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Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2018	Oct. 22, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ACUITY BRANDS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001144215
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,182,832
Entity Public Float			$ 4,110

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 129.1	$ 311.1
Accounts receivable, less reserve for doubtful accounts of $1.3 and $1.9, respectively	637.9	573.3
Inventories	411.8	328.6
Prepayments and other current assets	32.3	32.6
Total current assets	1,211.1	1,245.6
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost:
Land	22.9	22.5
Buildings and leasehold improvements	189.1	180.7
Machinery and equipment	516.6	484.6
Total property, plant, and equipment	728.6	687.8
Less — Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(441.9)	(400.1)
Property, plant, and equipment, net	286.7	287.7
Goodwill	970.6	900.9
Intangible assets	498.7	448.8
Deferred income taxes	2.9	3.4
Other long-term assets	18.8	13.2
Total assets	2,988.8	2,899.6
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	451.1	395.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.4	0.4
Accrued compensation	67.0	41.8
Other accrued liabilities	164.2	163.6
Total current liabilities	682.7	600.9
Long-term debt	356.4	356.5
Accrued pension liabilities	64.6	96.9
Deferred income taxes	92.5	108.2
Self-insurance reserves	7.9	7.9
Other long-term liabilities	67.9	63.6
Total liabilities	1,272.0	1,234.0
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	0.0	0.0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 53,667,327 and 53,549,840 issued, respectively	0.5	0.5
Paid-in capital	906.3	881.0
Retained earnings	1,999.2	1,659.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(114.8)	(99.7)
Treasury stock, at cost — 13,676,689 and 11,678,002 shares, respectively	(1,074.4)	(776.1)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,716.8	1,665.6
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,988.8	$ 2,899.6

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1.3	$ 1.9
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	53,667,327	53,549,840
Treasury stock (in shares)	13,676,689	11,678,002

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1	$ 3,291.3
Cost of products sold	2,193.3	2,023.9	1,855.1
Gross profit	1,486.8	1,481.2	1,436.2
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,026.6	951.1	946.0
Special charge	5.6	11.3	15.0
Operating profit	454.6	518.8	475.2
Other expense (income):
Interest expense, net	33.5	32.5	32.2
Miscellaneous income, net	(4.8)	(6.3)	(1.6)
Total other expense	28.7	26.2	30.6
Income before income taxes	425.9	492.6	444.6
Income tax expense	76.3	170.9	153.8
Net income	$ 349.6	$ 321.7	$ 290.8
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 8.54	$ 7.46	$ 6.67
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	40.9	43.1	43.5
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 8.52	$ 7.43	$ 6.63
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	41.0	43.3	43.8
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.52
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (25.2)	$ 19.0	$ (5.6)
Defined benefit plans, net	21.2	20.7	(23.4)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(4.0)	39.7	(29.0)
Comprehensive income	$ 345.6	$ 361.4	$ 261.8

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 349.6	$ 321.7	$ 290.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	80.3	74.6	62.6
Share-based payment expense	32.3	32.0	27.7
Loss (gain) on the sale or disposal of property, plant, and equipment	0.6	0.3	(0.9)
Asset impairments	0.0	0.0	5.1
Deferred income taxes	(38.2)	(7.7)	(8.2)
Gain on sale of business	(5.4)	0.0	0.0
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0.0	(7.2)	0.0
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions, divestitures, and exchange rate changes:
Accounts receivable	(62.8)	2.7	(94.6)
Inventories	(74.4)	(32.4)	(24.0)
Prepayments and other current assets	0.7	6.0	(10.5)
Accounts payable	52.5	(4.6)	65.3
Other current liabilities	19.1	(63.5)	60.6
Other	(1.1)	14.7	14.0
Net cash provided by operating activities	353.2	336.6	387.9
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(43.6)	(67.3)	(83.7)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	0.0	5.5	2.2
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets, net of cash acquired	(163.2)	0.0	(623.2)
Proceeds from sale of business	1.1	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0.0	13.2	0.0
Other investing activities	0.0	(0.2)	0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	(205.7)	(48.8)	(704.7)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	395.4	0.0	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	(395.4)	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	(0.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt		1.0	2.5
Repurchases of common stock	(298.4)	(357.9)	0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	1.7	3.0	14.2
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(8.2)	(15.2)	(16.6)
Dividends paid	(21.4)	(22.7)	(22.9)
Net cash used for financing activities	(326.7)	(391.8)	(22.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2.8)	1.9	(4.0)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(182.0)	(102.1)	(343.6)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	311.1	413.2	756.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	129.1	311.1	413.2
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid during the period	126.6	173.6	120.7
Interest paid during the period	$ 36.7	$ 33.6	$ 32.8

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Amount	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items	Treasury Stock, at cost
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2015	$ 1,360.0	$ 0.5	$ 797.1	$ 1,093.0	$ (110.4)	$ (420.2)
Beginning balance (shares) at Aug. 31, 2015		43.3
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	290.8			290.8
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(29.0)				(29.0)
Common stock issued from treasury stock for acquisition of business (shares)		0.1
Common stock issued from treasury stock for acquisition of business	10.0		8.4			1.6
Amortization, issuance, and cancellations of restricted stock grants	11.1		11.1
Employee stock purchase plan issuances	0.7		0.7
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(22.9)			(22.9)
Stock options exercised (shares)		0.3
Stock options exercised	13.5		13.5
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	25.6		25.6
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2016	1,659.8	$ 0.5	856.4	1,360.9	(139.4)	(418.6)
Ending balance (shares) at Aug. 31, 2016		43.7
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	321.7			321.7
Other comprehensive income (loss)	39.7				39.7
Amortization, issuance, and cancellations of restricted stock grants (shares)		0.1
Amortization, issuance, and cancellations of restricted stock grants	16.8		16.4			0.4
Employee stock purchase plan issuances	0.9		0.9
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(22.7)			(22.7)
Stock options exercised	2.1		2.1
Repurchases of common stock (shares)		(2.0)
Repurchases of common stock	(357.9)					(357.9)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	5.2		5.2
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2017	1,665.6	$ 0.5	881.0	1,659.9	(99.7)	(776.1)
Ending balance (shares) at Aug. 31, 2017		41.8
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	349.6			349.6
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4.0)				(4.0)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act	0.0			11.1	(11.1)
Amortization, issuance, and cancellations of restricted stock grants (shares)		0.2
Amortization, issuance, and cancellations of restricted stock grants	23.7		23.6			0.1
Employee stock purchase plan issuances	0.6		0.6
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(21.4)			(21.4)
Stock options exercised	1.1		1.1
Repurchases of common stock (shares)		(2.0)
Repurchases of common stock	(298.4)					(298.4)
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2018	$ 1,716.8	$ 0.5	$ 906.3	$ 1,999.2	$ (114.8)	$ (1,074.4)
Ending balance (shares) at Aug. 31, 2018		40.0

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends per share paid (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.52

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	Aug. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Acuity Brands, Inc. (“Acuity Brands”) is the parent company of Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. (“ABL”) and other subsidiaries (Acuity Brands, ABL, and such other subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “Company”) and was incorporated in 2001 under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company is one of the world’s leading providers of lighting and building management solutions and services for commercial, institutional, industrial, infrastructure, and residential applications throughout North America and select international markets. The Company’s lighting and building management solutions include devices such as luminaires, lighting controls, controllers for various building systems, power supplies, prismatic skylights, inverters, and drivers, as well as integrated systems designed to optimize energy efficiency and comfort for various indoor and outdoor applications. Additionally, the Company continues to expand its solutions portfolio to provide a host of other economic benefits, including software and services that enable the Internet of Things (“IoT”). The Company's IoT solutions provide customers with access to robust data analytics; support the advancement of smart buildings, smart cities, and the smart grid; and allow businesses to develop custom applications to scale their operations. The Company has one reportable segment serving the North American lighting market and select international markets. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Acuity Brands and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Acuity Brands and its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions and accounts.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records revenue when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the Company’s price to the customer is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer assumes the risks and rewards of ownership. Customers take delivery at the time of shipment for terms designated free on board shipping point. For sales designated free on board destination, customers take delivery when the product is received at the customer’s designated site. Provisions for certain rebates, sales incentives, product returns, and discounts to customers are recorded in the same period the related revenue is recorded.

The Company also maintains one-time or ongoing marketing and trade-promotion programs with certain customers that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. These arrangements include cooperative marketing programs, merchandising of the Company’s products, introductory marketing funds for new products, and other trade-promotion activities conducted by the customer. Costs associated with these programs are reflected within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”), which in most instances requires such costs be recorded as a reduction of revenue. The liabilities associated with the programs totaled $41.3 million and $38.1 million as of August 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are reflected within Other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company's standard terms and conditions of sale allow returns of certain products within four months of the date of shipment. The Company also provides for limited product return rights to certain distributors and other customers, primarily for slow moving or damaged items subject to certain defined criteria. The limited product return rights generally allow customers to return resalable products purchased within a specified time period and subject to certain limitations, including, at times, when accompanied by a replacement order of equal or greater value. At the time revenue is recognized, the Company records a provision for the estimated amount of future returns primarily based on historical experience, specific notification of pending returns, or contractual terms with the respective customers. Although historical product returns generally have been within expectations, there can be no assurance that future product returns will not exceed historical amounts. A significant increase in product returns could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operating results in future periods.

Revenue is earned on services and the sale of products. Revenue is recognized for the sale of products when the above criteria are met and for services rendered in the period of performance.

Revenue Recognition for Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables

A small portion (less than 7%) of the Company's revenues are derived from the combination of any or all of: (i) the sale and license of its products, (ii) fees associated with training, installation, and technical support services, (iii) monitoring and lighting control services, and (iv) providing services related to data analytics. Certain agreements for integrated lighting solutions represent multiple-element arrangements that include tangible products as well as services that are essential to the functionality of the solution. These services primarily relate to installation, monitoring, and lighting controls services. All of these elements are reviewed and analyzed to determine separability in relation to the delivered elements and appropriate pricing treatment based on (a) vendor-specific objective evidence, (b) third-party evidence, or (c) management estimates. If deemed separate units of accounting, the revenue and associated cost of sales related to the delivered elements are recognized at the time of delivery, while those related to the undelivered elements are recognized appropriately based on the period of performance. If the separation criterion for the undelivered elements is not met because the undelivered elements are essential to the functionality of the lighting controls systems, all revenue and cost of sales attributable to the contract are deferred at the time of sale and are both generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective contract periods.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash in excess of daily requirements is invested in time deposits and marketable securities and is included in the accompanying balance sheets at fair value. The Company considers time deposits and marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

The Company records accounts receivable at net realizable value. This value includes a reserve for doubtful accounts to reflect losses anticipated on accounts receivable balances. The allowance is based on historical write-offs, an analysis of past due accounts based on the contractual terms of the receivables, and the economic status of customers, if known. Management believes that the allowance is sufficient to cover uncollectible amounts; however, there can be no assurance that unanticipated future business conditions of customers will not have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables, which are typically unsecured, are generally limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets using the Company’s lighting and building management solutions as well as their dispersion across many different geographic areas. One customer, two customers each, and one customer accounted for approximately 10% of receivables at August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in fiscal 2018, 2017, or 2016.

Reclassifications

Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. No material reclassifications occurred during the current period. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements footnote for additional information regarding retrospective reclassifications related to accounting standards adopted in the current year.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure for occurrences and transactions after the date of the consolidated financial statements as of August 31, 2018.

Inventories

Inventories include materials, direct labor, in-bound freight, and related manufacturing overhead, are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out or average cost basis) or market, and consist of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018			2017
Raw materials, supplies, and work in process⁽¹⁾	$	196.8		$	176.5
Finished goods	251.8			180.8
Inventories excluding reserves	448.6			357.3
Less: Reserves	(36.8		)	(28.7		)
Total inventories	$	411.8		$	328.6

_______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Due to the immaterial amount of estimated work in process and the short lead times for the conversion of raw materials to finished goods, the Company does not believe the segregation of raw materials and work in process is meaningful information.

Management reviews inventory quantities on hand and records a provision for excess or obsolete inventory primarily based on estimated future demand and current market conditions. A significant change in customer demand or market conditions could render certain inventory obsolete and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operating results in the period the change occurs.

Assets Held for Sale

In accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP, the Company classifies assets as held for sale upon the development of a plan for disposal and ceases the depreciation and amortization of the assets at that date. The Company did not classify any assets as held for sale as of August 31, 2018 or 2017.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill amounted to $970.6 million and $900.9 million as of August 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The change in the carrying amount of goodwill during fiscal 2018 and 2017 is summarized as follows (in millions):



	Carrying Amount
Balance as of August 31, 2016	$	947.8
Adjustments to provisional amounts	(56.5		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	9.6
Balance as of August 31, 2017	900.9
Additions from acquired businesses	77.0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7.3		)
Balance as of August 31, 2018	$	970.6

Summarized information for the Company’s acquired intangible assets is as follows (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018					2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Patents and patented technology	$	135.8	$	(62.2	)	$	124.1	$	(51.5	)
Trademarks and trade names	27.2		(13.2		)	27.2		(12.0		)
Distribution network	61.8		(42.7		)	61.8		(35.2		)
Customer relationships	298.8		(51.1		)	240.8		(43.1		)
Other	—		—			4.6		(4.6		)
Total definite-lived intangible assets	$	523.6	$	(169.2	)	$	458.5	$	(146.4	)
Indefinite-lived trade names	$	144.3				$	136.7

Through multiple acquisitions, the Company acquired intangible assets consisting primarily of trademarks and trade names associated with specific products with finite lives, definite-lived distribution networks, patented technology, non-compete agreements, and customer relationships, which are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names that are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely. Significant estimates and assumptions were used to determine the initial fair value of these acquired intangible assets, including estimated future net sales, customer attrition rates, royalty rates, and discount rates. Certain of the Company's intangible assets are attributable to foreign operations and are impacted by currency translation due to movements in foreign currency rates year over year.

The Company recorded amortization expense of $28.5 million, $28.0 million, and $21.4 million related to intangible assets with finite lives during fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Amortization expense is generally recorded on a straight-line basis and is expected to be approximately $31.1 million in fiscal 2019, $31.1 million in fiscal 2020, $28.2 million in fiscal 2021, $26.5 million in fiscal 2022, and $25.2 million in fiscal 2023.

The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently as facts and circumstances change, as required by ASC Topic 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 allows for an optional qualitative analysis to determine the likelihood of impairment. If the qualitative review results in a more likely than not probability of impairment, a quantitative analysis is required. The qualitative step may be bypassed entirely in favor of a quantitative test. The quantitative analysis identifies impairments by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. The fair values can be determined based on a combination of valuation techniques including the expected present value of future cash flows, a market multiple approach, and a comparable transaction approach. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired. Conversely, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge for the difference is recorded.

In fiscal 2018 and 2016, a qualitative fair value analysis was used to determine the likelihood of goodwill impairment for the Company’s one reporting unit. During fiscal 2017, a quantitative analysis, based on discounted future cash flows, was used to determine the likelihood of impairment. The analysis for goodwill did not result in an impairment charge during fiscal 2018, 2017, or 2016.

The impairment test for indefinite-lived trade names consists of comparing the fair value of a trade name with its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment loss would be recorded in the amount of the excess. The Company estimates the fair value of indefinite-lived trade names using a fair value model based on discounted future cash flows. Significant assumptions, including estimated future net sales, royalty rates, and discount rates, are used in the determination of estimated fair value for indefinite-lived trade names. The indefinite-lived trade name analysis did not result in an impairment charge for fiscal 2018, as the fair values exceeded the carrying values for each of the trade names. However, the estimated fair value of one trade name exceeded its carrying value by a small margin. Management believes the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of this trade name were reasonable, and sensitivity analysis indicated that the trade name would likely not be impaired by a material amount if reasonably differing assumptions had been used. Any reasonably likely change in the assumptions used in the analyses for the other trade names would not be material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

The indefinite-lived trade name analysis did not result in an impairment charge for fiscal 2017, as the fair values exceeded the carrying values for each of the trade names. However, during fiscal 2016, management began to rationalize the Company's portfolio of brands, resulting in the initiation of the phase out of one of the trade names. As a result, during fiscal 2016 the Company recognized an impairment charge of $5.1 million related to this trade name and concluded the trade name is definite-lived. The impairment charge is included in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the year ended August 31, 2016. The indefinite-lived intangible asset analysis for fiscal 2016 did not result in any other impairment charges, as the fair values exceeded the carrying values for each of the other trade names.

Other Long-Term Assets

Other long-term assets consist of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018		2017
Deferred contract costs	$	12.8	$	6.7
Net overfunded pension plans	1.6		—
Other⁽¹⁾	4.4		6.5
Total other long-term assets	$	18.8	$	13.2

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Amounts primarily include deferred debt issuance costs related to the Company's credit facilities and company-owned life insurance investments. The Company maintains life insurance policies on 69 former employees primarily to satisfy obligations under certain deferred compensation plans. These company-owned life insurance policies are presented net of loans that are secured by these policies. This program is frozen, and no new policies were issued in the three-year period ended August 31, 2018.

Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consist of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018		2017
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits other than pensions⁽¹⁾	$	40.0	$	39.7
Long-term warranty obligations	15.7		10.7
Unrecognized tax position liabilities, including interest⁽²⁾	4.9		7.0
Other⁽³⁾	7.3		6.2
Total other long-term liabilities	$	67.9	$	63.6

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

The Company maintains several non-qualified retirement plans for the benefit of eligible employees, primarily deferred compensation plans. The deferred compensation plans provide for elective deferrals of an eligible employee’s compensation and, in some cases, matching contributions by the Company. In addition, one plan provides for an automatic contribution by the Company of 3% of an eligible employee’s compensation. The Company maintains life insurance policies on certain current and former officers and other key employees as a means of satisfying a portion of these obligations.


⁽²⁾	See the Income Taxes footnote for more information.


⁽³⁾	Amount primarily includes deferred rent and deferred revenue.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in Net sales in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight and freight between manufacturing facilities and distribution centers are generally recorded in Cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Other shipping and handling costs are included in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and totaled $154.9 million, $138.3 million, and $124.0 million in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Share-based Payments

The Company recognizes compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions in the financial statements based on the estimated fair value of the equity or liability instrument issued. The Company accounts for stock options, restricted shares, and share units representing certain deferrals into the Director Deferred Compensation Plan or the Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan (“SDSP”) (both of which are discussed further in the Share-based Payments footnote) based on the grant-date fair value estimated under the current provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”).

Share-based payment expense includes expense related to restricted stock and options issued, as well as share units deferred into the Director Deferred Compensation Plan. The Company recorded $32.3 million, $32.0 million, and $27.7 million of share-based payment expense for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized for share-based payment arrangements was $8.4 million, $11.1 million, and $9.6 million for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The Company accounts for any awards with graded vesting on a straight-line basis. Additionally, forfeitures of share-based awards are estimated based on historical experience at the time of grant and are revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. The Company did not capitalize any expense related to share-based payments and has recorded share-based payment expense, net of estimated forfeitures, in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Prior to fiscal 2018, benefits of tax deductions in excess of and expense of tax shortfalls below recognized share-based payment cost were reported within Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Conversely, these amounts are reported within Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for fiscal 2018. See the New Accounting Pronouncements footnote for more information. The Company recognized net tax shortfalls related to share-based payment cost of $0.8 million during fiscal 2018 and excess tax benefits related to share-based payment cost of $5.2 million and $25.6 million during 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See the Share-based Payments footnote for more information.

Depreciation

For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is determined principally on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of plant and equipment (10 to 40 years for buildings and related improvements and 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment), while accelerated depreciation methods are used for income tax purposes. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement. Depreciation expense amounted to $51.8 million, $46.6 million, and $41.2 million during fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development (“R&D”) expense, which is expensed as incurred, consists of compensation, payroll taxes, employee benefits, materials, supplies, and other administrative costs. R&D does not include all new product development costs and is included in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. R&D expense amounted to $63.9 million, $52.0 million, and $47.1 million during fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included within Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. These costs totaled $20.6 million, $18.6 million, and $18.4 million during fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net, is comprised primarily of interest expense on long-term debt, revolving credit facility borrowings, and loans collateralized by assets related to a company-owned life insurance program, partially offset by interest income on cash and cash equivalents.

The following table summarizes the components of interest expense, net (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Interest expense	$	35.5		$	34.1		$	33.3
Interest income	(2.0		)	(1.6		)	(1.1		)
Interest expense, net	$	33.5		$	32.5		$	32.2

Miscellaneous Income, Net

Miscellaneous income, net, is composed primarily of gains or losses on foreign currency items and other non-operating items. Gains or losses relating to foreign currency items consisted of income of $0.1 million in fiscal 2018, expense of $0.5 million in fiscal 2017, and income of $0.8 million in fiscal 2016. During fiscal 2018, the Company recognized a $5.4 million gain on the sale of a foreign domiciled business, which includes the reclassification of $8.7 million in accumulated foreign currency gains from Accumulated other comprehensive loss. During fiscal 2017, the Company recognized a $7.2 million gain associated with the sale of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate.

Income Taxes

The Company is taxed at statutory corporate rates after adjusting income reported for financial statement purposes for certain items that are treated differently for income tax purposes. Deferred income tax expenses or benefits result from changes during the year in cumulative temporary differences between the tax basis and book basis of assets and liabilities. On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). See the Income Taxes footnote within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details regarding the impact of the TCJA on the Company.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency for the foreign operations of the Company is the local currency where the foreign operations are domiciled. The translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate each month during the year. The gains or losses resulting from the balance sheet translation are included in Foreign currency translation adjustments in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and are excluded from net income.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income represents a measure of all changes in equity that result from recognized transactions and other economic events other than transactions with owners in their capacity as owners. Other comprehensive income for the Company includes foreign currency translation and pension adjustments.

