$	—		$	145,798
	Accrued compensation and benefits	15,135			3,293			34,536			—			52,964
	Income taxes payable	31,582			—			6,765			—			38,347
	Current maturities of debt	4,500			—			—			—			4,500
	Other current liabilities	19,081			3,989			34,442			—			57,512
	Total current liabilities	90,312			32,955			175,854			—			299,121
	Long-term debt	385,500			—			—			—			385,500
	Deferred income taxes	47,543			—			49,427			—			96,970
	Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	8,668			—			7,031			—			15,699
	Other long-term liabilities	42,647			4,138			11,093			—			57,878
	Intercompany payable	892,029			—			408,861			(1,300,890		)	—
	Shareholders’ equity	1,001,711			1,973,119			1,356,571			(3,329,690		)	1,001,711
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,468,410		$	2,010,212		$	2,008,837		$	(4,630,580	)	$	1,856,879
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(in thousands)
		31-Aug-13
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	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
	Prepaid expenses and 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 & 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
	Intercompany receivable	—			480,633			360,620			(841,253		)	—
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,086,534			201,779			96,333			(2,384,646		)	—
	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
	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)
		Year Ended August 31, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Operating Activities
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	75,924		$	(20,966	)	$	84,992		$	(14,716	)	$	125,234
	Investing Activities
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	85			484			43,705			—			44,274
	Proceeds from sale of business	(4,586		)	250,748			43,428			—			289,590
	Intercompany investment	—			(99,963		)	—			99,963			—
	Capital expenditures	(4,498		)	(4,675		)	(32,684		)	—			(41,857		)
	Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(30,500		)	—			—			—			(30,500		)
	Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(39,499		)	146,594			54,449			99,963			261,507
	Financing Activities
	Intercompany loan activity	354,791			(122,303		)	(232,488		)	—			—
	Net repayments on revolver	(125,000		)	—			—			—			(125,000		)
	Intercompany capital contribution	—			—			99,963			(99,963		)	—
	Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	—			—			(1,585		)	—			(1,585		)
	Purchase of treasury shares	(283,712		)	—			—			—			(283,712		)
	Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	32,224			—			—			—			32,224
	Cash dividend	(2,919		)	—			(14,716		)	14,716			(2,919		)
	Cash used in financing activities	(24,616		)	(122,303		)	(148,826		)	(85,247		)	(380,992		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(723		)	—			(723		)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	11,809			3,325			(10,108		)	—			5,026
	Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	16,122			—			87,864			—			103,986
	Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$	27,931		$	3,325		$	77,756		$	—		$	109,012
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended August 31, 2013
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Operating Activities
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	81,597		$	26,095		$	86,097		$	—		$	193,789
	Investing Activities
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	563			206			852			—			1,621
	Proceeds from sale of business	—			—			4,854			—			4,854
	Capital expenditures	(2,022		)	(4,021		)	(17,625		)	—			(23,668		)
	Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			—			(235,489		)	—			(235,489		)
	Cash used in investing activities	(1,459		)	(3,815		)	(247,408		)	—			(252,682		)
	Financing Activities
	Net borrowings on revolver	125,000			—			—			—			125,000
	Intercompany loan activity	(179,050		)	(22,371		)	201,421			—			—
	Principal repayment on term loans	(7,500		)	—			—			—			(7,500		)
	Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	(1,350		)	—			(4,028		)	—			(5,378		)
	Debt issuance costs	(2,035		)	—			—			—			(2,035		)
	Purchase of treasury shares	(41,832		)	—			—			—			(41,832		)
	Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	33,261			—			—			—			33,261
	Cash dividend	(2,911		)	—			—			—			(2,911		)
	Cash provided (used in) financing activities	(76,417		)	(22,371		)	197,393			—			98,605
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(3,910		)	—			(3,910		)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,721			(91		)	32,172			—			35,802
	Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	12,401			91			55,692			—			68,184
	Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$	16,122		$	—		$	87,864		$	—		$	103,986
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended August 31, 2012
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Operating Activities
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	97,454		$	20,363		$	64,512		$	—		$	182,329
	Investing Activities
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	1,909			353			6,239			—			8,501
	Capital expenditures	(5,062		)	(4,069		)	(13,609		)	—			(22,740		)
	Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			—			(69,309		)	—			(69,309		)
	Cash used in investing activities	(3,153		)	(3,716		)	(76,679		)	—			(83,548		)
Financing Activities
Net repayments on revolver	(57,990		)	—			(177		)	—			(58,167		)
Principal repayment on term loans	(2,500		)	—			—			—			(2,500		)
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	(102		)	—			—			—			(102		)
Proceeds from issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes	300,000			—			—			—			300,000
Redemption of 6.875% Senior Notes	(250,000		)	—			—			—			(250,000		)
Intercompany loan activity	(11,482		)	(16,556		)	28,038			—			—
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	(290		)	—			(668		)	—			(958		)
Debt issuance costs	(5,490		)	—			—			—			(5,490		)
Purchase of treasury shares	(63,083		)	—			—			—			(63,083		)
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	10,913			—			—			—			10,913
Cash dividend	(2,748		)	—			—			—			(2,748		)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(82,772		)	(16,556		)	27,193			—			(72,135		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(2,683		)	—			(2,683		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	11,529			91			12,343			—			23,963
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	872			—			43,349			—			44,221
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$	12,401		$	91		$	55,692		$	—		$	68,184

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Data	'
	Quarterly financial data for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 is as follows:
		Year Ended August 31, 2014
		First		Second		Third			Fourth		Total
	Net sales	$	339,556	$	327,770	$	378,187		$	354,349	$	1,399,862
	Gross profit	131,780		124,447		148,550			142,095		546,872
	Earnings from continuing operations	33,005		22,304		50,557			35,587		141,453
	Earnings from discontinued operations	3,032		19,088		—			—		22,120
	Net earnings	36,037		41,392		50,557			35,587		163,573
	Earnings from continuing operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.45	$	0.31	$	0.72		$	0.52	$	1.99
	Diluted	0.44		0.3		0.7			0.51		1.95
	Earnings from discontinued operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.04	$	0.26	$	—		$	—	$	0.32
	Diluted	0.04		0.26		—			—		0.32
	Net earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.49	$	0.57	$	0.72		$	0.52	$	2.31
	Diluted	0.48		0.56		0.7			0.51		2.26
		Year Ended August 31, 2013
		First		Second		Third			Fourth		Total
	Net sales	$	307,809	$	300,468	$	344,205		$	327,260	$	1,279,742
	Gross profit	124,368		116,178		136,904			129,500		506,950
	Earnings from continuing operations	30,551		25,834		46,077			45,115		147,577
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	5,792		2,601		(139,060		)	13,138		(117,529		)
	Net earnings (loss)	36,343		28,435		(92,983		)	58,253		30,048
	Earnings from continuing operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.42	$	0.35	$	0.63		$	0.62	$	2.02
	Diluted	0.41		0.35		0.62			0.6		1.98
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.08	$	0.04	$	(1.90	)	$	0.18	$	(1.61	)
	Diluted	0.08		0.03		(1.86		)	0.18		(1.58		)
	Net earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	0.5	$	0.39	$	(1.27	)	$	0.8	$	0.41
	Diluted	0.49		0.38		(1.24		)	0.78		0.4

