Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)

v3.8.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Segment
Aug. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Number of reportable segments | Segment 3      
Portion of inventory determined using last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method 18.00% 21.00%    
Inventory LIFO reserve $ 3,900 $ 3,700    
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual 6,616 5,592 $ 3,719  
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Increase for Warranties Issued 5,608 5,985    
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Decrease for Payments (4,714) (4,058)    
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) 130 (57)    
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Additions from Business Acquisition 0 3    
Unearned Revenue 10,100 7,700    
Accounts Receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts 11,200 7,800    
Research and development costs 21,900 18,300 17,700  
Foreign exchange transaction (gains)/losses 3,100 1,300 100  
Interest Income, Other 1,200 1,700 1,900  
AOCI - Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax 207,804 228,274    
AOCI - Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax (19,457) (23,549)    
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 500,539 520,950 673,001 $ 1,001,711
Debt Issuance Costs, Net $ (3,119) (3,878)    
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 $ (227,261) $ (251,823) $ (213,640) $ (68,408)