Enerpac Tool (EPAC) 10-Q 8 Apr 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	28-Feb-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	ATU
Entity Registrant Name	ACTUANT CORP
Entity Central Index Key	6955
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-23
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		59,559,185

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$301,005	$327,770	$628,770	$667,326
Cost of products sold	191,244	203,323	392,033	411,099
Gross profit	109,761	124,447	236,737	256,227
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	75,768	79,240	158,240	161,158
Amortization of intangible assets	6,087	6,226	12,373	12,441
Impairment charge	84,353	0	84,353	0
Operating profit (loss)	-56,447	38,981	-18,229	82,628
Financing costs, net	7,030	6,262	13,221	13,012
Other income, net	-619	1,326	-1,058	2,467
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	-62,858	31,393	-30,392	67,149
Income tax expense	1,980	9,089	9,772	11,840
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	-64,838	22,304	-40,164	55,309
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	19,088	0	22,120
Net earnings (loss)	($64,838)	$41,392	($40,164)	$77,429
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	($1.05)	$0.31	($0.64)	$0.76
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($1.05)	$0.30	($0.64)	$0.74
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	($1.05)	$0.57	($0.64)	$1.07
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($1.05)	$0.56	($0.64)	$1.04
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	61,759	72,227	63,045	72,656
Diluted (in shares)	61,759	73,773	63,045	74,392

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	($64,838)	$41,392	($40,164)	$77,429
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-57,091	4,270	-120,367	21,317
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	390	50	752	100
Cash flow hedges	-47	77	-96	-17
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-56,748	4,397	-119,711	21,400
Comprehensive (loss) income	($121,586)	$45,789	($159,875)	$98,829

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$87,497	$109,012
Accounts receivable, net	204,062	227,008
Inventories, net	162,784	162,620
Deferred income taxes	10,613	11,050
Other current assets	48,275	33,300
Total current assets	513,231	542,990
Property, plant and equipment
Land, buildings and improvements	48,830	52,989
Machinery and equipment	270,398	281,763
Gross property, plant and equipment	319,228	334,752
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-166,050	-165,651
Property, plant and equipment, net	153,178	169,101
Goodwill	615,953	742,770
Other intangibles, net	324,867	365,177
Other long-term assets	29,590	36,841
Total assets	1,636,819	1,856,879
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	126,884	145,798
Accrued compensation and benefits	41,789	52,964
Current maturities of debt	6,750	4,500
Income taxes payable	602	38,347
Other current liabilities	56,680	57,512
Total current liabilities	232,705	299,121
Long-term debt, less current maturities	580,000	385,500
Deferred income taxes	87,971	96,970
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	13,616	15,699
Other long-term liabilities	55,802	57,878
Total liabilities	970,094	855,168
Shareholders’ equity
Class A common stock, $0.20 par value per share, authorized 168,000,000 shares, issued 78,879,896 and 78,480,780 shares, respectively	15,776	15,695
Additional paid-in capital	98,712	93,449
Treasury stock, at cost, 18,436,517 and 12,195,359 shares, respectively	-569,139	-388,627
Retained earnings	1,309,495	1,349,602
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-188,119	-68,408
Stock held in trust	-4,145	-4,083
Deferred compensation liability	4,145	4,083
Total shareholders’ equity	666,725	1,001,711
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$1,636,819	$1,856,879

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Treasury Stock, Shares	18,436,517	12,195,359
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	78,879,896	78,480,780

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Operating Activities
Net earnings (loss)	($40,164)	$77,429
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Impairment charge	84,353	0
Net gain on disposal of business	0	-26,339
Depreciation and amortization	26,940	31,965
Benefit for deferred income taxes	-1,893	-11,064
Stock-based compensation expense	5,873	10,612
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	846	983
Other non-cash adjustments	457	-743
Sources (uses) of cash from changes in components of working capital and other:
Accounts receivable	5,904	4,769
Inventories	-11,162	-21,783
Trade accounts payable	-12,407	-12,835
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-13,353	-1,071
Income taxes payable	-38,033	-13,399
Accrued compensation and benefits	-12,763	3,673
Other accrued liabilities	-4,217	-5,314
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-9,619	36,883
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	-12,877	-22,226
Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction costs	0	243,386
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	707	2,008
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-12,170	223,168
Financing Activities
Purchase of treasury shares	-180,512	-109,095
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	4,753	25,803
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	0	-753
Cash dividend	-2,598	-2,919
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	18,393	-211,964
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-18,119	2,944
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-21,515	51,031
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	109,012	103,986
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	87,497	155,017
Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	199,000	-125,000
Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	($2,250)	$0

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	General
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Actuant Corporation (“Actuant,” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and with the instructions of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of August 31, 2014 was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by the United States generally accepted accounting principles. For additional information, including the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes in the Company’s fiscal 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of financial results have been made. Such adjustments consist of only those of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year ending August 31, 2015.
	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 currently effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, subject to an additional one year deferral as recently proposed by the FASB. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.
	Significant Accounting Policies (Goodwill and Intangible Assets)
	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 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, in the fourth quarter, 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 generally 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 an impairment charge is required.  Indefinite lived intangible assets (tradenames) are also subject to impairment testing. On an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that indefinite lived intangible assets might not be recoverable, the fair value of the indefinite lived intangible assets (using a relief of royalty valuation approach) are compared to the carrying value 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 are reasonable; different assumptions or adverse market developments could change the estimated fair values and ultimately result in future impairment charges.
	As discussed in Note 4, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," the Company recognized an $84.4 million non-cash pre-tax impairment charge in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions
	The Company completed one business acquisition during fiscal 2014, which resulted in the recognition of goodwill in the condensed consolidated financial statements because its purchase price reflects the future earnings and cash flow potential of the acquired company, as well as the complementary strategic fit and resulting synergies the acquisition is expected to bring to existing operations.
	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. If additional information is obtained about these assets and liabilities within the measurement period (not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition), including through asset appraisals and other sources, the Company will refine its estimates of fair value and adjust the initial purchase price allocation.
	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. This Industrial segment acquisition is headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas and maintains a leading position in the domestic concrete tensioning market. Its products include patented encapsulated anchor systems, wedges and customized extruded cables. The purchase price allocation resulted in $14.4 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. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, goodwill related to this acquisition decreased by $3.2 million, the result of adjustments to reflect the fair value of acquired fixed assets. Hayes generated net sales of $6.5 million and $14.1 million during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively.

Discontinued_Operations_and_Di

Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities	Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities
	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) during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. The results of the RV business (which had sales of $6.4 million and $13.1 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014, respectively) are included in the results from continuing operations, but are not material to the consolidated financial results.
	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 Company's former Electrical segment was primarily involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of a broad range of electrical products to the retail DIY, wholesale, OEM, solar, utility, marine and other harsh environment markets. The following table summarizes the results of discontinued operations (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2014			Six Months Ended February 28, 2014
	Net sales	$	9,127		$	72,139
	Operating loss (1)	(10,102		)	(4,873		)
	Gain on disposal	34,459			34,459
	Income tax expense	(5,269		)	(7,466		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	19,088		$	22,120
	(1) The operating loss for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 includes certain divestiture costs and a non-cash charge for the accelerated vesting of equity compensation.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Energy segment provides products and services to the global energy markets, where safety, reliability, up-time and productivity are key value drivers. The dramatic decline in oil prices since the start of the current fiscal year has caused customers to reduce the scope of maintenance activities or extend intervals between scheduled maintenance.  In addition, a slowdown in upstream oil & gas activity has occurred as asset owners hesitate on starting new oil & gas projects, existing projects are sometimes deferred or canceled and capital spending is reduced.  While the Company believes in the long-term growth prospects of the global energy markets, it has taken several actions to adjust the cost structure of the Energy segment in response to current unfavorable market demand.
	The Energy segment contains three reporting units for goodwill impairment testing (Hydratight, Cortland and Viking).  The Hydratight business is primarily tied to downstream production and maintenance activities and therefore is less impacted by changes in customer capital spending patterns or oil & gas prices.  However, customer demand at the more recent Cortland and Viking acquisitions are more susceptible to changes in oil & gas prices and capital spending reductions.  The persistence of unfavorable market conditions (a “triggering event” in the second quarter that required an interim impairment review) is expected to have an adverse impact on the future financial results of the Energy segment. Accordingly, the Company recognized a $84.4 million non-cash pre-tax impairment charge related to the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets of the Cortland and Viking businesses. The impairment charge (as a result of lower projected near-term sales and profits) consisted of a $78.0 million write-down of goodwill and $6.4 million impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets (tradenames). Subsequent to the impairment charge there was $77.5 million of Cortland goodwill and $41.9 million of Viking goodwill at February 28, 2015.
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the six months ended February 28, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
		Industrial				Energy				Engineered Solutions				Total
	Balance as of August 31, 2014	$	100,266			$	350,627			$	291,877			$	742,770
	Purchase accounting adjustments	(3,157		)		—				—				(3,157		)
	Impairment charge	—				(78,530		)		—				(78,530		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	(4,681		)		(29,556		)		(10,893		)		(45,130		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2015	$	92,428			$	242,540			$	280,984			$	615,953
	The gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of the Company’s other intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
				28-Feb-15												31-Aug-14
		Weighted Average		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Amortization		Carrying				Amortization				Book				Carrying		Amortization		Book
		Period (Years)		Value								Value				Value				Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	15		$	306,159			$	122,912			$	183,247			$	325,164	$	117,706	$	207,458
	Patents	10		30,960				18,580				12,380				31,678		17,494		14,184
	Trademarks and tradenames	18		22,106				6,534				15,572				23,241		6,201		17,040
	Other intangibles	3		6,901				6,497				404				7,373		6,783		590
	Indefinite lived intangible assets:
	Tradenames	N/A		113,264				—				113,264				125,905		—		125,905
				$	479,390			$	154,523			$	324,867			$	513,361	$	148,184	$	365,177
	The Company estimates that amortization expense will be $11.9 million for the remaining six months of fiscal 2015. Amortization expense for future years is estimated to be as follows: $23.8 million in fiscal 2016, $22.8 million in 2017, $22.5 million in fiscal 2018, $22.3 million in fiscal 2019, $21.6 million in fiscal 2020 and $86.7 million thereafter. These future amortization expense amounts represent estimates and may be impacted by potential future acquisitions and divestitures or foreign currency exchange rate changes.