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
	Segment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	3	'	'
Portion of inventory determined using last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method	21.00%	21.00%	'
Inventory LIFO reserve	$5.70	$5.80	'
Accounts Receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	6	3.7	'
Research and development costs	20	21	17.1
Foreign exchange transaction (gains)/losses	$4.20	$2.70	$3.90
Minimum | Buildings and improvements	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment useful life	'10 years	'	'
Minimum | Machinery and equipment	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment useful life	'2 years	'	'
Maximum | Buildings and improvements	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment useful life	'40 years	'	'
Maximum | Machinery and equipment	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment useful life	'15 years	'	'

Reconciliation_of_Changes_in_A

Reconciliation of Changes in Accrued Product Warranty (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	$7,413	$12,869
Warranty reserves of acquired businesses	44	981
Product line divestiture	-699	0
Provision for warranties	2,769	7,907
Warranty payments and costs incurred	-5,477	-11,616
Discontinued operations reclassification	0	-3,107
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	6	379
Ending balance	$4,056	$7,413

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 27, 2013

23-May-14

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Jul. 20, 2012

Mar. 28, 2012

Feb. 10, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 27, 2013

23-May-14

Aug. 31, 2012

23-May-14

23-May-14

Aug. 31, 2012

23-May-14

Aug. 27, 2013

acquisition

Viking

Hayes Industries

Hayes Industries

Engineered Solutions

CrossControl

Turotest

Jeyco

Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]

Customer Relationships

Customer Relationships

Customer Relationships

Non-compete Agreements

Non-compete Agreements

Patents

Trade Names

Trade Names

Trade Names

Entity

Viking

Hayes Industries

Hayes Industries

Hayes Industries

Hayes Industries

Viking

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Transaction costs related to business acquisition activities

$500,000

$3,700,000

$1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reductions in goodwill due to purchase price

835,000

-17,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement

'

'

'

27-Aug-13

23-May-14

'

'

20-Jul-12

28-Mar-12

10-Feb-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

30,500,000

235,489,000

69,309,000

235,500,000

30,500,000

'

'

40,600,000

8,100,000

20,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High

'

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognition of Goodwill due to Business acquired

17,536,000

87,734,000

40,100,000

86,900,000

17,536,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill

'

'

32,800,000

65,400,000

10,550,000

'

'

'

'

'

2,200,000

24,200,000

40,500,000

3,300,000

700,000

250,000

5,000,000

5,700,000

2,000,000

24,900,000

Number of tuck-in acquisitions

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of businesses acquired

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred purchase price for business acquisitions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proforma_Results_of_Operations

Proforma Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales, As reported	$354,349	$378,187	$327,770	$339,556	$327,260	$344,205	$300,468	$307,809	$1,399,862	$1,279,742	$1,276,521
Net sales, Pro forma	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,419,915	1,390,251	1,439,493
Earnings from continuing operations, As reported	35,587	50,557	22,304	33,005	45,115	46,077	25,834	30,551	141,453	147,577	125,276
Earnings from continuing operations, Pro forma	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$142,589	$154,371	$134,430
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations, As reported	$0.52	$0.72	$0.31	$0.45	$0.62	$0.63	$0.35	$0.42	$1.99	$2.02	$1.79
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations, Pro forma	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2.01	$2.12	$1.92
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, As reported	$0.51	$0.70	$0.30	$0.44	$0.60	$0.62	$0.35	$0.41	$1.95	$1.98	$1.68
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, Pro forma	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.97	$2.07	$1.80

Discontinued_Operations_Income

Discontinued Operations Income Statement and Balance Sheet Summary (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]	'		'		'
Net sales	$72,139,000		$286,308,000		$328,821,000
Operating profit (loss) (1)	-4,873,000	[1]	34,536,000	[1]	28,148,000	[1]
Impairment charge	0		-159,104,000		-62,464,000
Gain on disposal	34,459,000		0		0
Income tax benefit (expense)	-7,466,000		7,039,000		-3,670,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	22,120,000		-117,529,000		-37,986,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Accelerated Compensation Cost	$3,100,000		'		'
[1]	(1) The operating loss in fiscal 2014 includes the operating results of the Electrical segment through the sale date of December 13, 2013, certain divestiture costs and a $3.1 million non-cash charge for the accelerated vesting of equity compensation.

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Jun. 13, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Dec. 13, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
						Recreational vehicle [Member]	Recreational vehicle [Member]	Electrical	Electrical	Mastervolt International Holding B.V.
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Disposal Date	'	'	'	'	'	13-Jun-14	'	13-Dec-13	'	'
Proceeds from sale of businesses	'	'	$289,590,000	$4,854,000	$0	$36,500,000	'	$252,400,000	'	'
Net gain on disposal of businesses	'	'	29,152,000	0	0	2,813,000	'	'	'	'
Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	'	'	-13,495,000	0	0	13,495,000	'	'	'	'
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, annual revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,000,000	'	'	'
Gain on disposal	'	'	34,459,000	0	0	'	'	34,459,000	'	'
Gain on disposal, net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	26,339,000	'	'
Impairment charges	-11,200,000	170,300,000	0	158,817,000	62,464,000	'	'	'	159,100,000	62,500,000
Goodwill impairment	'	'	'	-137,804,000	'	'	'	'	137,800,000	36,600,000
indefinite lived intangible asset (tradenames) impairment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$21,300,000	$25,900,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Future amortization expense, 2015	$25.60	'
Future amortization expense, 2016	25.6	'
Future amortization expense, 2017	24.9	'
Future amortization expense, 2018	24.1	'
Future amortization expense, 2019	23.9	'
Future amortization expense, thereafter	115.2	'
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	'	$22.20

