Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
|
3 Months Ended |
Nov. 30, 2014
|
Nov. 30, 2013
|
Operating Activities |
|
|
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
$ (25,118)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
|
$ 32,946us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
|
Investing Activities |
|
|
Capital expenditures |
(7,986)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
|
(11,257)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
|
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
225us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
|
1,913us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
|
Cash used in investing activities |
(7,761)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
|
(9,344)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
|
Financing Activities |
|
|
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver |
123,869us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
|
(12,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
|
Intercompany loan activity |
0atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries
|
0atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries
|
Purchase of treasury shares |
(104,415)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
|
(15,352)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
|
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration |
0atu_PaymentOfContingentConsideration
|
(414)atu_PaymentOfContingentConsideration
|
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other |
2,287atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther
|
10,562atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther
|
Cash dividend |
(2,598)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
|
(2,919)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
|
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
19,143us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
|
(20,123)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
(8,001)us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
|
2,077us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(21,737)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
|
5,556us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
|
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period |
109,012us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
|
103,986us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
|
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period |
87,275us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
|
109,542us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
|
Parent |
|
|
Operating Activities |
|
|
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
5,024us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
17,415us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Investing Activities |
|
|
Capital expenditures |
(226)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
(1,208)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Cash used in investing activities |
(226)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
(1,208)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Financing Activities |
|
|
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver |
121,875us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
(12,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Intercompany loan activity |
(47,192)atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
(9,951)atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Purchase of treasury shares |
(104,415)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
(15,352)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration |
|
0atu_PaymentOfContingentConsideration / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other |
2,287atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
10,562atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Cash dividend |
(2,598)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
(2,919)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
(30,043)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
(29,660)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
0us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
0us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(25,245)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
(13,453)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period |
27,931us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
16,122us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period |
2,686us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
2,669us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
|
Guarantors |
|
|
Operating Activities |
|
|
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
(28,333)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
3,461us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Investing Activities |
|
|
Capital expenditures |
(1,140)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
(1,270)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
1us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
36us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash used in investing activities |
(1,139)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
(1,234)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Financing Activities |
|
|
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver |
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Intercompany loan activity |
27,281atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
(2,227)atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Purchase of treasury shares |
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration |
|
0atu_PaymentOfContingentConsideration / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other |
0atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash dividend |
0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
27,281us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
(2,227)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
0us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(2,191)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period |
3,325us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period |
1,134us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Non-Guarantors |
|
|
Operating Activities |
|
|
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
(1,809)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
12,070us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Investing Activities |
|
|
Capital expenditures |
(6,620)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
(8,779)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
224us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
1,877us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash used in investing activities |
(6,396)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
(6,902)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Financing Activities |
|
|
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver |
1,994us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Intercompany loan activity |
19,911atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
12,178atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Purchase of treasury shares |
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration |
|
(414)atu_PaymentOfContingentConsideration / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other |
0atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash dividend |
0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
21,905us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
11,764us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
(8,001)us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
2,077us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
5,699us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
19,009us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period |
77,756us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
87,864us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period |
83,455us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
106,873us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Operating Activities |
|
|
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Investing Activities |
|
|
Capital expenditures |
0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Cash used in investing activities |
0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Financing Activities |
|
|
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolver |
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Intercompany loan activity |
0atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0atu_Changesinreceivablesandpayablestosubsidiaries / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Purchase of treasury shares |
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Payment of contingent acquisition consideration |
|
0atu_PaymentOfContingentConsideration / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits and other |
0atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0atu_StockOptionExercisesRelatedTaxBenefitsAndOther / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Cash dividend |
0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
0us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period |
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period |
$ 0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|
$ 0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
|