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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

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. We consider time deposits and marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

We record 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. We believe 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 our results of operations.

Prior to the adoption of the new revenue accounting standard described in the New Accounting Pronouncements footnote, we recorded reserves for product returns, cash discounts, and other deductions due to customers as a reduction to our outstanding receivables. The changes in these reserves during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	23.4		$	21.3		$	17.3
Refund costs	—			133.4			134.2
Payments and other deductions	—			(131.3		)	(130.2		)
ASC 606 adjustments ⁽¹⁾	(23.4		)	—			—
Ending balance	$	—		$	23.4		$	21.3

_______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Estimated liabilities for returns, cash discounts, and other deductions are now reflected as Other current liabilities within our consolidated financial statements. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements and Revenue Recognition footnotes for additional information.

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 our lighting and building management solutions as well as their dispersion across many different geographic areas. One customer accounted for approximately 10% of receivables at August 31, 2019, and 2018. Two customers each accounted for approximately 10% of receivables at August 31, 2017. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in fiscal 2019, 2018, or 2017.

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

We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure for occurrences and transactions after the date of the consolidated financial statements as of August 31, 2019. See Subsequent Event footnote for additional details regarding subsequent events.

Inventories

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



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Raw materials, supplies, and work in process⁽¹⁾	$	179.4		$	196.8
Finished goods	183.7			251.8
Inventories excluding reserves	363.1			448.6
Less: Reserves	(22.3		)	(36.8		)
Total inventories	$	340.8		$	411.8

_______________________________________


⁽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, we do not believe the segregation of raw materials and work in process is meaningful information.

We review inventory quantities on hand and record 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 our operating results in the period the change occurs.

Assets Held for Sale

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we classify assets as held for sale upon the development of a plan for disposal and cease the depreciation and amortization of the assets at that date. We did not classify any assets as held for sale as of August 31, 2019 or 2018.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill amounted to $967.3 million and $970.6 million as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during fiscal 2019 and 2018 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Carrying Amount
Balance, August 31, 2017	$	900.9
Additions from acquired businesses	77.0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7.3		)
Balance, August 31, 2018	970.6
Additions from an acquired business	2.0
Adjustments to provisional amounts	(0.2		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5.1		)
Balance as of August 31, 2019	$	967.3

Summarized information for our acquired intangible assets is as follows (in millions except amortization periods):



		August 31,
		2019					2018
	Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Patents and patented technology	12	$	135.7	$	(72.9	)	$	137.2	$	(62.2	)
Trademarks and trade names	19	27.2		(14.5		)	27.2		(13.2		)
Distribution network	28	61.8		(39.7		)	61.8		(37.5		)
Customer relationships	21	299.2		(72.1		)	300.0		(56.3		)
Total definite-lived intangible assets	17	$	523.9	$	(199.2	)	$	526.2	$	(169.2	)
Indefinite-lived trade names		$	141.3				$	141.7

Through multiple acquisitions, we 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 our intangible assets are attributable to foreign operations and are impacted by currency translation due to movements in foreign currency rates year over year.

We recorded amortization expense of $30.8 million, $28.5 million, and $28.0 million related to intangible assets with finite lives during fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Amortization expense is generally recorded on a straight-line basis and is expected to be approximately $30.8 million in fiscal 2020, $28.0 million in fiscal 2021, $27.0 million in fiscal 2022, $25.9 million in fiscal 2023, and $25.4 million in fiscal 2024.

We test 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 for goodwill 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 2019 and 2018, a qualitative fair value analysis was used to determine the likelihood of goodwill impairment for our 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 2019, 2018, or 2017.

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. We estimate 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. Based on the results of the indefinite-lived intangible asset analyses, we concluded that our indefinite-lived trade names are fairly stated for the years presented; therefore, no impairment charges were recorded for fiscal 2019, 2018, or 2017. Any reasonably likely change in the assumptions used in the analyses for our trade names would not be material to our financial condition or results of operations.

Other Long-Term Assets

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



	August 31,
	2019		2018
Deferred contract costs	$	15.4	$	12.8
Net overfunded pension plans	—		1.6
Other⁽¹⁾	2.3		4.4
Total other long-term assets	$	17.7	$	18.8

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Amounts primarily include deferred debt issuance costs related to our credit facilities and company-owned life insurance investments. We maintain life insurance policies on 66 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, 2019.

Other Long-Term Liabilities

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



	August 31,
	2019		2018
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits other than pensions⁽¹⁾	$	41.6	$	40.0
Service-type warranties⁽²⁾	46.3		14.8
Unrecognized tax position liabilities, including interest⁽³⁾	17.6		4.9
Other⁽⁴⁾	5.2		8.2
Total other long-term liabilities	$	110.7	$	67.9

____________________________________

⁽¹⁾

We maintain 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 organization. In addition, one plan provides an automatic contribution of 3% of an eligible employee’s compensation. We maintain life insurance policies on certain former officers and other key employees as a means of satisfying a portion of these obligations.