Changes_in_Carrying_Value_of_G

Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$734,952	$866,412	'
Recognition of Goodwill due to Business acquired	17,536	87,734	40,100
Purchase accounting adjustments	-835	17	'
Impairment charge	'	-137,804	'
Reclassification of discontinued operations	'	-76,877	'
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	-17,843	-2,556	'
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	8,960	-1,974	'
Ending Balance	742,770	734,952	866,412
Industrial	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	82,611	81,404	'
Recognition of Goodwill due to Business acquired	17,536	0	'
Purchase accounting adjustments	0	0	'
Impairment charge	'	0	'
Reclassification of discontinued operations	'	0	'
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0	0	'
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	119	1,207	'
Ending Balance	100,266	82,611	'
Energy	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	341,903	259,521	'
Recognition of Goodwill due to Business acquired	0	87,734	'
Purchase accounting adjustments	-835	117	'
Impairment charge	'	0	'
Reclassification of discontinued operations	'	0	'
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0	0	'
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	9,559	-5,469	'
Ending Balance	350,627	341,903	'
Electrical	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	0	213,870	'
Recognition of Goodwill due to Business acquired	0	0	'
Purchase accounting adjustments	0	0	'
Impairment charge	'	-137,804	'
Reclassification of discontinued operations	'	-76,877	'
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0	0	'
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	0	811	'
Ending Balance	0	0	'
Engineered Solutions	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	310,438	311,617	'
Recognition of Goodwill due to Business acquired	0	0	'
Purchase accounting adjustments	0	-100	'
Impairment charge	'	0	'
Reclassification of discontinued operations	'	0	'
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	-17,843	-2,556	'
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	-718	1,477	'
Ending Balance	$291,877	$310,438	'

Gross_Carrying_Value_and_Accum

Gross Carrying Value and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangibles, gross	$513,361	$504,468
Accumulated Amortization	148,184	127,776
Other intangibles, net	365,177	376,692
Trade Names	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	125,905	124,639
Customer Relationships	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	325,164	318,143
Accumulated Amortization	117,706	95,215
Net Book Value	207,458	222,928
Weighted Average Amortization Period	'15 years	'
Patents	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	31,678	30,564
Accumulated Amortization	17,494	18,747
Net Book Value	14,184	11,817
Weighted Average Amortization Period	'10 years	'
Trademarks and Tradenames	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	23,241	24,088
Accumulated Amortization	6,201	7,356
Net Book Value	17,040	16,732
Weighted Average Amortization Period	'17 years	'
Non-Compete Agreements and Other	'	'
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	7,373	7,034
Accumulated Amortization	6,783	6,458
Net Book Value	$590	$576
Weighted Average Amortization Period	'4 years	'

LongTerm_Indebtedness_Detail

Long-Term Indebtedness (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 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	-4,500	0
Total long-term debt, less current maturities	385,500	515,000
Senior Credit Facility	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Senior Indebtedness	90,000	215,000
Senior Credit Facility | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Senior Indebtedness	0	125,000
Senior Credit Facility | 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 $)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Apr. 03, 2012

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Apr. 16, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Apr. 16, 2012

Apr. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2003

Apr. 16, 2012

Apr. 16, 2012

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

5.625% Senior Notes

5.625% Senior Notes

5.625% Senior Notes

5.625% Senior Notes

6.875% Senior Notes

6.875% Senior Notes

2% Converitble Notes

2% Converitble Notes

2% Converitble Notes

2% Converitble Notes

2% Converitble Notes

Minimum

Maximum

Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan

Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan

Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan

Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan

Senior Credit Facility - Revolver

Senior Credit Facility - Revolver

Senior Credit Facility - Revolver

Senior Credit Facility

Senior Credit Facility

Senior Credit Facility

Senior Credit Facility

Senior Credit Facility

Senior Credit Facility

Senior Credit Facility

Senior Credit Facility

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Convertible Notes

Convertible Notes

Convertible Notes

Convertible Notes

Convertible Notes

6.875% Senior Notes

6.875% Senior Notes

Starting on September 30, 2014

Starting on September 30, 2015

Minimum

Maximum

covenant

Minimum

Maximum

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

Base Rate

Base Rate

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$90,000,000

'

'

'

$600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior credit facility expansion option, available

'

350,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument interest rate over variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

1.00%

2.50%

0.00%

1.50%

Debt instrument actual interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.44%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of non-use fee, annually

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.15%

0.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unused credit line

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

593,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quarterly installments, payable on term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of financial covenants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.75

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed charge coverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

300,000,000

'

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

5.63%

5.63%

5.63%

5.63%

6.88%

6.88%

'

'

'

2.00%

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Redemption Price As Percentage Of Principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

104.00%

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

102.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

260,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt conversion converted remaining instrument amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

117,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares issued due to calling of convertible notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,951,440

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes

'

0

0

102,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prior income tax to be recaptured

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed interest rate of interest rate swap contracts

'

'

'

'

2.06%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Credit Facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other long term Liabilities

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt refinancing costs

'

0

0

16,830,000

'

'

'

'

'

16,830,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tender premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Write-off of deferred financing fees and debt discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on termination of interest rate swap agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Related tax benefit on debt refinancing charge

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash interest payments

'

$21,000,000

$21,000,000

$26,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Assets

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 1 Valuation	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	$1,207	$1,092
Investments	2,118	1,793
Level 2 Valuation	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign Currency Contracts Net Assets (Liabilities) Fair Value Disclosure	($966)	$143

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (5.625% Senior Notes, Senior Notes, USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Apr. 16, 2012
5.625% Senior Notes | 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%	5.63%	5.63%
Fair value of long-term debt	$315,800,000	$300,800,000	'	'

Derivatives_Details

Derivatives (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	'	'	$100,000,000
Net foreign currency gains (losses)	-13,600,000	800,000	'
Level 2 Valuation	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Contracts Net Assets (Liabilities) Fair Value Disclosure	-966,000	143,000	'
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,000,000	9,700,000	'
Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	$219,900,000	$383,600,000	'

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Due in 2015	$32.10	'	'
Due in 2016	28.7	'	'
Due in 2017	25.5	'	'
Due in 2018	21.3	'	'
Due in 2019	18	'	'
Due thereafter	45.3	'	'
Operating lease, rental expense	31.6	26	24.2
Minimum	'	'	'
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease agreements period	'1 year	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease agreements period	'20 years	'	'
Viking	'	'	'
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Lease Terms	'seven year term	'	'
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Gross Proceeds	$41	'	'