The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax during the year ended August 31, 2018 (in millions):



	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items
Balance as of August 31, 2016	$	(47.7	)	$	(91.7	)	$	(139.4	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	19.0			12.6			31.6
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	—			8.1			8.1
Net current period other comprehensive income	19.0			20.7			39.7
Balance at August 31, 2017	(28.7		)	(71.0		)	(99.7		)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(16.5		)	14.0			(2.5		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	(8.7		)	7.2			(1.5		)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(25.2		)	21.2			(4.0		)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA	—			(11.1		)	(11.1		)
Balance at August 31, 2018	$	(53.9	)	$	(60.9	)	$	(114.8	)

_______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	The before tax amounts of the defined benefit pension plan items are included in net periodic pension cost. See the Pension and Defined Contribution Plans footnote for additional details. The reclassification of foreign currency items relates to the sale of a foreign domiciled business and is included within Miscellaneous income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The following table presents the tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three years ended August 31, 2018 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018									2017							2016
	Before Tax Amount			Tax (Expense) or Benefit			Net of Tax Amount			Before Tax Amount		Tax (Expense) or Benefit			Net of Tax Amount		Before Tax Amount			Tax (Expense) or Benefit			Net of Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(25.2	)	$	—		$	(25.2	)	$	19.0	$	—		$	19.0	$	(5.6	)	$	—		$	(5.6	)
Defined benefit pension plans:
Actuarial gains (losses)	18.4			(4.4		)	14.0			18.3		(5.7		)	12.6		(42.2		)	13.5			(28.7		)
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Prior service cost	3.1			(0.7		)	2.4			3.1		(0.7		)	2.4		3.1			(1.1		)	2.0
Actuarial losses	6.8			(2.0		)	4.8			8.9		(3.2		)	5.7		4.9			(1.6		)	3.3
Total defined benefit plans, net	28.3			(7.1		)	21.2			30.3		(9.6		)	20.7		(34.2		)	10.8			(23.4		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	3.1		$	(7.1	)	$	(4.0	)	$	49.3	$	(9.6	)	$	39.7	$	(39.8	)	$	10.8		$	(29.0	)

New Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
New Accounting Pronouncements	Aug. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2018 In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, (“ASU 2016-09”), which changes certain aspects of accounting for share-based payments to employees. The standard requires that all excess tax benefits and deficiencies previously recorded as additional paid-in capital be prospectively recorded in income tax expense, which could create volatility in the Company's effective income tax rate on a quarter by quarter basis due primarily to fluctuations in the Company's stock price and the timing of stock option exercises and vesting of restricted share grants. The standard also requires excess tax benefits to be presented as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows rather than as a financing activity and taxes paid for employee withholdings to be presented as a financing activity. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective as of September 1, 2017. Excess tax benefits and deficiencies are recorded within Income tax expense within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income on a prospective basis as required by the standard; however, the Company elected to present changes to the statement of cash flows on a retrospective basis as allowed by the standard in order to maintain comparability between fiscal years. As such, cash flows from operations for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016 increased $20.4 million and $42.2 million, respectively, with a corresponding decrease to cash flows from financing activities, compared to amounts previously reported. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”), which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA signed into law in December 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 effective as of the beginning of the current reporting period and recorded a reclassification for the stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Retained earnings in the amount of $11.1 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheets during the year ended August 31, 2018. Refer to the Income Taxes footnote for further details. Accounting Standards Yet to Be Adopted In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”), which will require customers to apply internal-use software guidance to determine the implementation costs that are able to be capitalized. Capitalized implementation costs will be required to be amortized over the term of the arrangement, beginning when the cloud computing arrangement is ready for its intended use. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2021. The provisions of ASU 2018-15 are not expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation — Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”), which will change the presentation of net periodic benefit cost related to employer sponsored defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits. Service cost will be included within the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period, while other components of net periodic benefit pension cost will be presented separately outside of operating income. Additionally, only service costs may be capitalized in assets. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2019. The provisions of ASU 2017-07 are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), which requires an evaluation of whether substantially all of the fair value of assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If so, the transaction does not qualify as a business. The guidance also requires an acquired business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of ASU 2017-01 and will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2019. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (“ASU 2016-15”), which is intended to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows including debt prepayment and extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2019, and the provisions of ASU 2016-15 are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statement disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to include most leases on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2018. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 (“ASU 2018-01”), which establishes an optional transition practical expedient when applying the guidance in ASU 2016-02. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), and ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements (“ASU 2016-11”). ASU 2018-10 affects narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-11 provides an additional transition method and an additional practical expedient for lessors. Each of these updates have the same effective date as the original standard. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of ASU 2016-02 and the related amendments and will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2020. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. Since the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB released several amendments to improve and clarify the implementation guidance, as well as to change the effective date. These standards have been collectively codified within Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). ASC 606 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard also requires additional disclosures about the nature, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. ASC 606 permits two transition methods: the full retrospective method and the modified retrospective method. Under the full retrospective method, the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented with the cumulative effect of applying the standard recognized at the earliest period shown. Under the modified retrospective method, the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. ASC 606 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has an implementation team tasked with identifying potential differences that will result from applying the new revenue recognition standard to the Company's contracts with its customers. The implementation team has completed its contract reviews and reported its findings and progress to management as well as to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The most significant changes will relate to additional deferral of revenue recognition for certain services provided and the gross presentation of right of return assets and refund liabilities for sales with a right of return. Based on the current portfolio of the Company's revenue generating activities, these changes will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company will adopt ASC 606 using the modified retrospective approach effective September 1, 2018. All other newly issued accounting pronouncements not yet effective have been deemed either immaterial or not applicable.

Acquisitions and Investments	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions and Investments	Aug. 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Investments	Acquisitions and Investments The Company does not consider acquisitions a critical element of its strategy but seeks opportunities for growth through acquisitions and investments. In recent years, the Company has acquired or made investments in a number of businesses that participate in the lighting, building management, and related markets, including the businesses discussed below. The acquisitions and investments were made with the intent to further expand and complement the Company’s lighting and building management solutions portfolio. The purchased companies were fully incorporated into the Company’s operations at their respective acquisition dates. There were no acquisitions during fiscal 2017. Fiscal 2018 Acquisitions IOTA Engineering, LLC On May 1, 2018, using cash on hand and borrowings available under existing credit arrangements, the Company acquired all of the equity interests of IOTA Engineering, LLC (“IOTA”). IOTA is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona and manufactures highly engineered emergency lighting products and power equipment for commercial and institutional applications both in the U.S. and international markets. The operating results of IOTA have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are not material to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Lucid Design Group, Inc. On February 12, 2018, using cash on hand, the Company acquired all of the equity interests of Lucid Design Group, Inc (“Lucid”). Lucid is headquartered in Oakland, California and provides a data and analytics platform to make data-driven decisions to improve building efficiency and drive energy conservation and savings. The operating results of Lucid have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are not material to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Accounting for Fiscal 2018 Acquisitions Acquisition-related costs were expensed as incurred. Preliminary amounts related to the acquisition accounting for these acquisitions are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2018. The aggregate preliminary purchase price of these acquisitions reflects total goodwill and identified intangible assets of approximately $77.0 million and $81.8 million, respectively. Identified intangible assets consist of indefinite-lived marketing-related intangibles as well as definite-lived customer-based and technology-based assets, which have a weighted average useful life of approximately 14 years. These amounts are deemed to be provisional until disclosed otherwise, primarily due to the Company continuing to gather information related to the identification and valuation of certain deferred tax items. Fiscal 2016 Acquisitions DGLogik, Inc. On June 30, 2016, using cash on hand and treasury stock, the Company acquired DGLogik, Inc. (“DGLogik”) a provider of innovative software solutions that enable and visualize the IoT. DGLogik's solutions provide users with the intelligence to better manage energy usage and improve facility performance. DGLogik is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. The operating results of DGLogik have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are not material to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company finalized the acquisition accounting for DGLogik during fiscal 2017, and the amounts are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no material changes to the Company’s financial statements as a result of the finalization of the acquisition accounting. Juno Lighting LLC On December 10, 2015, using cash on hand, the Company acquired for approximately $380.0 million all of the equity interests of Juno Lighting LLC (“Juno Lighting”) a leading provider of downlighting and track lighting fixtures for both residential and commercial applications. Juno Lighting is headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois.The operating results of Juno Lighting have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. Provisional amounts recognized at the acquisition date related to the Juno Lighting acquisition were prospectively adjusted in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 to reflect the finalization of the valuation of customer relationships and certain accrued liabilities. These adjustments resulted in an increase to intangible assets, net of $81.1 million, a decrease to goodwill of $50.5 million, an increase to deferred income tax liabilities of $29.6 million, and a decrease to net operating working capital of $1.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Additionally, the Company recorded $1.5 million of additional amortization expense during fiscal 2017 to reflect the amortization that would have been recognized in previous periods if the adjustment to intangibles was recognized as of the acquisition date. The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were finalized and reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets prospectively as of February 28, 2017. Geometri LLC On December 9, 2015, using cash on hand, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Geometri, LLC (“Geometri”), a provider of a software and services platform for mapping, navigation, and analytics. The operating results of Geometri have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The Company finalized the acquisition accounting for Geometri during fiscal 2017, and the amounts are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no material changes to the Company’s financial statements as a result of the finalization of the acquisition accounting. Distech Controls Inc. On September 1, 2015, using cash on hand, the Company acquired for approximately $240.0 million all of the outstanding capital stock of Distech Controls Inc. (“Distech Controls”), a provider of building automation solutions that allow for the integration of lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”), access control, closed circuit television, and related systems. Distech Controls is headquartered in Quebec, Canada. The Company finalized the acquisition accounting for Distech Controls during fiscal 2016. There were no material changes to the Company’s financial statements as a result of the finalization of the acquisition accounting.

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

The Company determines fair value measurements based on the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), establishes a three level hierarchy making a distinction between market participant assumptions based on (i) unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market (Level 1), (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (Level 2), and (iii) prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement (Level 3).

The Company's cash and cash equivalents (Level 1), which are required to be carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis, were $129.1 million and $311.1 million as of August 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company utilizes valuation methodologies to determine the fair values of its financial assets and liabilities in conformity with the concepts of “exit price” and the fair value hierarchy as prescribed in ASC 820. All valuation methods and assumptions are validated at least quarterly to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the fair values. There were no material changes to the valuation methods or assumptions used to determine fair values during the current period.

The Company used quoted market prices to determine the fair value of Level 1 assets and liabilities. No transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy occurred during the current fiscal period. In the event of a transfer in or out of a level within the fair value hierarchy, the transfers would be recognized on the date of occurrence.

Disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments (whether or not recognized in the balance sheet), for which it is practicable to estimate that value, are required each reporting period in addition to any financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as prescribed by ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825”). In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. The carrying values and estimated fair values of certain of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows at August 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):



	August 31, 2018				August 31, 2017
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior unsecured public notes, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	349.5	$	361.7	$	349.1	$	379.7
Industrial revenue bond	4.0		4.0		4.0		4.0
Bank loans	3.3		3.3		3.8		3.8

The senior unsecured public notes are carried at the outstanding balance, net of unamortized bond discount and deferred costs, as of the end of the reporting period. Fair value is estimated based on discounted future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity (Level 2). The industrial revenue bond is carried at the outstanding balance as of the end of the reporting period. The industrial revenue bond is a tax-exempt, variable-rate instrument that resets on a weekly basis; therefore, the Company estimates that the face amount of the bond approximates fair value as of August 31, 2018 based on bonds of similar terms and maturity (Level 2). The bank loans are carried at the outstanding balance as of the end of the reporting period. Fair value is estimated based on discounted future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity (Level 2).

ASC 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value to the Company. In many cases, the fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets, nor can the disclosed value be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. In evaluating the Company’s management of liquidity and other risks, the fair values of all assets and liabilities should be taken into consideration, not only those presented above.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans

Company-sponsored Pension Plans

The Company has several pension plans, both qualified and non-qualified, covering certain hourly and salaried employees. Benefits paid under these plans are based generally on employees’ years of service and/or compensation during the final years of employment. The Company makes annual contributions to the plans to the extent indicated by actuarial valuations and statutory requirements. Plan assets are invested primarily in equity and fixed income securities.

The following tables reflect the status of the Company’s domestic (U.S.-based) and international pension plans at August 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	August 31,						August 31,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	215.5		$	223.0		$	53.5		$	57.3
Service cost	2.7			3.5			0.2			0.2
Interest cost	7.3			6.9			1.3			1.1
Actuarial gain	(14.3		)	(10.2		)	(4.5		)	(3.2		)
Benefits paid	(8.0		)	(7.7		)	(5.5		)	(1.0		)
Other	—			—			0.5			(0.9		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	203.2			215.5			45.5			53.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	136.8		$	128.8		$	34.1		$	30.3
Actual return on plan assets	11.3			12.1			0.9			4.1
Employer contributions	9.3			3.6			1.2			1.0
Benefits paid	(8.0		)	(7.7		)	(5.5		)	(1.0		)
Other	—			—			0.2			(0.3		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	149.4			136.8			30.9			34.1
Funded status at the end of year	$	(53.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(14.6	)	$	(19.4	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$	1.6		$	—		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities	(5.3		)	(1.2		)	(0.1		)	—
Non-current liabilities	(50.1		)	(77.5		)	(14.5		)	(19.4		)
Net amount recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	$	(53.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(14.6	)	$	(19.4	)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	202.7		$	215.3		$	45.5		$	53.5
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Prior service cost	$	(4.6	)	$	(7.7	)	$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	(58.8		)	(78.7		)	(12.9		)	(18.2		)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income	$	(63.4	)	$	(86.4	)	$	(12.9	)	$	(18.2	)
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	119.2		$	215.5		$	45.5		$	53.5
Accumulated benefit obligation	118.7			215.3			45.5			53.5
Plan assets	63.8			136.8			30.9			34.1
Pensions plans in which plan assets exceed benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation	$	84.0		$	—		$	—		$	—
Accumulated benefit obligation	84.0			—			—			—
Plan assets	85.6			—			—			—
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated comprehensive income over the next fiscal year:
Prior service cost	$	3.1		$	3.1		$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	$	2.9		$	4.5		$	1.5		$	2.2

Net periodic pension cost is allocated between Cost of products sold and Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income based on the nature of the employee's other services. Components of net periodic pension cost for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 included the following (in millions):



	Domestic Plans									International Plans
	2018			2017			2016			2018			2017			2016
Service cost	$	2.7		$	3.5		$	3.6		$	0.2		$	0.2		$	0.1
Interest cost	7.3			6.9			8.0			1.3			1.1			1.7
Expected return on plan assets	(10.2		)	(9.4		)	(9.2		)	(2.2		)	(1.9		)	(1.9		)
Amortization of prior service cost	3.1			3.1			3.1			—			—			—
Recognized actuarial loss	4.5			5.3			3.0			2.3			3.6			1.9
Net periodic pension cost	$	7.4		$	9.4		$	8.5		$	1.6		$	3.0		$	1.8

Weighted average assumptions used in computing the benefit obligation are as follows:



	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Discount rate	3.9	%	3.5	%	2.9	%	2.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.5	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.2	%

Weighted average assumptions used in computing net periodic pension cost are as follows:



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	2018		2017		2016		2018		2017		2016
Discount rate	3.5	%	3.2	%	4.3	%	2.5	%	2.1	%	2.1	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.5	%	7.5	%	7.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.5	%	5.5	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.2	%	2.8	%

It is the Company’s policy to adjust, on an annual basis, the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation to approximate rates on high-quality, long-term obligations based on the Company’s estimated benefit payments available as of the measurement date. The Company uses a publicly published yield curve to assist in the development of its discount rates. The Company estimates that each 100 basis point increase in the discount rate would reduce net periodic pension cost approximately $1.4 million and approximately $0.6 million for the domestic plans and international plans, respectively. The expected return on plan assets is derived from a periodic study of long-term historical rates of return on the various asset classes included in the Company’s targeted pension plan asset allocation. The Company estimates that each 100 basis point reduction in the expected return on plan assets would result in additional net periodic pension cost of $1.5 million and $0.3 million for domestic plans and international plans, respectively. The rate of compensation increase is also evaluated and adjusted by the Company, if necessary, annually.

The Company’s investment objective for domestic plan assets is to earn a rate of return sufficient to match or exceed the long-term growth of the plans’ liabilities without subjecting plan assets to undue risk. The plan assets are invested primarily in high quality equity and debt securities. The Company conducts a periodic strategic asset allocation study to form a basis for the allocation of pension assets between various asset categories. Specific allocation percentages are assigned to each asset category with minimum and maximum ranges established for each. The assets are then managed within these ranges. During fiscal 2018, the U.S. targeted asset allocation was 55% equity securities, 40% fixed income securities, and 5% real estate securities. The Company’s investment objective for the international plan assets is also to add value by matching or exceeding the long-term growth of the plans’ liabilities. During fiscal 2018, the international asset target allocation approximated 62% equity securities, 23% fixed income securities, and 15% multi-strategy funds.

The Company’s pension plan asset allocation at August 31, 2018 and 2017 by asset category is as follows:



	% of Plan Assets
	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Equity securities	57.5	%	58.1	%	61.9	%	63.9	%
Fixed income securities	37.8	%	37.2	%	25.5	%	23.2	%
Multi-strategy investments	—	%	—	%	12.6	%	8.2	%
Real estate	4.7	%	4.7	%	—	%	4.7	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

The Company’s pension plan assets are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices in an active market, quoted redemption values, or estimates based on reasonable assumptions as of the most recent measurement period. See the Fair Value Measurements footnote for a description of the fair value guidance. No transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy occurred during the current fiscal period. In the event of a transfer in or out of a level within the fair value hierarchy, the transfers would be recognized on the date of occurrence. Certain pension assets valued at net asset value (“NAV”) per share as a practical expedient are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Investments in pension plan assets are described in further detail below.

Short-term Fixed Income Investments: Short-term investments consist of money market funds, which are valued at the daily closing price as reported by the relevant fund (Level 1).

Mutual Funds: Mutual funds held by the domestic plans are open-end mutual funds that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and seek to either replicate or outperform a related index. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the domestic plans are deemed to be actively traded (Level 1).

Collective Trust: The collective trust seeks to outperform the overall small-cap stock market and is comprised of small cap equity securities with quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. The value of this fund is calculated on each business day by dividing the total value of assets, less liabilities, by the number of units of each class outstanding but is not published (Level 2).

Fixed Income Investments: The fixed interest fund seeks to maximize total return by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of intermediate and long-term debt securities and is valued using the NAV of units of a management investment company’s trust. The NAV, as provided by the fund's trustee, is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. As such, these funds are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less the fund's liabilities.

Real Estate Fund: The real estate fund invests primarily in commercial real estate and includes mortgage loans that are backed by the associated property's investment objective. The fund seeks real estate returns, risk, and liquidity appropriate to a core fund. The fund also seeks to provide current income with the potential for long-term capital appreciation. This investment is valued based on the NAV per share, without further adjustment. The NAV, as provided by the fund's trustee, is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value and is therefore excluded from the fair value hierarchy. NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments. Investors may request to redeem all or any portion of their shares on a quarterly basis. Each investor must provide a written redemption request at least sixty days prior to the end of the quarter for which the request is to be effective. If insufficient funds are available to honor all redemption requests at any point in time, available funds will be allocated pro-rata based on the total number of shares held by each investor. All decisions regarding whether to honor redemption requests are made by the fund’s board of directors.

International Plan Investments: The international plans' assets consist primarily of funds invested in equity securities, multi-strategy investments, and fixed income investments. These securities are calculated using the values of the underlying holdings (i.e. significant observable inputs) but do not have actively quoted market prices (Level 2). The short-term fixed income investments represents cash and cash equivalents held by the funds at fiscal year end (Level 1). The international plans divested from the real estate fund during the current fiscal year, which was previously valued using NAV as a practical expedient and was excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

The following tables present the fair value of the domestic pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):



			Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value as of		Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	August 31, 2018		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Mutual funds:
Domestic large cap equity fund	$	48.3	$	48.3	$	—	$	—
Foreign equity fund	20.8		20.8		—		—
Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities	16.8		—		16.8		—
Short-term fixed income investments	7.6		7.6		—		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	93.5
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Fixed-income investments	48.9
Real estate fund	7.0
Total assets at net asset value	55.9
Total assets at fair value	$	149.4



			Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value as of		Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	August 31, 2017		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Mutual funds:
Domestic large cap equity fund	$	43.4	$	43.4	$	—	$	—
Foreign equity fund	21.5		21.5		—		—
Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities	14.6		—		14.6		—
Short-term fixed income investments	4.7		4.7		—		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	84.2
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Fixed-income investments	46.2
Real estate fund	6.4
Total assets at net asset value	52.6
Total assets at fair value	$	136.8

The following tables present the fair value of the international pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):



			Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value as of		Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	August 31, 2018		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Equity securities	$	19.1	$	—	$	19.1	$	—
Short-term fixed income investments	0.3		0.3		—		—
Multi-strategy investments	3.9		—		3.9		—
Fixed-income investments	7.6		—		7.6		—
Total assets at fair value	$	30.9



			Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value as of		Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	August 31, 2017		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Equity securities	$	21.8	$	—	$	21.8	$	—
Short-term fixed income investments	0.2		0.2		—		—
Multi-strategy investments	2.8		—		2.8		—
Fixed-income investments	7.7		—		7.7		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	32.5
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Real estate fund	1.6
Total assets at net asset value	1.6
Total fair value of assets	$	34.1

The Company expects to contribute approximately $5.3 million and $1.1 million during fiscal 2019 to its domestic and international defined benefit plans, respectively. These amounts are based on the total contributions required during fiscal 2019 to satisfy current legal minimum funding requirements for qualified plans and estimated benefit payments for non-qualified plans.

Benefit payments are made primarily from funded benefit plan trusts. Benefit payments are expected to be paid as follows for the years ending August 31 (in millions):



	Domestic Plans		International Plans
2019	$	12.6	$	0.8
2020	9.1		0.9
2021	9.8		0.9
2022	10.3		1.0
2023	17.3		1.0
2024-2028	70.8		5.6

Multi-employer Pension Plans

The Company contributes to two multi-employer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover certain of its union-represented employees. The risks of participating in these multi-employer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects:


•	Assets contributed to the multi-employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.


•	If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be shared by the remaining participating employers.


•	If a participating employer chooses to stop participating in some of its multi-employer plans, the employer may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.