⁽²⁾	Certain service-type warranties accounted for as contingent liabilities prior to the adoption of ASC 606 are now reflected as contract liabilities effective September 1, 2018. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements and Revenue Recognition footnotes for additional information.


⁽³⁾	See the Income Taxes footnote for more information.


⁽⁴⁾	Amount primarily includes deferred rent.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

We include 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 $138.4 million, $154.9 million, and $138.3 million in fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Share-based Payments

We recognize compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions in the financial statements based on the estimated grant date fair value of the equity or liability instrument issued. We account for stock options, restricted shares, and share units representing certain deferrals into the Nonemployee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Director 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 Plan. We recorded $29.2 million, $32.3 million, and $32.0 million of share-based payment expense for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized for share-based payment expense was $6.5 million, $8.4 million, and $11.1 million for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. We account 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. We did not capitalize any expense related to share-based payments and have recorded share-based payment expense, net of estimated forfeitures, in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Excess tax benefits and/or expense related to share-based payment awards are reported within Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018. We recognized net excess tax expense related to share-based payment cost of $1.6 million and $0.8 million for the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For fiscal 2017, we reported net excess tax benefits related to share-based payment cost of $5.2 million within Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

See the Share-based Payments footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Depreciation

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) for financial reporting purposes, 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 $57.5 million, $51.8 million, and $46.6 million during fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, 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 our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. R&D expense amounted to $74.7 million, $63.9 million, and $52.0 million during fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included within Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. These costs totaled $18.5 million, $20.6 million, and $18.6 million during fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net, is comprised primarily of interest expense on long-term debt, obligations in connection with non-qualified retirement benefits, and line of credit borrowings, partially offset by interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents.

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



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Interest expense	$	36.4		$	35.5		$	34.1
Interest income	(3.1		)	(2.0		)	(1.6		)
Interest expense, net	$	33.3		$	33.5		$	32.5

Miscellaneous Expense, Net

Miscellaneous expense, net, is comprised primarily of non-service related components of net periodic pension cost, gains or losses on foreign currency items, and other non-operating items. Gains or losses relating to foreign currency items consisted of net gains of $0.6 million in fiscal 2019, net gains of $0.1 million in fiscal 2018, and net expense of $0.5 million in fiscal 2017. During fiscal 2018, we recognized a $5.4 million gain on the sale of a foreign domiciled business, which included the reclassification of $8.7 million in accumulated foreign currency gains from Accumulated other comprehensive loss. During fiscal 2017, we recognized a $7.2 million gain associated with the sale of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate.

Income Taxes

We are 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 foreign operations 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 (loss) includes foreign currency translation and pension adjustments.

The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss net of tax during the year ended August 31, 2019 (in millions):



	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items
Balance as of August 31, 2017	$	(28.7	)	$	(71.0	)	$	(99.7	)
Other comprehensive (loss) 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 as of August 31, 2018	(53.9		)	(60.9		)	(114.8		)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(11.5		)	(31.1		)	(42.6		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	—			6.0			6.0
Net current period other comprehensive loss	(11.5		)	(25.1		)	(36.6		)
Balance at August 31, 2019	$	(65.4	)	$	(86.0	)	$	(151.4	)

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⁽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 expense, 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, 2019 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019									2018									2017
	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	$	(11.5	)	$	—		$	(11.5	)	$	(25.2	)	$	—		$	(25.2	)	$	19.0	$	—		$	19.0
Defined benefit pension plans:
Actuarial (losses) gains	(40.8		)	9.7			(31.1		)	18.4			(4.4		)	14.0			18.3		(5.7		)	12.6
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Prior service cost	3.5			(0.9		)	2.6			3.1			(0.7		)	2.4			3.1		(0.7		)	2.4
Actuarial losses	4.1			(1.0		)	3.1			6.8			(2.0		)	4.8			8.9		(3.2		)	5.7
Settlement losses	0.4			(0.1		)	0.3			—			—			—			—		—			—
Total defined benefit plans, net	(32.8		)	7.7			(25.1		)	28.3			(7.1		)	21.2			30.3		(9.6		)	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(44.3	)	$	7.7		$	(36.6	)	$	3.1		$	(7.1	)	$	(4.0	)	$	49.3	$	(9.6	)	$	39.7

New Accounting Pronouncements

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2019

ASU 2017-01 -— Clarifying the Definition of a Business

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), which requires an evaluation of whether substantially all of the fair value of assets obtained in an acquisition 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. We adopted ASU 2017-01 effective September 1, 2018 and applied the guidance prospectively. The provisions of ASU 2017-01 did not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

ASU 2016-15 — Statement of Cash Flows

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“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. These cash flows include 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. We adopted ASU 2016-15 effective September 1, 2018 and applied the changes retrospectively. We maintain life insurance policies on certain former employees primarily to satisfy obligations under certain deferred compensation plans. As required by the standard, proceeds from these policies are now classified as cash inflows from investing activities. We received proceeds of $0.8 million and $1.7 million from settlements of corporate-owned life insurance policies during the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and received no cash from these policies during the year ended August 31, 2017. As such, cash flows from operations for the year ended August 31, 2018 decreased $1.7 million with a corresponding increase to cash flows from investing activities, compared to amounts previously reported. The remaining provisions of ASU 2016-15 did not impact our financial statements for the periods presented.