Changes_in_Projected_Benefit_O

Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status of Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of benefit obligations:	'	'	'
Interest cost	$2,146	$1,928	$2,162
Reconciliation of plan assets:	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	34,054	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	44,642	34,054	'
U.S. defined benefit pension plans	'	'	'
Reconciliation of benefit obligations:	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	45,046	50,870	'
Adjustment	0	-280	'
Interest cost	2,146	1,928	'
Actuarial (gain) loss	3,769	-4,983	'
Benefits paid	-3,416	-2,489	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	47,545	45,046	'
Reconciliation of plan assets:	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	34,054	33,695	'
Actual return on plan assets	5,180	2,252	'
Company contributions	8,824	596	'
Benefits paid from plan assets	-3,416	-2,489	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	44,642	34,054	'
Funded status of the plans (underfunded)	($2,903)	($10,992)	'

Net_Periodic_Benefit_Costs_Det

Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest cost	$2,146	$1,928	$2,162
Expected return on assets	-2,959	-2,468	-2,471
Amortization of actuarial loss	667	878	675
Net benefit cost (income)	($146)	$338	$366

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pension plan actuarial gain losses, not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost	($12,600,000)	($12,000,000)	'
Pension plan actuarial gain losses, expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in 2015	500,000	'	'
Net periodic benefit costs (credit)	-146,000	338,000	366,000
Weighted average discount rate for determining benefit obligation	4.15%	4.90%	3.90%
Expense on participant deferrals in fixed income investment option	1,700,000	1,600,000	1,500,000
Cost of stock held in trust for deferred compensation plan	2,900,000	1,900,000	'
Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-term Liabilities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred compensation liability	22,800,000	23,200,000	'
U.S. defined benefit pension plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected long term rate of return for assets	7.50%	'	'
Amount of benefits expected to be paid in fiscal 2015	2,700,000	'	'
Amount of benefits expected to be paid in fiscal 2016	2,700,000	'	'
Amount of benefits expected to be paid in fiscal 2017	2,700,000	'	'
Amount of benefits expected to be paid in, fiscal 2018	2,700,000	'	'
Amount of benefits expected to be paid in, fiscal 2019	2,700,000	'	'
Amount of benefits expected to be paid fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2024	15,000,000	'	'
Benefit obligation	47,545,000	45,046,000	50,870,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net periodic benefit costs (credit)	-200,000	-200,000	-200,000
Define benefit plan Company contributions, year 2015	300,000	'	'
Benefit obligation	3,100,000	2,900,000	'
Health care cost trend rate	8.00%	'	'
Health care cost trending downward rate by 2022	5.00%	'	'
Non-US Pension Plans, Defined Benefit	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected long term rate of return for assets	4.60%	'	'
Net periodic benefit costs (credit)	1,300,000	800,000	500,000
Weighted average discount rate for determining benefit obligation	3.20%	4.30%	'
Define benefit plan Company contributions, year 2015	900,000	'	'
Benefit obligation	18,599,000	12,912,000	'
401(k) [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum employee contribution to defined contribution benefit plans	50.00%	'	'
Maximum Company contribution to defined contribution benefit plans	3.00%	'	'
Employer matching contribution to employee contribution percentage	25.00%	'	'
Expense recognized related to defined contribution plan	4,500,000	4,500,000	5,100,000
401(k) [Member] | Maximum	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employee contribution percentage of eligible compensation	6.00%	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation	2,000,000	1,700,000	'
Expense recognized related to defined contribution plan	$400,000	$600,000	$700,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan | Maximum	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employer contribution to defined contribution benefit plans	6.00%	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan | Minimum	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employer contribution to defined contribution benefit plans	3.00%	'	'
Equity Securities	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Asset allocation in equity securities minimum	60.00%	'	'
Asset allocation in equity securities maximum	80.00%	'	'

Weighted_Average_Assumptions_U

Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Assumptions for benefit obligations:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.15%	4.90%	3.90%
Assumptions for net periodic benefit cost:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.90%	3.90%	5.00%
Expected return on plan assets	7.65%	7.75%	7.90%

US_Pension_Plan_Investment_All

U.S. Pension Plan Investment Allocations by Asset Category (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of pension plan assets	$44,642	$34,054
Percentage of fair value of pension plan assets	100.00%	100.00%
Cash and cash equivalents | Level 1 Valuation	'	'
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of pension plan assets	0	348
Percentage of fair value of pension plan assets	0.00%	1.00%
Fixed Income Securities | Level 2 Valuation	'	'
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of pension plan assets	14,223	12,205
Percentage of fair value of pension plan assets	31.80%	35.90%
Fixed Income Securities | Corporate Bond | Level 2 Valuation	'	'
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of pension plan assets	9,749	8,741
Percentage of fair value of pension plan assets	21.80%	25.70%
Fixed Income Securities | Mutual Funds | Level 2 Valuation	'	'
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of pension plan assets	4,474	3,464
Percentage of fair value of pension plan assets	10.00%	10.20%
Equity Securities | Mutual Funds | Level 1 Valuation	'	'
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of pension plan assets	$30,419	$21,501
Percentage of fair value of pension plan assets	68.20%	63.10%

Funded_Status_of_Defined_Benef

Funded Status of Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	$44,642	$34,054
Non-US Pension Plans, Defined Benefit	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Benefit obligation	18,599	12,912
Fair value of plan assets	10,312	7,790
Funded status of the plans (underfunded)	($8,287)	($5,122)

Income_Tax_Expense_from_Contin

Income Tax Expense from Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Currently payable:	'	'	'
Currently payable, Federal	$23,211	$24,809	$22,078
Currently payable, Foreign	9,059	13,335	10,396
Currently payable, State	-657	902	1,534
Currently payable	31,613	39,046	34,008
Deferred:	'	'	'
Deferred, Federal	4,224	-13,514	-495
Deferred, Foreign	-4,130	-9,942	-4,598
Deferred, State	866	-218	439
Benefit for deferred income taxes	960	-23,674	-4,654
Income tax expense (benefit)	$32,573	$15,372	$29,354

Reconciliation_of_Income_Taxes

Reconciliation of Income Taxes at Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'		'		'
Federal statutory rate	35.00%		35.00%		35.00%
State income taxes, net of Federal effect	0.80%		0.90%		1.20%
Net effect of foreign tax rates and credits	-10.50%		-8.80%		-14.60%
NOL utilization and changes in valuation allowance	-4.10%		-3.10%		0.10%
Tax contingency reserve	-0.70%		-5.60%		-2.20%
Change in income tax accounting method, net	-5.60%		0.00%		0.00%
Business (RV) divestiture	3.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Prior period correction (1)	0.00%	[1]	-6.50%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Other items	0.80%		-2.50%		-0.50%
Effective income tax rate	18.70%		9.40%		19.00%
[1]	During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded a $10.6 million adjustment to properly state deferred income tax balances associated with its equity compensation programs. The correction was not material to current or previously issued financial statements.