The Company’s contributions to these plans were $0.5 million, $0.5 million, and $0.7 million for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. During fiscal 2016, as a result of closing a facility, the Company withdrew from one of these multi-employer pension plans and incurred a withdrawal liability of $3.9 million. During fiscal 2017, the Company early settled this withdrawal liability.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company also has defined contribution plans to which both employees and the Company make contributions. The cost to the Company for these plans was $8.0 million, $8.0 million, and $6.9 million for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Employer matching amounts are allocated in accordance with the participants’ investment elections for elective deferrals. At August 31, 2018, assets of the domestic defined contribution plans included shares of the Company’s common stock with a market value of approximately $9.9 million, which represented approximately 2.6% of the total fair market value of the assets in the Company’s domestic defined contribution plans.

Debt and Lines of Credit

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt and Lines of Credit

Debt

The Company’s debt at August 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018			2017
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, principal	$	350.0		$	350.0
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, unamortized discount and deferred costs	(0.5		)	(0.9		)
Industrial revenue bond due June 2021	4.0			4.0
Bank loans	3.3			3.8
Total debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	356.8		$	356.9

Future principal payments of long-term debt are $0.4 million, $350.4 million, $4.5 million, $0.4 million, $0.3 million, and $1.3 million in fiscal 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and after 2023, respectively.

On December 1, 2009, the Company announced a private offering by ABL, Acuity Brands’ wholly-owned principal operating subsidiary, of $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due in fiscal 2020 (the “Unsecured Notes”). The Unsecured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Acuity Brands and ABL IP Holding LLC (“ABL IP Holding,” and, together with Acuity Brands, the “Guarantors”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acuity Brands. The Unsecured Notes are senior unsecured obligations of ABL and rank equally in right of payment with all of ABL’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The guarantees of Acuity Brands and ABL IP Holding are senior unsecured obligations of Acuity Brands and ABL IP Holding and rank equally in right of payment with their other senior unsecured indebtedness. The Unsecured Notes bear interest at a rate of 6% per annum and were issued at a price equal to 99.797% of their face value for a term of 10 years. Interest on the Unsecured Notes is payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15. Additionally, the Company capitalized $3.1 million of deferred issuance costs related to the Unsecured Notes that are being amortized over the 10-year term of the Unsecured Notes.

In accordance with the registration rights agreement by and between ABL and the Guarantors and the initial purchasers of the Unsecured Notes, ABL and the Guarantors filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for an offer to exchange the Notes for SEC-registered notes with substantially identical terms. The registration became effective on August 17, 2010, and all of the Unsecured Notes were exchanged.

The $4.0 million industrial revenue bond matures in June 2021. The interest rate on the $4.0 million bond was approximately 1.7% at August 31, 2018 and 0.9% at August 31, 2017.

The Company also had $3.3 million outstanding under fixed-rate bank loans. These loans have interest rates between 0.8% and 2.0% and mature over 7 to 12 years, subject to monthly or quarterly repayment schedules.

Lines of Credit

On June 29, 2018, the Company entered into a credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks that provides the Company with a $400.0 million five-year unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) and a $400.0 million unsecured delayed draw term loan facility (“Term Loan Facility”). The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the current Revolving Credit Facility as of August 31, 2018. Additionally, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under its previous credit facility as of August 31, 2017.

Generally, amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility allow for borrowings to bear interest at either the Eurocurrency Rate or the base rate at the Company's option, plus an applicable margin. Eurocurrency Rate advances can be denominated in a variety of currencies, including U.S. Dollars, and amounts outstanding bear interest at a periodic fixed rate equal to the LIBOR for the applicable currency plus an applicable margin. The Eurocurrency applicable margin is based on the Company’s leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, with such margin ranging from 1.000% to 1.375% Base rate advances bear interest at an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin. The base rate applicable margin is based on the Company’s leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, with such margin ranging from 0.0% to 0.375%. The Term Loan Facility allows for borrowings to be drawn over a one-year period ending June 29, 2019, utilizing up to four separate installments, which are U.S. dollar denominated. Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility will amortize in equal quarterly installments of 2.5% per year in year one, 2.5% per year in year two, 5.0% per year in year three, 5.0% per year in year four, and 7.5% per year in year five. Any remaining borrowings under the Term Loan Facility are due and payable in full on June 29, 2023. The Term Loan Facility allows for borrowings to bear interest at either a Eurocurrency Rate or the base rate, at the Company’s option, in each case plus an applicable margin. Eurocurrency Rate advances can be denominated in a variety of currencies, including U.S. Dollars, and amounts outstanding bear interest at a periodic fixed rate equal to the LIBOR for the applicable currency plus an applicable margin. The Eurocurrency applicable margin is based on the Company’s leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, with such margin ranging from 0.875% to 1.250%. Base Rate advances bear interest at an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin. The base rate applicable margin is based on the Company’s leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, with such margin ranging from 0.0% to 0.25%.

The Company is required to pay certain fees in connection with the Credit Agreement, including administrative service fees and annual facility fees. The annual facility fee is payable quarterly, in arrears, and is determined by the Company’s leverage ratio as defined in the Credit Agreement. The facility fee ranges from 0.125% to 0.250% of the aggregate $800 million commitment of the lenders under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement contains financial covenants, including a minimum interest expense coverage ratio (“Minimum Interest Expense Coverage Ratio”) and a leverage ratio (“Maximum Leverage Ratio”) of total indebtedness to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”), as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement. These ratios are computed at the end of each fiscal quarter for the most recent 12-month period. The Credit Agreement generally allows for a Minimum Interest Expense Coverage Ratio of 2.50 and a Maximum Leverage Ratio of 3.50, subject to certain conditions, as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement.

The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of August 31, 2018. As of August 31, 2018, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $10.2 million, primarily for securing collateral requirements under the Company's casualty insurance programs and for providing credit support for the Company’s industrial revenue bond (not an outstanding amount under the Revolving Credit Facility). At August 31, 2018, the Company had additional borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement of $794.7 million under the most restrictive covenant in effect at the time, which represents the full amount of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility less the outstanding letters of credit of $5.3 million issued under the Revolving Credit Facility.

None of the Company’s existing debt instruments include provisions that would require an acceleration of repayments based solely on changes in the Company’s credit ratings.

Common Stock and Related Matters

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Common Stock and Related Matters

Common Stock

Changes in common stock for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were as follows (amounts and shares in millions):



	Common Stock
	Shares		Amount
			(At par)
Balance at August 31, 2015	53.0		$	0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.1		—
Stock options exercised	0.3		—
Balance at August 31, 2016	53.4		$	0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.1		—
Stock options exercised	—	*	—
Balance at August 31, 2017	53.5		$	0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.2		—
Stock options exercised	—	*	—
Balance at August 31, 2018	53.7		$	0.5

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

As of August 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had 13.7 million and 11.7 million of repurchased shares recorded as treasury stock at an original repurchase cost of $1.1 billion and $776.1 million, respectively.

In March 2018, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized the repurchase of up to six million shares of the Company's common stock. As of August 31, 2018, 0.8 million shares had been purchased under this authorization. Additionally, the Company repurchased 1.2 million shares during the current year under previous authorizations from the Board, resulting in total repurchases during fiscal 2018 of two million shares.

Preferred Stock

The Company has 50 million shares of preferred stock authorized. No shares of preferred stock were issued in fiscal 2018 or 2017, and no shares of preferred stock are outstanding.

Earnings per Share

Prior to fiscal 2017, basic earnings per share was computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, which was modified to include the effects of all participating securities during the period, as prescribed by the two-class method under ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share (“ASC 260”). Participating securities included unvested share-based payment awards with a right to receive nonforfeitable dividends. The equity plan approved by stockholders in January 2013 changed the dividend provisions, causing share-based payment awards to lose the right to receive nonforfeitable dividends. Due to this change, any shares granted after January 2013 were not participating securities as prescribed by the two-class method under ASC 260 and were accounted for in the diluted earnings per share calculation described below. Income attributable to participating securities was $0.4 million for the year ended August 31, 2016.

The impact of participating securities was not material for the year ended August 31, 2017, and there were no participating securities outstanding during the year ended August 31, 2018. Therefore, basic earnings per share for these periods is computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for these periods. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if dilutive options were exercised, all unvested share-based payment awards were vested, and other distributions related to deferred stock agreements were incurred.

The following table calculates basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 (in millions, except per share data):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Net income	$	349.6	$	321.7	$	290.8
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	40.9		43.1		43.5
Common stock equivalents	0.1		0.2		0.3
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	41.0		43.3		43.8
Basic earnings per share	$	8.54	$	7.46	$	6.67
Diluted earnings per share	$	8.52	$	7.43	$	6.63

Stock options of approximately 179,000, 117,000, and 40,000 were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, as the effect of inclusion would have been antidilutive. Restricted stock shares of approximately 227,000, 99,000, and 4,000, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, as the effect of inclusion would have been antidilutive.

Share-Based Payments

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Share-Based Payments

Share-based Payments

Omnibus Stock Compensation Incentive and Directors’ Equity Plans

In January 2013, the Company's stockholders approved the Acuity Brands, Inc. Omnibus Stock Compensation Incentive Plan, which reserved 2.3 million shares for issuance. In January 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved the Amended and Restated Acuity Brands, Inc. 2012 Omnibus Stock Compensation Incentive Plan (“Amended 2012 Plan”), which, among other things, authorized up to an additional 380,000 shares for issuance resulting in an aggregate of 2.7 million of shares authorized for issuance pursuant to the Amended 2012 Plan. The Compensation Committee of the Board is authorized to issue awards consisting of incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance stock awards, performance stock units, stock bonus awards, and cash-based awards to eligible employees, non-employee directors, and outside consultants.

Shares available for grant under the Amended 2012 Plan, including those previously issued and outstanding prior to the amendment, were approximately 1.6 million, 1.4 million, and 1.6 million at August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Any shares subject to an award under the Amended 2012 Plan that are forfeited, canceled, expire or that are settled for cash will be available for future grant under the Amended 2012 Plan.

Restricted Stock Awards

As of August 31, 2018, the Company had approximately 353,000 shares outstanding of restricted stock to officers, directors, and other key employees under the Amended 2012 Plan, including restricted stock units granted to foreign employees. The shares vest primarily over a four-year period and are valued at the closing stock price on the date of the grant. Compensation expense recognized related to the awards under the equity incentive plans was $27.9 million, $27.2 million, and $23.7 million in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Activity related to restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 was as follows (in millions, except per share data):



	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at August 31, 2017	0.4	$	197.41
Granted	0.2	$	154.95
Vested	(0.2)	$	177.79
Outstanding at August 31, 2018	0.4	$	186.63

As of August 31, 2018, there was $44.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. The total weighted average fair value of shares vested during the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, was approximately $26.6 million, $24.8 million, and $18.8 million, respectively.

Stock Options

As of August 31, 2018, the Company had approximately 343,000 options outstanding to officers and other key employees under the Amended 2012 Plan. Options issued under the Amended 2012 Plan are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant (but never less than the fair market value on the grant date) and expire 10 years from the date of grant. These options generally vest and become exercisable over a three-year period. Compensation expense recognized related to the awards under the current and prior equity incentive plans was $3.1 million, $3.6 million, and $2.9 million in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. The dividend yield was calculated based on annual dividends paid and the trailing 12-month average closing stock price at the time of grant. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock, calculated using the most recent time period equal to the expected life of the options. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a term equal to the expected life of the options at the time of grant. The Company used historical exercise behavior data of similar employee groups to determine the expected life of options. All inputs into the Black-Scholes model are estimates made at the time of grant. Actual realized value of each option grant could materially differ from these estimates, without impact to future reported net income.

The following weighted average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted in the fiscal years ended August 31:



	2018	2017	2016
Dividend yield	0.3%	0.2%	0.3%
Expected volatility	30.9%	28.5%	30.7%
Risk-free interest rate	2.0%	1.3%	1.4%
Expected life of options	4 years	4 years	4 years
Weighted-average fair value of options	$41.87	$57.40	$52.83

Stock option activity during the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was as follows:



	Outstanding			Exercisable
	Number of Shares (in millions)		Weighted Average Exercise Price	Number of Shares (in millions)		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at August 31, 2015	0.5		$71.95	0.3		$51.05
Granted	0.1		$207.80
Exercised	(0.3)		$51.34
Outstanding at August 31, 2016	0.3		$129.85	0.1		$83.89
Granted	—	*	$239.76
Exercised	—	*	$139.69
Outstanding at August 31, 2017	0.3		$156.43	0.2		$106.54
Granted	—	*	$156.39
Exercised	—	*	$115.27
Outstanding at August 31, 2018	0.3		$154.69	0.2		$134.13
Range of option exercise prices:
$40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 4.1 years)	0.1		$62.25	0.1		$62.25
$100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.7 years)	0.1		$131.42	0.1		$120.77
$160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 7.2 years)	0.1		$207.80	—	*	$207.80
$210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 8.1 years)	—	*	$239.76	—	*	$239.76

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $0.5 million, $1.3 million, and $50.0 million, respectively. As of August 31, 2018, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding was $9.1 million, the total intrinsic value of options expected to vest was $9.1 million, and the total intrinsic value of options exercisable was $9.1 million. As of August 31, 2018, there was $2.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.2 years.

Employee Deferred Share Units

The Company previously allowed employees to defer a portion of restricted stock awards granted in fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2004 into the SDSP as share units. The share units are payable in shares of stock at the time of distribution from the SDSP. As of August 31, 2018, approximately 9,000 fully vested share units remain deferred, but undistributed, under the Amended 2012 Plan. There was no compensation expense related to these share units during fiscal years 2018, 2017, and 2016.

Director Deferred Share Units

The Company previously required its Directors to defer at least 50% of their annual retainer into the 2006 Nonemployee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (“2006 Plan”). Shares deferred under the 2006 Plan are to be paid in shares at retirement from the Board. In January 2012, the Company's stockholders approved the 2011 Nonemployee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (“2011 Plan”), following the expiration of the 2006 Plan on November 30, 2011. Pursuant to the 2011 Plan, fees deferred by nonemployee directors can be invested in deferred stock units to be paid in shares or credited to an interest-bearing account to be paid in cash at retirement from the Board. 300,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan, which incorporated approximately 86,000 shares previously available for grant under the 2006 Plan. Beginning in fiscal year 2013, the deferral requirement was adjusted to 55% of the annual director fees. On September 28, 2012, the 2011 Plan was amended to allow for stock grants in lieu of mandatory deferrals for the non-cash component of a nonemployee director's annual fee if a director exceeds the stock ownership requirement of five-times the annual cash retainer fee. Total shares available for issuance under both plans were approximately 370,000 at August 31, 2018, and 390,000 at August 31, 2017 and 400,000 at August 31, 2016. As of August 31, 2018, approximately 122,000 share units were deferred, but undistributed, under the 2006 Plan and the 2011 Plan. Compensation expense recognized related to the share units under these plans was $1.3 million, $1.2 million, and $1.1 million in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employees are able to purchase, through payroll deduction, common stock at a 5% discount on a monthly basis. There were 1.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for purchase under the plan, of which approximately 1.0 million shares remain available as of August 31, 2018. Employees may participate at their discretion.

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Self-Insurance

The Company's policy is to self-insure up to certain limits traditional risks, including workers’ compensation, comprehensive general liability, and auto liability. The Company’s self-insured retention for each claim involving workers’ compensation, comprehensive general liability (including product liability claims), and auto liability is limited per occurrence of such claims. A provision for claims under this self-insured program, based on the Company’s estimate of the aggregate liability for claims incurred, is revised and recorded annually. The estimate is derived from both internal and external sources including, but not limited to, the Company’s independent actuary. The Company is also self-insured up to certain limits for certain other insurable risks, primarily physical loss to property and business interruptions resulting from such loss lasting two days or more in duration. Insurance coverage is maintained for catastrophic property and casualty exposures, as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. The Company is fully self-insured for certain other types of liabilities, including environmental, product recall, warranty, and patent infringement. The actuarial estimates are subject to uncertainty from various sources including, among others, changes in claim reporting patterns, claim settlement patterns, judicial decisions, legislation, and economic conditions. Although the Company believes that the actuarial estimates are reasonable, significant differences related to the items noted above could materially affect the Company’s self-insurance obligations, future expense, and cash flow.

The Company is also self-insured for the majority of its medical benefit plans up to certain limits. The Company

estimates its aggregate liability for claims incurred by applying a lag factor to the Company’s historical claims and

administrative cost experience. The appropriateness of the Company’s lag factor is evaluated annually and revised

as necessary.

Leases

The Company leases certain of its buildings and equipment under noncancelable lease agreements. Future minimum annual lease payments under noncancelable leases are $16.9 million, $14.0 million, $11.4 million, $8.0 million, $5.7 million, and $20.0 million for fiscal 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and after 2023, respectively.

Total rent expense was $22.3 million, $20.0 million, and $17.6 million in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Purchase Obligations

The Company incurs purchase obligations in the ordinary course of business that are enforceable and legally binding. Obligations for years subsequent to August 31, 2018 include $236.7 million, $2.5 million, $2.2 million, and $2.4 million in fiscal 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. As of August 31, 2018, the Company had no purchase obligations extending beyond August 31, 2023.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Approximately 72% of the Company’s total work force is covered by collective bargaining agreements. Collective bargaining agreements representing approximately 63% of the Company’s work force will expire within one year, primarily due to annual negotiations with unions in Mexico.

Securities Class Action

On January 3, 2018, a shareholder filed a class action complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against the Company and certain of its officers on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s stock between June 29, 2016 and April 3, 2017. On February 20, 2018, a different shareholder filed a second class action complaint in the same venue against the same parties on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s stock between October 15, 2015 and April 3, 2017. The cases were transferred on April 30, 2018, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and subsequently were consolidated as In re Acuity Brands, Inc. Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 1:18-cv-02140-MHC (N.D. Ga.). On October 5, 2018, the court-appointed lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (the “Consolidated Complaint”) which supersedes the initial complaints. The Consolidated Complaint is brought on behalf of all persons who purchased the Company’s common stock between October 7, 2015 and April 3, 2017 and alleges that the Company and certain of its current officers and one former executive violated the federal securities laws by making false or misleading statements and/or omitting to disclose material adverse facts that (i) concealed known trends negatively impacting sales of the Company’s products and (ii) overstated the Company’s ability to achieve profitable sales growth. The plaintiffs seek class certification, unspecified monetary damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees. The Company disputes the allegations in the complaints and intends to move to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint and to vigorously defend against the claims. Estimating an amount or range of possible losses resulting from litigation proceedings is inherently difficult, particularly where the matters involve indeterminate claims for monetary damages and are in the stages of the proceedings where key factual and legal issues have not been resolved. For these reasons, the Company is currently unable to predict the ultimate timing or outcome of or reasonably estimate the possible losses or a range of possible losses resulting from the matters described above. The Company is insured, in excess of a self-retention, for Directors and Officers liability.

Litigation

The Company is subject to various other legal claims arising in the normal course of business, including patent infringement, employment matters, and product liability claims. Based on information currently available, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of pending and threatened legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of any such matters, if unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company in future periods. The Company establishes reserves for legal claims when associated costs become probable and can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving legal claims may be substantially higher than the amounts reserved for such claims. However, the Company cannot make a meaningful estimate of actual costs to be incurred that could possibly be higher or lower than the amounts reserved.

Environmental Matters

The operations of the Company are subject to numerous comprehensive laws and regulations relating to the generation, storage, handling, transportation, and disposal of hazardous substances, as well as solid and hazardous wastes, and to the remediation of contaminated sites. In addition, permits and environmental controls are required for certain of the Company’s operations to limit air and water pollution, and these permits are subject to modification, renewal, and revocation by issuing authorities. On an ongoing basis, the Company invests capital and incurs operating costs relating to environmental compliance. Environmental laws and regulations have generally become stricter in recent years. The Company is not aware of any pending legislation or proposed regulation related to environmental issues that would have a material adverse effect on the Company. The cost of responding to future changes may be substantial. The Company establishes reserves for known environmental claims when the associated costs become probable and can be reasonably estimated. The actual cost of environmental issues may be substantially higher than that reserved due to difficulty in estimating such costs.

Guarantees and Indemnities

The Company is a party to contracts entered into in the normal course of business in which it is common for the Company to agree to indemnify third parties for certain liabilities that may arise out of or relate to the subject matter of the contract. In most cases, the Company cannot estimate the potential amount of future payments under these indemnities until events arise that would result in a liability under the indemnities.

Acquisition-Related Liabilities

During the negotiations related to business combinations, the previous owners of the acquired entity (“acquiree”) typically indemnify the Company for specific unrecognized liabilities of the acquiree in existence as of the date of acquisition. For some acquisitions of businesses, the Company acts in the place of escrow agents in the holding of funds, including accrued interest (collectively, the “holdback funds”), used to fulfill pre-acquisition obligations agreed to be paid by the acquiree. These funds represent consideration given to the previous owners of the businesses acquired and are payable to them, net of any pre-acquisition obligations satisfied within a stated amount of time, at a future date. Any potential pre-acquisition obligations for which the Company may be reimbursed through the holdback funds are usually uncertain as of the date of the change of control. In certain circumstances, the Company is capable of the identification and quantification of particular liabilities including, but not limited to, uncertain tax positions, legal issues, and other outstanding obligations not recognized in the financial statements of the acquired entity. Under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, these unrecognized liabilities are recorded as obligations of the Company with a corresponding receivable due from the previous owners as of the date of acquisition and are included as part of the acquisition accounting. The actual costs of resolving pre-acquisition obligations may be substantially higher than the holdback funds or amounts reserved. The Company does not believe that any amounts it is likely to be required to pay under these acquisition-related liabilities, including net holdback funds, will be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.

Product Warranty and Recall Costs

The Company's products generally have a standard warranty term of five years. The Company records an allowance for the estimated amount of future warranty costs when the related revenue is recognized. Estimated costs related to product recalls based on a formal campaign soliciting repair or return of that product are accrued when they are deemed to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimated future warranty and recall costs are primarily based on historical experience of identified warranty and recall claims. In certain limited cases, the Company has warranty arrangements for terms that exceed the standard term. Given that these longer-term warranties are not included in the Company’s historical experience, the Company utilizes estimated failure rates from industry sources to determine the potential future warranty cost. However, there can be no assurance that future warranty or recall costs will not exceed historical amounts or that new technology products, which may include extended warranties, may not generate unexpected costs. If actual future warranty or recall costs exceed historical amounts, additional allowances may be required, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and cash flow.