ASU 2017-07 — Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost

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 changes the presentation of net periodic pension cost related to employer sponsored defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits. Service cost is now 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 pension cost are presented separately outside of operating income. Additionally, only service costs may be capitalized in assets. We adopted ASU 2017-07 effective as of September 1, 2018. We applied the standard retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost within our income statements. As a practical expedient, we used amounts previously disclosed in the Pension and Defined Contribution Plans footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements within our fiscal 2018 Form 10-K as the basis for retrospective application because amounts capitalized in inventory at a given point in time are de minimis and determining these amounts was impractical. Upon adoption of ASU 2017-07, our previously reported Operating profit for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 increased $6.2 million and $8.7 million, respectively, with a corresponding increase to Miscellaneous expense, net. The provisions of ASU 2017-07 have no impact to our net income or earnings per share.

The impact of the provisions of ASU 2017-07 on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31, 2018								Year Ended August 31, 2017
	As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)			As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)
Cost of products sold	$	2,194.7	$	2,193.3		$	1.4		$	2,024.0	$	2,023.9		$	0.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,019.0		1,026.6			(7.6		)	942.3		951.1			(8.8		)
Miscellaneous expense, net	1.4		(4.8		)	6.2			2.4		(6.3		)	8.7

ASC 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which replaced the 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 those judgments.

We adopted ASC 606 effective September 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method and recognized a cumulative effect of applying ASC 606 of $13.0 million in Retained earnings on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of this date. We applied the standard to all contracts as of the transition date. Information for prior years presented has not been retrospectively adjusted and continues to reflect the authoritative accounting standards in effect for those periods.

Adjustments related to the adoption of ASC 606 include additional deferrals of revenue recognition for service-type warranties and the gross presentation of right of return assets and refund liabilities for sales with a right of return. The effects of the adoption of ASC 606 on our Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended August 31, 2019 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2019 are as follows (in millions except per share amounts):



Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption		Higher (Lower)
Net sales	$	3,672.7	$	3,681.6	$	(8.9	)
Cost of products sold	2,193.0		2,197.1		(4.1		)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,015.0		1,014.6		0.4
Operating profit	462.9		468.1		(5.2		)
Income tax expense	94.5		95.7		(1.2		)
Net income	330.4		334.4		(4.0		)

Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.42	$	(0.10	)
Diluted earnings per share	8.29		8.39		(0.10		)



Consolidated Balance Sheet	August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption	Higher (Lower)
Accounts receivable, net	$	561.0	539.6	$	21.4
Prepayments and other current assets	79.0		65.1	13.9
Other accrued liabilities	175.0		139.4	35.6
Deferred income tax liabilities	92.7		98.0	(5.3		)
Other long-term liabilities	110.7		88.7	22.0
Retained earnings	2,295.8		2,312.8	(17.0		)

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 companies to apply internal-use software guidance to determine the implementation costs of these arrangements that can 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 standard allows changes to be applied either retrospectively or prospectively. We will adopt the standard as required in fiscal 2021. The provisions of ASU 2018-15 are not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires an entity to assess impairment of its financial instruments based on its estimate of expected credit losses. The provisions of ASU 2016-13 are effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2019. Entities are required to apply these changes through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. We will adopt the amendments as required in fiscal 2021. The provisions of ASU 2016-13 are not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

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. Since the issuance of ASU 2016-02, the FASB released several amendments to improve and clarify the implementation guidance, as well as to change the allowable adoption methods. These standards have been collectively codified within ASC 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). The standard allows entities to present the effects of the accounting change as either a cumulative adjustment as of the beginning of the earliest period presented or as of the date of adoption. We have an implementation team tasked with reviewing our lease obligations and determining the impact of the new standard to our financial statements. The team is also tasked with identifying appropriate changes to our business processes, systems, and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. The implementation team completed its review of our lease obligations outstanding at August 31, 2019 and is in the process of reviewing and finalizing transition adjustments to the balance sheet. The implementation team reports its findings and progress of the project to management on a frequent basis and to the

Audit Committee of the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. Based on our lease portfolio as of August 31, 2019, we preliminarily expect the adoption of ASC 842 to result in the recognition of operating lease liabilities between $63 million and $68 million. We expect the corresponding operating lease right of use assets to approximate the lease total liabilities less our deferred rent balance as of August 31, 2019. We do not expect ASC 842 to have a material impact on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income or cash flows. Further details regarding our undiscounted future lease payments as well as the timing of those payments are included within the Commitments and Contingencies footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements within our Form 10-K. We will adopt ASC 842 as required effective September 1, 2019.