Temporary_Differences_and_Carr

Temporary Differences and Carryforwards of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred income tax assets:	'	'
Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	$25,295	$29,611
Compensation related liabilities	23,496	20,864
Postretirement benefits	5,082	7,731
Inventory	2,775	8,657
Book reserves and other items	12,214	12,643
Total deferred income tax assets	68,862	79,506
Valuation allowance	-12,841	-17,268
Net deferred income tax assets	56,021	62,238
Deferred income tax liabilities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	-124,688	-151,370
Other items	-5,728	-2,077
Deferred income tax liabilities	-130,416	-153,447
Net deferred income tax liability	($74,395)	($91,209)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
				properly state deferred income tax balances associated with its equity compensation programs	Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Prior period reclassification adjustment	'	'	'	$10,600,000	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforward	'	'	'	'	95,400,000	51,600,000
Recognized interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits	2,000,000	2,900,000	4,500,000	'	'	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Undistributed earnings	324,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Additional provision for undistributed earnings	31,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Incremental U.S taxes on unremitted earnings	9.40%	'	'	'	'	'
Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	-13,495,000	0	0	'	'	'
Debt refinancing costs	0	0	16,830,000	'	'	'
Income taxes, net of refunds	$57,200,000	$42,100,000	$56,500,000	'	'	'

Changes_in_Gross_Liability_for

Changes in Gross Liability for Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Interest and Penalties (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$18,006	$24,608	$26,179
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year	21,300	3,601	2,776
Increase (decrease) for tax positions taken in a prior period	0	-100	624
Decrease due to settlements	0	-2,581	-392
Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations	-7,030	-7,522	-4,579
Ending balance	$32,276	$18,006	$24,608

Earnings_before_Income_Taxes_I

Earnings before Income Taxes, Including both Continuing and Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Domestic	$84,854	$67,392	$65,685
Foreign	89,172	95,557	88,945
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax	$174,026	$162,949	$154,630

Capital_Stock_Additional_Infor

Capital Stock - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Oct. 01, 2014	Mar. 19, 2014	Sep. 28, 2011
Capital Unit [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cumulative Preferred Stock, shares authorized share	'	160,000	'	'	'	'	'
Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value	'	$1	'	'	'	'	'
Cumulative Preferred Stock, issued	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Shares authorized in buyback program	'	'	'	'	'	7,000,000	7,000,000
Shares repurchased	'	12,195,359	3,983,513	'	'	'	'
Treasury Stock Repurchased During the Fiscal Year, Shares	'	8,211,846	1,324,762	2,658,751	'	'	'
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$33	$35	$32	$24	$32	'	'
Treasury Stock, Value	'	$388,627	$104,915	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities-equity based compensation plans (excluded from earnings per share calculation)	'	522,000	619,000	2,582,000	'	'	'
Common Class A	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Capital Unit [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	'	168,000,000	168,000,000	'	'	'	'
Common stock, par value	'	$0.20	$0.20	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	'	78,480,780	77,001,144	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	'	66,285,421	'	'	'	'	'
Common Class B	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Capital Unit [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	'	1,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, par value	'	$0.20	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Subsequent Event [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Capital Unit [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares authorized in buyback program	7,000,000	'	'	'	7,000,000	'	'
Shares repurchased	14,000,000	'	'	'	14,000,000	'	'
Treasury Stock Repurchased During the Fiscal Year, Shares	1,804,641	'	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury Stock, Value	$447,100	'	'	'	$447,100	'	'

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Per

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	$35,587	$50,557	$41,392	$36,037	$58,253	($92,983)	$28,435	$36,343	$163,573	$30,048	$87,290
Plus: 2% Convertible Notes financings costs, net of taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	425
Net earnings for diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$163,573	$30,048	$87,715
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	70,942	72,979	70,099
Net effect of dilutive securities-employee stock compensation plans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,544	1,601	1,119
Net effect of 2% Convertible Notes based on the if-converted method	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	3,722
Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	72,486	74,580	74,940
Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share):	$0.52	$0.72	$0.57	$0.49	$0.80	($1.27)	$0.39	$0.50	$2.31	$0.41	$1.25
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share):	$0.51	$0.70	$0.56	$0.48	$0.78	($1.24)	$0.38	$0.49	$2.26	$0.40	$1.17

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Per1

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) (2% Converitble Notes, Convertible Notes)	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2003
2% Converitble Notes | Convertible Notes	'	'
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, interest rate	2.00%	2.00%

Stocks_Plans_Additional_Inform

Stocks Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Class A Common Stock were authorized for issuance	9,400,000	'
Shares available for future grants	3,915,647	'
Exercise price as percentage of fair market value at grant date	100.00%	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation for stock options and restricted stock outstanding	$23.50	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation for stock options and restricted stock outstanding, recognition period	'2 years 11 months	'
Performance Shares	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Performance period	'3 years	'
Performance Shares | Free Cash Flow Conversion Target	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	50.00%	'
Performance Shares | Total Shareholders Return	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	50.00%	'
Restricted Stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of shares vested	$17.90	$6.20
After Three Years	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	50.00%	'
After Five Years	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	100.00%	'
Maximum | Stock Options	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Stock options term	'10 years	'

Summary_of_Stock_Option_Activi

Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014
Number of Stock Option Outstanding	'
Beginning Balance	4,179,551
Granted	211,276
Exercised	-1,076,370
Forfeited	-64,056
Ending Balance	3,250,401
Options exercisable at end of Period	2,255,920
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Beginning Balance	$23.66
Granted	$35.98
Exercised	$21.16
Forfeited	$26.44
Ending Balance	$25.24
Options exercisable at end of Period	$24.48
Option Outstanding weighted average remaining term	'4 years 7 months 6 days
Option exercisable weighted average remaining term	'3 years 5 months 8 days
Stock option, aggregate intrinsic Value	$27.60
Stock option, aggregate intrinsic Value	$20.90

Summary_of_WeightedAverage_Gra

Summary of Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value of Options, Total Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised, and Cash Receipts from Options Exercised (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Weighted-average fair value of options granted (per share)	$14.46	$10.49	$8.73
Intrinsic value gain of options exercised	$16,380	$15,803	$7,946
Cash receipts from exercise of options	$21,995	$24,840	$6,550

Summary_Of_Restricted_Stock_Ac

Summary Of Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock	'
Aggregate Number of Restricted Shares	'
Beginning Balance	1,594,189
Granted	311,425
Forfeited	-98,582
Vested	-480,572
Ending Balance	1,326,460
Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date	'
Beginning Balance	$25.83
Granted	$36.05
Forfeited	$27.36
Vested	$25.42
Ending Balance	$28.27