Product_Warranty_Costs

Product Warranty Costs	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Product Warranty Costs	Product Warranty Costs
	The Company generally offers its customers a warranty on products they purchase, although warranty periods vary by product type and application. The reserve for future warranty claims is based on historical claim rates and current warranty cost experience. The following is a rollforward of the product warranty reserve (in thousands):
		Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015			2014
	Beginning balance	$	4,056		$	7,413
	Provision for warranties	2,837			1,208
	Warranty payments and costs incurred	(2,418		)	(3,079		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	(231		)	63
	Ending balance	$	4,244		$	5,605

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	The following is a summary of the Company’s long-term indebtedness (in thousands):
		February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
	Senior Credit Facility
	Revolver	$	199,000		$	—
	Term Loan	87,750			90,000
	Total Senior Credit Facility	286,750			90,000
	5.625% Senior Notes	300,000			300,000
	Total Senior Indebtedness	586,750			390,000
	Less: current maturities of long-term debt	(6,750		)	(4,500		)
	Total long-term debt, less current maturities	$	580,000		$	385,500
	The Company’s Senior Credit Facility, which matures on July 18, 2018, includes a $600 million revolving credit facility, a $90 million term loan and a $350 million expansion option, subject to certain conditions. Borrowings are subject to a pricing grid, which can result in increases or decreases to the borrowing spread above LIBOR, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio, ranging from 1.00% to 2.50% in the case of loans bearing interest at LIBOR and from 0.00% to 1.50% in the case of loans bearing interest at the base rate. At February 28, 2015, the borrowing spread on LIBOR based borrowings was 1.75% (aggregating to 1.94%). In addition, a non-use fee is payable quarterly on the average unused credit line under the revolver ranging from 0.15% to 0.40% per annum. At February 28, 2015, the unused credit line under the revolver was $389.3 million of which $328.0 million was available for borrowings. Quarterly principal payments of $1.1 million began on the term loan on September 30, 2014, increasing to $2.3 million per quarter beginning on September 30, 2015, with the remaining principal due at maturity. The Senior Credit Facility, which is secured by substantially all of the Company’s domestic personal property assets, also contains customary limits and restrictions concerning investments, sales of assets, liens on assets, dividends and other payments. The two financial covenants included in the Senior Credit Facility agreement are a maximum leverage ratio of 3.75:1 and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.50:1. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants at February 28, 2015.
	On April 16, 2012, the Company issued $300 million of 5.625% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes require no principal installments prior to their June 15, 2022 maturity, require semiannual interest payments in December and June of each year and contain certain financial and non-financial covenants. 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 indenture governing the Senior Notes requires the Company to offer to purchase at par value an amount of Senior Notes in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 equal to the net proceeds from the Electrical segment divestiture that exceed the amounts reinvested in capital expenditures and business acquisitions since the divestiture. Assuming no further capital deployment in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the maximum repurchase offer would be $150.0 million. The Company has adequate capacity under its Senior Credit Facility to fund the repurchase offer, however the Senior Notes are trading in excess of par value (104.5% at February 28, 2015), and therefore it is highly unlikely that Senior Note holders will accept the par repurchase offer.

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurement
	The Company assesses the inputs used to measure the fair value of financial assets and liabilities using a three-tier hierarchy. Level 1 inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity rates and yield curves. Level 3 inputs are not observable in the market and include management’s own judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The following financial assets, measured at fair value, are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
		February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
	Level 1 Valuation:
	Cash equivalents	$	2,517		$	1,207
	Investments	1,618			2,118
	Level 2 Valuation:
	Foreign currency derivatives	(1,666		)	$	(966	)
	The fair value of the Company’s cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term borrowings and its variable rate long-term debt approximated book value at both February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014 due to their short-term nature and the fact that the interest rates approximated market rates. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding $300 million of 5.625% Senior Notes was $313.5 million and $315.8 million at February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, 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.
	At February 28, 2015, goodwill in the Cortland and Viking reporting units, as well as the Viking tradename were adjusted to estimated fair value, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $84.4 million (as discussed in Note 4, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets"). In order to arrive at the implied fair value of goodwill, the Company assigned the fair value to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. The tradename was valued using the relief of royalty income approach. These represent Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Derivatives

Derivatives	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives	Derivatives
	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 certain portions of its recognized balances and forecasted cash flows that are denominated in non-functional currencies. All derivatives are recognized in the balance sheet at their estimated fair value. On the date it enters into a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative as a hedge of a recognized asset or liability ("fair value hedge") or a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability ("cash flow hedge"). The Company does not enter into derivatives for speculative purposes. Changes in the value of fair value hedges and non-designated hedges are recorded in earnings along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability, while changes in the value of cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows.
	The U.S. dollar equivalent notional value of short duration foreign currency forward contracts (fair value hedges or non-designated hedges) was $191.5 million and $219.9 million, at February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. Net foreign currency gains (losses) related to these derivative instruments are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended February 28,					Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015		2014			2015			2014
	Foreign currency gain (loss)	$	55	$	(2,619	)	$	(2,006	)	$	(11,310	)
	These derivative gains and losses offset foreign currency gains and losses from the related revaluation of non-functional currency assets and liabilities (amounts included in other income and expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations).