All other newly issued accounting pronouncements not yet effective have been deemed either immaterial or not applicable.

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions	Aug. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions The following discussion relates to acquisitions completed during fiscal 2019 and 2018. No acquisitions were completed during fiscal 2017. Fiscal 2019 Acquisitions WhiteOptics, LLC On June 20, 2019, using cash on hand, we acquired all of the equity interests of WhiteOptics, LLC (“WhiteOptics”). WhiteOptics is headquartered in New Castle, Delaware and manufactures advanced optical components used to reflect, diffuse, and control light for light emitting diode (“LED”) lighting used in commercial and institutional applications. The operating results of WhiteOptics have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are not material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Fiscal 2018 Acquisitions IOTA Engineering, LLC On May 1, 2018, using cash on hand and borrowings available under existing credit arrangements, we 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 our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are not material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Lucid Design Group, Inc. On February 12, 2018, using cash on hand, we 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 our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are not material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Accounting for Acquisitions Acquisition-related costs were expensed as incurred. Preliminary amounts related to the acquisition accounting for WhiteOptics and finalized amounts related to the acquisition accounting for Lucid and IOTA are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2019. WhiteOptics did not have a material impact to our financial position or results of operations for fiscal 2019. We finalized the acquisition accounting for Lucid and IOTA during the second and third quarter of fiscal 2019, respectively. There were no material changes to our financial statements as a result of the finalization of the acquisition accounting for Lucid or IOTA. The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions reflects total goodwill and identified intangible assets of approximately $76.8 million and $81.8 million, respectively, as of August 31, 2019. 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.

Revenue Recognition

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when we transfer control of goods and services to our customers. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for goods and services and is recognized net of allowances for rebates, sales incentives, product returns, and discounts to customers. Sales and use taxes collected on behalf of governmental authorities are excluded from revenues. Payment is generally due and received within 60 days from the point of sale or prior to the transfer of control of certain goods and services. No payment terms extend beyond one year, and we apply the practical expedient within ASC 606 to conclude that no significant financing terms exist within our contracts with customers. Allowances for cash discounts to customers are estimated using the expected value method based on historical experience and are recorded as a reduction to sales. Our standard terms and conditions of sale allow for the return of certain products within four months of the date of shipment. We also provide 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, we record a refund liability for the expected value of future returns primarily based on historical experience, specific notification of pending returns, or based on 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 our operating results in future periods.

Refund liabilities recorded under ASC 606 related to rights of return, cash discounts, and other miscellaneous credits to customers were $37.3 million and $41.2 million as of August 31, 2019 and September 1, 2018, respectively, and are reflected within Other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, we record right of return assets for products expected to be returned to our distribution centers, which are included within Prepayments and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Such assets totaled $13.9 million and $16.4 million as of August 31, 2019 and September 1, 2018, respectively.

We also maintain one-time or ongoing promotions with our customers, which may include rebate, sales incentive, marketing, and trade-promotion programs with certain customers that require us to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. These arrangements may include volume rebate incentives, cooperative marketing programs, merchandising of our products, introductory marketing funds for new products, and other trade-promotion activities conducted by the customer. Costs associated with these programs are generally estimated based on the most likely amount expected to be settled based on the context of the individual contract and are reflected within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in accordance with ASC 606, which in most instances requires such costs to be recorded as reductions of revenue. Amounts due to our customers associated with these programs totaled $34.5 million and $43.9 million as of August 31, 2019 and September 1, 2018, respectively, and are reflected within Other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Costs to obtain and fulfill contracts, such as sales commissions and shipping and handling activities, are short-term in nature and are expensed as incurred.

Nature of Goods and Services

Products

Approximately 95% of revenues for the periods presented were generated from short-term contracts with our customers to deliver tangible goods such as luminaires, lighting controls, controls for various building systems, power supplies, prismatic skylights, and drivers. We record revenue from these contracts when the customer obtains control of those goods. For sales designated free on board shipping point, control is transferred and revenue is recognized at the time of shipment. For sales designated free on board destination, customers take control and revenue is recognized when a product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.

Professional Services

We collect fees associated with training, installation, and technical support services, primarily related to the set up of our lighting solutions. We recognize revenue for these one-time services at the time the service is performed. We also sell certain service-type warranties that extend coverages for products beyond their base warranties. We account for

service-type warranties as distinct performance obligations and recognize revenue for these contracts ratably over the life of the additional warranty period. Claims related to service-type warranties are expensed as incurred.