Reserves for product warranty and recall costs are included in Other accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The changes in the reserves for product warranty and recall costs during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Beginning balance	$	22.0		$	15.5		$	9.6
Warranty and recall costs	32.4			39.8			25.7
Payments and other deductions	(27.7		)	(33.3		)	(20.8		)
Acquired warranty and recall liabilities	0.6			—			1.0
Ending balance	$	27.3		$	22.0		$	15.5

The Company has received reports of a limited number of alleged thermal events involving certain configurations of its nPP16 family of power packs, some of which allegedly involved breaches of the power pack’s plastic housing. None of these events have resulted in any injuries, and there has been only one report of minimal property damage beyond the power pack housing. The Company’s testing has identified that these types of events do not originate in the power pack device itself but rather occur when there is a fault in the field-connected load wiring that is external to the power pack. Although the Company does not believe the devices are defective or that a recall is necessary, the Company has, out of an abundance of caution, reported the issue to the appropriate regulatory authorities, and it is possible that such authorities may disagree with our conclusions. The Company does not believe the issue will have a material adverse impact on the business, financial condition, cash flow, or results of operations of the Company. There can be no assurance, however, that actual costs, penalties, or other liabilities or damage to the Company’s reputation associated with the issue will not have a material adverse impact on the business, financial condition, cash flow, or results of operations of the Company.

Trade Compliance Matters

In the course of routine reviews of import and export activity, the Company previously determined that it misclassified and/or inaccurately valued certain international shipments of products. The Company is conducting a detailed review of this activity to determine the extent of any liabilities and implementing the appropriate remedial measures. At this time, the Company is unable to determine the likelihood or amount of loss, if any, associated with these shipments.

Special Charge

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Special Charge

During the year ended August 31, 2018, the Company recognized pre-tax special charges of $5.6 million. These charges were primarily related to charges of $10.6 million related to the planned consolidation of certain facilities and associated reduction in employee headcount, partially offset by the reversal of previously recorded special charges of $5.0 million. The reversal was related to certain planned streamlining activities that are no longer expected to occur, primarily due to the Company's sale of its Spanish lighting business during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

During fiscal 2017, the Company recognized pre-tax special charges of $11.3 million consisting primarily of severance and employee-related benefit costs for the elimination of certain operations and positions following a realignment of the Company's operating structure, including positions within various selling, distribution, and administrative (“SD&A”) departments.

The details of the special charges during the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018		2017
Severance and employee-related costs	$	5.4	$	11.2
Other restructuring costs	0.2		0.1
Total special charges	$	5.6	$	11.3

As of August 31, 2018, remaining reserves were $10.1 million and are included in Accrued compensation and in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The changes in the reserves related to these programs during the year ended August 31, 2018 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Fiscal 18 Actions			Fiscal 2017 Actions			Fiscal 2016 Actions			Total
Balance as of August 31, 2017	$	—		$	11.2		$	1.4		$	12.6
Severance costs	10.4			(4.8		)	(0.2		)	5.4
Payments made during the period	(1.2		)	(5.5		)	(1.2		)	(7.9		)
Balance as of August 31, 2018	$	9.2		$	0.9		$	—		$	10.1

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach as prescribed by ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). This approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and the tax basis of an asset or liability.

The provision for income taxes consists of the following components (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Provision for current federal taxes	$	88.9		$	151.2		$	139.6
Provision for current state taxes	16.4			20.4			17.6
Provision for current foreign taxes	9.2			7.0			5.1
Benefit for deferred taxes	(38.2		)	(7.7		)	(8.5		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	76.3		$	170.9		$	153.8

A reconciliation of the provision at the federal statutory rate to the total provision for income taxes is as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$	109.4		$	172.4		$	155.6
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	11.5			12.2			11.0
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	(2.0		)	(1.6		)	(2.0		)
Discrete income tax benefits of the TCJA	(34.6		)	—			—
Other, net	(8.0		)	(12.1		)	(10.8		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	76.3		$	170.9		$	153.8

Components of the net deferred income tax liabilities at August 31, 2018 and 2017 include (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018			2017
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	$	(15.0	)	$	(20.0	)
Goodwill and intangibles	(151.2		)	(194.9		)
Other liabilities	(2.3		)	(4.0		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(168.5		)	(218.9		)
Deferred income tax assets:
Self-insurance	2.6			4.1
Pension	18.1			33.7
Deferred compensation	23.7			32.9
Net operating losses	6.2			13.7
Other accruals not yet deductible	24.9			33.3
Other assets	7.0			10.6
Total deferred income tax assets	82.5			128.3
Valuation allowance	(3.6		)	(14.2		)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	(89.6	)	$	(104.8	)

On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes for fiscal year 2018 include, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017. The Company’s U.S. federal corporate tax rate was 25.7% for the current fiscal year. The TCJA also included changes expected to take effect during fiscal 2019 that include, but are not limited to, additional limitations on certain executive compensation, limitations on interest deductions, a new U.S. tax on certain offshore earnings referred to as Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”), a new alternative U.S. tax on certain Base Erosion Anti-Avoidance (“BEAT”) payments from a U.S. company to any foreign related party, a new deduction for Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”) and the repeal of the Section 199 domestic production activities deduction. On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to address the application of US GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to finalize the calculations for certain income tax effects of the TCJA. In accordance with SAB 118, the Company has made reasonable estimates and recorded provisional amounts as described below. Under the transitional provisions of SAB 118, the Company has a one-year measurement period to complete the accounting for the initial tax effects of the TCJA. The Company is still in the process of completing that accounting. The Company recognized a provisional discrete tax benefit estimate of $34.6 million within Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income following the enactment of the TCJA. This provisional amount included a benefit of $31.6 million to decrease the Company's deferred income taxes to the revised statutory federal rate as well as a current estimated benefit of approximately $3.0 million for the transition tax on unremitted foreign earnings.

The Company's accounting for the income tax effects of the TCJA will be completed during the measurement period allowed under SAB 118, and the Company will record any necessary adjustments in the period such adjustments are identified. While the Company was able to make a reasonable estimate of the impact of the income tax effects of the new law, the impact of the tax legislation may differ from current provisional estimates, possibly materially, due to among other things, changes in interpretation or assumptions the company has made, guidance that may be issued, and actions the Company may make as a result of the tax legislation.

The Company previously asserted that all undistributed earnings and original investments in foreign subsidiaries were indefinitely reinvested and therefore has not recorded any deferred taxes related to any outside basis differences associated with its foreign subsidiaries as of August 31, 2018. The estimated undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries is $76.5 million as of August 31, 2018. While the Company has included a provisional estimate of the transition tax on these earnings, the impact of the TCJA on the Company's existing assertion of indefinite reinvestment is still being evaluated, pursuant to SAB 118. The Company will complete its analysis of the impact of the TCJA on its outside basis differences in foreign subsidiaries and respective indefinite reinvestment assertions during the measurement period.

With respect to the new TCJA provision on global intangible low-taxed income, which will apply to the Company starting in fiscal year 2019, the Company has not yet made an accounting policy election on the deferred tax treatment.

At August 31, 2018, the Company had state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $0.8 million, which will expire beginning in 2026. At August 31, 2018, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $47.9 million that expire beginning in 2030, state net operating loss carryforwards of $13.4 million that begin expiring in 2018. The Company has utilized all its foreign net operating loss carryforwards.

The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of August 31, 2018 and 2017 totaled $4.4 million and $6.0 million, respectively, which includes $3.8 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate. The Company recognizes potential interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense; such accrued interest and penalties are not material. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to United States federal, state, and local income tax examinations for years ended before 2013 or for foreign income tax examinations before 2011. The Company does not anticipate unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.

A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit (reported in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets) for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year	$	6.0		$	5.2
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	0.6			1.2
Additions for tax positions of prior years	1.0			0.4
Reductions due to settlements	(2.2		)	—
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(1.0		)	(0.8		)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year	$	4.4		$	6.0

Total accrued interest was $0.5 million and $1.0 million as of August 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There were no accruals related to income tax penalties during fiscal 2018. Interest, net of tax benefits, and penalties are included in Income tax expense within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The classification of interest and penalties did not change during the current fiscal year.

Supplemental Disaggregated Information

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Supplemental Disaggregated Information

The Company has one reportable segment. Sales of lighting and building management solutions, excluding services, accounted for approximately 99% of total consolidated net sales in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016. The geographic distribution of the Company’s net sales, operating profit, income before provision for income taxes, and long-lived assets is summarized in the following table for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Net sales⁽¹⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	3,292.6	$	3,123.1	$	2,928.3
International	387.5		382.0		363.0
Total	$	3,680.1	$	3,505.1	$	3,291.3
Operating profit:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	414.2	$	497.5	$	457.6
International	40.4		21.3		17.6
Total	$	454.6	$	518.8	$	475.2
Income before provision for income taxes:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	386.4	$	478.5	$	430.8
International	39.5		14.1		13.8
Total	$	425.9	$	492.6	$	444.6
Long-lived assets⁽³⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	256.4	$	252.8	$	254.5
International	52.0		51.5		41.4
Total	$	308.4	$	304.3	$	295.9

_______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Net sales are attributed to each country based on the selling location.


⁽²⁾	Domestic amounts include amounts for U.S. based operations.


⁽³⁾	Long-lived assets include net property, plant, and equipment, long-term deferred income tax assets, and other long-term assets as reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

In December 2009, ABL, the 100% owned and principal operating subsidiary of Acuity Brands, refinanced the then current outstanding debt through the issuance of the Notes. See Debt and Lines of Credit footnote for further information.

In accordance with the registration rights agreement by and between ABL and the guarantors to the Notes and the initial purchasers of the Notes, ABL and the guarantors to the Notes filed a registration statement with the SEC for an offer to exchange the Notes for an issue of SEC-registered notes with identical terms. Due to the filing of the registration statement and offer to exchange, the Company determined the need for compliance with Rule 3-10 of SEC Regulation S-X (“Rule 3-10”). In lieu of providing separate audited financial statements for ABL and ABL IP Holding, the Company has included the accompanying Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements in accordance with Rule 3-10(d) of SEC Regulation S-X since the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Acuity Brands and ABL IP Holding. The column marked “Parent” represents the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of Acuity Brands. The column marked “Subsidiary Issuer” represents the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of ABL. The column entitled “Subsidiary Guarantor” represents the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of ABL IP Holding. Lastly, the column listed as “Non-Guarantors” includes the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the non-guarantor direct and indirect subsidiaries of Acuity Brands, which consist primarily of foreign subsidiaries. Consolidating adjustments were necessary in order to arrive at consolidated amounts. In addition, the equity method of accounting was used to calculate investments in subsidiaries. Accordingly, this basis of presentation is not intended to present the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows for any purpose other than to comply with the specific requirements for parent-subsidiary guarantor reporting.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)



	At August 31, 2018
	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	80.5	$	—	$	—	$	48.6	$	—		$	129.1
Accounts receivable, net	—		560.7		—		77.2		—			637.9
Inventories	—		386.6		—		25.2		—			411.8
Other current assets	2.3		18.6		—		11.4		—			32.3
Total current assets	82.8		965.9		—		162.4		—			1,211.1
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2		226.8		—		59.7		—			286.7
Goodwill	—		746.5		2.7		221.4		—			970.6
Intangible assets, net	—		286.6		106.5		105.6		—			498.7
Deferred income taxes	36.4		—		—		6.2		(39.7		)	2.9
Other long-term assets	1.2		15.6		—		2.0		—			18.8
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,707.0		370.6		279.5		—		(2,357.1		)	—
Total assets	$	1,827.6	$	2,612.0	$	388.7	$	557.3	$	(2,396.8	)	$	2,988.8

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	0.3	$	420.7	$	—	$	30.1	$	—		$	451.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	—		—		—		0.4		—			0.4
Accrued liabilities	18.8		170.1		—		42.3		—			231.2
Total current liabilities	19.1		590.8		—		72.8		—			682.7
Long-term debt	—		353.5		—		2.9		—			356.4
Deferred income taxes	—		106.5		—		25.7		(39.7		)	92.5
Other long-term liabilities	91.7		34.0		—		14.7		—			140.4
Amounts due to affiliates	—		—		—		138.8		(138.8		)	—
Total stockholders’ equity	1,716.8		1,527.2		388.7		302.4		(2,218.3		)	1,716.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,827.6	$	2,612.0	$	388.7	$	557.3	$	(2,396.8	)	$	2,988.8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)



	At August 31, 2017
	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	237.7	$	—	$	—	$	73.4	$	—		$	311.1
Accounts receivable, net	—		494.6		—		78.7		—			573.3
Inventories	—		305.5		—		23.1		—			328.6
Other current assets	1.6		15.8		—		15.2		—			32.6
Total current assets	239.3		815.9		—		190.4		—			1,245.6
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2		228.3		—		59.2		—			287.7
Goodwill	—		677.7		2.7		220.5		—			900.9
Intangible assets, net	—		235.5		109.8		103.5		—			448.8
Deferred income taxes	51.6		—		—		8.0		(56.2		)	3.4
Other long-term assets	1.5		10.9		—		0.8		—			13.2
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,500.3		330.4		234.2		—		(2,064.9		)	—
Total assets	$	1,792.9	$	2,298.7	$	346.7	$	582.4	$	(2,121.1	)	$	2,899.6

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	0.9	$	366.4	$	—	$	27.8	$	—		$	395.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	—		—		—		0.4		—			0.4
Accrued liabilities	27.6		138.9		—		38.9		—			205.4
Total current liabilities	28.5		505.3		—		67.1		—			600.9
Long-term debt	—		353.1		—		3.4		—			356.5
Deferred income taxes	—		134.6		—		29.8		(56.2		)	108.2
Other long-term liabilities	98.7		49.3		—		20.4		—			168.4
Amounts due to affiliates	—		—		—		128.8		(128.8		)	—
Total stockholders’ equity	1,665.7		1,256.4		346.7		332.9		(1,936.1		)	1,665.6
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,792.9	$	2,298.7	$	346.7	$	582.4	$	(2,121.1	)	$	2,899.6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2018
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	3,275.7		$	—	$	404.4		$	—		$	3,680.1
Intercompany sales	—			—			53.6		211.2			(264.8		)	—
Total sales	—			3,275.7			53.6		615.6			(264.8		)	3,680.1
Cost of products sold	—			1,949.7			—		442.2			(198.6		)	2,193.3
Gross profit	—			1,326.0			53.6		173.4			(66.2		)	1,486.8
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	47.4			884.5			3.2		157.6			(66.1		)	1,026.6
Intercompany charges	(59.2		)	49.5			—		9.7			—			—
Special charge	—			5.6			—		—			—			5.6
Operating profit	11.8			386.4			50.4		6.1			(0.1		)	454.6
Interest expense, net	11.1			16.9			—		5.5			—			33.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(344.3		)	(18.5		)	—		0.2			362.6			—
Miscellaneous income, net	—			(0.2		)	—		(4.6		)	—			(4.8		)
Income before income taxes	345.0			388.2			50.4		5.0			(362.7		)	425.9
Income tax (benefit) expense	(4.6		)	72.0			8.5		0.4			—			76.3
Net income	349.6			316.2			41.9		4.6			(362.7		)	349.6

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(25.2		)	(25.2		)	—		—			25.2			(25.2		)
Defined benefit pension plans, net	21.2			16.9			—		4.3			(21.2		)	21.2
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(4.0		)	(8.3		)	—		4.3			4.0			(4.0		)
Comprehensive income	$	345.6		$	307.9		$	41.9	$	8.9		$	(358.7	)	$	345.6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2017
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	3,105.2		$	—	$	399.9		$	—		$	3,505.1
Intercompany sales	—			—			49.4		179.2			(228.6		)	—
Total sales	—			3,105.2			49.4		579.1			(228.6		)	3,505.1
Cost of products sold	—			1,764.5			—		432.8			(173.4		)	2,023.9
Gross profit	—			1,340.7			49.4		146.3			(55.2		)	1,481.2
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	45.0			824.8			3.6		132.8			(55.1		)	951.1
Intercompany charges	(56.9		)	47.7			—		9.2			—			—
Special charge	—			11.3			—		—			—			11.3
Operating profit	11.9			456.9			45.8		4.3			(0.1		)	518.8
Interest expense, net	11.0			16.1			—		5.4			—			32.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(320.9		)	(7.7		)	—		0.2			328.4			—
Miscellaneous (income) expense, net	—			(8.0		)	—		1.7			—			(6.3		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	321.8			456.5			45.8		(3.0		)	(328.5		)	492.6
Income tax expense (benefit)	0.1			158.0			15.7		(2.9		)	—			170.9
Net income (loss)	321.7			298.5			30.1		(0.1		)	(328.5		)	321.7

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	19.0			19.0			—		—			(19.0		)	19.0
Defined benefit pension plans, net	20.7			11.8			—		7.5			(19.3		)	20.7
Other comprehensive income items, net of tax	39.7			30.8			—		7.5			(38.3		)	39.7
Comprehensive income	$	361.4		$	329.3		$	30.1	$	7.4		$	(366.8	)	$	361.4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2016
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	2,919.7		$	—	$	371.6		$	—		$	3,291.3
Intercompany sales	—			—			47.4		131.2			(178.6		)	—
Total sales	—			2,919.7			47.4		502.8			(178.6		)	3,291.3
Cost of products sold	—			1,602.2			—		379.3			(126.4		)	1,855.1
Gross profit	—			1,317.5			47.4		123.5			(52.2		)	1,436.2
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	47.2			834.6			3.8		112.6			(52.2		)	946.0
Intercompany charges	(59.5		)	50.4			—		9.1			—			—
Special charge	—			15.0			—		—			—			15.0
Operating profit	12.3			417.5			43.6		1.8			—			475.2
Interest expense, net	10.5			16.1			—		5.6			—			32.2
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(289.2		)	(3.2		)	—		0.2			292.2			—
Miscellaneous income, net	—			—			—		(1.6		)	—			(1.6		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	291.0			404.6			43.6		(2.4		)	(292.2		)	444.6
Income tax expense	0.2			137.7			15.6		0.3			—			153.8
Net income (loss)	290.8			266.9			28.0		(2.7		)	(292.2		)	290.8

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5.6		)	(5.6		)	—		—			5.6			(5.6		)
Defined benefit pension plans, net	(23.4		)	(11.4		)	—		(9.5		)	20.9			(23.4		)
Other comprehensive loss items, net of tax	(29.0		)	(17.0		)	—		(9.5		)	26.5			(29.0		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	261.8		$	249.9		$	28.0	$	(12.2	)	$	(265.7	)	$	261.8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2018
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	323.8		$	30.2		$	—	$	36.0		$	(36.8	)	$	353.2
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(31.4		)	—		(12.2		)	—			(43.6		)
Investments in subsidiaries	(154.7		)	—			—		—			154.7			—
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	—			(136.3		)	—		(26.9		)	—			(163.2		)
Proceeds from sale of business	—			—			—		1.1			—			1.1
Net cash used for investing activities	(154.7		)	(167.7		)	—		(38.0		)	154.7			(205.7		)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	—			395.4			—		—			—			395.4
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	—			(395.4		)	—		—			—			(395.4		)
Issuance of long-term debt	—			—			—		(0.4		)	—			(0.4		)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	1.7			—			—		—			—			1.7
Repurchases of common stock	(298.4		)	—			—		—			—			(298.4		)
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(8.2		)	—			—		—			—			(8.2		)
Intercompany dividends	—			—			—		(36.8		)	36.8			—
Intercompany capital	—			136.6			—		18.1			(154.7		)	—
Dividends paid	(21.4		)	—			—		—			—			(21.4		)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(326.3		)	136.6			—		(19.1		)	(117.9		)	(326.7		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			0.9			—		(3.7		)	—			(2.8		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(157.2		)	—			—		(24.8		)	—			(182.0		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	237.7			—			—		73.4			—			311.1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	80.5		$	—		$	—	$	48.6		$	—		$	129.1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2017
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	262.3		$	41.4		$	—	$	32.9		$	—	$	336.6
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(53.1		)	—		(14.2		)	—		(67.3		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	—			0.2			—		5.3			—		5.5
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	—			13.2			—		—			—		13.2
Other investing activities	—			(0.2		)	—		—			—		(0.2		)
Net cash used for investing activities	—			(39.9		)	—		(8.9		)	—		(48.8		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt	—			—			—		1.0			—		1.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	3.0			—			—		—			—		3.0
Repurchases of common stock	(357.9		)	—			—		—			—		(357.9		)
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(15.2		)	—			—		—			—		(15.2		)
Dividends paid	(22.7		)	—			—		—			—		(22.7		)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(392.8		)	—			—		1.0			—		(391.8		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			(1.5		)	—		3.4			—		1.9
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(130.5		)	—			—		28.4			—		(102.1		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	368.2			—			—		45.0			—		413.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	237.7		$	—		$	—	$	73.4		$	—	$	311.1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2016
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	319.2		$	54.8		$	—	$	13.9		$	—		$	387.9
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(67.1		)	—		(16.6		)	—			(83.7		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	—			0.2			—		2.0			—			2.2
Investments in subsidiaries	(405.6		)	—			—		—			405.6			—
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	—			(393.9		)	—		(229.3		)	—			(623.2		)
Net cash used for investing activities	(405.6		)	(460.8		)	—		(243.9		)	405.6			(704.7		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt	—			—			—		2.5			—			2.5
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	14.2			—			—		—			—			14.2
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(16.6		)	—			—		—			—			(16.6		)
Intercompany capital	—			405.6			—		—			(405.6		)	—
Dividends paid	(22.9		)	—			—		—			—			(22.9		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(25.3		)	405.6			—		2.5			(405.6		)	(22.8		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			0.4			—		(4.4		)	—			(4.0		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(111.7		)	—			—		(231.9		)	—			(343.6		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	479.9			—			—		276.9			—			756.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	368.2		$	—		$	—	$	45.0		$	—		$	413.2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)



	Fiscal Year 2018
(In millions)	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
Net sales	$	842.8	$	832.1	$	944.0	$	1,061.2
Gross profit	$	350.2	$	334.9	$	389.4	$	412.3
Net income	$	71.5	$	96.9	$	73.0	$	108.2
Basic earnings per share	$	1.71	$	2.34	$	1.81	$	2.71
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.70	$	2.33	$	1.80	$	2.70



	Fiscal Year 2017
(In millions)	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
Net sales	$	851.2	$	804.7	$	891.6	$	957.6
Gross profit	$	359.6	$	335.8	$	378.9	$	406.9
Net income	$	81.7	$	67.3	$	82.2	$	90.5
Basic earnings per share	$	1.87	$	1.54	$	1.91	$	2.16
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.86	$	1.53	$	1.90	$	2.15

Certain amounts in the tables above have been rounded. Accordingly, the sum of the quarters may not be an exact match to the full year amounts.