WeightedAverage_Assumptions_De

Weighted-Average Assumptions (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Dividend yield	0.11%	0.14%	0.18%
Expected volatility	38.30%	38.36%	39.97%
Risk-free rate of return	0.70%	0.84%	1.19%
Expected forfeiture rate	14.18%	15.00%	15.00%
Expected life	'6 years 1 month	'6 years 1 month 6 days	'6 years 1 month 6 days

Business_Segment_Geographic_an2

Business Segment, Geographic and Customer Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of reportable segments	3
Largest customer sales in fiscal year, percent	3.00%
Export sales from domestic operation, as a percentage of total net sales	8.30%

Summary_of_Financial_Informati

Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment and Product Line (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$354,349	$378,187	$327,770	$339,556	$327,260	$344,205	$300,468	$307,809	$1,399,862	$1,279,742	$1,276,521
Operating profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	203,108	190,145	204,514
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	60,635	53,902	54,263
Discontinued Operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	7,804	10,667
Capital Expenditure	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	41,857	23,668	22,740
Assets	1,856,879	'	'	'	2,119,332	'	'	'	1,856,879	2,119,332	'
Industrial	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	413,902	422,620	419,295
Operating profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	120,250	117,644	114,777
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,597	8,553	8,358
Capital Expenditure	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,349	3,524	5,333
Assets	307,058	'	'	'	280,110	'	'	'	307,058	280,110	'
Energy	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	462,368	363,372	349,163
Operating profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,412	63,280	62,205
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	33,983	18,451	18,115
Capital Expenditure	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	26,787	9,417	8,962
Assets	788,915	'	'	'	817,547	'	'	'	788,915	817,547	'
Engineered Solutions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	523,592	493,750	508,063
Operating profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	55,430	40,328	60,851
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17,602	16,949	15,093
Capital Expenditure	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,763	7,001	3,463
Assets	643,323	'	'	'	652,581	'	'	'	643,323	652,581	'
General Corporate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-28,984	-31,107	-33,319
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,453	2,145	2,030
Capital Expenditure	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,956	867	1,905
Assets	117,583	'	'	'	96,488	'	'	'	117,583	96,488	'
Vehicle Systems	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	272,201	253,073	279,549
Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	251,391	240,677	228,514
Discontinued Operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Capital Expenditure	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2	$2,859	$3,077

Financial_Information_from_Con

Financial Information from Continuing Operations By Geographic Region (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Geographic Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation	$0	'	'	'	$272,606	'	'	'	$0	$272,606	'
Net sales	354,349	378,187	327,770	339,556	327,260	344,205	300,468	307,809	1,399,862	1,279,742	1,276,521
Long-Lived Assets	184,964	'	'	'	205,182	'	'	'	184,964	205,182	'
United States	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	573,590	549,057	599,831
Long-Lived Assets	44,971	'	'	'	41,161	'	'	'	44,971	41,161	'
United Kingdom	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	162,508	144,131	141,037
Long-Lived Assets	28,364	'	'	'	54,136	'	'	'	28,364	54,136	'
Netherlands	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	151,549	159,396	185,112
Norway	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-Lived Assets	29,715	'	'	'	59,557	'	'	'	29,715	59,557	'
Australia	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	82,778	68,255	47,472
Long-Lived Assets	20,431	'	'	'	5,104	'	'	'	20,431	5,104	'
France	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	53,542	52,806	48,681
China	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-Lived Assets	19,166	'	'	'	19,551	'	'	'	19,166	19,551	'
All other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	375,895	306,097	254,388
Long-Lived Assets	$42,317	'	'	'	$25,673	'	'	'	$42,317	$25,673	'

Contingencies_and_Litigation_A

Contingencies and Litigation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Discounted present value of future minimum lease payments	$20.60	'
Outstanding letters of credit	14	10.7
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	'

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Additio

Guarantor Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2003	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Apr. 16, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Apr. 16, 2012
	Convertible Notes	Convertible Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes
	2% Converitble Notes	2% Converitble Notes	5.625% Senior Notes	5.625% Senior Notes	5.625% Senior Notes	5.625% Senior Notes	6.875% Senior Notes	6.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	'	$150,000,000	$300,000,000	'	'	$300,000,000	'	$250,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	2.00%	2.00%	5.63%	5.63%	5.63%	5.63%	6.88%	6.88%

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$354,349	$378,187	$327,770	$339,556	$327,260	$344,205	$300,468	$307,809	$1,399,862	$1,279,742	$1,276,521
Cost of products sold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	852,990	772,792	765,061
Gross profit	142,095	148,550	124,447	131,780	129,500	136,904	116,178	124,368	546,872	506,950	511,460
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	332,093	293,866	284,920
Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-13,495	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,166	22,939	22,026
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	203,108	190,145	204,514
Financing costs, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,045	24,837	29,561
Debt refinancing costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	16,830
Intercompany expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Other expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,037	2,359	3,493
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	174,026	162,949	154,630
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	32,573	15,372	29,354
Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	141,453	147,577	125,276
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Earnings from continuing operations	35,587	50,557	22,304	33,005	45,115	46,077	25,834	30,551	141,453	147,577	125,276
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0	19,088	3,032	13,138	-139,060	2,601	5,792	22,120	-117,529	-37,986
Net earnings	35,587	50,557	41,392	36,037	58,253	-92,983	28,435	36,343	163,573	30,048	87,290
Comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	163,825	30,860	35,497
Parent	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	195,573	196,531	206,894
Cost of products sold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	57,464	65,178	69,902
Gross profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	138,109	131,353	136,992
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	96,220	69,734	79,742
Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,200	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,272	1,276	1,341
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	39,417	60,343	55,909
Financing costs, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,611	25,270	29,983
Debt refinancing costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,830
Intercompany expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-27,601	-21,041	-32,185
Other expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12,716	-2,105	1,351
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	28,691	58,219	39,930
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-16,529	-798	6,700
Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	45,220	59,017	33,230
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	139,865	-26,527	56,407
Earnings from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	185,085	32,490	89,637
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-21,512	-2,442	-2,347
Net earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	163,573	30,048	87,290
Comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	163,825	30,860	35,497
Guarantors	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	315,715	293,884	328,295
Cost of products sold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	219,750	201,704	220,271
Gross profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	95,965	92,180	108,024
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	44,102	59,358	61,113
Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-14,695	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,520	10,481	10,515
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,038	22,341	36,396
Financing costs, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	9	-14
Debt refinancing costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Intercompany expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,520	1,082	6,281
Other expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	153	-571	1,992
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	50,362	21,821	28,137
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	30,793	2,009	4,677
Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	19,569	19,812	23,460
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	33,061	7,822	14,373
Earnings from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	52,630	27,634	37,833
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,494	-76,634	11,373
Net earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	109,124	-49,000	49,206
Comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	123,148	-48,416	24,934
Non-Guarantors	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	888,574	789,327	741,332
Cost of products sold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	575,776	505,910	474,888
Gross profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	312,798	283,417	266,444
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	191,771	164,774	144,065
Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,374	11,182	10,170
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	107,653	107,461	112,209
Financing costs, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-569	-442	-408
Debt refinancing costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Intercompany expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,081	19,959	25,904
Other expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-8,832	5,035	150
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	94,973	82,909	86,563
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	18,309	14,161	17,977
Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	76,664	68,748	68,586
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,160	2,173	1,649
Earnings from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	82,824	70,921	70,235
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-12,862	-38,453	-47,012
Net earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	69,962	32,468	23,223
Comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	55,990	31,099	6,064
Eliminations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Cost of products sold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Gross profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Loss (gain) on product line divestiture	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Financing costs, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Debt refinancing costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Intercompany expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Other expense (income), net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-179,086	16,532	-72,429
Earnings from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-179,086	16,532	-72,429
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Net earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-179,086	16,532	-72,429
Comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($179,138)	$17,317	($30,998)