Software

Software sales include licenses for software, data usage fees, and software as a service arrangements, which generally extend for one year or less. We recognize revenue for software based on the contractual rights provided to a customer, which typically results in the recognition of revenue ratably over the contractual service period.

Shipping and Handling Activities

We account for all shipping and handling activities as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer products to our customers. As such, we do not consider shipping and handling activities to be separate performance obligations, and we expense these costs as incurred.

Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations

A small portion (approximately 5% for the periods presented) of our revenue was derived from the combination of any or all of our products, professional services, and software licenses. Significant judgment may be required to determine which performance obligations are distinct and should be accounted for separately. We allocate the expected consideration to be collected to each distinct performance obligation based on its standalone selling price. Standalone selling price is generally determined using a cost plus margin valuation when no observable input is available. The amount of consideration allocated to each performance obligation is recognized as revenue in accordance with the timing for products, professional services, and software as described above.

Contract Balances

Our rights related to collections from customers are unconditional and are reflected within Accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We do not have any other significant contract assets. Contract liabilities arise when we receive cash or an unconditional right to collect cash prior to the transfer of control of goods or services.

The amount of transaction price from contracts with customers allocated to our contract liabilities as of August 31, 2019 and September 1, 2018 consists of the following (in millions):



	August 31, 2019		September 1, 2018
Current deferred revenues	$	4.7	$	4.8
Non-current deferred revenues	46.4		35.0

Current deferred revenues primarily consist of customer prepayments, software licenses, and to a lesser extent professional service and service-type warranty fees collected prior to performing the related service. Current deferred revenues are included within Other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These services are expected to be performed within one year. Non-current deferred revenues primarily consist of long-term service-type warranties, which are typically recognized ratably as revenue between five and ten years from the date of sale, and are included within Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue recognized from beginning balances of contract liabilities during the year ended August 31, 2019 totaled $4.1 million.

Unsatisfied performance obligations that do not represent contract liabilities consist primarily of orders for physical goods that have not yet been shipped. This backlog of orders at any given time is affected by various factors, including seasonality, cancellations, sales promotions, production cycle times, and the timing of receipt and shipment of orders, which are usually shipped within a few weeks of order receipt. Accordingly, a comparison of backlog orders from period to period is not necessarily meaningful and may not be indicative of future shipments.

Disaggregated Revenues

Our lighting and building management solutions are sold primarily through independent sales agents who cover specific geographic areas and market channels, by internal sales representatives, through consumer retail channels, and directly to large corporate accounts. The following table shows revenue from contracts with customers by sales channel for the year ended August 31, 2019 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
Independent sales network	$	2,516.4
Direct sales network	381.1
Retail sales	270.2
Corporate accounts	318.0
Other	187.0
Total	$	3,672.7

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Fair Value Measurements

We determine 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).

Our cash and cash equivalents (Level 1), which are required to be carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis, were $461.0 million and $129.1 million as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

We utilize valuation methodologies to determine the fair values of our 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.

We use 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 financial instruments were as follows at August 31, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):



	August 31, 2019				August 31, 2018
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior unsecured public notes, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	349.9	$	352.7	$	349.5	$	361.7
Industrial revenue bond	4.0		4.0		4.0		4.0
Bank loans	2.7		2.9		3.3		3.3

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, we estimate that the

face amount of the bond approximates fair value as of August 31, 2019 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 us. 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 our management of liquidity and other risks, the fair values of all assets and liabilities should be taken into consideration, not only those presented above.

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.

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans

Company-sponsored Pension Plans

We have 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. We make at least the minimum 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. During fiscal 2019, we recognized an actuarial gain of $3.4 million as well as $0.4 million in net periodic pension cost related to the early retirement of one participant within our non-qualified domestic plans.

The following tables reflect the status of our domestic (U.S.-based) and international pension plans at August 31, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	August 31,						August 31,
	2019			2018			2019			2018
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	203.2		$	215.5		$	45.5		$	53.5
Service cost	2.9			2.7			0.2			0.2
Interest cost	7.7			7.3			1.3			1.3
Amendments	11.4			—			—			—
Actuarial losses (gains)	26.2			(14.3		)	3.2			(4.5		)
Settlement gain	(3.4		)	—			—			—
Benefits paid	(8.8		)	(8.0		)	(2.6		)	(5.5		)
Other	—			—			(3.0		)	0.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	239.2			203.2			44.6			45.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	149.4		$	136.8		$	30.9		$	34.1
Actual return on plan assets	9.0			11.3			3.1			0.9
Employer contributions	5.3			9.3			1.2			1.2
Benefits paid	(12.2		)	(8.0		)	(2.6		)	(5.5		)
Other	—			—			(1.9		)	0.2
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	151.5			149.4			30.7			30.9
Funded status at the end of year	$	(87.7	)	$	(53.8	)	$	(13.9	)	$	(14.6	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$	—		$	1.6		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities	(1.8		)	(5.3		)	(0.1		)	(0.1		)
Non-current liabilities	(85.9		)	(50.1		)	(13.8		)	(14.5		)
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheets	$	(87.7	)	$	(53.8	)	$	(13.9	)	$	(14.6	)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	239.2		$	202.7		$	44.6		$	45.5
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost	$	(12.4	)	$	(4.6	)	$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	(83.4		)	(58.8		)	(13.0		)	(12.9		)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(95.8	)	$	(63.4	)	$	(13.0	)	$	(12.9	)
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	239.2		$	119.2		$	44.6		$	45.5
Accumulated benefit obligation	239.2			118.7			44.6			45.5
Plan assets	151.5			63.8			30.6			30.9
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	$	4.0		$	3.1		$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	$	4.1		$	2.9		$	1.4		$	1.5