Capital_Stock_and_Share_Repurc

Capital Stock and Share Repurchase	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Capital Stock and Share Repurchase	The Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of shares of the Company's common stock under publicly announced share repurchase programs. The following table summarizes the total capital deployed for share repurchases:
	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 - February 28)		6,241,158		28.9
			18,436,517		$	30.84
	At February 28, 2015, the Company could repurchase an additional 2,563,483 shares under existing share repurchase authorizations. In March 2015, the Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program to acquire up to 7,000,000 additional shares of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock.
	The reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended February 28,					Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015			2014		2015			2014
	Numerator:
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(64,838	)	$	22,304	$	(40,164	)	$	55,309
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	61,759			72,227		63,045			72,656
	Net effect of dilutive securities—stock based compensation plans (1)	—			1,546		—			1,736
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	61,759			73,773		63,045			74,392
	Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations:
	Basic	$	(1.05	)	$	0.31	$	(0.64	)	$	0.76
	Diluted	$	(1.05	)	$	0.3	$	(0.64	)	$	0.74
	Anti-dilutive securities stock based compensation plans (excluded from earnings per share calculation)	4,761			403		4,761			201
	(1) As a result of the impairment charge which caused a loss from continuing operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, shares from stock based compensation plans are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share, as the result would be anti-dilutive.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company's income tax expense is impacted by a number of factors, including the amount of taxable earnings derived in foreign jurisdictions with tax rates that are higher or lower than the U.S. Federal statutory rate, permanent items, state tax rates and the ability to utilize various tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards. The Company adjusts the quarterly provision for income taxes based on the estimated annual effective income tax rate and facts and circumstances known at each interim reporting period. Comparative effective income tax rates from continuing operations are as follows:
		Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Effective income tax rate	(3.1	)%	29	%	(32.1	)%	17.6	%
	The income tax benefit on the second quarter fiscal 2015 impairment charge was only $1.7 million, the result of the majority of the $84.4 million impairment charge not being deductible for income tax purposes. Excluding the impairment charge, the effective income tax rate was 17.2% and 21.3% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. The income tax provision for the current and prior year periods reflects the benefits of tax minimization planning, taxable earnings derived in foreign jurisdictions with tax rates that are lower than the U.S. Federal statutory rate and foreign tax credits. Income tax expense for the six months ended February 28, 2015 reflects the benefit from the reinstatement of the U.S. Federal research and development tax credit and an increased benefit from the utilization of foreign tax credits, while the prior year included a $7.3 million discrete income tax benefit (net operating losses generated through the liquidation of a foreign entity).
	The gross liability for unrecognized income tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, increased to $33.2 million at February 28, 2015 from $32.3 million at August 31, 2014. Substantially all of these unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would reduce the effective income tax rate. In addition, at February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, the Company had liabilities totaling $2.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively, for the payment of interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	The Company is a global manufacturer of a broad range of industrial products and systems and is organized in three reportable segments: Industrial, Energy and Engineered Solutions. The Industrial segment is primarily involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded hydraulic and mechanical tools to the maintenance, industrial, infrastructure and production automation markets. The Energy segment provides joint integrity products and services, customized offshore vessel mooring solutions, as well as rope and cable solutions to the global oil & gas, power generation and energy markets. The Engineered Solutions segment provides highly engineered position and motion control systems to OEMs in various vehicle markets, as well as a variety of other products to the industrial and agricultural markets. The following tables summarize financial information by reportable segment and product line (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended February 28,						Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net Sales by Segment:
	Industrial	$	96,489		$	93,571		$	198,902		$	192,212
	Energy	100,211			106,031			211,733			213,956
	Engineered Solutions	104,305			128,168			218,135			261,158
		$	301,005		$	327,770		$	628,770		$	667,326
	Net Sales by Reportable Product Line:
	Industrial	$	96,489		$	93,571		$	198,902		$	192,212
	Energy	100,211			106,031			211,733			213,956
	Vehicle Systems	51,981			67,278			110,449			138,927
	Other	52,324			60,890			107,686			122,231
		$	301,005		$	327,770		$	628,770		$	667,326
	Operating Profit (Loss):
	Industrial	$	23,517		$	26,477		$	50,221		$	53,374
	Energy	(75,673		)	9,504			(63,231		)	18,427
	Engineered Solutions	2,010			9,548			8,288			22,737
	General Corporate	(6,301		)	(6,548		)	(13,507		)	(11,910		)
		$	(56,447	)	$	38,981		$	(18,229	)	$	82,628
		February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Industrial	$	286,529		$	307,058
	Energy	618,346			788,915
	Engineered Solutions	625,052			643,323
	General Corporate	106,892			117,583
		$	1,636,819		$	1,856,879
	In addition to the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes, the comparability of segment and product line information is also impacted by acquisition/divestiture activities and the second quarter 2015 (Energy segment) impairment charge. Corporate assets, which are not allocated, principally represent cash and cash equivalents, capitalized debt issuance costs and deferred income taxes.

Contingencies_and_Litigation

Contingencies and Litigation	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies and Litigation	Contingencies and Litigation
	The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $18.8 million and $14.0 million at February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, the majority of which secure self-insured workers compensation liabilities.
	The Company is a party to various legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of business. These legal proceedings typically include product liability, environmental, labor, patent claims and other disputes. Operating results for the six months ended February 28, 2015 include a $2.0 million charge for an adverse litigation matter. The Company has recorded reserves for loss contingencies based on the specific circumstances of each case. Such reserves are recorded when it is probable that a loss has been incurred as of the balance sheet date and can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these contingencies, individually and in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	The Company has facilities in numerous geographic locations that are subject to a range of environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures over the past two years have not been material. Management believes that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	The Company remains contingently liable for lease payments of businesses that it previously divested or spun-off, in the event that such businesses are unable to fulfill their lease payment obligations. The discounted present value of future minimum lease payments for these leases was $19.5 million at February 28, 2015 (including $14.2 million related to the divested Electrical segment).

