Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)

v3.20.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2020
Aug. 31, 2019
Aug. 31, 2018
Aug. 31, 2017
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Portion of inventory determined using last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method 44.10% 47.90%    
Inventory LIFO reserve $ 10,200 $ 10,300    
Depreciation Expense 12,400 11,300 $ 11,100  
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual 892 1,145 931  
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Increase for Warranties Issued 677 1,326    
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Decrease for Payments (934) (1,077)    
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Decrease for Business Divestitures (27) 0    
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) 31 (35)    
Accounts Receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts 5,000 5,100    
Research and development costs 7,300 9,300 8,700  
Foreign exchange transaction (gains)/losses 2,600 200 (100)  
Other Income (4,900)      
Interest Income, Other 800 700 1,200  
AOCI - Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax 75,896 151,115    
AOCI - Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax (24,750) (20,557)    
AOCI, Cash Flow Hedge, Cumulative Gain (Loss), after Tax 78 0    
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 359,226 301,179 558,712 $ 500,539
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset 48,733      
Retained earnings $ 917,671 915,466    
Minimum | Buildings and improvements        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Property, plant and equipment useful life 10 years      
Minimum | Machinery and equipment        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Property, plant and equipment useful life 2 years      
Maximum | Buildings and improvements        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Property, plant and equipment useful life 40 years      
Maximum | Machinery and equipment        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Property, plant and equipment useful life 15 years      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (100,724) $ (171,672) $ (174,245) $ (227,261)