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Schedule II

Acuity Brands, Inc.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

For the Years Ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016

(In millions)



	Balance at		Additions and Reductions Charged to
	Beginning of Year		Costs and Expenses		Other Accounts		Deductions	Balance at End of Year
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Reserve for doubtful accounts	$	1.9	(0.3	)	(0.2	)	0.1	$	1.3
Reserve for estimated product returns, net	$	13.6	79.4		—		78.4	$	14.6
Reserve for estimated cash discounts	$	4.1	28.3		—		27.8	$	4.6
Reserve for estimated other deductions	$	3.6	25.7		—		25.1	$	4.2
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	$	14.2	0.2		(6.7	)	4.1	$	3.6
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Reserve for doubtful accounts	$	1.7	0.3		0.1		0.2	$	1.9
Reserve for estimated product returns, net	$	10.9	84.7		—		82.0	$	13.6
Reserve for estimated cash discounts	$	4.7	29.0		—		29.6	$	4.1
Reserve for estimated other deductions	$	1.7	20.5		—		18.6	$	3.6
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	$	16.4	1.5		(0.6	)	3.1	$	14.2
Year Ended August 31, 2016
Reserve for doubtful accounts	$	1.3	0.3		0.4		0.3	$	1.7
Reserve for estimated product returns, net	$	6.2	62.6		0.9		58.8	$	10.9
Reserve for estimated cash discounts	$	3.0	32.0		0.9		31.2	$	4.7
Reserve for estimated other deductions	$	1.3	11.9		—		11.5	$	1.7
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	$	15.0	(0.2	)	1.6		—	$	16.4

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Aug. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Acuity Brands and its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions and accounts.
Revenue Recognition	The Company records revenue when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the Company’s price to the customer is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer assumes the risks and rewards of ownership. Customers take delivery at the time of shipment for terms designated free on board shipping point. For sales designated free on board destination, customers take delivery when the product is received at the customer’s designated site. Provisions for certain rebates, sales incentives, product returns, and discounts to customers are recorded in the same period the related revenue is recorded. The Company also maintains one-time or ongoing marketing and trade-promotion programs with certain customers that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. These arrangements include cooperative marketing programs, merchandising of the Company’s products, introductory marketing funds for new products, and other trade-promotion activities conducted by the customer. Costs associated with these programs are reflected within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”), which in most instances requires such costs be recorded as a reduction of revenue. The liabilities associated with the programs totaled $41.3 million and $38.1 million as of August 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are reflected within Other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company's standard terms and conditions of sale allow returns of certain products within four months of the date of shipment. The Company also provides for limited product return rights to certain distributors and other customers, primarily for slow moving or damaged items subject to certain defined criteria. The limited product return rights generally allow customers to return resalable products purchased within a specified time period and subject to certain limitations, including, at times, when accompanied by a replacement order of equal or greater value. At the time revenue is recognized, the Company records a provision for the estimated amount of future returns primarily based on historical experience, specific notification of pending returns, or contractual terms with the respective customers. Although historical product returns generally have been within expectations, there can be no assurance that future product returns will not exceed historical amounts. A significant increase in product returns could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operating results in future periods. Revenue is earned on services and the sale of products. Revenue is recognized for the sale of products when the above criteria are met and for services rendered in the period of performance.
Revenue Recognition for Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables	A small portion (less than 7%) of the Company's revenues are derived from the combination of any or all of: (i) the sale and license of its products, (ii) fees associated with training, installation, and technical support services, (iii) monitoring and lighting control services, and (iv) providing services related to data analytics. Certain agreements for integrated lighting solutions represent multiple-element arrangements that include tangible products as well as services that are essential to the functionality of the solution. These services primarily relate to installation, monitoring, and lighting controls services. All of these elements are reviewed and analyzed to determine separability in relation to the delivered elements and appropriate pricing treatment based on (a) vendor-specific objective evidence, (b) third-party evidence, or (c) management estimates. If deemed separate units of accounting, the revenue and associated cost of sales related to the delivered elements are recognized at the time of delivery, while those related to the undelivered elements are recognized appropriately based on the period of performance. If the separation criterion for the undelivered elements is not met because the undelivered elements are essential to the functionality of the lighting controls systems, all revenue and cost of sales attributable to the contract are deferred at the time of sale and are both generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective contract periods.
Use of Estimates	The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash in excess of daily requirements is invested in time deposits and marketable securities and is included in the accompanying balance sheets at fair value. The Company considers time deposits and marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable	The Company records accounts receivable at net realizable value. This value includes a reserve for doubtful accounts to reflect losses anticipated on accounts receivable balances. The allowance is based on historical write-offs, an analysis of past due accounts based on the contractual terms of the receivables, and the economic status of customers, if known. Management believes that the allowance is sufficient to cover uncollectible amounts; however, there can be no assurance that unanticipated future business conditions of customers will not have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations.
Concentrations of Credit Risk	Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables, which are typically unsecured, are generally limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets using the Company’s lighting and building management solutions as well as their dispersion across many different geographic areas.
Reclassifications	Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. No material reclassifications occurred during the current period. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements footnote for additional information regarding retrospective reclassifications related to accounting standards adopted in the current year.
Subsequent Events	The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure for occurrences and transactions after the date of the consolidated financial statements as of August 31, 2018.
Inventories	Management reviews inventory quantities on hand and records a provision for excess or obsolete inventory primarily based on estimated future demand and current market conditions. A significant change in customer demand or market conditions could render certain inventory obsolete and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operating results in the period the change occurs. Inventories include materials, direct labor, in-bound freight, and related manufacturing overhead, are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out or average cost basis) or market
Assets Held for Sale	In accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP, the Company classifies assets as held for sale upon the development of a plan for disposal and ceases the depreciation and amortization of the assets at that date.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	Through multiple acquisitions, the Company acquired intangible assets consisting primarily of trademarks and trade names associated with specific products with finite lives, definite-lived distribution networks, patented technology, non-compete agreements, and customer relationships, which are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names that are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely. Significant estimates and assumptions were used to determine the initial fair value of these acquired intangible assets, including estimated future net sales, customer attrition rates, royalty rates, and discount rates. Certain of the Company's intangible assets are attributable to foreign operations and are impacted by currency translation due to movements in foreign currency rates year over year. The Company recorded amortization expense of $28.5 million, $28.0 million, and $21.4 million related to intangible assets with finite lives during fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Amortization expense is generally recorded on a straight-line basis and is expected to be approximately $31.1 million in fiscal 2019, $31.1 million in fiscal 2020, $28.2 million in fiscal 2021, $26.5 million in fiscal 2022, and $25.2 million in fiscal 2023. The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently as facts and circumstances change, as required by ASC Topic 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 allows for an optional qualitative analysis to determine the likelihood of impairment. If the qualitative review results in a more likely than not probability of impairment, a quantitative analysis is required. The qualitative step may be bypassed entirely in favor of a quantitative test. The quantitative analysis identifies impairments by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. The fair values can be determined based on a combination of valuation techniques including the expected present value of future cash flows, a market multiple approach, and a comparable transaction approach. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired. Conversely, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge for the difference is recorded. In fiscal 2018 and 2016, a qualitative fair value analysis was used to determine the likelihood of goodwill impairment for the Company’s one reporting unit. During fiscal 2017, a quantitative analysis, based on discounted future cash flows, was used to determine the likelihood of impairment. The analysis for goodwill did not result in an impairment charge during fiscal 2018, 2017, or 2016. The impairment test for indefinite-lived trade names consists of comparing the fair value of a trade name with its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment loss would be recorded in the amount of the excess. The Company estimates the fair value of indefinite-lived trade names using a fair value model based on discounted future cash flows. Significant assumptions, including estimated future net sales, royalty rates, and discount rates, are used in the determination of estimated fair value for indefinite-lived trade names.
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs	The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in Net sales in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight and freight between manufacturing facilities and distribution centers are generally recorded in Cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Other shipping and handling costs are included in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Share-Based Payments	The Company recognizes compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions in the financial statements based on the estimated fair value of the equity or liability instrument issued. The Company accounts for stock options, restricted shares, and share units representing certain deferrals into the Director Deferred Compensation Plan or the Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan (“SDSP”) (both of which are discussed further in the Share-based Payments footnote) based on the grant-date fair value estimated under the current provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”).
Depreciation	For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is determined principally on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of plant and equipment (10 to 40 years for buildings and related improvements and 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment), while accelerated depreciation methods are used for income tax purposes. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement.
Research and Development	Research and development (“R&D”) expense, which is expensed as incurred, consists of compensation, payroll taxes, employee benefits, materials, supplies, and other administrative costs. R&D does not include all new product development costs and is included in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Advertising	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included within Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Interest Expense, Net	Interest expense, net, is comprised primarily of interest expense on long-term debt, revolving credit facility borrowings, and loans collateralized by assets related to a company-owned life insurance program, partially offset by interest income on cash and cash equivalents.
Miscellaneous Income, Net	Miscellaneous income, net, is composed primarily of gains or losses on foreign currency items and other non-operating items.
Income Taxes	The Company is taxed at statutory corporate rates after adjusting income reported for financial statement purposes for certain items that are treated differently for income tax purposes. Deferred income tax expenses or benefits result from changes during the year in cumulative temporary differences between the tax basis and book basis of assets and liabilities.
Foreign Currency Translation	The functional currency for the foreign operations of the Company is the local currency where the foreign operations are domiciled. The translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate each month during the year. The gains or losses resulting from the balance sheet translation are included in Foreign currency translation adjustments in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and are excluded from net income.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive income represents a measure of all changes in equity that result from recognized transactions and other economic events other than transactions with owners in their capacity as owners. Other comprehensive income for the Company includes foreign currency translation and pension adjustments.
New Accounting Pronouncements	Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2018 In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, (“ASU 2016-09”), which changes certain aspects of accounting for share-based payments to employees. The standard requires that all excess tax benefits and deficiencies previously recorded as additional paid-in capital be prospectively recorded in income tax expense, which could create volatility in the Company's effective income tax rate on a quarter by quarter basis due primarily to fluctuations in the Company's stock price and the timing of stock option exercises and vesting of restricted share grants. The standard also requires excess tax benefits to be presented as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows rather than as a financing activity and taxes paid for employee withholdings to be presented as a financing activity. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective as of September 1, 2017. Excess tax benefits and deficiencies are recorded within Income tax expense within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income on a prospective basis as required by the standard; however, the Company elected to present changes to the statement of cash flows on a retrospective basis as allowed by the standard in order to maintain comparability between fiscal years. As such, cash flows from operations for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016 increased $20.4 million and $42.2 million, respectively, with a corresponding decrease to cash flows from financing activities, compared to amounts previously reported. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”), which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA signed into law in December 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 effective as of the beginning of the current reporting period and recorded a reclassification for the stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Retained earnings in the amount of $11.1 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheets during the year ended August 31, 2018. Refer to the Income Taxes footnote for further details. Accounting Standards Yet to Be Adopted In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”), which will require customers to apply internal-use software guidance to determine the implementation costs that are able to be capitalized. Capitalized implementation costs will be required to be amortized over the term of the arrangement, beginning when the cloud computing arrangement is ready for its intended use. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2021. The provisions of ASU 2018-15 are not expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation — Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”), which will change the presentation of net periodic benefit cost related to employer sponsored defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits. Service cost will be included within the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period, while other components of net periodic benefit pension cost will be presented separately outside of operating income. Additionally, only service costs may be capitalized in assets. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2019. The provisions of ASU 2017-07 are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), which requires an evaluation of whether substantially all of the fair value of assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If so, the transaction does not qualify as a business. The guidance also requires an acquired business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of ASU 2017-01 and will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2019. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (“ASU 2016-15”), which is intended to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows including debt prepayment and extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2019, and the provisions of ASU 2016-15 are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statement disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to include most leases on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2018. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 (“ASU 2018-01”), which establishes an optional transition practical expedient when applying the guidance in ASU 2016-02. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), and ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements (“ASU 2016-11”). ASU 2018-10 affects narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-11 provides an additional transition method and an additional practical expedient for lessors. Each of these updates have the same effective date as the original standard. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of ASU 2016-02 and the related amendments and will implement the standard as required in fiscal 2020. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. Since the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB released several amendments to improve and clarify the implementation guidance, as well as to change the effective date. These standards have been collectively codified within Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). ASC 606 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard also requires additional disclosures about the nature, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. ASC 606 permits two transition methods: the full retrospective method and the modified retrospective method. Under the full retrospective method, the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented with the cumulative effect of applying the standard recognized at the earliest period shown. Under the modified retrospective method, the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. ASC 606 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has an implementation team tasked with identifying potential differences that will result from applying the new revenue recognition standard to the Company's contracts with its customers. The implementation team has completed its contract reviews and reported its findings and progress to management as well as to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The most significant changes will relate to additional deferral of revenue recognition for certain services provided and the gross presentation of right of return assets and refund liabilities for sales with a right of return. Based on the current portfolio of the Company's revenue generating activities, these changes will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company will adopt ASC 606 using the modified retrospective approach effective September 1, 2018. All other newly issued accounting pronouncements not yet effective have been deemed either immaterial or not applicable.

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventory



	August 31,
	2018			2017
Raw materials, supplies, and work in process⁽¹⁾	$	196.8		$	176.5
Finished goods	251.8			180.8
Inventories excluding reserves	448.6			357.3
Less: Reserves	(36.8		)	(28.7		)
Total inventories	$	411.8		$	328.6

_______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Due to the immaterial amount of estimated work in process and the short lead times for the conversion of raw materials to finished goods, the Company does not believe the segregation of raw materials and work in process is meaningful information.

Schedule of Goodwill

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill during fiscal 2018 and 2017 is summarized as follows (in millions):



	Carrying Amount
Balance as of August 31, 2016	$	947.8
Adjustments to provisional amounts	(56.5		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	9.6
Balance as of August 31, 2017	900.9
Additions from acquired businesses	77.0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7.3		)
Balance as of August 31, 2018	$	970.6

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Summarized information for the Company’s acquired intangible assets is as follows (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018					2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Patents and patented technology	$	135.8	$	(62.2	)	$	124.1	$	(51.5	)
Trademarks and trade names	27.2		(13.2		)	27.2		(12.0		)
Distribution network	61.8		(42.7		)	61.8		(35.2		)
Customer relationships	298.8		(51.1		)	240.8		(43.1		)
Other	—		—			4.6		(4.6		)
Total definite-lived intangible assets	$	523.6	$	(169.2	)	$	458.5	$	(146.4	)
Indefinite-lived trade names	$	144.3				$	136.7

Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Summarized information for the Company’s acquired intangible assets is as follows (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018					2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Patents and patented technology	$	135.8	$	(62.2	)	$	124.1	$	(51.5	)
Trademarks and trade names	27.2		(13.2		)	27.2		(12.0		)
Distribution network	61.8		(42.7		)	61.8		(35.2		)
Customer relationships	298.8		(51.1		)	240.8		(43.1		)
Other	—		—			4.6		(4.6		)
Total definite-lived intangible assets	$	523.6	$	(169.2	)	$	458.5	$	(146.4	)
Indefinite-lived trade names	$	144.3				$	136.7

Schedule of Other Long-Term Assets

Other long-term assets consist of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018		2017
Deferred contract costs	$	12.8	$	6.7
Net overfunded pension plans	1.6		—
Other⁽¹⁾	4.4		6.5
Total other long-term assets	$	18.8	$	13.2

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Schedule of Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consist of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018		2017
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits other than pensions⁽¹⁾	$	40.0	$	39.7
Long-term warranty obligations	15.7		10.7
Unrecognized tax position liabilities, including interest⁽²⁾	4.9		7.0
Other⁽³⁾	7.3		6.2
Total other long-term liabilities	$	67.9	$	63.6

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾


⁽²⁾	See the Income Taxes footnote for more information.


⁽³⁾	Amount primarily includes deferred rent and deferred revenue.

Schedule of Interest Expense, Net

The following table summarizes the components of interest expense, net (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Interest expense	$	35.5		$	34.1		$	33.3
Interest income	(2.0		)	(1.6		)	(1.1		)
Interest expense, net	$	33.5		$	32.5		$	32.2

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax during the year ended August 31, 2018 (in millions):



	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items
Balance as of August 31, 2016	$	(47.7	)	$	(91.7	)	$	(139.4	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	19.0			12.6			31.6
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	—			8.1			8.1
Net current period other comprehensive income	19.0			20.7			39.7
Balance at August 31, 2017	(28.7		)	(71.0		)	(99.7		)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(16.5		)	14.0			(2.5		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	(8.7		)	7.2			(1.5		)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(25.2		)	21.2			(4.0		)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA	—			(11.1		)	(11.1		)
Balance at August 31, 2018	$	(53.9	)	$	(60.9	)	$	(114.8	)

_______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	The before tax amounts of the defined benefit pension plan items are included in net periodic pension cost. See the Pension and Defined Contribution Plans footnote for additional details. The reclassification of foreign currency items relates to the sale of a foreign domiciled business and is included within Miscellaneous income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table presents the tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three years ended August 31, 2018 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018									2017							2016
	Before Tax Amount			Tax (Expense) or Benefit			Net of Tax Amount			Before Tax Amount		Tax (Expense) or Benefit			Net of Tax Amount		Before Tax Amount			Tax (Expense) or Benefit			Net of Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(25.2	)	$	—		$	(25.2	)	$	19.0	$	—		$	19.0	$	(5.6	)	$	—		$	(5.6	)
Defined benefit pension plans:
Actuarial gains (losses)	18.4			(4.4		)	14.0			18.3		(5.7		)	12.6		(42.2		)	13.5			(28.7		)
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Prior service cost	3.1			(0.7		)	2.4			3.1		(0.7		)	2.4		3.1			(1.1		)	2.0
Actuarial losses	6.8			(2.0		)	4.8			8.9		(3.2		)	5.7		4.9			(1.6		)	3.3
Total defined benefit plans, net	28.3			(7.1		)	21.2			30.3		(9.6		)	20.7		(34.2		)	10.8			(23.4		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	3.1		$	(7.1	)	$	(4.0	)	$	49.3	$	(9.6	)	$	39.7	$	(39.8	)	$	10.8		$	(29.0	)

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values and estimated fair values of certain of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows at August 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):



	August 31, 2018				August 31, 2017
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior unsecured public notes, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	349.5	$	361.7	$	349.1	$	379.7
Industrial revenue bond	4.0		4.0		4.0		4.0
Bank loans	3.3		3.3		3.8		3.8

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Schedule of Domestic and International Pension Plans

The following tables reflect the status of the Company’s domestic (U.S.-based) and international pension plans at August 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	August 31,						August 31,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	215.5		$	223.0		$	53.5		$	57.3
Service cost	2.7			3.5			0.2			0.2
Interest cost	7.3			6.9			1.3			1.1
Actuarial gain	(14.3		)	(10.2		)	(4.5		)	(3.2		)
Benefits paid	(8.0		)	(7.7		)	(5.5		)	(1.0		)
Other	—			—			0.5			(0.9		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	203.2			215.5			45.5			53.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	136.8		$	128.8		$	34.1		$	30.3
Actual return on plan assets	11.3			12.1			0.9			4.1
Employer contributions	9.3			3.6			1.2			1.0
Benefits paid	(8.0		)	(7.7		)	(5.5		)	(1.0		)
Other	—			—			0.2			(0.3		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	149.4			136.8			30.9			34.1
Funded status at the end of year	$	(53.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(14.6	)	$	(19.4	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$	1.6		$	—		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities	(5.3		)	(1.2		)	(0.1		)	—
Non-current liabilities	(50.1		)	(77.5		)	(14.5		)	(19.4		)
Net amount recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	$	(53.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(14.6	)	$	(19.4	)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	202.7		$	215.3		$	45.5		$	53.5
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Prior service cost	$	(4.6	)	$	(7.7	)	$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	(58.8		)	(78.7		)	(12.9		)	(18.2		)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income	$	(63.4	)	$	(86.4	)	$	(12.9	)	$	(18.2	)
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	119.2		$	215.5		$	45.5		$	53.5
Accumulated benefit obligation	118.7			215.3			45.5			53.5
Plan assets	63.8			136.8			30.9			34.1
Pensions plans in which plan assets exceed benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation	$	84.0		$	—		$	—		$	—
Accumulated benefit obligation	84.0			—			—			—
Plan assets	85.6			—			—			—
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated comprehensive income over the next fiscal year:
Prior service cost	$	3.1		$	3.1		$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	$	2.9		$	4.5		$	1.5		$	2.2

Schedule of Net Periodic Pension Cost

Components of net periodic pension cost for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 included the following (in millions):



	Domestic Plans									International Plans
	2018			2017			2016			2018			2017			2016
Service cost	$	2.7		$	3.5		$	3.6		$	0.2		$	0.2		$	0.1
Interest cost	7.3			6.9			8.0			1.3			1.1			1.7
Expected return on plan assets	(10.2		)	(9.4		)	(9.2		)	(2.2		)	(1.9		)	(1.9		)
Amortization of prior service cost	3.1			3.1			3.1			—			—			—
Recognized actuarial loss	4.5			5.3			3.0			2.3			3.6			1.9
Net periodic pension cost	$	7.4		$	9.4		$	8.5		$	1.6		$	3.0		$	1.8

Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used

Weighted average assumptions used in computing the benefit obligation are as follows:



	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Discount rate	3.9	%	3.5	%	2.9	%	2.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.5	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.2	%

Weighted average assumptions used in computing net periodic pension cost are as follows:



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	2018		2017		2016		2018		2017		2016
Discount rate	3.5	%	3.2	%	4.3	%	2.5	%	2.1	%	2.1	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.5	%	7.5	%	7.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.5	%	5.5	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.2	%	2.8	%