Guarantor_Subsidiaries

Guarantor Subsidiaries	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Guarantor Subsidiaries	Guarantor Subsidiaries
	As discussed in Note 6, “Debt” on April 16, 2012, Actuant Corporation (the “Parent”) issued $300 million of 5.625% Senior Notes. All material domestic wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) fully and unconditionally guarantee (except for certain customary limitations) such debt on a joint and several basis. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Guarantors to make distributions to the Parent. The following tables present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of Actuant Corporation and its subsidiaries, the Guarantor and non-Guarantor entities, and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis.
	Certain assets, liabilities and expenses have not been allocated to the Guarantors and non-Guarantors and therefore are included in the Parent column in the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements. These items are of a corporate or consolidated nature and include, but are not limited to, tax provisions and related assets and liabilities, certain employee benefit obligations, prepaid and accrued insurance and corporate indebtedness. Intercompany activity primarily includes loan activity, purchases and sales of goods or services, investments and dividends. Intercompany balances also reflect certain non-cash transactions including transfers of assets and liabilities between the Parent, Guarantor and non-Guarantor, allocation of non-cash expenses from the Parent to the Guarantors and non-Guarantors and the impact of foreign currency rate changes.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2015
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	39,335		$	70,675		$	190,995		$	—		$	301,005
	Cost of products sold	12,076			52,182			126,986			—			191,244
	Gross profit	27,259			18,493			64,009			—			109,761
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	16,430			16,367			42,971			—			75,768
	Amortization of intangible assets	318			2,785			2,984			—			6,087
	Impairment charge	—			20,249			64,104			—			84,353
	Operating profit (loss)	10,511			(20,908		)	(46,050		)	—			(56,447		)
	Financing costs, net	7,267			—			(237		)	—			7,030
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(5,098		)	849			4,249			—			—
	Intercompany dividend income	(212		)	(243		)	(31		)	486			—
	Other income, net	(246		)	(64		)	(309		)	—			(619		)
	Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	8,800			(21,450		)	(49,722		)	(486		)	(62,858		)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	1,514			(207		)	757			(84		)	1,980
	Net earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	7,286			(21,243		)	(50,479		)	(402		)	(64,838		)
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	(72,124		)	(28,577		)	323			100,378			—
	Net loss	$	(64,838	)	$	(49,820	)	$	(50,156	)	$	99,976		$	(64,838	)
	Comprehensive loss	$	(121,586	)	$	(65,247	)	$	(65,507	)	$	130,754		$	(121,586	)
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	43,595		$	75,203		$	208,972		$	—		$	327,770
	Cost of products sold	11,992			52,009			139,322			—			203,323
	Gross profit	31,603			23,194			69,650			—			124,447
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	19,399			13,753			46,088			—			79,240
	Amortization of intangible assets	318			2,576			3,332			—			6,226
	Operating profit	11,886			6,865			20,230			—			38,981
	Financing costs, net	6,499			—			(237		)	—			6,262
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(12,153		)	5,334			6,819			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	669			(125		)	782			—			1,326
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	16,871			1,656			12,866			—			31,393
	Income tax expense	4,885			479			3,725			—			9,089
	Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	11,986			1,177			9,141			—			22,304
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	50,097			(23,996		)	867			(26,968		)	—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	62,083			(22,819		)	10,008			(26,968		)	22,304
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(20,691		)	53,156			(13,377		)	—			19,088
	Net earnings (loss)	$	41,392		$	30,337		$	(3,369	)	$	(26,968	)	$	41,392
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	45,789		$	34,943		$	(5,804	)	$	(29,139	)	$	45,789
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	(in thousands)
		Six Months Ended February 28, 2015
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	79,601		$	148,266		$	400,903		$	—		$	628,770
	Cost of products sold	22,043			105,440			264,550			—			392,033
	Gross profit	57,558			42,826			136,353			—			236,737
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	35,502			33,834			88,904			—			158,240
	Amortization of intangible assets	636			5,570			6,167			—			12,373
	Impairment charge	—			20,249			64,104			—			84,353
	Operating profit (loss)	21,420			(16,827		)	(22,822		)	—			(18,229		)
	Financing costs, net	13,814			—			(593		)	—			13,221
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(10,830		)	2,083			8,747			—			—
	Intercompany dividend income	(212		)	(243		)	(31		)	486			—
	Other expense (income), net	219			(160		)	(1,117		)	—			(1,058		)
	Earnings (loss) before income tax expense	18,429			(18,507		)	(29,828		)	(486		)	(30,392		)
	Income tax expense	3,824			499			5,533			(84		)	9,772
	Net earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	14,605			(19,006		)	(35,361		)	(402		)	(40,164		)
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	(54,769		)	(14,430		)	517			68,682			—
Net loss	$	(40,164	)	$	(33,436	)	$	(34,844	)	$	68,280		$	(40,164	)
Comprehensive loss	$	(159,875	)	$	(71,847	)	$	(88,657	)	$	160,504		$	(159,875	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended February 28, 2014
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	88,686		$	154,839		$	423,801		$	—		$	667,326
Cost of products sold	24,064			107,264			279,771			—			411,099
Gross profit	64,622			47,575			144,030			—			256,227
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	36,257			29,705			95,196			—			161,158
Amortization of intangible assets	636			5,151			6,654			—			12,441
Operating profit	27,729			12,719			42,180			—			82,628
Financing costs, net	13,278			3			(269		)	—			13,012
Intercompany expense (income), net	(17,150		)	4,995			12,155			—			—
Other expense (income), net	11,086			(418		)	(8,201		)	—			2,467
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	20,515			8,139			38,495			—			67,149
Income tax expense	5,893			2,274			3,673			—			11,840
Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	14,622			5,865			34,822			—			55,309
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	84,319			(10,663		)	4,067			(77,723		)	—
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	98,941			(4,798		)	38,889			(77,723		)	55,309
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(21,512		)	56,494			(12,862		)	—			22,120
Net earnings	$	77,429		$	51,696		$	26,027		$	(77,723	)	$	77,429
Comprehensive income	$	98,829		$	73,740		$	21,867		$	(95,607	)	$	98,829
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
	28-Feb-15
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,553		$	1,937		$	80,007		$	—		$	87,497
Accounts receivable, net	17,648			42,966			143,448			—			204,062
Inventories, net	24,640			42,056			96,088			—			162,784
Deferred income taxes	7,579			—			3,034			—			10,613
Other current assets	16,563			2,502			29,210			—			48,275
Total current assets	71,983			89,461			351,787			—			513,231
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,161			25,998			120,019			—			153,178
Goodwill	38,847			263,141			313,965			—			615,953
Other intangibles, net	11,338			134,829			178,700			—			324,867
Investment in subsidiaries	2,051,045			1,014,867			13,273			(3,079,185		)	—
Intercompany receivable	—			639,140			544,177			(1,183,317		)	—
Other long-term assets	18,100			—			11,490			—			29,590
Total assets	$	2,198,474		$	2,167,436		$	1,533,411		$	(4,262,502	)	$	1,636,819
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	$	15,948		$	23,535		$	87,401		$	—		$	126,884
Accrued compensation and benefits	13,278			2,997			25,514			—			41,789
Current maturities of debt	6,750			—			—			—			6,750
Income taxes payable	(6,309		)	(548		)	7,459			—			602
Other current liabilities	18,600			4,952			33,128			—			56,680
Total current liabilities	48,267			30,936			153,502			—			232,705
Long-term debt, less current maturities	580,000			—			—			—			580,000
Deferred income taxes	49,247			—			38,724			—			87,971
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	7,440			—			6,176			—			13,616
Other long-term liabilities	43,378			4,223			8,201			—			55,802
Intercompany payable	803,417			—			379,900			(1,183,317		)	—
Shareholders’ equity	666,725			2,132,277			946,908			(3,079,185		)	666,725
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,198,474		$	2,167,436		$	1,533,411		$	(4,262,502	)	$	1,636,819
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
	31-Aug-14
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current 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
Other current assets	3,871			1,057			28,372			—			33,300
Total current assets	93,140			81,753			368,097			—			542,990
Property, plant and 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
Investment in subsidiaries	2,286,068			806,414			237,207			(3,329,689		)	—
Intercompany receivable	—			678,073			622,818			(1,300,891		)	—
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
Current liabilities
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 STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended February 28, 2015
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Operating Activities
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	18,035		$	(41,149	)	$	13,495		$	—		$	(9,619	)
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(519		)	(2,447		)	(9,911		)	—			(12,877		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			198			509			—			707
Intercompany investment	(1,117		)	—			—			1,117			—
Cash used in investing activities	(1,636		)	(2,249		)	(9,402		)	1,117			(12,170		)
Financing Activities
Net borrowings on revolver	199,000			—			—			—			199,000
Repayment on term loan	(2,250		)	—			—			—			(2,250		)
Purchase of treasury shares	(180,512		)	—			—			—			(180,512		)
Intercompany loan activity	(57,170		)	42,010			15,160			—			—
Intercompany capital contribution	—			—			1,117			(1,117		)	—
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	4,753			—			—			—			4,753
Cash dividend	(2,598		)	—			—			—			(2,598		)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(38,777		)	42,010			16,277			(1,117		)	18,393
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(18,119		)	—			(18,119		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(22,378		)	(1,388		)	2,251			—			(21,515		)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	27,931			3,325			77,756			—			109,012
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	5,553		$	1,937		$	80,007		$	—		$	87,497
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended February 28, 2014
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Operating Activities
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(223	)	$	8,331		$	43,491		$	(14,716	)	$	36,883
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(2,424		)	(2,379		)	(17,423		)	—			(22,226		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1			74			1,933			—			2,008
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net	(4,134		)	214,268			33,252			—			243,386
Intercompany investment	—			(99,963		)	—			99,963			—
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(6,557		)	112,000			17,762			99,963			223,168
Financing Activities
Net repayments on revolver	(125,000		)	—			—			—			(125,000		)
Purchase of treasury shares	(109,095		)	—			—			—			(109,095		)
Intercompany loan activity	213,449			(120,305		)	(93,144		)	—			—
Intercompany capital contribution	—			—			99,963			(99,963		)	—
Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	25,803			—			—			—			25,803
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	—			—			(753		)	—			(753		)
Cash dividend	(2,919		)	—			(14,716		)	14,716			(2,919		)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,238			(120,305		)	(8,650		)	(85,247		)	(211,964		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			2,944			—			2,944
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(4,542		)	26			55,547			—			51,031
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	16,122			—			87,864			—			103,986
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	11,580		$	26		$	143,411		$	—		$	155,017

Discontinued_Operations_and_Di1

Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities (Tables) (Electrical)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Electrical
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities[Line Items]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	he following table summarizes the results of discontinued operations (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2014			Six Months Ended February 28, 2014
	Net sales	$	9,127		$	72,139
	Operating loss (1)	(10,102		)	(4,873		)
	Gain on disposal	34,459			34,459
	Income tax expense	(5,269		)	(7,466		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	19,088		$	22,120
	(1) The operating loss for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 includes certain divestiture costs and a non-cash charge for the accelerated vesting of equity compensation.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the six months ended February 28, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
		Industrial				Energy				Engineered Solutions				Total
	Balance as of August 31, 2014	$	100,266			$	350,627			$	291,877			$	742,770
	Purchase accounting adjustments	(3,157		)		—				—				(3,157		)
	Impairment charge	—				(78,530		)		—				(78,530		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	(4,681		)		(29,556		)		(10,893		)		(45,130		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2015	$	92,428			$	242,540			$	280,984			$	615,953
Schedule Of Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Table	The gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of the Company’s other intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
				28-Feb-15												31-Aug-14
		Weighted Average		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Amortization		Carrying				Amortization				Book				Carrying		Amortization		Book
		Period (Years)		Value								Value				Value				Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	15		$	306,159			$	122,912			$	183,247			$	325,164	$	117,706	$	207,458
	Patents	10		30,960				18,580				12,380				31,678		17,494		14,184
	Trademarks and tradenames	18		22,106				6,534				15,572				23,241		6,201		17,040
	Other intangibles	3		6,901				6,497				404				7,373		6,783		590
	Indefinite lived intangible assets:
	Tradenames	N/A		113,264				—				113,264				125,905		—		125,905
				$	479,390			$	154,523			$	324,867			$	513,361	$	148,184	$	365,177

Product_Warranty_Costs_Tables

Product Warranty Costs (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability	The following is a rollforward of the product warranty reserve (in thousands):
		Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015			2014
	Beginning balance	$	4,056		$	7,413
	Provision for warranties	2,837			1,208
	Warranty payments and costs incurred	(2,418		)	(3,079		)
	Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	(231		)	63
	Ending balance	$	4,244		$	5,605