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$109,012	$103,986	$68,184	$44,221
Accounts receivable, net	227,008	219,075	'	'
Inventories, net	162,620	142,549	'	'
Deferred income taxes	11,050	18,796	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	33,300	28,228	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	0	272,606	'	'
Total current assets	542,990	785,240	'	'
Property, plant & equipment, net	169,101	201,496	'	'
Goodwill	742,770	734,952	866,412	'
Other intangibles, net	365,177	376,692	'	'
Intercompany receivable	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Other long-term assets	36,841	20,952	'	'
Total assets	1,856,879	2,119,332	'	'
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	145,798	154,049	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	52,964	43,800	'	'
Income taxes payable	38,347	14,014	'	'
Current maturities of debt	4,500	0	'	'
Other current liabilities	57,512	56,899	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	0	53,080	'	'
Total current liabilities	299,121	321,842	'	'
Long-term debt	385,500	515,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	96,970	115,865	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	15,699	20,698	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	57,878	65,660	'	'
Intercompany payable	0	0	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	1,001,711	1,080,267	1,051,836	919,013
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,856,879	2,119,332	'	'
Parent	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	27,931	16,122	12,401	872
Accounts receivable, net	22,811	20,471	'	'
Inventories, net	31,024	27,343	'	'
Deferred income taxes	7,503	13,002	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,871	7,454	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	'	0	'	'
Total current assets	93,140	84,392	'	'
Property, plant & equipment, net	9,096	7,050	'	'
Goodwill	44,700	62,543	'	'
Other intangibles, net	11,974	13,247	'	'
Intercompany receivable	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	2,286,068	2,086,534	'	'
Other long-term assets	23,432	12,654	'	'
Total assets	2,468,410	2,266,420	'	'
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	20,014	22,194	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	15,135	13,835	'	'
Income taxes payable	31,582	8,135	'	'
Current maturities of debt	4,500	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	19,081	21,268	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	'	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	90,312	65,432	'	'
Long-term debt	385,500	515,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	47,543	64,358	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	8,668	16,267	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	42,647	51,479	'	'
Intercompany payable	892,029	473,617	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	1,001,711	1,080,267	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,468,410	2,266,420	'	'
Guarantors	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	3,325	0	91	0
Accounts receivable, net	38,511	40,343	'	'
Inventories, net	38,860	38,948	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,057	963	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	'	192,129	'	'
Total current assets	81,753	272,383	'	'
Property, plant & equipment, net	22,879	22,801	'	'
Goodwill	280,693	264,502	'	'
Other intangibles, net	140,400	141,258	'	'
Intercompany receivable	678,073	480,633	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	806,414	201,779	'	'
Other long-term assets	0	22	'	'
Total assets	2,010,212	1,383,378	'	'
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	25,673	30,637	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	3,293	2,716	'	'
Income taxes payable	0	0	'	'
Current maturities of debt	0	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	3,989	4,630	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	'	23,466	'	'
Total current liabilities	32,955	61,449	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	4,138	390	'	'
Intercompany payable	0	0	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	1,973,119	1,321,539	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,010,212	1,383,378	'	'
Non-Guarantors	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	77,756	87,864	55,692	43,349
Accounts receivable, net	165,686	158,261	'	'
Inventories, net	92,736	76,258	'	'
Deferred income taxes	3,547	5,794	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	28,372	19,811	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	'	80,477	'	'
Total current assets	368,097	428,465	'	'
Property, plant & equipment, net	137,126	171,645	'	'
Goodwill	417,377	407,907	'	'
Other intangibles, net	212,803	222,187	'	'
Intercompany receivable	622,818	360,620	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	237,207	96,333	'	'
Other long-term assets	13,409	8,276	'	'
Total assets	2,008,837	1,695,433	'	'
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	100,111	101,218	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	34,536	27,249	'	'
Income taxes payable	6,765	5,879	'	'
Current maturities of debt	0	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	34,442	31,001	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	'	29,614	'	'
Total current liabilities	175,854	194,961	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	49,427	51,507	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	7,031	4,431	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	11,093	13,791	'	'
Intercompany payable	408,861	367,636	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	1,356,571	1,063,107	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,008,837	1,695,433	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Inventories, net	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0	'	'
Assets of discontinued operations	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	0	0	'	'
Property, plant & equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Intercompany receivable	-1,300,891	-841,253	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-3,329,689	-2,384,646	'	'
Other long-term assets	0	0	'	'
Total assets	-4,630,580	-3,225,899	'	'
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	0	0	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	0	0	'	'
Income taxes payable	0	0	'	'
Current maturities of debt	0	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	'	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	'	'
Intercompany payable	-1,300,890	-841,253	'	'
Shareholders’ equity	-3,329,690	-2,384,646	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	($4,630,580)	($3,225,899)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem1