Schedule of Pension Plan Asset Allocation

The following tables present the fair value of the domestic pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):



			Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value as of		Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	August 31, 2018		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Mutual funds:
Domestic large cap equity fund	$	48.3	$	48.3	$	—	$	—
Foreign equity fund	20.8		20.8		—		—
Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities	16.8		—		16.8		—
Short-term fixed income investments	7.6		7.6		—		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	93.5
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Fixed-income investments	48.9
Real estate fund	7.0
Total assets at net asset value	55.9
Total assets at fair value	$	149.4



			Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value as of		Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	August 31, 2017		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Mutual funds:
Domestic large cap equity fund	$	43.4	$	43.4	$	—	$	—
Foreign equity fund	21.5		21.5		—		—
Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities	14.6		—		14.6		—
Short-term fixed income investments	4.7		4.7		—		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	84.2
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Fixed-income investments	46.2
Real estate fund	6.4
Total assets at net asset value	52.6
Total assets at fair value	$	136.8

The following tables present the fair value of the international pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):



			Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value as of		Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	August 31, 2018		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Equity securities	$	19.1	$	—	$	19.1	$	—
Short-term fixed income investments	0.3		0.3		—		—
Multi-strategy investments	3.9		—		3.9		—
Fixed-income investments	7.6		—		7.6		—
Total assets at fair value	$	30.9



			Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value as of		Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	August 31, 2017		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Equity securities	$	21.8	$	—	$	21.8	$	—
Short-term fixed income investments	0.2		0.2		—		—
Multi-strategy investments	2.8		—		2.8		—
Fixed-income investments	7.7		—		7.7		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	32.5
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Real estate fund	1.6
Total assets at net asset value	1.6
Total fair value of assets	$	34.1

The Company’s pension plan asset allocation at August 31, 2018 and 2017 by asset category is as follows:



	% of Plan Assets
	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Equity securities	57.5	%	58.1	%	61.9	%	63.9	%
Fixed income securities	37.8	%	37.2	%	25.5	%	23.2	%
Multi-strategy investments	—	%	—	%	12.6	%	8.2	%
Real estate	4.7	%	4.7	%	—	%	4.7	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments

Benefit payments are expected to be paid as follows for the years ending August 31 (in millions):



	Domestic Plans		International Plans
2019	$	12.6	$	0.8
2020	9.1		0.9
2021	9.8		0.9
2022	10.3		1.0
2023	17.3		1.0
2024-2028	70.8		5.6

Debt and Lines of Credit (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments

The Company’s debt at August 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018			2017
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, principal	$	350.0		$	350.0
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, unamortized discount and deferred costs	(0.5		)	(0.9		)
Industrial revenue bond due June 2021	4.0			4.0
Bank loans	3.3			3.8
Total debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	356.8		$	356.9

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21521-112644

+ Details

Common Stock and Related Matters (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Common Stock

Changes in common stock for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were as follows (amounts and shares in millions):



	Common Stock
	Shares		Amount
			(At par)
Balance at August 31, 2015	53.0		$	0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.1		—
Stock options exercised	0.3		—
Balance at August 31, 2016	53.4		$	0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.1		—
Stock options exercised	—	*	—
Balance at August 31, 2017	53.5		$	0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.2		—
Stock options exercised	—	*	—
Balance at August 31, 2018	53.7		$	0.5

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The following table calculates basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 (in millions, except per share data):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Net income	$	349.6	$	321.7	$	290.8
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	40.9		43.1		43.5
Common stock equivalents	0.1		0.2		0.3
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	41.0		43.3		43.8
Basic earnings per share	$	8.54	$	7.46	$	6.67
Diluted earnings per share	$	8.52	$	7.43	$	6.63

Share-Based Payments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule of Restricted Stock Award Activity

Activity related to restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 was as follows (in millions, except per share data):



	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at August 31, 2017	0.4	$	197.41
Granted	0.2	$	154.95
Vested	(0.2)	$	177.79
Outstanding at August 31, 2018	0.4	$	186.63

Schedule of Stock Options, Weighted Average Assumptions

The following weighted average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted in the fiscal years ended August 31:



	2018	2017	2016
Dividend yield	0.3%	0.2%	0.3%
Expected volatility	30.9%	28.5%	30.7%
Risk-free interest rate	2.0%	1.3%	1.4%
Expected life of options	4 years	4 years	4 years
Weighted-average fair value of options	$41.87	$57.40	$52.83

Schedule of Stock Option Transactions

Stock option activity during the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was as follows:



	Outstanding			Exercisable
	Number of Shares (in millions)		Weighted Average Exercise Price	Number of Shares (in millions)		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at August 31, 2015	0.5		$71.95	0.3		$51.05
Granted	0.1		$207.80
Exercised	(0.3)		$51.34
Outstanding at August 31, 2016	0.3		$129.85	0.1		$83.89
Granted	—	*	$239.76
Exercised	—	*	$139.69
Outstanding at August 31, 2017	0.3		$156.43	0.2		$106.54
Granted	—	*	$156.39
Exercised	—	*	$115.27
Outstanding at August 31, 2018	0.3		$154.69	0.2		$134.13
Range of option exercise prices:
$40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 4.1 years)	0.1		$62.25	0.1		$62.25
$100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.7 years)	0.1		$131.42	0.1		$120.77
$160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 7.2 years)	0.1		$207.80	—	*	$207.80
$210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 8.1 years)	—	*	$239.76	—	*	$239.76

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Product Warranty and Recall Reserves



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Beginning balance	$	22.0		$	15.5		$	9.6
Warranty and recall costs	32.4			39.8			25.7
Payments and other deductions	(27.7		)	(33.3		)	(20.8		)
Acquired warranty and recall liabilities	0.6			—			1.0
Ending balance	$	27.3		$	22.0		$	15.5

Special Charge Special Charge (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Details of Special Charges Incurred

The details of the special charges during the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018		2017
Severance and employee-related costs	$	5.4	$	11.2
Other restructuring costs	0.2		0.1
Total special charges	$	5.6	$	11.3

Schedule of Changes in Remaining Reserves

The changes in the reserves related to these programs during the year ended August 31, 2018 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Fiscal 18 Actions			Fiscal 2017 Actions			Fiscal 2016 Actions			Total
Balance as of August 31, 2017	$	—		$	11.2		$	1.4		$	12.6
Severance costs	10.4			(4.8		)	(0.2		)	5.4
Payments made during the period	(1.2		)	(5.5		)	(1.2		)	(7.9		)
Balance as of August 31, 2018	$	9.2		$	0.9		$	—		$	10.1

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes consists of the following components (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Provision for current federal taxes	$	88.9		$	151.2		$	139.6
Provision for current state taxes	16.4			20.4			17.6
Provision for current foreign taxes	9.2			7.0			5.1
Benefit for deferred taxes	(38.2		)	(7.7		)	(8.5		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	76.3		$	170.9		$	153.8

Schedule of Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate to Total Provision for Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the provision at the federal statutory rate to the total provision for income taxes is as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$	109.4		$	172.4		$	155.6
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	11.5			12.2			11.0
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	(2.0		)	(1.6		)	(2.0		)
Discrete income tax benefits of the TCJA	(34.6		)	—			—
Other, net	(8.0		)	(12.1		)	(10.8		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	76.3		$	170.9		$	153.8

Schedule of Components of Net Deferred Income Taxes

Components of the net deferred income tax liabilities at August 31, 2018 and 2017 include (in millions):



	August 31,
	2018			2017
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	$	(15.0	)	$	(20.0	)
Goodwill and intangibles	(151.2		)	(194.9		)
Other liabilities	(2.3		)	(4.0		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(168.5		)	(218.9		)
Deferred income tax assets:
Self-insurance	2.6			4.1
Pension	18.1			33.7
Deferred compensation	23.7			32.9
Net operating losses	6.2			13.7
Other accruals not yet deductible	24.9			33.3
Other assets	7.0			10.6
Total deferred income tax assets	82.5			128.3
Valuation allowance	(3.6		)	(14.2		)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	(89.6	)	$	(104.8	)

Schedule of Change in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefit



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018			2017
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year	$	6.0		$	5.2
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	0.6			1.2
Additions for tax positions of prior years	1.0			0.4
Reductions due to settlements	(2.2		)	—
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(1.0		)	(0.8		)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year	$	4.4		$	6.0

Supplemental Disaggregated Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas

The geographic distribution of the Company’s net sales, operating profit, income before provision for income taxes, and long-lived assets is summarized in the following table for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Net sales⁽¹⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	3,292.6	$	3,123.1	$	2,928.3
International	387.5		382.0		363.0
Total	$	3,680.1	$	3,505.1	$	3,291.3
Operating profit:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	414.2	$	497.5	$	457.6
International	40.4		21.3		17.6
Total	$	454.6	$	518.8	$	475.2
Income before provision for income taxes:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	386.4	$	478.5	$	430.8
International	39.5		14.1		13.8
Total	$	425.9	$	492.6	$	444.6
Long-lived assets⁽³⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	256.4	$	252.8	$	254.5
International	52.0		51.5		41.4
Total	$	308.4	$	304.3	$	295.9

_______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Net sales are attributed to each country based on the selling location.


⁽²⁾	Domestic amounts include amounts for U.S. based operations.


⁽³⁾	Long-lived assets include net property, plant, and equipment, long-term deferred income tax assets, and other long-term assets as reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)



	At August 31, 2018
	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	80.5	$	—	$	—	$	48.6	$	—		$	129.1
Accounts receivable, net	—		560.7		—		77.2		—			637.9
Inventories	—		386.6		—		25.2		—			411.8
Other current assets	2.3		18.6		—		11.4		—			32.3
Total current assets	82.8		965.9		—		162.4		—			1,211.1
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2		226.8		—		59.7		—			286.7
Goodwill	—		746.5		2.7		221.4		—			970.6
Intangible assets, net	—		286.6		106.5		105.6		—			498.7
Deferred income taxes	36.4		—		—		6.2		(39.7		)	2.9
Other long-term assets	1.2		15.6		—		2.0		—			18.8
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,707.0		370.6		279.5		—		(2,357.1		)	—
Total assets	$	1,827.6	$	2,612.0	$	388.7	$	557.3	$	(2,396.8	)	$	2,988.8

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	0.3	$	420.7	$	—	$	30.1	$	—		$	451.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	—		—		—		0.4		—			0.4
Accrued liabilities	18.8		170.1		—		42.3		—			231.2
Total current liabilities	19.1		590.8		—		72.8		—			682.7
Long-term debt	—		353.5		—		2.9		—			356.4
Deferred income taxes	—		106.5		—		25.7		(39.7		)	92.5
Other long-term liabilities	91.7		34.0		—		14.7		—			140.4
Amounts due to affiliates	—		—		—		138.8		(138.8		)	—
Total stockholders’ equity	1,716.8		1,527.2		388.7		302.4		(2,218.3		)	1,716.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,827.6	$	2,612.0	$	388.7	$	557.3	$	(2,396.8	)	$	2,988.8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)



	At August 31, 2017
	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	237.7	$	—	$	—	$	73.4	$	—		$	311.1
Accounts receivable, net	—		494.6		—		78.7		—			573.3
Inventories	—		305.5		—		23.1		—			328.6
Other current assets	1.6		15.8		—		15.2		—			32.6
Total current assets	239.3		815.9		—		190.4		—			1,245.6
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2		228.3		—		59.2		—			287.7
Goodwill	—		677.7		2.7		220.5		—			900.9
Intangible assets, net	—		235.5		109.8		103.5		—			448.8
Deferred income taxes	51.6		—		—		8.0		(56.2		)	3.4
Other long-term assets	1.5		10.9		—		0.8		—			13.2
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,500.3		330.4		234.2		—		(2,064.9		)	—
Total assets	$	1,792.9	$	2,298.7	$	346.7	$	582.4	$	(2,121.1	)	$	2,899.6

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	0.9	$	366.4	$	—	$	27.8	$	—		$	395.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	—		—		—		0.4		—			0.4
Accrued liabilities	27.6		138.9		—		38.9		—			205.4
Total current liabilities	28.5		505.3		—		67.1		—			600.9
Long-term debt	—		353.1		—		3.4		—			356.5
Deferred income taxes	—		134.6		—		29.8		(56.2		)	108.2
Other long-term liabilities	98.7		49.3		—		20.4		—			168.4
Amounts due to affiliates	—		—		—		128.8		(128.8		)	—
Total stockholders’ equity	1,665.7		1,256.4		346.7		332.9		(1,936.1		)	1,665.6
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,792.9	$	2,298.7	$	346.7	$	582.4	$	(2,121.1	)	$	2,899.6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2018
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	3,275.7		$	—	$	404.4		$	—		$	3,680.1
Intercompany sales	—			—			53.6		211.2			(264.8		)	—
Total sales	—			3,275.7			53.6		615.6			(264.8		)	3,680.1
Cost of products sold	—			1,949.7			—		442.2			(198.6		)	2,193.3
Gross profit	—			1,326.0			53.6		173.4			(66.2		)	1,486.8
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	47.4			884.5			3.2		157.6			(66.1		)	1,026.6
Intercompany charges	(59.2		)	49.5			—		9.7			—			—
Special charge	—			5.6			—		—			—			5.6
Operating profit	11.8			386.4			50.4		6.1			(0.1		)	454.6
Interest expense, net	11.1			16.9			—		5.5			—			33.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(344.3		)	(18.5		)	—		0.2			362.6			—
Miscellaneous income, net	—			(0.2		)	—		(4.6		)	—			(4.8		)
Income before income taxes	345.0			388.2			50.4		5.0			(362.7		)	425.9
Income tax (benefit) expense	(4.6		)	72.0			8.5		0.4			—			76.3
Net income	349.6			316.2			41.9		4.6			(362.7		)	349.6

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(25.2		)	(25.2		)	—		—			25.2			(25.2		)
Defined benefit pension plans, net	21.2			16.9			—		4.3			(21.2		)	21.2
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(4.0		)	(8.3		)	—		4.3			4.0			(4.0		)
Comprehensive income	$	345.6		$	307.9		$	41.9	$	8.9		$	(358.7	)	$	345.6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2017
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	3,105.2		$	—	$	399.9		$	—		$	3,505.1
Intercompany sales	—			—			49.4		179.2			(228.6		)	—
Total sales	—			3,105.2			49.4		579.1			(228.6		)	3,505.1
Cost of products sold	—			1,764.5			—		432.8			(173.4		)	2,023.9
Gross profit	—			1,340.7			49.4		146.3			(55.2		)	1,481.2
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	45.0			824.8			3.6		132.8			(55.1		)	951.1
Intercompany charges	(56.9		)	47.7			—		9.2			—			—
Special charge	—			11.3			—		—			—			11.3
Operating profit	11.9			456.9			45.8		4.3			(0.1		)	518.8
Interest expense, net	11.0			16.1			—		5.4			—			32.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(320.9		)	(7.7		)	—		0.2			328.4			—
Miscellaneous (income) expense, net	—			(8.0		)	—		1.7			—			(6.3		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	321.8			456.5			45.8		(3.0		)	(328.5		)	492.6
Income tax expense (benefit)	0.1			158.0			15.7		(2.9		)	—			170.9
Net income (loss)	321.7			298.5			30.1		(0.1		)	(328.5		)	321.7

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	19.0			19.0			—		—			(19.0		)	19.0
Defined benefit pension plans, net	20.7			11.8			—		7.5			(19.3		)	20.7
Other comprehensive income items, net of tax	39.7			30.8			—		7.5			(38.3		)	39.7
Comprehensive income	$	361.4		$	329.3		$	30.1	$	7.4		$	(366.8	)	$	361.4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2016
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	2,919.7		$	—	$	371.6		$	—		$	3,291.3
Intercompany sales	—			—			47.4		131.2			(178.6		)	—
Total sales	—			2,919.7			47.4		502.8			(178.6		)	3,291.3
Cost of products sold	—			1,602.2			—		379.3			(126.4		)	1,855.1
Gross profit	—			1,317.5			47.4		123.5			(52.2		)	1,436.2
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	47.2			834.6			3.8		112.6			(52.2		)	946.0
Intercompany charges	(59.5		)	50.4			—		9.1			—			—
Special charge	—			15.0			—		—			—			15.0
Operating profit	12.3			417.5			43.6		1.8			—			475.2
Interest expense, net	10.5			16.1			—		5.6			—			32.2
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(289.2		)	(3.2		)	—		0.2			292.2			—
Miscellaneous income, net	—			—			—		(1.6		)	—			(1.6		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	291.0			404.6			43.6		(2.4		)	(292.2		)	444.6
Income tax expense	0.2			137.7			15.6		0.3			—			153.8
Net income (loss)	290.8			266.9			28.0		(2.7		)	(292.2		)	290.8

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5.6		)	(5.6		)	—		—			5.6			(5.6		)
Defined benefit pension plans, net	(23.4		)	(11.4		)	—		(9.5		)	20.9			(23.4		)
Other comprehensive loss items, net of tax	(29.0		)	(17.0		)	—		(9.5		)	26.5			(29.0		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	261.8		$	249.9		$	28.0	$	(12.2	)	$	(265.7	)	$	261.8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2018
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	323.8		$	30.2		$	—	$	36.0		$	(36.8	)	$	353.2
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(31.4		)	—		(12.2		)	—			(43.6		)
Investments in subsidiaries	(154.7		)	—			—		—			154.7			—
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	—			(136.3		)	—		(26.9		)	—			(163.2		)
Proceeds from sale of business	—			—			—		1.1			—			1.1
Net cash used for investing activities	(154.7		)	(167.7		)	—		(38.0		)	154.7			(205.7		)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	—			395.4			—		—			—			395.4
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	—			(395.4		)	—		—			—			(395.4		)
Issuance of long-term debt	—			—			—		(0.4		)	—			(0.4		)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	1.7			—			—		—			—			1.7
Repurchases of common stock	(298.4		)	—			—		—			—			(298.4		)
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(8.2		)	—			—		—			—			(8.2		)
Intercompany dividends	—			—			—		(36.8		)	36.8			—
Intercompany capital	—			136.6			—		18.1			(154.7		)	—
Dividends paid	(21.4		)	—			—		—			—			(21.4		)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(326.3		)	136.6			—		(19.1		)	(117.9		)	(326.7		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			0.9			—		(3.7		)	—			(2.8		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(157.2		)	—			—		(24.8		)	—			(182.0		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	237.7			—			—		73.4			—			311.1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	80.5		$	—		$	—	$	48.6		$	—		$	129.1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2017
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	262.3		$	41.4		$	—	$	32.9		$	—	$	336.6
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(53.1		)	—		(14.2		)	—		(67.3		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	—			0.2			—		5.3			—		5.5
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	—			13.2			—		—			—		13.2
Other investing activities	—			(0.2		)	—		—			—		(0.2		)
Net cash used for investing activities	—			(39.9		)	—		(8.9		)	—		(48.8		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt	—			—			—		1.0			—		1.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	3.0			—			—		—			—		3.0
Repurchases of common stock	(357.9		)	—			—		—			—		(357.9		)
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(15.2		)	—			—		—			—		(15.2		)
Dividends paid	(22.7		)	—			—		—			—		(22.7		)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(392.8		)	—			—		1.0			—		(391.8		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			(1.5		)	—		3.4			—		1.9
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(130.5		)	—			—		28.4			—		(102.1		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	368.2			—			—		45.0			—		413.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	237.7		$	—		$	—	$	73.4		$	—	$	311.1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2016
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	319.2		$	54.8		$	—	$	13.9		$	—		$	387.9
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(67.1		)	—		(16.6		)	—			(83.7		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	—			0.2			—		2.0			—			2.2
Investments in subsidiaries	(405.6		)	—			—		—			405.6			—
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	—			(393.9		)	—		(229.3		)	—			(623.2		)
Net cash used for investing activities	(405.6		)	(460.8		)	—		(243.9		)	405.6			(704.7		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt	—			—			—		2.5			—			2.5
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	14.2			—			—		—			—			14.2
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(16.6		)	—			—		—			—			(16.6		)
Intercompany capital	—			405.6			—		—			(405.6		)	—
Dividends paid	(22.9		)	—			—		—			—			(22.9		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(25.3		)	405.6			—		2.5			(405.6		)	(22.8		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			0.4			—		(4.4		)	—			(4.0		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(111.7		)	—			—		(231.9		)	—			(343.6		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	479.9			—			—		276.9			—			756.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	368.2		$	—		$	—	$	45.0		$	—		$	413.2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)



	Fiscal Year 2018
(In millions)	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
Net sales	$	842.8	$	832.1	$	944.0	$	1,061.2
Gross profit	$	350.2	$	334.9	$	389.4	$	412.3
Net income	$	71.5	$	96.9	$	73.0	$	108.2
Basic earnings per share	$	1.71	$	2.34	$	1.81	$	2.71
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.70	$	2.33	$	1.80	$	2.70



	Fiscal Year 2017
(In millions)	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
Net sales	$	851.2	$	804.7	$	891.6	$	957.6
Gross profit	$	359.6	$	335.8	$	378.9	$	406.9
Net income	$	81.7	$	67.3	$	82.2	$	90.5
Basic earnings per share	$	1.87	$	1.54	$	1.91	$	2.16
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.86	$	1.53	$	1.90	$	2.15

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018 Segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1

Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Liabilities associated with program revenues	$ 41.3	$ 38.1

Significant Accounting Policies - Concentrations of Credit Risk (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Period for return after shipment	4 months
Receivables from The Home Depot	$ 637.9	$ 573.3
Net sales \| Revenue source
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Sales as percentage of total sales (percent)	7.00%

Significant Accounting Policies - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Raw materials, supplies, and work in process	$ 196.8	$ 176.5
Finished goods	251.8	180.8
Inventory Gross	448.6	357.3
Less: Reserves	(36.8)	(28.7)
Total inventories	$ 411.8	$ 328.6

Significant Accounting Policies - Assets Held For Sale (Details)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Assets held for sale, total	$ 0

Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($) Segment	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairment charge	$ 0	$ 0	$ 5,100,000
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	900,900,000	947,800,000
Adjustments to provisional amounts		(56,500,000)
Additions from acquired businesses	77,000,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7,300,000)	9,600,000
Goodwill	970,600,000	900,900,000	947,800,000
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	523,600,000	458,500,000
Accumulated Amortization	(169,200,000)	(146,400,000)
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets	28,500,000	28,000,000	21,400,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Amortization expense in fiscal 2019	31,100,000
Amortization expense in fiscal 2020	31,100,000
Amortization expense in fiscal 2021	28,200,000
Amortization expense in fiscal 2022	26,500,000
Amortization expense in fiscal 2023	25,200,000
Goodwill impairment charge	0	0	0
Gain on Sale of Investments	$ 0	7,200,000	0
Number of reporting units \| Segment	1
Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized trade names, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 144,300,000	136,700,000
Intangible asset impairment charge	0		$ 0
Patents and patented technology
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	135,800,000	124,100,000
Accumulated Amortization	(62,200,000)	(51,500,000)
Trademarks and trade names
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	27,200,000	27,200,000
Accumulated Amortization	(13,200,000)	(12,000,000)
Distribution network
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	61,800,000	61,800,000
Accumulated Amortization	(42,700,000)	(35,200,000)
Customer relationships
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	298,800,000	240,800,000
Accumulated Amortization	(51,100,000)	(43,100,000)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	0	4,600,000
Accumulated Amortization	$ 0	$ (4,600,000)

Significant Accounting Policies - Other Long-Term Assets and Liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($) Employee	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Other Long-Term Assets [Abstract]
Deferred contract costs	$ 12.8	$ 6.7
Net overfunded pension plans	1.6	0.0
Other	4.4	6.5
Total other long-term assets	18.8	13.2
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$ 0.0	7.2	$ 0.0
Number of former employees covered under life insurance policy \| Employee	69
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits other than pensions	$ 40.0	39.7
Long-term warranty obligations	15.7	10.7
Uncertain tax positions liability, including interest	4.9	7.0
Other	7.3	6.2
Total other long-term liabilities	$ 67.9	$ 63.6
Percentage contribution rate of eligible employee's compensation	3.00%

Significant Accounting Policies - Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Other shipping and handling costs	$ 154.9	$ 138.3	$ 124.0
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-based payment expense	32.3	32.0	27.7
Income tax benefit for share-based compensation	8.4	11.1	9.6
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.8	5.2	25.6
Research and development expense	63.9	52.0	47.1
Advertising costs	$ 20.6	$ 18.6	$ 18.4

Significant Accounting Policies - Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 51.8	$ 46.6	$ 41.2
Minimum \| Building and related improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives of plant and equipment, minimum	10 years
Minimum \| Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives of plant and equipment, minimum	3 years
Maximum \| Building and related improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives of plant and equipment, minimum	40 years
Maximum \| Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives of plant and equipment, minimum	15 years

Significant Accounting Policies - Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Interest Revenue (Expense), Net [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 35.5	$ 34.1	$ 33.3
Interest income	(2.0)	(1.6)	(1.1)
Interest expense, net	$ 33.5	$ 32.5	$ 32.2

Significant Accounting Policies - Miscellaneous Income, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Financial Statement Line Items with Differences in Reported Amount and Reporting Currency Denominated Amounts [Line Items]
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$ 0.0	$ 7.2	$ 0.0
Gain on sale of business	5.4	0.0	0.0
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	1.5	(8.1)
Miscellaneous expense (income), net
Financial Statement Line Items with Differences in Reported Amount and Reporting Currency Denominated Amounts [Line Items]
Income (expense) relating to foreign currency items	0.1	(0.5)	$ 0.8
Foreign Currency Items
Financial Statement Line Items with Differences in Reported Amount and Reporting Currency Denominated Amounts [Line Items]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ 8.7	$ 0.0

Significant Accounting Policies - Changes of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Items, net of tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,665.6	$ 1,659.8	$ 1,360.0
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(2.5)	31.6
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1.5)	8.1
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(4.0)	39.7	(29.0)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA	0.0
Ending balance	1,716.8	1,665.6	1,659.8
Foreign Currency Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(28.7)	(47.7)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(16.5)	19.0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8.7)	0.0
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(25.2)	19.0
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA	0.0
Ending balance	(53.9)	(28.7)	(47.7)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(71.0)	(91.7)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	14.0	12.6
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	7.2	8.1
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	21.2	20.7
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA	(11.1)
Ending balance	(60.9)	(71.0)	(91.7)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(99.7)	(139.4)	(110.4)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(4.0)	39.7	(29.0)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA	(11.1)
Ending balance	$ (114.8)	$ (99.7)	$ (139.4)

Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Other Comprehensive Income Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Foreign currency translation adjustments - Before Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (25.2)	$ 19.0	$ (5.6)
Foreign currency translation adjustments - Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0.0	0.0	0.0
Foreign currency translation adjustments - Net of Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(25.2)	19.0	(5.6)
Defined benefit pension plans - Before Tax Amounts
Actuarial gains (losses)	18.4	18.3	(42.2)
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Prior service cost	3.1	3.1	3.1
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	6.8	8.9	4.9
Total defined benefit plans, net - before tax	28.3	30.3	(34.2)
Defined benefit pension plans - Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Actuarial gains (losses)	4.4	5.7	(13.5)
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Prior service cost	0.7	0.7	1.1
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	(2.0)	(3.2)	(1.6)
Total defined benefit plans, net - tax	(7.1)	(9.6)	10.8
Defined benefit pension plans - Net of Tax Amount
Actuarial gains (losses)	14.0	12.6	(28.7)
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Prior service cost	2.4	2.4	2.0
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	4.8	5.7	3.3
Total defined benefit plans, net - net of tax	21.2	20.7	(23.4)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	3.1	49.3	(39.8)
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	7.1	9.6	(10.8)
Other comprehensive income (loss) items, net of tax	$ 4.0	$ (39.7)	$ 29.0

New Accounting Pronouncements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 353.2	$ 336.6	$ 387.9
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act	0.0
ASU 2018-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act	$ 11.1
ASU 2016-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities		$ 20.4	$ 42.2

Acquisitions and Investments - Fiscal 2018 Acquisitions (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 77.0
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 81.8
Weighted average useful life	14 years

Acquisitions and Investments - Fiscal 2016 Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 10, 2015	Sep. 01, 2015	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Decrease to goodwill					$ 56.5
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets				$ 28.5	28.0	$ 21.4
Juno Lighting LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business	$ 380.0
Increase to intangible assets, net			$ 81.1
Decrease to goodwill			50.5
Increase to deferred income tax liabilities			29.6
Decrease to net operating working capital			$ 1.0
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets					$ 1.5
Distech Controls, Inc. (Distech)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business		$ 240.0

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 129.1	$ 311.1	$ 413.2	$ 756.8
Senior unsecured public notes, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs \| Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying and estimated fair value of financial instruments	349.5	349.1
Senior unsecured public notes, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs \| Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying and estimated fair value of financial instruments	361.7	379.7
Industrial revenue bond \| Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying and estimated fair value of financial instruments	4.0	4.0
Industrial revenue bond \| Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying and estimated fair value of financial instruments	4.0	4.0
Bank loans \| Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying and estimated fair value of financial instruments	3.3	3.8
Bank loans \| Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying and estimated fair value of financial instruments	3.3	3.8
Fair value measured on recurring basis \| Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 129.1	$ 311.1

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$ 1.6	$ 0.0
Non-current liabilities	(64.6)	(96.9)
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	215.5	223.0
Service cost	2.7	3.5	$ 3.6
Interest cost	7.3	6.9	8.0
Actuarial gain	(14.3)	(10.2)
Benefits paid	(8.0)	(7.7)
Other	0.0	0.0
Benefit obligation at end of year	203.2	215.5	223.0
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	136.8	128.8
Actual return on plan assets	11.3	12.1
Employer contributions	9.3	3.6
Benefits paid	(8.0)	(7.7)
Other	0.0	0.0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	149.4	136.8	128.8
Funded status at end of year:
Funded status at the end of year	(53.8)	(78.7)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	1.6	0.0
Current liabilities	(5.3)	(1.2)
Non-current liabilities	(50.1)	(77.5)
Net amount recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	(53.8)	(78.7)
Accumulated benefit obligation	202.7	215.3
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Prior service cost	(4.6)	(7.7)
Net actuarial loss	(58.8)	(78.7)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income	(63.4)	(86.4)
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated comprehensive income over the next fiscal year:
Prior service cost	3.1	3.1
Net actuarial loss	2.9	4.5
International Plans \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	53.5	57.3
Service cost	0.2	0.2	0.1
Interest cost	1.3	1.1	1.7
Actuarial gain	(4.5)	(3.2)
Benefits paid	(5.5)	(1.0)
Other	0.5	(0.9)
Benefit obligation at end of year	45.5	53.5	57.3
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	34.1	30.3
Actual return on plan assets	0.9	4.1
Employer contributions	1.2	1.0
Benefits paid	(5.5)	(1.0)
Other	0.2	(0.3)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	30.9	34.1	$ 30.3
Funded status at end of year:
Funded status at the end of year	(14.6)	(19.4)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	0.0	0.0
Current liabilities	(0.1)	0.0
Non-current liabilities	(14.5)	(19.4)
Net amount recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	(14.6)	(19.4)
Accumulated benefit obligation	45.5	53.5
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Prior service cost	0.0	0.0
Net actuarial loss	(12.9)	(18.2)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income	(12.9)	(18.2)
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated comprehensive income over the next fiscal year:
Prior service cost	0.0	0.0
Net actuarial loss	1.5	2.2
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets: \| UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	215.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	119.2	215.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	136.8
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	63.8	136.8
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	118.7	215.3
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets: \| International Plans \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	53.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	45.5	53.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	34.1
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	30.9	34.1
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	45.5	53.5
Pensions plans in which plan assets exceed benefit obligation: \| UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	0.0
Benefit obligation at end of year	84.0	0.0
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0.0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	85.6	0.0
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	84.0	0.0
Pensions plans in which plan assets exceed benefit obligation: \| International Plans \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	0.0
Benefit obligation at end of year	0.0	0.0
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0.0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0.0	0.0
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 0.0	$ 0.0

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans - Net Periodic Pension Cost and Pension Plan Asset Allocation (Details) - Pension Plan - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
UNITED STATES
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 2.7	$ 3.5	$ 3.6
Interest cost	7.3	6.9	8.0
Expected return on plan assets	(10.2)	(9.4)	(9.2)
Amortization of prior service cost	3.1	3.1	3.1
Recognized actuarial loss	4.5	5.3	3.0
Net periodic pension cost	$ 7.4	$ 9.4	$ 8.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.90%	3.50%
Rate of compensation increase	5.50%	5.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.50%	3.20%	4.30%
Expected return on plan assets	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Rate of compensation increase	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Reduction in net periodic pension cost per 100 basis point increase in benefit obligation discount rate	$ 1.4
Additional net periodic pension cost per 100 basis point decrease in expected return on plan assets rate	$ 1.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	100.00%	100.00%
UNITED STATES \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	55.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	57.50%	58.10%
UNITED STATES \| Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	40.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	37.80%	37.20%
UNITED STATES \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	0.00%	0.00%
UNITED STATES \| Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	5.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	4.70%	4.70%
International Plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 0.2	$ 0.2	$ 0.1
Interest cost	1.3	1.1	1.7
Expected return on plan assets	(2.2)	(1.9)	(1.9)
Amortization of prior service cost	0.0	0.0	0.0
Recognized actuarial loss	2.3	3.6	1.9
Net periodic pension cost	$ 1.6	$ 3.0	$ 1.8
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.90%	2.50%
Rate of compensation increase	3.10%	3.20%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.50%	2.10%	2.10%
Expected return on plan assets	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
Rate of compensation increase	3.10%	3.20%	2.80%
Reduction in net periodic pension cost per 100 basis point increase in benefit obligation discount rate	$ 0.6
Additional net periodic pension cost per 100 basis point decrease in expected return on plan assets rate	$ 0.3
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	100.00%	100.00%
International Plans \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	62.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	61.90%	63.90%
International Plans \| Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	23.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	25.50%	23.20%
International Plans \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	15.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	12.60%	8.20%
International Plans \| Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	0.00%	4.70%

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans - Fair Value Measurements and Benefit Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Multiemployer Defined Pension Plans
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Abstract]
Contributions to Multi-employer Pension Plans	$ 0.5	$ 0.5	$ 0.7
Multiemployer plan withdrawal liability			3.9
Defined Contribution Plan
Defined Contribution Plan [Abstract]
Defined contribution plan, cost recognized	8.0	8.0	6.9
Common stock included in defined contribution plan, market value	$ 9.9
Common stock included in defined contribution plan as percentage of total fair value of assets in plan	2.60%
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets included in fair value hierarchy by major category	$ 93.5	84.2
Assets calculated at net asset value	55.9	52.6
Total assets at fair value	149.4	136.8	128.8
Employer expected contribution to defined benefit plans in next fiscal year	5.3
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment [Abstract]
2019	12.6
2020	9.1
2021	9.8
2022	10.3
2023	17.3
2024-2028	70.8
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Mutual Funds: Domestic large cap equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	48.3	43.4
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	20.8	21.5
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	16.8	14.6
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	7.6	4.7
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets calculated at net asset value	48.9	46.2
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Real estate fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets calculated at net asset value	7.0	6.4
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Mutual Funds: Domestic large cap equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	48.3	43.4
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	20.8	21.5
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	7.6	4.7
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Mutual Funds: Domestic large cap equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	16.8	14.6
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Mutual Funds: Domestic large cap equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
UNITED STATES \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets included in fair value hierarchy by major category	30.9	32.5
Assets calculated at net asset value		1.6
Total assets at fair value	30.9	34.1	$ 30.3
Employer expected contribution to defined benefit plans in next fiscal year	1.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment [Abstract]
2019	0.8
2020	0.9
2021	0.9
2022	1.0
2023	1.0
2024-2028	5.6
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	19.1	21.8
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.3	0.2
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	3.9	2.8
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	7.6	7.7
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Real estate fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets calculated at net asset value		1.6
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.3	0.2
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	19.1	21.8
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	3.9	2.8
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	7.6	7.7
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	$ 0.0	$ 0.0

Debt and Lines of Credit - Debt (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
Debt and Lines of Credit - Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 01, 2009	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		$ 356,800,000	$ 356,900,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2019		400,000
2020		350,400,000
2021		4,500,000
2022		400,000
2023		300,000
After 2023		1,300,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		350,000,000	350,000,000
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, unamortized discount and deferred costs		(500,000)	(900,000)
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Unsecured Notes \| ABL
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes	$ 350,000,000.0
Long-term debt, interest rate	6.00%
Senior unsecured notes, discount rate	99.797%
Senior unsecured notes, maturity terms (years)	10 years
Capitalized deferred issuance costs	$ 3,100,000
Term of notes	10 years
Industrial Revenue Bond \| Industrial revenue bond
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		$ 4,000,000	$ 4,000,000
Long-term debt, interest rate		1.70%	0.90%
Bank loans \| Fixed-rate Bank Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		$ 3,300,000	$ 3,800,000
Minimum \| Bank loans \| Fixed-rate Bank Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of notes		7 years
Interest rate (percent)		0.80%
Maximum \| Bank loans \| Fixed-rate Bank Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of notes		12 years
Interest rate (percent)		2.00%

Debt and Lines of Credit - Lines of Credit (Details)	Jun. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit		$ 5,300,000
Lines of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 800,000,000
Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio	2.5
Maximum Leverage Ratio	3.5
Outstanding letters of credit		10,200,000
Lines of Credit \| Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fees rate	0.125%
Lines of Credit \| Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fees rate	0.25%
Lines of Credit \| New Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 400,000,000
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility		0
Lines of Credit \| Previous Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility			$ 0
Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 400,000,000.0
Lines of Credit \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility			$ 0
Additional borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility		$ 794,700,000
Eurocurrency Rate \| Lines of Credit \| New Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Applicable margins as determined by leverage ratio	1.00%
Eurocurrency Rate \| Lines of Credit \| New Revolving Credit Facility \| Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Applicable margins as determined by leverage ratio	1.375%
Eurocurrency Rate \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan \| Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Applicable margins as determined by leverage ratio	0.875%
Eurocurrency Rate \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan \| Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Applicable margins as determined by leverage ratio	1.25%
Base Rate \| Lines of Credit \| New Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Applicable margins as determined by leverage ratio	0.00%
Base Rate \| Lines of Credit \| New Revolving Credit Facility \| Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Applicable margins as determined by leverage ratio	0.375%
Base Rate \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan \| Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Applicable margins as determined by leverage ratio	0.00%
Base Rate \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan \| Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Applicable margins as determined by leverage ratio	0.25%
Year one \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Maturity, Percent of Principal	2.50%
Year two \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Maturity, Percent of Principal	2.50%
Year three \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Maturity, Percent of Principal	5.00%
Year four \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Maturity, Percent of Principal	5.00%
Year five \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Maturity, Percent of Principal	7.50%

Common Stock and Related Matters (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2018
Common Stock [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Balance beginning of period (shares)		53,549,840
Common Stock, Balance end of period (shares)	53,667,327	53,667,327	53,549,840
Common Stock, Amount (at par), Balance beginning of period		$ 0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations, Amount		23.7	$ 16.8	$ 11.1
Stock options exercised, Amount		1.1	2.1	$ 13.5
Common Stock, Amount (at par), Balance end of period	$ 0.5	$ 0.5	$ 0.5
Treasury Stock Transactions, Excluding Value of Shares Reissued [Abstract]
Remaining repurchased shares recorded as treasury stock	13,676,689	13,676,689	11,678,002
Treasury stock at original repurchase cost	$ 1,074.4	$ 1,074.4	$ 776.1
Reacquired shares of outstanding common stock		2,000,000
Preferred Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	0	0	0
March 2018 Repurchase Plan
Treasury Stock Transactions, Excluding Value of Shares Reissued [Abstract]
Reacquired shares of outstanding common stock	800,000.0
Number of repurchase shares, authorized					6,000,000
June 2017 Repurchase Plan
Treasury Stock Transactions, Excluding Value of Shares Reissued [Abstract]
Reacquired shares of outstanding common stock		1,200,000.0
Amount
Common Stock [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Balance beginning of period (shares)		53,500,000	53,400,000	53,000,000
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations (shares)		200,000	100,000	100,000
Stock options exercised (shares)		0	0	300,000
Common Stock, Balance end of period (shares)	53,700,000	53,700,000	53,500,000	53,400,000
Common Stock, Amount (at par), Balance beginning of period		$ 0.5	$ 0.5	$ 0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations, Amount		0.0	0.0	0.0
Stock options exercised, Amount		0.0	0.0	0.0
Common Stock, Amount (at par), Balance end of period	$ 0.5	$ 0.5	$ 0.5	$ 0.5

Common Stock and Related Matters - Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Earnings per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Income attributable to participating securities											$ (0.4)
Earnings per share:
Net income									$ 349.6	$ 321.7	$ 290.8
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									40,900	43,100	43,500
Common stock equivalents (in shares)									100	200	300
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)									41,000	43,300	43,800
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.71	$ 1.81	$ 2.34	$ 1.71	$ 2.16	$ 1.91	$ 1.54	$ 1.87	$ 8.54	$ 7.46	$ 6.67
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.70	$ 1.80	$ 2.33	$ 1.70	$ 2.15	$ 1.90	$ 1.53	$ 1.86	$ 8.52	$ 7.43	$ 6.63
Stock Options
Earnings per share:
Stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)									179	117	40
Restricted Stock
Earnings per share:
Stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)									227	99	4

Share-Based Payments (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Share-Based Payments (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of additional shares authorized for issuance (shares)	380,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based expense		$ 32,300,000	$ 32,000,000	$ 27,700,000
Stock Options \| $40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 4.1 years)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: lower range limit (in dollars per share)		$ 40.01
Range of option exercise prices: upper range limit (in dollars per share)		$ 100
Range of option exercise prices: average life		4 years 1 month
Stock Options \| $100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.7 years)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: lower range limit (in dollars per share)		$ 100.01
Range of option exercise prices: upper range limit (in dollars per share)		$ 160
Range of option exercise prices: average life		6 years 8 months 12 days
Stock Options \| $160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 7.2 years)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: lower range limit (in dollars per share)		$ 160.01
Range of option exercise prices: upper range limit (in dollars per share)		$ 210
Range of option exercise prices: average life		7 years 2 months 12 days
Stock Options \| $210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 8.1 years)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: lower range limit (in dollars per share)		$ 210.01
Range of option exercise prices: upper range limit (in dollars per share)		$ 239.76
Range of option exercise prices: average life		8 years 1 month
Amended 2012 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance (shares)	2,700,000							2,300,000
Number of shares available for grant (shares)		1,600,000	1,400,000	1,600,000
Amended 2012 Plan \| $40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 4.1 years)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Outstanding		100,000
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)		$ 62.25
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Exercisable		100,000
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)		$ 62.25
Amended 2012 Plan \| $100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.7 years)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Outstanding		100,000
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)		$ 131.42
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Exercisable		100,000
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)		$ 120.77
Amended 2012 Plan \| $160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 7.2 years)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Outstanding		100,000
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)		$ 207.80
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Exercisable		0
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)		$ 207.80
Amended 2012 Plan \| $210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 8.1 years)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Outstanding		0
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)		$ 239.76
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Exercisable		0
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)		$ 239.76
Amended 2012 Plan \| Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based compensation vesting period (years)		3 years
Share-based expense		$ 3,100,000	$ 3,600,000	$ 2,900,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized compensation cost		$ 2,900,000
Unrecognized compensation cost period of recognition (years)		1 year 2 months 12 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Stock Options [Abstract]
Share-based compensation, expiration period		10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Dividend yield		0.30%	0.20%	0.30%
Expected volatility		30.90%	28.50%	30.70%
Risk-free interest rate		2.00%	1.30%	1.40%
Expected life of options		4 years	4 years	4 years
Weighted-average fair value of options (in dollars per share)		$ 41.87	$ 57.40	$ 52.83
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period, Outstanding, Number of Shares		300,000	300,000	500,000
Granted, Number of Shares		0	0	100,000
Stock options exercised (shares)		0	0	(300,000)
End of period, Outstanding, Number of Shares		343,000	300,000	300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period, Outstanding, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)		$ 156.43	$ 129.85	$ 71.95
Granted, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)		156.39	239.76	207.80
Exercised, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)		115.27	139.69	51.34
End of period, Outstanding, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)		$ 154.69	$ 156.43	$ 129.85
Exercisable, Number of shares outstanding (shares)		200,000	200,000	100,000			300,000
Exercisable, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)		$ 134.13	$ 106.54	$ 83.89			$ 51.05
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Total intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest		$ 500,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 50,000,000
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised		9,100,000
Total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding		9,100,000
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercisable		$ 9,100,000
Amended 2012 Plan \| Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based compensation vesting period (years)		4 years
Share-based expense		$ 27,900,000	$ 27,200,000	23,700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period, Outstanding (shares)		400,000
Granted (shares)		200,000
Vested (shares)		(200,000)
End of period, Outstanding (shares)		353,000	400,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)		$ 197.41
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)		154.95
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)		177.79
End of period, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)		$ 186.63	$ 197.41
Unrecognized compensation cost		$ 44,500,000
Unrecognized compensation cost period of recognition (years)		1 year 7 months 6 days
Total fair value of shares vested		$ 26,600,000	$ 24,800,000	18,800,000
Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based expense		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Deferred compensation, number of share units outstanding		9,000
Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares available for grant (shares)		370,000	390,000	400,000					300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based expense		$ 1,300,000	$ 1,200,000	$ 1,100,000
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Deferred compensation, number of share units outstanding		122,000
Deferred compensation, deferral percentage of annual retainer					55.00%	50.00%
Number of shares available for grant with shareholders approval (shares)									86,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance (shares)		1,500,000
Number of shares available for grant (shares)		1,000,000
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Employee discount on purchases of common stock		5.00%