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Indebtedness	The following is a summary of the Company’s long-term indebtedness (in thousands):
		February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
	Senior Credit Facility
	Revolver	$	199,000		$	—
	Term Loan	87,750			90,000
	Total Senior Credit Facility	286,750			90,000
	5.625% Senior Notes	300,000			300,000
	Total Senior Indebtedness	586,750			390,000
	Less: current maturities of long-term debt	(6,750		)	(4,500		)
	Total long-term debt, less current maturities	$	580,000		$	385,500

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	The following financial assets, measured at fair value, are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
		February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
	Level 1 Valuation:
	Cash equivalents	$	2,517		$	1,207
	Investments	1,618			2,118
	Level 2 Valuation:
	Foreign currency derivatives	(1,666		)	$	(966	)

Derivatives_Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives Derivatives (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended February 28,					Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015		2014			2015			2014
	Foreign currency gain (loss)	$	55	$	(2,619	)	$	(2,006	)	$	(11,310	)

Capital_Stock_and_Share_Repurc1

Capital Stock and Share Repurchase (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Class of Treasury Stock	The following table summarizes the total capital deployed for share repurchases:
	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 - February 28)		6,241,158		28.9
			18,436,517		$	30.84
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended February 28,					Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015			2014		2015			2014
	Numerator:
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(64,838	)	$	22,304	$	(40,164	)	$	55,309
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	61,759			72,227		63,045			72,656
	Net effect of dilutive securities—stock based compensation plans (1)	—			1,546		—			1,736
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	61,759			73,773		63,045			74,392
	Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations:
	Basic	$	(1.05	)	$	0.31	$	(0.64	)	$	0.76
	Diluted	$	(1.05	)	$	0.3	$	(0.64	)	$	0.74
	Anti-dilutive securities stock based compensation plans (excluded from earnings per share calculation)	4,761			403		4,761			201
	(1) As a result of the impairment charge which caused a loss from continuing operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, shares from stock based compensation plans are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share, as the result would be anti-dilutive.

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Tabl

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Effective Tax Rate [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Effective income tax rate	(3.1	)%	29	%	(32.1	)%	17.6	%

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment and Product Line	The following tables summarize financial information by reportable segment and product line (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended February 28,						Six Months Ended February 28,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net Sales by Segment:
	Industrial	$	96,489		$	93,571		$	198,902		$	192,212
	Energy	100,211			106,031			211,733			213,956
	Engineered Solutions	104,305			128,168			218,135			261,158
		$	301,005		$	327,770		$	628,770		$	667,326
	Net Sales by Reportable Product Line:
	Industrial	$	96,489		$	93,571		$	198,902		$	192,212
	Energy	100,211			106,031			211,733			213,956
	Vehicle Systems	51,981			67,278			110,449			138,927
	Other	52,324			60,890			107,686			122,231
		$	301,005		$	327,770		$	628,770		$	667,326
	Operating Profit (Loss):
	Industrial	$	23,517		$	26,477		$	50,221		$	53,374
	Energy	(75,673		)	9,504			(63,231		)	18,427
	Engineered Solutions	2,010			9,548			8,288			22,737
	General Corporate	(6,301		)	(6,548		)	(13,507		)	(11,910		)
		$	(56,447	)	$	38,981		$	(18,229	)	$	82,628
		February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Industrial	$	286,529		$	307,058
	Energy	618,346			788,915
	Engineered Solutions	625,052			643,323
	General Corporate	106,892			117,583
		$	1,636,819		$	1,856,879

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Tables

Guarantor Subsidiaries (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Earnings And Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2015
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	39,335		$	70,675		$	190,995		$	—		$	301,005
	Cost of products sold	12,076			52,182			126,986			—			191,244
	Gross profit	27,259			18,493			64,009			—			109,761
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	16,430			16,367			42,971			—			75,768
	Amortization of intangible assets	318			2,785			2,984			—			6,087
	Impairment charge	—			20,249			64,104			—			84,353
	Operating profit (loss)	10,511			(20,908		)	(46,050		)	—			(56,447		)
	Financing costs, net	7,267			—			(237		)	—			7,030
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(5,098		)	849			4,249			—			—
	Intercompany dividend income	(212		)	(243		)	(31		)	486			—
	Other income, net	(246		)	(64		)	(309		)	—			(619		)
	Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	8,800			(21,450		)	(49,722		)	(486		)	(62,858		)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	1,514			(207		)	757			(84		)	1,980
	Net earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	7,286			(21,243		)	(50,479		)	(402		)	(64,838		)
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	(72,124		)	(28,577		)	323			100,378			—
	Net loss	$	(64,838	)	$	(49,820	)	$	(50,156	)	$	99,976		$	(64,838	)
	Comprehensive loss	$	(121,586	)	$	(65,247	)	$	(65,507	)	$	130,754		$	(121,586	)
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended February 28, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	43,595		$	75,203		$	208,972		$	—		$	327,770
	Cost of products sold	11,992			52,009			139,322			—			203,323
	Gross profit	31,603			23,194			69,650			—			124,447
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	19,399			13,753			46,088			—			79,240
	Amortization of intangible assets	318			2,576			3,332			—			6,226
	Operating profit	11,886			6,865			20,230			—			38,981
	Financing costs, net	6,499			—			(237		)	—			6,262
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(12,153		)	5,334			6,819			—			—
	Other expense (income), net	669			(125		)	782			—			1,326
	Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	16,871			1,656			12,866			—			31,393
	Income tax expense	4,885			479			3,725			—			9,089
	Net earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	11,986			1,177			9,141			—			22,304
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	50,097			(23,996		)	867			(26,968		)	—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	62,083			(22,819		)	10,008			(26,968		)	22,304
	Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(20,691		)	53,156			(13,377		)	—			19,088
	Net earnings (loss)	$	41,392		$	30,337		$	(3,369	)	$	(26,968	)	$	41,392
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	45,789		$	34,943		$	(5,804	)	$	(29,139	)	$	45,789
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	(in thousands)
		Six Months Ended February 28, 2015
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	79,601		$	148,266		$	400,903		$	—		$	628,770
	Cost of products sold	22,043			105,440			264,550			—			392,033
	Gross profit	57,558			42,826			136,353			—			236,737
	Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	35,502			33,834			88,904			—			158,240
	Amortization of intangible assets	636			5,570			6,167			—			12,373
	Impairment charge	—			20,249			64,104			—			84,353
	Operating profit (loss)	21,420			(16,827		)	(22,822		)	—			(18,229		)
	Financing costs, net	13,814			—			(593		)	—			13,221
	Intercompany expense (income), net	(10,830		)	2,083			8,747			—			—
	Intercompany dividend income	(212		)	(243		)	(31		)	486			—
	Other expense (income), net	219			(160		)	(1,117		)	—			(1,058		)
	Earnings (loss) before income tax expense	18,429			(18,507		)	(29,828		)	(486		)	(30,392		)
	Income tax expense	3,824			499			5,533			(84		)	9,772
	Net earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	14,605			(19,006		)	(35,361		)	(402		)	(40,164		)
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	(54,769		)	(14,430		)	517			68,682			—
	Net loss	$	(40,164	)	$	(33,436	)	$	(34,844	)	$	68,280		$	(40,164	)
	Comprehensive loss	$	(159,875	)	$	(71,847	)	$	(88,657	)	$	160,504		$	(159,875	)
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended February 28, 2014
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	88,686		$	154,839		$	423,801		$	—		$	667,326
Cost of products sold	24,064			107,264			279,771			—			411,099
Gross profit	64,622			47,575			144,030			—			256,227
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	36,257			29,705			95,196			—			161,158
Amortization of intangible assets	636			5,151			6,654			—			12,441
Operating profit	27,729			12,719			42,180			—			82,628
Financing costs, net	13,278			3			(269		)	—			13,012
Intercompany expense (income), net	(17,150		)	4,995			12,155			—			—
Other expense (income), net	11,086			(418		)	(8,201		)	—			2,467
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	20,515			8,139			38,495			—			67,149
Income tax expense	5,893			2,274			3,673			—			11,840
Net earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	14,622			5,865			34,822			—			55,309
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	84,319			(10,663		)	4,067			(77,723		)	—
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	98,941			(4,798		)	38,889			(77,723		)	55,309
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(21,512		)	56,494			(12,862		)	—			22,120
Net earnings	$	77,429		$	51,696		$	26,027		$	(77,723	)	$	77,429
Comprehensive income	$	98,829		$	73,740		$	21,867		$	(95,607	)	$	98,829
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(in thousands)
		28-Feb-15
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,553		$	1,937		$	80,007		$	—		$	87,497
	Accounts receivable, net	17,648			42,966			143,448			—			204,062
	Inventories, net	24,640			42,056			96,088			—			162,784
	Deferred income taxes	7,579			—			3,034			—			10,613
	Other current assets	16,563			2,502			29,210			—			48,275
	Total current assets	71,983			89,461			351,787			—			513,231
	Property, plant and equipment, net	7,161			25,998			120,019			—			153,178
	Goodwill	38,847			263,141			313,965			—			615,953
	Other intangibles, net	11,338			134,829			178,700			—			324,867
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,051,045			1,014,867			13,273			(3,079,185		)	—
	Intercompany receivable	—			639,140			544,177			(1,183,317		)	—
	Other long-term assets	18,100			—			11,490			—			29,590
	Total assets	$	2,198,474		$	2,167,436		$	1,533,411		$	(4,262,502	)	$	1,636,819
	LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities
	Trade accounts payable	$	15,948		$	23,535		$	87,401		$	—		$	126,884
	Accrued compensation and benefits	13,278			2,997			25,514			—			41,789
	Current maturities of debt	6,750			—			—			—			6,750
	Income taxes payable	(6,309		)	(548		)	7,459			—			602
	Other current liabilities	18,600			4,952			33,128			—			56,680
	Total current liabilities	48,267			30,936			153,502			—			232,705
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	580,000			—			—			—			580,000
	Deferred income taxes	49,247			—			38,724			—			87,971
	Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	7,440			—			6,176			—			13,616
	Other long-term liabilities	43,378			4,223			8,201			—			55,802
	Intercompany payable	803,417			—			379,900			(1,183,317		)	—
	Shareholders’ equity	666,725			2,132,277			946,908			(3,079,185		)	666,725
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,198,474		$	2,167,436		$	1,533,411		$	(4,262,502	)	$	1,636,819
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(in thousands)
		31-Aug-14
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current 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
	Other current assets	3,871			1,057			28,372			—			33,300
	Total current assets	93,140			81,753			368,097			—			542,990
	Property, plant and 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
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,286,068			806,414			237,207			(3,329,689		)	—
	Intercompany receivable	—			678,073			622,818			(1,300,891		)	—
	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
	Current liabilities
	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 Statements of Cash Flows	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(in thousands)
		Six Months Ended February 28, 2015
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Operating Activities
	Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	18,035		$	(41,149	)	$	13,495		$	—		$	(9,619	)
	Investing Activities
	Capital expenditures	(519		)	(2,447		)	(9,911		)	—			(12,877		)
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—			198			509			—			707
	Intercompany investment	(1,117		)	—			—			1,117			—
	Cash used in investing activities	(1,636		)	(2,249		)	(9,402		)	1,117			(12,170		)
	Financing Activities
	Net borrowings on revolver	199,000			—			—			—			199,000
	Repayment on term loan	(2,250		)	—			—			—			(2,250		)
	Purchase of treasury shares	(180,512		)	—			—			—			(180,512		)
	Intercompany loan activity	(57,170		)	42,010			15,160			—			—
	Intercompany capital contribution	—			—			1,117			(1,117		)	—
	Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	4,753			—			—			—			4,753
	Cash dividend	(2,598		)	—			—			—			(2,598		)
	Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(38,777		)	42,010			16,277			(1,117		)	18,393
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(18,119		)	—			(18,119		)
	Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(22,378		)	(1,388		)	2,251			—			(21,515		)
	Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	27,931			3,325			77,756			—			109,012
	Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	5,553		$	1,937		$	80,007		$	—		$	87,497
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(in thousands)
		Six Months Ended February 28, 2014
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Operating Activities
	Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(223	)	$	8,331		$	43,491		$	(14,716	)	$	36,883
	Investing Activities
	Capital expenditures	(2,424		)	(2,379		)	(17,423		)	—			(22,226		)
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1			74			1,933			—			2,008
	Proceeds from sale of businesses, net	(4,134		)	214,268			33,252			—			243,386
	Intercompany investment	—			(99,963		)	—			99,963			—
	Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(6,557		)	112,000			17,762			99,963			223,168
	Financing Activities
	Net repayments on revolver	(125,000		)	—			—			—			(125,000		)
	Purchase of treasury shares	(109,095		)	—			—			—			(109,095		)
	Intercompany loan activity	213,449			(120,305		)	(93,144		)	—			—
	Intercompany capital contribution	—			—			99,963			(99,963		)	—
	Stock option exercises and related tax benefits	25,803			—			—			—			25,803
	Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	—			—			(753		)	—			(753		)
	Cash dividend	(2,919		)	—			(14,716		)	14,716			(2,919		)
	Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,238			(120,305		)	(8,650		)	(85,247		)	(211,964		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			2,944			—			2,944
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(4,542		)	26			55,547			—			51,031
	Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	16,122			—			87,864			—			103,986
	Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$	11,580		$	26		$	143,411		$	—		$	155,017