Service cost of 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 services. All other components of net periodic pension cost are included within Miscellaneous expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Net periodic pension cost during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 included the following components before tax (in millions):



	Domestic Plans									International Plans
	2019			2018			2017			2019			2018			2017
Service cost	$	2.9		$	2.7		$	3.5		$	0.2		$	0.2		$	0.2
Interest cost	7.7			7.3			6.9			1.3			1.3			1.1
Expected return on plan assets	(10.5		)	(10.2		)	(9.4		)	(1.9		)	(2.2		)	(1.9		)
Amortization of prior service cost	3.5			3.1			3.1			—			—			—
Settlement	0.4			—			—			—			—			—
Recognized actuarial loss	2.7			4.5			5.3			1.4			2.3			3.6
Net periodic pension cost	$	6.7		$	7.4		$	9.4		$	1.0		$	1.6		$	3.0

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



	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Discount rate	2.8	%	3.9	%	2.0	%	2.9	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.0	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.1	%

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



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	2019		2018		2017		2019		2018		2017
Discount rate	3.9	%	3.5	%	3.2	%	2.9	%	2.5	%	2.1	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.3	%	7.5	%	7.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.5	%	5.5	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.1	%	3.2	%

It is our 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 our estimated benefit payments available as of the measurement date. We use a published yield curve to assist in the development of our discount rates. We estimate that each 100 basis point increase in the discount rate would reduce net periodic pension cost approximately $1.4 million and approximately $1.2 million for the domestic plans and international plans, respectively. The expected return on plan assets is derived primarily from a periodic study of long-term historical rates of return on the various asset classes included in our targeted pension plan asset allocation as well as future expectations. We estimate 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. We also evaluate the rate of compensation increase annually and adjust if necessary.

Our investment objective for domestic plan assets is to earn a rate of return sufficient to 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. We conduct 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 2019, the U.S. targeted asset allocation was 55% equity securities, 40% fixed income securities, and 5% real estate securities. Our investment objective for the international plan assets is also to add value by exceeding the long-term growth of the plans’ liabilities. During fiscal 2019, the international asset target allocation approximated 75% equity securities, 15% fixed income securities, and 10% multi-strategy investments.

Our pension plan asset allocation at August 31, 2019 and 2018 by asset category is as follows:



	% of Plan Assets
	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Equity securities	53.3	%	57.5	%	73.0	%	61.9	%
Fixed income securities	41.8	%	37.8	%	17.1	%	25.5	%
Multi-strategy investments	—	%	—	%	9.9	%	12.6	%
Real estate	4.9	%	4.7	%	—	%	—	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

Our 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 (“SEC”) 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 following tables present the fair value of the domestic pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2019 and 2018 (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, 2019		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Mutual funds:
Domestic large cap equity fund	$	45.6	$	45.6	$	—	$	—
Foreign equity fund	20.5		20.5		—		—
Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities	14.6		—		14.6		—
Short-term fixed income investments	6.0		6.0		—		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	86.7
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Fixed-income investments	57.4
Real estate fund	7.4
Total assets at net asset value	64.8
Total assets at fair value	$	151.5



			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

The following tables present the fair value of the international pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2019 and 2018 (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, 2019		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Equity securities	$	22.4	$	—	$	22.4	$	—
Short-term fixed income investments	0.3		0.3		—		—
Multi-strategy investments	3.0		—		3.0		—
Fixed-income investments	5.0		—		5.0		—
Total assets at fair value	$	30.7



			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

We expect to contribute approximately $3.6 million and $1.0 million during fiscal 2020 to our domestic qualified plans and international defined benefit plans, respectively. These amounts are based on the total contributions required during fiscal 2020 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
2020	$	9.5	$	1.0
2021	9.3		1.0
2022	12.5		1.0
2023	24.2		1.1
2024	17.8		1.1
2025-2029	66.8		6.3

Multi-employer Pension Plans

We contribute to two multi-employer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover certain of our 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.

