Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
May 31, 2011
May 31, 2010
May 31, 2011
May 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings        
Net sales $ 392,777 $ 310,068 $ 1,041,887 $ 850,146
Cost of products sold 238,739 193,882 640,969 537,474
Gross profit 154,038 116,186 400,918 312,672
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses 88,304 69,452 242,858 199,012
Restructuring charges 862 1,356 1,595 13,409
Amortization of intangible assets 6,871 5,285 19,846 16,071
Operating profit 58,001 40,093 136,619 84,180
Financing costs, net 7,850 7,779 23,640 24,115
Other expense, net 331 315 1,276 362
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax 49,820 31,999 111,703 59,703
Income tax expense 11,460 3,706 24,540 10,255
Earnings from continuing operations 38,360 28,293 87,163 49,448
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (2,002) (6,458) (16,986) (8,602)
Net earnings $ 36,358 $ 21,835 $ 70,177 $ 40,846
Earnings from continuing operations per share:        
Basic $ 0.56 $ 0.42 $ 1.28 $ 0.73
Diluted $ 0.51 $ 0.39 $ 1.17 $ 0.69
Earnings per share:        
Basic $ 0.53 $ 0.32 $ 1.03 $ 0.60
Diluted $ 0.49 $ 0.30 $ 0.95 $ 0.57
Weighted average common shares outstanding:        
Basic 68,354 67,642 68,208 67,593
Diluted 75,571 74,389 75,314 74,156