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$125,234	$193,789	$182,329
Investing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	44,274	1,621	8,501
Proceeds from sale of businesses	289,590	4,854	0
Intercompany investment	0	'	'
Capital expenditures	-41,857	-23,668	-22,740
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-30,500	-235,489	-69,309
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	261,507	-252,682	-83,548
Financing activities	'	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	-125,000	125,000	-58,167
Intercompany loan activity	0	0	0
Net repayments on revolver	0	-7,500	-2,500
Intercompany capital contribution	0	'	'
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	0	0	-102
Proceeds from issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes	0	0	300,000
Redemption of 6.875% Senior Notes	0	0	-250,000
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	-1,585	-5,378	-958
Debt issuance costs	0	-2,035	-5,490
Purchase of treasury shares	-283,712	-41,832	-63,083
Intercompany loan activity	32,224	33,261	10,913
Cash dividend	-2,919	-2,911	-2,748
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-380,992	98,605	-72,135
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-723	-3,910	-2,683
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,026	35,802	23,963
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	103,986	68,184	44,221
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	109,012	103,986	68,184
Parent	'	'	'
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	75,924	81,597	97,454
Investing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	85	563	1,909
Proceeds from sale of businesses	-4,586	0	'
Intercompany investment	0	'	'
Capital expenditures	-4,498	-2,022	-5,062
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-30,500	0	0
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-39,499	-1,459	-3,153
Financing activities	'	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	-125,000	125,000	-57,990
Intercompany loan activity	354,791	-179,050	-11,482
Net repayments on revolver	'	-7,500	-2,500
Intercompany capital contribution	0	'	'
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	'	'	-102
Proceeds from issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes	'	'	300,000
Redemption of 6.875% Senior Notes	'	'	-250,000
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	0	-1,350	-290
Debt issuance costs	'	-2,035	-5,490
Purchase of treasury shares	-283,712	-41,832	-63,083
Intercompany loan activity	32,224	33,261	10,913
Cash dividend	-2,919	-2,911	-2,748
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-24,616	-76,417	-82,772
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	11,809	3,721	11,529
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	16,122	12,401	872
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	27,931	16,122	12,401
Guarantors	'	'	'
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-20,966	26,095	20,363
Investing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	484	206	353
Proceeds from sale of businesses	250,748	0	'
Intercompany investment	-99,963	'	'
Capital expenditures	-4,675	-4,021	-4,069
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	146,594	-3,815	-3,716
Financing activities	'	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	0	0	0
Intercompany loan activity	-122,303	-22,371	-16,556
Net repayments on revolver	'	0	0
Intercompany capital contribution	0	'	'
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	'	'	0
Proceeds from issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes	'	'	0
Redemption of 6.875% Senior Notes	'	'	0
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	0	0	0
Debt issuance costs	'	0	0
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0	0
Intercompany loan activity	0	0	0
Cash dividend	0	0	0
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-122,303	-22,371	-16,556
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	3,325	-91	91
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	0	91	0
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	3,325	0	91
Non-Guarantors	'	'	'
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	84,992	86,097	64,512
Investing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	43,705	852	6,239
Proceeds from sale of businesses	43,428	4,854	'
Intercompany investment	0	'	'
Capital expenditures	-32,684	-17,625	-13,609
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-235,489	-69,309
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	54,449	-247,408	-76,679
Financing activities	'	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	0	0	-177
Intercompany loan activity	-232,488	201,421	28,038
Net repayments on revolver	'	0	0
Intercompany capital contribution	99,963	'	'
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	'	'	0
Proceeds from issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes	'	'	0
Redemption of 6.875% Senior Notes	'	'	0
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	-1,585	-4,028	-668
Debt issuance costs	'	0	0
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0	0
Intercompany loan activity	0	0	0
Cash dividend	-14,716	0	0
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-148,826	197,393	27,193
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-723	-3,910	-2,683
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	-10,108	32,172	12,343
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	87,864	55,692	43,349
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	77,756	87,864	55,692
Eliminations	'	'	'
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-14,716	0	0
Investing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	0	0
Proceeds from sale of businesses	0	0	'
Intercompany investment	99,963	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	99,963	0	0
Financing activities	'	'	'
Net repayments on revolver	0	0	0
Intercompany loan activity	0	0	0
Net repayments on revolver	'	0	0
Intercompany capital contribution	-99,963	'	'
Repurchases of 2% Convertible Notes	'	'	0
Proceeds from issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes	'	'	0
Redemption of 6.875% Senior Notes	'	'	0
Payment of deferred acquisition consideration	0	0	0
Debt issuance costs	'	0	0
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0	0
Intercompany loan activity	0	0	0
Cash dividend	14,716	0	0
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-85,247	0	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$0	$0	$0

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Detai

Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$354,349	$378,187	$327,770	$339,556	$327,260	$344,205	$300,468	$307,809	$1,399,862	$1,279,742	$1,276,521
Gross profit	142,095	148,550	124,447	131,780	129,500	136,904	116,178	124,368	546,872	506,950	511,460
Earnings from continuing operations	35,587	50,557	22,304	33,005	45,115	46,077	25,834	30,551	141,453	147,577	125,276
Earnings from discontinued operations	0	0	19,088	3,032	13,138	-139,060	2,601	5,792	22,120	-117,529	-37,986
Net earnings	$35,587	$50,557	$41,392	$36,037	$58,253	($92,983)	$28,435	$36,343	$163,573	$30,048	$87,290
Earnings from continuing operations per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.52	$0.72	$0.31	$0.45	$0.62	$0.63	$0.35	$0.42	$1.99	$2.02	$1.79
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.51	$0.70	$0.30	$0.44	$0.60	$0.62	$0.35	$0.41	$1.95	$1.98	$1.68
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0	$0	$0.26	$0.04	$0.18	($1.90)	$0.04	$0.08	$0.32	($1.61)	'
Diluted	$0	$0	$0.26	$0.04	$0.18	($1.86)	$0.03	$0.08	$0.32	($1.58)	'
Net earnings (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.52	$0.72	$0.57	$0.49	$0.80	($1.27)	$0.39	$0.50	$2.31	$0.41	$1.25
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.51	$0.70	$0.56	$0.48	$0.78	($1.24)	$0.38	$0.49	$2.26	$0.40	$1.17

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Addit

Quarterly Financial Data - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment charges	($11,200,000)	$170,300,000	$0	$158,817,000	$62,464,000
properly state deferred income tax balances associated with its equity compensation programs	'	'	'	'	'
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Prior period reclassification adjustment	$10,600,000	'	'	'	'

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Allowance for losses -Trade accounts receivable	'	'	'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$3,701	$4,375	$7,173
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	2,447	584	107
Additions Acquired/ (Divested)/ (Discontinued)	440	-437	96
Deductions Accounts Written Off Less Recoveries	-664	-787	-2,740
Other	110	-34	-261
Ending Balance	6,034	3,701	4,375
Valuation allowance - Income taxes	'	'	'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	17,268	8,153	7,260
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	1,243	4,527	2,954
Additions Acquired/ (Divested)/ (Discontinued)	-5,487	5,772	0
Deductions Accounts Written Off Less Recoveries	-183	-1,184	-2,061
Other	0	0	0
Ending Balance	$12,841	$17,268	$8,153