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2019	$ 16,900,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2020	14,000,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2021	11,400,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2022	8,000,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2023	5,700,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal year after 2023	20,000,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net [Abstract]
Total rent expense	22,300,000	$ 20,000,000	$ 17,600,000
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2019	236,700,000
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2020	2,500,000
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2021	2,200,000
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2022	2,400,000
Purchase obligations extending beyond August 31, 2023	$ 0
Standard product warranty period	5 years
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 22,000,000	15,500,000	9,600,000
Warranty and recall costs	32,400,000	39,800,000	25,700,000
Payments and other deductions	(27,700,000)	(33,300,000)	(20,800,000)
Acquired warranty and recall liabilities	600,000	0	1,000,000
Ending balance	$ 27,300,000	$ 22,000,000	$ 15,500,000
Total work force covered by collective bargaining agreements
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Collective bargaining agreements, percentage of work force	72.00%
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements Expiring within One Year
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Collective bargaining agreements, percentage of work force	63.00%

Special Charge (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Special Charge (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charge	$ 5.6	$ 11.3	$ 15.0
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	12.6
Payments made during the period	(7.9)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	10.1	12.6
Special Charges
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charge	5.6	11.3
Consolidation of facilities and reduction in employee headcount
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charge	10.6
Streamlining activities related to sale of business
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charge	(5.0)
Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	5.4
Severance and employee-related costs \| Special Charges
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charge	5.4	11.2
Other restructuring costs \| Special Charges
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charge	0.2	0.1
Fiscal 2018 Actions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.0
Payments made during the period	(1.2)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	9.2	0.0
Fiscal 2018 Actions \| Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	10.4
Fiscal 2017 Actions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	11.2
Payments made during the period	(5.5)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.9	11.2
Fiscal 2017 Actions \| Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	(4.8)
Fiscal 2016 Actions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	1.4
Payments made during the period	(1.2)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.0	$ 1.4
Fiscal 2016 Actions \| Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	$ (0.2)

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for current federal taxes	$ 88.9	$ 151.2	$ 139.6
Provision for current state taxes	16.4	20.4	17.6
Provision for current foreign taxes	9.2	7.0	5.1
Benefit for deferred taxes	(38.2)	(7.7)	(8.5)
Total provision for income taxes	$ 76.3	$ 170.9	$ 153.8

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$ 109,400,000	$ 172,400,000	$ 155,600,000
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	11,500,000	12,200,000	11,000,000
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	(2,000,000)	(1,600,000)	(2,000,000)
Discrete income tax benefits of the TCJA	(34,600,000)	0	0
Other, net	(8,000,000)	(12,100,000)	(10,800,000)
Total provision for income taxes	76,300,000	170,900,000	$ 153,800,000
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(15,000,000)	(20,000,000)
Goodwill and intangibles	(151,200,000)	(194,900,000)
Other liabilities	(2,300,000)	(4,000,000)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(168,500,000)	(218,900,000)
Deferred income tax assets:
Self-insurance	2,600,000	4,100,000
Pension	18,100,000	33,700,000
Deferred compensation	23,700,000	32,900,000
Net operating losses	6,200,000	13,700,000
Other accruals not yet deductible	24,900,000	33,300,000
Other assets	7,000,000	10,600,000
Total deferred income tax assets	82,500,000	128,300,000
Valuation allowance	(3,600,000)	(14,200,000)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$ (89,600,000)	(104,800,000)
Federal corporate tax rate (percent)	25.70%
Discrete tax benefit	$ 34,600,000
Provisional benefit to decrease Company's deferred income taxes to a revised statutory federal rate	31,600,000
Current estimated benefit for transition tax on unremitted foreign earnings	3,000,000
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA	0
Undistributed earnings and original investments in foreign subsidiaries	76,500,000
State tax credit carryforwards	800,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect annual effective tax rate	3,800,000	4,400,000
Total accrued interest	500,000	$ 1,000,000
Accruals related to income tax penalties	0
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Deferred income tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	47,900,000
State and Local Jurisdiction
Deferred income tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	13,400,000
Retained Earnings
Deferred income tax assets:
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA	$ 11,100,000

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Change in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year	$ 6.0	$ 5.2
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	0.6	1.2
Additions for tax positions of prior years	1.0	0.4
Reductions due to settlements	(2.2)	0.0
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(1.0)	(0.8)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year	$ 4.4	$ 6.0

Supplemental Disaggregated Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	May 31, 2018 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2018 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	May 31, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($) Segment	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Geographic Distribution
Number of reportable segments \| Segment									1
Net sales	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 957.6	$ 891.6	$ 804.7	$ 851.2	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1	$ 3,291.3
Operating profit:									454.6	518.8	475.2
Income before provision for income taxes:									425.9	492.6	444.6
Long-lived assets	308.4				304.3				308.4	304.3	295.9
Domestic
Geographic Distribution
Net sales									3,292.6	3,123.1	2,928.3
Operating profit:									414.2	497.5	457.6
Income before provision for income taxes:									386.4	478.5	430.8
Long-lived assets	256.4				252.8				256.4	252.8	254.5
International
Geographic Distribution
Net sales									387.5	382.0	363.0
Operating profit:									40.4	21.3	17.6
Income before provision for income taxes:									39.5	14.1	13.8
Long-lived assets	$ 52.0				$ 51.5				$ 52.0	$ 51.5	$ 41.4
Sales of lighting solutions, excluding services \| Product Concentration Risk
Geographic Distribution
Sales as percentage of total sales (percent)										99.00%	99.00%
Lighting and Building Management Solutions [Member] \| Sales of lighting solutions, excluding services \| Product Concentration Risk
Geographic Distribution
Sales as percentage of total sales (percent)									99.00%

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 129.1	$ 311.1	$ 413.2	$ 756.8
Accounts receivable, net	637.9	573.3
Inventories	411.8	328.6
Other current assets	32.3	32.6
Total current assets	1,211.1	1,245.6
Property, plant, and equipment, net	286.7	287.7
Goodwill	970.6	900.9	947.8
Intangible assets, net	498.7	448.8
Deferred income taxes	2.9	3.4
Other long-term assets	18.8	13.2
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total assets	2,988.8	2,899.6
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	451.1	395.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.4	0.4
Accrued liabilities	231.2	205.4
Total current liabilities	682.7	600.9
Long-term debt	356.4	356.5
Deferred income taxes	92.5	108.2
Other long-term liabilities	140.4	168.4
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,716.8	1,665.6	1,659.8	1,360.0
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,988.8	2,899.6
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Accounts receivable, net	0.0	0.0
Inventories	0.0	0.0
Other current assets	0.0	0.0
Total current assets	0.0	0.0
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.0	0.0
Goodwill	0.0	0.0
Intangible assets, net	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	(39.7)	(56.2)
Other long-term assets	0.0	0.0
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	(2,357.1)	(2,064.9)
Total assets	(2,396.8)	(2,121.1)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0.0	0.0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Accrued liabilities	0.0	0.0
Total current liabilities	0.0	0.0
Long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	(39.7)	(56.2)
Other long-term liabilities	0.0	0.0
Amounts due to affiliates	(138.8)	(128.8)
Total stockholders’ equity	(2,218.3)	(1,936.1)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	(2,396.8)	(2,121.1)
Parent
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	80.5	237.7	368.2	479.9
Accounts receivable, net	0.0	0.0
Inventories	0.0	0.0
Other current assets	2.3	1.6
Total current assets	82.8	239.3
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2	0.2
Goodwill	0.0	0.0
Intangible assets, net	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	36.4	51.6
Other long-term assets	1.2	1.5
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,707.0	1,500.3
Total assets	1,827.6	1,792.9
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0.3	0.9
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Accrued liabilities	18.8	27.6
Total current liabilities	19.1	28.5
Long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term liabilities	91.7	98.7
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,716.8	1,665.7
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,827.6	1,792.9
Subsidiary Guarantor
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Accounts receivable, net	0.0	0.0
Inventories	0.0	0.0
Other current assets	0.0	0.0
Total current assets	0.0	0.0
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.0	0.0
Goodwill	2.7	2.7
Intangible assets, net	106.5	109.8
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term assets	0.0	0.0
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	279.5	234.2
Total assets	388.7	346.7
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0.0	0.0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Accrued liabilities	0.0	0.0
Total current liabilities	0.0	0.0
Long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term liabilities	0.0	0.0
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	388.7	346.7
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	388.7	346.7
Non- Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	48.6	73.4	45.0	276.9
Accounts receivable, net	77.2	78.7
Inventories	25.2	23.1
Other current assets	11.4	15.2
Total current assets	162.4	190.4
Property, plant, and equipment, net	59.7	59.2
Goodwill	221.4	220.5
Intangible assets, net	105.6	103.5
Deferred income taxes	6.2	8.0
Other long-term assets	2.0	0.8
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total assets	557.3	582.4
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	30.1	27.8
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.4	0.4
Accrued liabilities	42.3	38.9
Total current liabilities	72.8	67.1
Long-term debt	2.9	3.4
Deferred income taxes	25.7	29.8
Other long-term liabilities	14.7	20.4
Amounts due to affiliates	138.8	128.8
Total stockholders’ equity	302.4	332.9
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	557.3	582.4
Subsidiary Issuer
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0.0	0.0	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Accounts receivable, net	560.7	494.6
Inventories	386.6	305.5
Other current assets	18.6	15.8
Total current assets	965.9	815.9
Property, plant, and equipment, net	226.8	228.3
Goodwill	746.5	677.7
Intangible assets, net	286.6	235.5
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term assets	15.6	10.9
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	370.6	330.4
Total assets	2,612.0	2,298.7
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	420.7	366.4
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Accrued liabilities	170.1	138.9
Total current liabilities	590.8	505.3
Long-term debt	353.5	353.1
Deferred income taxes	106.5	134.6
Other long-term liabilities	34.0	49.3
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,527.2	1,256.4
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,612.0	$ 2,298.7

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Net sales:
External sales									$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1	$ 3,291.3
Intercompany sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Total sales	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 957.6	$ 891.6	$ 804.7	$ 851.2	3,680.1	3,505.1	3,291.3
Cost of products sold									2,193.3	2,023.9	1,855.1
Gross profit	412.3	389.4	334.9	350.2	406.9	378.9	335.8	359.6	1,486.8	1,481.2	1,436.2
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									1,026.6	951.1	946.0
Intercompany charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Special charge									5.6	11.3	15.0
Operating profit									454.6	518.8	475.2
Interest expense, net									33.5	32.5	32.2
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									0.0	0.0	0.0
Miscellaneous income, net									(4.8)	(6.3)	(1.6)
Income before income taxes									425.9	492.6	444.6
Income tax (benefit) expense									76.3	170.9	153.8
Net income	$ 108.2	$ 73.0	$ 96.9	$ 71.5	$ 90.5	$ 82.2	$ 67.3	$ 81.7	349.6	321.7	290.8
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(25.2)	19.0	(5.6)
Defined benefit plans, net									21.2	20.7	(23.4)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(4.0)	39.7	(29.0)
Comprehensive income									345.6	361.4	261.8
Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales:
External sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany sales									(264.8)	(228.6)	(178.6)
Total sales									(264.8)	(228.6)	(178.6)
Cost of products sold									(198.6)	(173.4)	(126.4)
Gross profit									(66.2)	(55.2)	(52.2)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									(66.1)	(55.1)	(52.2)
Intercompany charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Special charge									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									(0.1)	(0.1)	0.0
Interest expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									362.6	328.4	292.2
Miscellaneous income, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income before income taxes									(362.7)	(328.5)	(292.2)
Income tax (benefit) expense									0.0	0.0	0.0
Net income									(362.7)	(328.5)	(292.2)
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									25.2	(19.0)	5.6
Defined benefit plans, net									(21.2)	(19.3)	20.9
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									4.0	(38.3)	26.5
Comprehensive income									(358.7)	(366.8)	(265.7)
Parent
Net sales:
External sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Cost of products sold									0.0	0.0	0.0
Gross profit									0.0	0.0	0.0
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									47.4	45.0	47.2
Intercompany charges									(59.2)	(56.9)	(59.5)
Special charge									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									11.8	11.9	12.3
Interest expense, net									11.1	11.0	10.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									(344.3)	(320.9)	(289.2)
Miscellaneous income, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income before income taxes									345.0	321.8	291.0
Income tax (benefit) expense									(4.6)	0.1	0.2
Net income									349.6	321.7	290.8
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(25.2)	19.0	(5.6)
Defined benefit plans, net									21.2	20.7	(23.4)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(4.0)	39.7	(29.0)
Comprehensive income									345.6	361.4	261.8
Subsidiary Guarantor
Net sales:
External sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany sales									53.6	49.4	47.4
Total sales									53.6	49.4	47.4
Cost of products sold									0.0	0.0	0.0
Gross profit									53.6	49.4	47.4
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									3.2	3.6	3.8
Intercompany charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Special charge									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									50.4	45.8	43.6
Interest expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									0.0	0.0	0.0
Miscellaneous income, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income before income taxes									50.4	45.8	43.6
Income tax (benefit) expense									8.5	15.7	15.6
Net income									41.9	30.1	28.0
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0.0	0.0	0.0
Defined benefit plans, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									0.0	0.0	0.0
Comprehensive income									41.9	30.1	28.0
Non- Guarantors
Net sales:
External sales									404.4	399.9	371.6
Intercompany sales									211.2	179.2	131.2
Total sales									615.6	579.1	502.8
Cost of products sold									442.2	432.8	379.3
Gross profit									173.4	146.3	123.5
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									157.6	132.8	112.6
Intercompany charges									9.7	9.2	9.1
Special charge									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									6.1	4.3	1.8
Interest expense, net									5.5	5.4	5.6
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									0.2	0.2	0.2
Miscellaneous income, net									(4.6)	1.7	(1.6)
Income before income taxes									5.0	(3.0)	(2.4)
Income tax (benefit) expense									0.4	(2.9)	0.3
Net income									4.6	(0.1)	(2.7)
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0.0	0.0	0.0
Defined benefit plans, net									4.3	7.5	(9.5)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									4.3	7.5	(9.5)
Comprehensive income									8.9	7.4	(12.2)
Subsidiary Issuer
Net sales:
External sales									3,275.7	3,105.2	2,919.7
Intercompany sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Total sales									3,275.7	3,105.2	2,919.7
Cost of products sold									1,949.7	1,764.5	1,602.2
Gross profit									1,326.0	1,340.7	1,317.5
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									884.5	824.8	834.6
Intercompany charges									49.5	47.7	50.4
Special charge									5.6	11.3	15.0
Operating profit									386.4	456.9	417.5
Interest expense, net									16.9	16.1	16.1
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									(18.5)	(7.7)	(3.2)
Miscellaneous income, net									(0.2)	(8.0)	0.0
Income before income taxes									388.2	456.5	404.6
Income tax (benefit) expense									72.0	158.0	137.7
Net income									316.2	298.5	266.9
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(25.2)	19.0	(5.6)
Defined benefit plans, net									16.9	11.8	(11.4)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(8.3)	30.8	(17.0)
Comprehensive income									$ 307.9	$ 329.3	$ 249.9

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 353.2	$ 336.6	$ 387.9
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(43.6)	(67.3)	(83.7)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	0.0	5.5	2.2
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0.0	13.2	0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	(163.2)	0.0	(623.2)
Proceeds from sale of business	1.1	0.0	0.0
Other investing activities	0.0	(0.2)	0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	(205.7)	(48.8)	(704.7)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	395.4	0.0	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	(395.4)	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	(0.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt		1.0	2.5
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	1.7	3.0	14.2
Repurchases of common stock	(298.4)	(357.9)	0.0
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(8.2)	(15.2)	(16.6)
Intercompany dividends	0.0
Intercompany capital	0.0		0.0
Dividends paid	(21.4)	(22.7)	(22.9)
Net cash used for financing activities	(326.7)	(391.8)	(22.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2.8)	1.9	(4.0)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(182.0)	(102.1)	(343.6)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	311.1	413.2	756.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	129.1	311.1	413.2
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	(36.8)	0.0	0.0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	0.0	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment		0.0	0.0
Investments in subsidiaries	154.7		405.6
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0		0.0
Proceeds from sale of business	0.0
Other investing activities		0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	154.7	0.0	405.6
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt		0.0	0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends	36.8
Intercompany capital	(154.7)		(405.6)
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	(117.9)	0.0	(405.6)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0.0	0.0	0.0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0.0	0.0	0.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	0.0	0.0	0.0
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	323.8	262.3	319.2
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	0.0	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment		0.0	0.0
Investments in subsidiaries	(154.7)		(405.6)
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0		0.0
Proceeds from sale of business	0.0
Other investing activities		0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	(154.7)	0.0	(405.6)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt		0.0	0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	1.7	3.0	14.2
Repurchases of common stock	(298.4)	(357.9)
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(8.2)	(15.2)	(16.6)
Intercompany dividends	0.0
Intercompany capital	0.0		0.0
Dividends paid	(21.4)	(22.7)	(22.9)
Net cash used for financing activities	(326.3)	(392.8)	(25.3)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(157.2)	(130.5)	(111.7)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	237.7	368.2	479.9
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	80.5	237.7	368.2
Subsidiary Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	0.0	0.0	0.0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	0.0	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment		0.0	0.0
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0		0.0
Proceeds from sale of business	0.0
Other investing activities		0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	0.0	0.0	0.0
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt		0.0	0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends	0.0
Intercompany capital	0.0		0.0
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	0.0	0.0	0.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0.0	0.0	0.0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0.0	0.0	0.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	0.0	0.0	0.0
Non- Guarantors
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	36.0	32.9	13.9
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(12.2)	(14.2)	(16.6)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment		5.3	2.0
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	(26.9)		(229.3)
Proceeds from sale of business	1.1
Other investing activities		0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	(38.0)	(8.9)	(243.9)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	(0.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt		1.0	2.5
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends	(36.8)
Intercompany capital	18.1		0.0
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	(19.1)	1.0	2.5
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(3.7)	3.4	(4.4)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(24.8)	28.4	(231.9)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	73.4	45.0	276.9
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	48.6	73.4	45.0
Subsidiary Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	30.2	41.4	54.8
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(31.4)	(53.1)	(67.1)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment		0.2	0.2
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		13.2
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	(136.3)		(393.9)
Proceeds from sale of business	0.0
Other investing activities		(0.2)
Net cash used for investing activities	(167.7)	(39.9)	(460.8)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	395.4
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	(395.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt		0.0	0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends	0.0
Intercompany capital	136.6		405.6
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	136.6	0.0	405.6
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.9	(1.5)	0.4
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0.0	0.0	0.0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0.0	0.0	0.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 0.0	$ 0.0	$ 0.0

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 957.6	$ 891.6	$ 804.7	$ 851.2	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1	$ 3,291.3
Gross profit	412.3	389.4	334.9	350.2	406.9	378.9	335.8	359.6	1,486.8	1,481.2	1,436.2
Net income	$ 108.2	$ 73.0	$ 96.9	$ 71.5	$ 90.5	$ 82.2	$ 67.3	$ 81.7	$ 349.6	$ 321.7	$ 290.8
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.71	$ 1.81	$ 2.34	$ 1.71	$ 2.16	$ 1.91	$ 1.54	$ 1.87	$ 8.54	$ 7.46	$ 6.67
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.70	$ 1.80	$ 2.33	$ 1.70	$ 2.15	$ 1.90	$ 1.53	$ 1.86	$ 8.52	$ 7.43	$ 6.63

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Reserve for doubtful accounts
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 1.9	$ 1.7	$ 1.3
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense	(0.3)	0.3	0.3
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Other Accounts	(0.2)	0.1	0.4
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions	0.1	0.2	0.3
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at End of Year	1.3	1.9	1.7
Reserve for estimated product returns, net
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at Beginning of Year	13.6	10.9	6.2
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense	79.4	84.7	62.6
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Other Accounts	0.0	0.0	0.9
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions	78.4	82.0	58.8
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at End of Year	14.6	13.6	10.9
Reserve for estimated cash discounts
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at Beginning of Year	4.1	4.7	3.0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense	28.3	29.0	32.0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Other Accounts	0.0	0.0	0.9
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions	27.8	29.6	31.2
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at End of Year	4.6	4.1	4.7
Reserve for estimated other deductions
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at Beginning of Year	3.6	1.7	1.3
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense	25.7	20.5	11.9
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Other Accounts	0.0	0.0	0.0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions	25.1	18.6	11.5
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at End of Year	4.2	3.6	1.7
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at Beginning of Year	14.2	16.4	15.0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense	0.2	1.5	(0.2)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Other Accounts	(6.7)	(0.6)	1.6
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions	4.1	3.1	0.0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance at End of Year	$ 3.6	$ 14.2	$ 16.4