Basis_of_Presentation_Basis_of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Impairment charge	$84,353	$0	$84,353	$0

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	23-May-14
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase accounting adjustments			$3,157,000
Net sales	301,005,000	327,770,000	628,770,000	667,326,000
Hayes Industries [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement					23-May-14
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired					30,500,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	4,000,000		4,000,000
Recognition of Goodwill due to Business acquired					14,400,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill					10,600,000
Purchase accounting adjustments			3,157,000
Net sales	6,500,000		14,100,000
Hayes Industries [Member] | Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill					3,300,000
Hayes Industries [Member] | Patents
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill					5,000,000
Hayes Industries [Member] | Tradenames
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill					2,000,000
Hayes Industries [Member] | Other intangibles
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill					$300,000

Discontinued_Operations_and_Di2

Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities Income Statement and Balance Sheet Summary (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Dec. 13, 2013
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$0	$19,088	$0	$22,120
Electrical
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Net sales		9,127		72,139
Operating loss (1)		-10,102		-4,873
Gain on disposal		34,459		34,459	34,459
Income tax expense		-5,269		-7,466
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		$19,088		$22,120

Discontinued_Operations_and_Di3

Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities Narrative (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Dec. 13, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Jun. 13, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities[Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs		$243,386,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	0	26,339,000
Electrical
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities[Line Items]
Disposal Date			13-Dec-13
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs			252,400,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax			26,339,000
Gain on disposal		34,459,000	34,459,000	34,459,000
Recreational vehicle [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities[Line Items]
Disposal Date					13-Jun-14
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs					36,500,000
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal					-13,495,000
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operations, Gain (Loss) on Disposal - net of tax					2,800,000
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operations, revenue		$13,100,000		$6,400,000

Changes_in_Carrying_Value_of_G

Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2014		$742,770
Purchase accounting adjustments		-3,157
Goodwill Impairment Charge	-78,000	-78,530
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates		-45,130
Balance as of February 28, 2015	615,953	615,953
Industrial
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2014		100,266
Purchase accounting adjustments		-3,157
Goodwill Impairment Charge		0
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates		-4,681
Balance as of February 28, 2015	92,428	92,428
Energy
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2014		350,627
Purchase accounting adjustments		0
Goodwill Impairment Charge		-78,530
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates		-29,556
Balance as of February 28, 2015	242,540	242,540
Engineered Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2014		291,877
Purchase accounting adjustments		0
Goodwill Impairment Charge		0
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates		-10,893
Balance as of February 28, 2015	$280,984	$280,984

Gross_Carrying_Amount_and_Accu

Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$154,523	$148,184
Other intangibles, gross	479,390	513,361
Other intangibles, net	324,867	365,177
Tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	113,264	125,905
Customer relationships
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	15 years
Gross Carrying Value	306,159	325,164
Accumulated Amortization	122,912	117,706
Net Book Value	183,247	207,458
Patents
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	10 years
Gross Carrying Value	30,960	31,678
Accumulated Amortization	18,580	17,494
Net Book Value	12,380	14,184
Trademarks and tradenames
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	18 years
Gross Carrying Value	22,106	23,241
Accumulated Amortization	6,534	6,201
Net Book Value	15,572	17,040
Other intangibles
Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	3 years
Gross Carrying Value	6,901	7,373
Accumulated Amortization	6,497	6,783
Net Book Value	$404	$590

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment charge	$84,353,000	$0	$84,353,000	$0
Goodwill Impairment Charge	78,000,000		78,530,000
Goodwill	615,953,000		615,953,000		742,770,000
Future Amortization Expense, Remainder of 2015	11,900,000		11,900,000
Future Amortization Expense, 2016	23,800,000		23,800,000
Future Amortization Expense, 2017	22,800,000		22,800,000
Future Amortization Expense, 2018	22,500,000		22,500,000
Future Amortization Expense, 2019	22,300,000		22,300,000
Future Amortization Expense, 2020	21,600,000		21,600,000
Future Amortization Expense, Thereafter	86,700,000		86,700,000
Viking [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	41,900,000		41,900,000
Cortland [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	77,500,000		77,500,000
Energy
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Impairment Charge			78,530,000
Goodwill	242,540,000		242,540,000		350,627,000
Tradenames
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$6,400,000