Our contributions to these plans were $0.5 million for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Defined Contribution Plans

We also have defined contribution plans to which both employees and we make contributions. Our cost for these plans was $8.1 million, $8.0 million, and $8.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Employer matching amounts are allocated in accordance with the participants’ investment elections for elective deferrals. At August 31, 2019, assets of the domestic defined contribution plans included shares of our common stock with a market value of approximately $7.4 million, which represented approximately 2.0% of the total fair market value of the assets in our domestic defined contribution plans.

Debt and Lines of Credit

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Debt and Lines of Credit

Debt

Our debt at August 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, principal	$	350.0		$	350.0
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, unamortized discount and deferred costs	(0.1		)	(0.5		)
Industrial revenue bond due June 2021	4.0			4.0
Bank loans	2.7			3.3
Total debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	356.6		$	356.8

Future principal payments of long-term debt are $350.3 million, $4.4 million, $0.4 million, $0.4 million, $0.3 million, and $0.9 million in fiscal 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and after 2024, respectively.

Long-term Debt

On December 1, 2009, we 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 December 2019 (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, we 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 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.

Although the Unsecured Notes will mature within one year from August 31, 2019, we have the ability and intent to refinance these borrowings using availability under our term loan facility described below, subject to satisfying the applicable conditions precedent. Currently, we plan to refinance the Unsecured Notes in full at maturity with borrowings under the term loan facility, of which $341.2 million of the current carrying value of the Unsecured Notes would be due more than one year from the anticipated refinancing date. As such, this amount is reflected within Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2019.

We also had $4.0 million of tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds that are scheduled to mature in June 2021 outstanding at August 31, 2019. The interest rate on the $4.0 million bonds was approximately 1.7% at August 31, 2019 and 2018. Additionally, we had $2.7 million outstanding under fixed-rate bank loans. These loans have interest rates between 0.8% and 2.0% and mature between December 2022 and February 2028, subject to monthly or quarterly repayment schedules.

Lines of Credit

On June 29, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks that provides us 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”). We had no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility or Term Loan Facility as of August 31, 2019 or 2018.

Generally, amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility allow for borrowings to bear interest at either the Eurocurrency Rate or the base rate at our 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 London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") for the applicable currency plus an applicable margin. The Eurocurrency applicable margin is based on our 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 our 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 December 31, 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 our 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 our 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 our leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, with such margin ranging from 0.0% to 0.25%.

We are 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 our 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.

We were in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of August 31, 2019. At August 31, 2019, we had additional borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement of $796.2 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 $3.8 million issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of August 31, 2019, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $8.0 million, primarily for securing collateral requirements under our casualty insurance programs and for providing credit support for our industrial revenue bond, which includes $3.8 million we issued under the Revolving Credit Facility.

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

Common Stock and Related Matters

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Common Stock and Related Matters

Common Stock

Changes in common stock for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were as follows (amounts and shares in millions):



	Common Stock
	Shares		Amount
			(At par)
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
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.1		—
Balance at August 31, 2019	53.8		$	0.5

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

As of August 31, 2019 and 2018, we had 14.3 million and 13.7 million of repurchased shares recorded as treasury stock at an original repurchase cost of $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.

In March 2018, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized the repurchase of up to six million shares of common stock. As of August 31, 2019, 1.45 million shares had been purchased under this authorization, of which 0.7 million were repurchased in fiscal 2019.

Preferred Stock

We have 50 million shares of preferred stock authorized. No shares of preferred stock were issued in fiscal 2019 or 2018, and no shares of preferred stock are outstanding.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share for the periods presented 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, 2019, 2018, and 2017 (in millions, except per share data):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net income	$	330.4	$	349.6	$	321.7
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	39.7		40.9		43.1
Common stock equivalents	0.1		0.1		0.2
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	39.8		41.0		43.3
Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.54	$	7.46
Diluted earnings per share	$	8.29	$	8.52	$	7.43

Stock options of approximately 300,000, 179,000, and 117,000 were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, as the effect of inclusion would have been antidilutive. Restricted stock shares of approximately 160,000, 227,000, and 99,000 were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, as the effect of inclusion would have been antidilutive.

Share-Based Payments

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Share-based Payments

Omnibus Stock Compensation Incentive and Directors’ Equity Plans

In January 2018, our stockholders approved the Amended and Restated Acuity Brands, Inc. 2012 Omnibus Stock Compensation Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”), which, among other things, resulted in an aggregate of 2.7 million of shares authorized for issuance pursuant to the Stock Incentive 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 Stock Incentive Plan, including those previously issued and outstanding prior to the amendment, were approximately 1.4 million, 1.6 million, and 1.4 million at August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Any shares subject to an award under the Stock Incentive Plan that are forfeited, canceled, expire or that are settled for cash will be available for future grant under the Stock Incentive Plan.

