Note 8 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2011
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]
   
Power
   
Plant
Services
   
E&I
   
E&C
   
F&M
   
Total
 
Balance at August 31, 2011
  $ 139,177     $ 42,027     $ 207,862     $ 139,099     $ 17,625     $ 545,790  
Acquisitions and related adjustments
                30                   30  
Currency translation adjustment
                (638 )     (589 )     (738 )     (1,965 )
Balance at November 30, 2011
  $ 139,177     $ 42,027     $ 207,254     $ 138,510     $ 16,887     $ 543,855  
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]
   
Proprietary Technologies,
Patents and Tradenames
   
Client Relationships
 
   
Gross Carrying Amount
   
Accumulated Amortization
   
Gross Carrying Amount
   
Accumulated Amortization
 
Balance at August 31, 2011
  $ 41,957     $ (27,735 )   $ 5,016     $ (2,096 )
Currency translation adjustments
    (42 )     12       (38 )     (154 )
Amortization
          (699 )            
Balance at November 30, 2011
  $ 41,915     $ (28,422 )   $ 4,978     $ (2,250 )
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]
 
 
 
Proprietary Technologies,
Patents, and Tradenames
   
Client Relationships
 
Remainder of fiscal year 2012
  $ 2,197     $ 401  
2013
    2,790       423  
2014
    2,713       423  
2015
    2,639       423  
2016
    2,594       423  
Thereafter
    560       635  
Total
  $
13,493
    $ 2,728