Rollforward_of_Accrued_Product

Rollforward of Accrued Product Warranty Reserve (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$4,056	$7,413
Provision for warranties	2,837	1,208
Warranty payments and costs incurred	-2,418	-3,079
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates	-231	63
Ending balance	$4,244	$5,605

LongTerm_Indebtedness_Details

Long-Term Indebtedness (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Senior Indebtedness	$586,750	$390,000
Less: current maturities of long-term debt	-6,750	-4,500
Total long-term debt, less current maturities	580,000	385,500
Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Senior Indebtedness	286,750	90,000
Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Senior Indebtedness	199,000	0
Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Senior Indebtedness	87,750	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 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Apr. 16, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior credit facility expansion option, available	350,000,000
Debt Instrument, actual interest rate	1.94%
Libor Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate over variable rate	1.75%
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	600,000,000
Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	90,000,000
Quarterly installments, payable on term loan	1,100,000
Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unused credit line	389,300,000
Unused credit line Available for Borrowing, Amount	328,000,000
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, actual interest rate	104.50%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	300,000,000	300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.63%	5.63%
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount	150,000,000
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.15%
Interest coverage ratio	3.5
Minimum | Libor Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate over variable rate	1.00%
Minimum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate over variable rate	0.00%
Minimum | Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		100.00%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.40%
Leverage ratio	3.75
Maximum | Libor Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate over variable rate	2.50%
Maximum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate over variable rate	1.50%
Maximum | Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		102.80%
Scenario, Forecast | Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly installments, payable on term loan			$2,300,000

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Assets

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 1 Valuation:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$2,517	$1,207
Investments	1,618	2,118
Level 2 Valuation:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign currency derivatives	($1,666)	($966)

Fair_Value_Measurement_Additio

Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Apr. 16, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Impairment charge	$84,353,000	$0	$84,353,000	$0
Senior Notes | 5.625% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	300,000,000		300,000,000			300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.63%		5.63%			5.63%
Fair value of long-term debt	$313,500,000		$313,500,000		$315,800,000

Derivatives_Narrative_Details

Derivatives Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivatives and Not Designated as Hedging Instruments at Fair Value	$55,000	($2,619,000)	($2,006,000)	($11,310,000)
Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$191,500,000		$191,500,000		$219,900,000

Capital_Stock_and_Share_Repurc2

Capital Stock and Share Repurchase Share Repurchase (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			30 Months Ended	42 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Mar. 16, 2015
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	6,241,158	8,211,846	1,324,762	2,658,751	18,436,517
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$28.90	$34.52	$31.55	$23.70		$30.84
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	2,563,483				2,563,483	2,563,483
Subsequent Event [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased							7,000,000

Capital_Stock_Details

Capital Stock (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	($64,838)	$22,304	($40,164)	$55,309
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	61,759	72,227	63,045	72,656
Net effect of dilutive securities—stock based compensation plans (1)	0	1,546	0	1,736
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	61,759	73,773	63,045	74,392
Basic (in dollars per share)	($1.05)	$0.31	($0.64)	$0.76
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($1.05)	$0.30	($0.64)	$0.74
Anti-dilutive securities stock based compensation plans (excluded from earnings per share calculation)	4,761	403	4,761	201

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Tax Rate	-3.10%	29.00%	-32.10%	17.60%
Impairment charge	$84,353,000	$0	$84,353,000	$0
Asset Impairment Charge Income Tax Benefit	1,700,000
Effective Income Tax Rate (Excluding Asset Impairment Charge)	17.20%		21.30%
Discrete item				7,300,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	33,200,000		33,200,000		32,300,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	$2,300,000		$2,300,000		$2,000,000

Summary_of_Financial_Informati

Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment and Product Line (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
			Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments			3
Net sales	$301,005	$327,770	$628,770	$667,326
Operating profit (Loss)	-56,447	38,981	-18,229	82,628
Assets	1,636,819		1,636,819		1,856,879
Industrial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	96,489	93,571	198,902	192,212
Operating profit (Loss)	23,517	26,477	50,221	53,374
Assets	286,529		286,529		307,058
Energy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	100,211	106,031	211,733	213,956
Operating profit (Loss)	-75,673	9,504	-63,231	18,427
Assets	618,346		618,346		788,915
Engineered Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	104,305	128,168	218,135	261,158
Operating profit (Loss)	2,010	9,548	8,288	22,737
Assets	625,052		625,052		643,323
Vehicle Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	51,981	67,278	110,449	138,927
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	52,324	60,890	107,686	122,231
General Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit (Loss)	-6,301	-6,548	-13,507	-11,910
Assets	$106,892		$106,892		$117,583

Contingencies_and_Litigation_A

Contingencies and Litigation - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities[Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit	$18.80	$14
Litigation Settlement, Expense	2
Discounted present value of future minimum lease payments	19.5
Electrical
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations and Divestiture Activities[Line Items]
Discounted present value of future minimum lease payments	$14.20

Guarantor_Subsidiaries_Additio

Guarantor Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Details) (5.625% Senior Notes, Senior Notes, USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015	Apr. 16, 2012
5.625% Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$300,000,000	$300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.63%	5.63%

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$301,005	$327,770	$628,770	$667,326
Cost of products sold	191,244	203,323	392,033	411,099
Gross profit	109,761	124,447	236,737	256,227
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	75,768	79,240	158,240	161,158
Amortization of intangible assets	6,087	6,226	12,373	12,441
Impairment charge	84,353	0	84,353	0
Operating profit (loss)	-56,447	38,981	-18,229	82,628
Financing costs, net	7,030	6,262	13,221	13,012
Intercompany expense (income), net	0	0	0	0
Intercompany dividend income	0		0
Other income, net	-619	1,326	-1,058	2,467
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	-62,858	31,393	-30,392	67,149
Income tax expense	1,980	9,089	9,772	11,840
Net earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-64,838	22,304	-40,164	55,309
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	-64,838	22,304	-40,164	55,309
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	19,088	0	22,120
Net earnings (loss)	-64,838	41,392	-40,164	77,429
Comprehensive (loss) income	-121,586	45,789	-159,875	98,829
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	39,335	43,595	79,601	88,686
Cost of products sold	12,076	11,992	22,043	24,064
Gross profit	27,259	31,603	57,558	64,622
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	16,430	19,399	35,502	36,257
Amortization of intangible assets	318	318	636	636
Impairment charge	0		0
Operating profit (loss)	10,511	11,886	21,420	27,729
Financing costs, net	7,267	6,499	13,814	13,278
Intercompany expense (income), net	-5,098	-12,153	-10,830	-17,150
Intercompany dividend income	-212		-212
Other income, net	-246	669	219	11,086
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	8,800	16,871	18,429	20,515
Income tax expense	1,514	4,885	3,824	5,893
Net earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	7,286	11,986	14,605	14,622
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-72,124	50,097	-54,769	84,319
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		62,083		98,941
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		-20,691		-21,512
Net earnings (loss)	-64,838	41,392	-40,164	77,429
Comprehensive (loss) income	-121,586	45,789	-159,875	98,829
Guarantors
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	70,675	75,203	148,266	154,839
Cost of products sold	52,182	52,009	105,440	107,264
Gross profit	18,493	23,194	42,826	47,575
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	16,367	13,753	33,834	29,705
Amortization of intangible assets	2,785	2,576	5,570	5,151
Impairment charge	20,249		20,249
Operating profit (loss)	-20,908	6,865	-16,827	12,719
Financing costs, net	0	0	0	3
Intercompany expense (income), net	849	5,334	2,083	4,995
Intercompany dividend income	-243		-243
Other income, net	-64	-125	-160	-418
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	-21,450	1,656	-18,507	8,139
Income tax expense	-207	479	499	2,274
Net earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-21,243	1,177	-19,006	5,865
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-28,577	-23,996	-14,430	-10,663
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		-22,819		-4,798
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		53,156		56,494
Net earnings (loss)	-49,820	30,337	-33,436	51,696
Comprehensive (loss) income	-65,247	34,943	-71,847	73,740
Non-Guarantors
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	190,995	208,972	400,903	423,801
Cost of products sold	126,986	139,322	264,550	279,771
Gross profit	64,009	69,650	136,353	144,030
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	42,971	46,088	88,904	95,196
Amortization of intangible assets	2,984	3,332	6,167	6,654
Impairment charge	64,104		64,104
Operating profit (loss)	-46,050	20,230	-22,822	42,180
Financing costs, net	-237	-237	-593	-269
Intercompany expense (income), net	4,249	6,819	8,747	12,155
Intercompany dividend income	-31		-31
Other income, net	-309	782	-1,117	-8,201
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	-49,722	12,866	-29,828	38,495
Income tax expense	757	3,725	5,533	3,673
Net earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-50,479	9,141	-35,361	34,822
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	323	867	517	4,067
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		10,008		38,889
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		-13,377		-12,862
Net earnings (loss)	-50,156	-3,369	-34,844	26,027
Comprehensive (loss) income	-65,507	-5,804	-88,657	21,867
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Cost of products sold	0	0	0	0
Gross profit	0	0	0	0
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	0	0	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0	0	0
Impairment charge	0		0
Operating profit (loss)	0	0	0	0
Financing costs, net	0	0	0	0
Intercompany expense (income), net	0	0	0	0
Intercompany dividend income	486		486
Other income, net	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	-486	0	-486	0
Income tax expense	-84	0	-84	0
Net earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-402	0	-402	0
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	100,378	-26,968	68,682	-77,723
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		-26,968		-77,723
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		0		0
Net earnings (loss)	99,976	-26,968	68,280	-77,723
Comprehensive (loss) income	$130,754	($29,139)	$160,504	($95,607)

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$87,497	$109,012	$155,017	$103,986
Accounts receivable, net	204,062	227,008
Inventories, net	162,784	162,620
Deferred income taxes	10,613	11,050
Other current assets	48,275	33,300
Total current assets	513,231	542,990
Property, plant and equipment, net	153,178	169,101
Goodwill	615,953	742,770
Other intangibles, net	324,867	365,177
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany receivable	0	0
Other long-term assets	29,590	36,841
Total assets	1,636,819	1,856,879
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	126,884	145,798
Accrued compensation and benefits	41,789	52,964
Current maturities of debt	6,750	4,500
Income taxes payable	602	38,347
Other current liabilities	56,680	57,512
Total current liabilities	232,705	299,121
Long-term debt, less current maturities	580,000	385,500
Deferred income taxes	87,971	96,970
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	13,616	15,699
Other long-term liabilities	55,802	57,878
Intercompany payable	0	0
Shareholders’ equity	666,725	1,001,711
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,636,819	1,856,879
Parent
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	5,553	27,931	11,580	16,122
Accounts receivable, net	17,648	22,811
Inventories, net	24,640	31,024
Deferred income taxes	7,579	7,503
Other current assets	16,563	3,871
Total current assets	71,983	93,140
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,161	9,096
Goodwill	38,847	44,700
Other intangibles, net	11,338	11,974
Investment in subsidiaries	2,051,045	2,286,068
Intercompany receivable	0	0
Other long-term assets	18,100	23,432
Total assets	2,198,474	2,468,410
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	15,948	20,014
Accrued compensation and benefits	13,278	15,135
Current maturities of debt	6,750	4,500
Income taxes payable	-6,309	31,582
Other current liabilities	18,600	19,081
Total current liabilities	48,267	90,312
Long-term debt, less current maturities	580,000	385,500
Deferred income taxes	49,247	47,543
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	7,440	8,668
Other long-term liabilities	43,378	42,647
Intercompany payable	803,417	892,029
Shareholders’ equity	666,725	1,001,711
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,198,474	2,468,410
Guarantors
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1,937	3,325	26	0
Accounts receivable, net	42,966	38,511
Inventories, net	42,056	38,860
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other current assets	2,502	1,057
Total current assets	89,461	81,753
Property, plant and equipment, net	25,998	22,879
Goodwill	263,141	280,693
Other intangibles, net	134,829	140,400
Investment in subsidiaries	1,014,867	806,414
Intercompany receivable	639,140	678,073
Other long-term assets	0	0
Total assets	2,167,436	2,010,212
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	23,535	25,673
Accrued compensation and benefits	2,997	3,293
Current maturities of debt	0	0
Income taxes payable	-548	0
Other current liabilities	4,952	3,989
Total current liabilities	30,936	32,955
Long-term debt, less current maturities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	4,223	4,138
Intercompany payable	0	0
Shareholders’ equity	2,132,277	1,973,119
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,167,436	2,010,212
Non-Guarantors
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	80,007	77,756	143,411	87,864
Accounts receivable, net	143,448	165,686
Inventories, net	96,088	92,736
Deferred income taxes	3,034	3,547
Other current assets	29,210	28,372
Total current assets	351,787	368,097
Property, plant and equipment, net	120,019	137,126
Goodwill	313,965	417,377
Other intangibles, net	178,700	212,803
Investment in subsidiaries	13,273	237,207
Intercompany receivable	544,177	622,818
Other long-term assets	11,490	13,409
Total assets	1,533,411	2,008,837
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	87,401	100,111
Accrued compensation and benefits	25,514	34,536
Current maturities of debt	0	0
Income taxes payable	7,459	6,765
Other current liabilities	33,128	34,442
Total current liabilities	153,502	175,854
Long-term debt, less current maturities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	38,724	49,427
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	6,176	7,031
Other long-term liabilities	8,201	11,093
Intercompany payable	379,900	408,861
Shareholders’ equity	946,908	1,356,571
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,533,411	2,008,837
Eliminations
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangibles, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	-3,079,185	-3,329,689
Intercompany receivable	-1,183,317	-1,300,891
Other long-term assets	0	0
Total assets	-4,262,502	-4,630,580
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	0	0
Accrued compensation and benefits	0	0
Current maturities of debt	0	0
Income taxes payable	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0
Long-term debt, less current maturities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Intercompany payable	-1,183,317	-1,300,890
Shareholders’ equity	-3,079,185	-3,329,690
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	($4,262,502)	($4,630,580)

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem1

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Operating Activities
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	($9,619)	$36,883
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	-12,877	-22,226
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	707	2,008
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs		243,386
Intercompany investment	0	0
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-12,170	223,168
Financing Activities
Purchase of treasury shares	-180,512	-109,095
Intercompany Loan Activity	0	0
Intercompany Capital Contribution	0	0
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	4,753	25,803
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration	0	-753
Cash dividend	-2,598	-2,919
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	18,393	-211,964
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-18,119	2,944
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-21,515	51,031
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	109,012	103,986
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	87,497	155,017
Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	199,000	-125,000
Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	-2,250	0
Parent
Operating Activities
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	18,035	-223
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	-519	-2,424
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	1
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs		-4,134
Intercompany investment	-1,117	0
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-1,636	-6,557
Financing Activities
Purchase of treasury shares	-180,512	-109,095
Intercompany Loan Activity	57,170	-213,449
Intercompany Capital Contribution	0	0
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	4,753	25,803
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration		0
Cash dividend	-2,598	-2,919
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-38,777	2,238
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-22,378	-4,542
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	27,931	16,122
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	5,553	11,580
Parent | Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	199,000	-125,000
Parent | Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	-2,250
Guarantors
Operating Activities
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-41,149	8,331
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	-2,447	-2,379
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	198	74
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs		214,268
Intercompany investment	0	-99,963
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-2,249	112,000
Financing Activities
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0
Intercompany Loan Activity	-42,010	120,305
Intercompany Capital Contribution	0	0
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	0	0
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration		0
Cash dividend	0	0
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	42,010	-120,305
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-1,388	26
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	3,325	0
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	1,937	26
Guarantors | Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	0	0
Guarantors | Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	0
Non-Guarantors
Operating Activities
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	13,495	43,491
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	-9,911	-17,423
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	509	1,933
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs		33,252
Intercompany investment	0	0
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-9,402	17,762
Financing Activities
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0
Intercompany Loan Activity	-15,160	93,144
Intercompany Capital Contribution	1,117	99,963
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	0	0
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration		-753
Cash dividend	0	-14,716
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	16,277	-8,650
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-18,119	2,944
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,251	55,547
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	77,756	87,864
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	80,007	143,411
Non-Guarantors | Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	0	0
Non-Guarantors | Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	0
Eliminations
Operating Activities
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	-14,716
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs		0
Intercompany investment	1,117	99,963
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	1,117	99,963
Financing Activities
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0
Intercompany Loan Activity	0	0
Intercompany Capital Contribution	-1,117	-99,963
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other	0	0
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration		0
Cash dividend	0	14,716
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-1,117	-85,247
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	0	0
Eliminations | Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Revolver
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	0	0
Eliminations | Line of Credit | Senior Credit Facility - Term Loan
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver and other debt	$0