Restricted Stock Awards

As of August 31, 2019, we had approximately 350,000 shares outstanding of restricted stock to officers, directors, and other key employees under the Stock Incentive 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 $25.1 million, $27.9 million, and $27.2 million in fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Activity related to restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was as follows (in millions, except per share data):



	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at August 31, 2018	0.4	$	186.63
Granted	0.2	$	120.73
Vested	(0.2)	$	184.60
Forfeited*	—	$	159.88
Outstanding at August 31, 2019	0.4	$	156.32

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

As of August 31, 2019, there was $34.6 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, 2019, 2018, and 2017 was approximately $26.9 million, $26.6 million, and $24.8 million, respectively.

Stock Options

As of August 31, 2019, we had approximately 420,000 options outstanding to officers and other key employees under the Stock Incentive Plan. Options issued under the Stock Incentive Plan are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our 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 $2.7 million, $3.1 million, and $3.6 million in fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, 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 our 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. We 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:



	2019	2018	2017
Dividend yield	0.4%	0.3%	0.2%
Expected volatility	32.8%	30.9%	28.5%
Risk-free interest rate	3.0%	2.0%	1.3%
Expected life of options	4 years	4 years	4 years
Weighted-average fair value of options	$34.06	$41.87	$57.40

Stock option activity during the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 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, 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
Granted	0.1		$116.40
Outstanding at August 31, 2019	0.4		$146.70	0.3		$147.51
Range of option exercise prices:
$40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 3.1 years)	0.1		$62.25	0.1		$62.25
$100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.9 years)	0.2		$125.66	0.1		$125.09
$160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 6.2 years)	0.1		$207.80	0.1		$207.80
$210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 7.1 years)	0.1		$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 and 2017 was $0.5 million, and $1.3 million, respectively. There were no options exercised during fiscal 2019. As of August 31, 2019, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding was $5.8 million, the total intrinsic value of options expected to vest was $0.7 million, and the total intrinsic value of options exercisable was $5.1 million. As of August 31, 2019, there was $2.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.3 years.

Employee Deferred Share Units

We 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, 2019, approximately 9,000 fully vested share units remain deferred, but undistributed, under the Stock Incentive Plan. There was no compensation expense related to these share units during fiscal years 2019, 2018, and 2017.

Director Deferred Share Units

Total shares available for issuance under the Director Plan were approximately 360,000, 370,000, and 390,000 at August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017. As of August 31, 2019, approximately 119,000 share units were deferred but undistributed under the Director Plan. Compensation expense recognized related to the share units under our the Director Plan was $1.4 million, $1.3 million, and $1.2 million in fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, 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 our common stock reserved for purchase under the plan, of which approximately 1.0 million shares remain available as of August 31, 2019. Employees may participate at their discretion.

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies

Self-Insurance

Our policy is to self-insure up to certain limits traditional risks, including workers’ compensation, comprehensive general liability, and auto liability. Our 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 our 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, our independent actuary. We are 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. We are 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 we believe that the actuarial estimates are reasonable, significant differences related to the items noted above could materially affect our self-insurance obligations, future expense, and cash flow.

We are also self-insured for the majority of our medical benefit plans up to certain limits. We estimate our aggregate liability for claims incurred by applying a lag factor to our historical claims and administrative cost experience. The appropriateness of our lag factor is evaluated annually and revised as necessary.

Leases

We lease certain of our buildings and equipment under noncancelable lease agreements. Future minimum annual lease payments under noncancelable leases are $16.7 million, $13.5 million, $9.9 million, $7.2 million, $4.6 million, and $16.8 million for fiscal 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and after 2024, respectively.

Total rent expense was $22.6 million, $22.3 million, and $20.0 million in fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Purchase Obligations

We incur purchase obligations in the ordinary course of business that are enforceable and legally binding. Obligations for years subsequent to August 31, 2019 include $347.2 million, $5.0 million, and $5.0 million in fiscal 2020, and 2021, respectively. As of August 31, 2019, we had no purchase obligations extending beyond August 31, 2022.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Approximately 67% of our total work force is covered by collective bargaining agreements. Collective bargaining agreements representing approximately 57% of our work force will expire within one year, primarily due to annual negotiations of union contracts with in Mexico.

Lighting Science Group Patent Litigation

On April 30, 2019 and May 1, 2019, Lighting Science Group Corp. (“LSG”) filed complaints in the International Trade Commission and United States District Court for the District of Delaware, respectively, alleging infringement of eight patents by the Company. On May 17, 2019, LSG amended both of its complaints and dropped its claims regarding one of the patents. For the remaining seven patents, LSG’s infringement allegations relate to certain of our LED luminaires and related systems. LSG seeks orders from the International Trade Commission to preclude the importation and sale of the accused products. LSG seeks unspecified monetary damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees in the District of Delaware action. We dispute and have numerous defenses to the allegations, and we intend to vigorously defend against LSG’s 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 a request for an exclusion order and are in the stages of the proceedings where key factual and legal issues have not been resolved. For these reasons, we currently are unable to predict the ultimate timing or outcome of or reasonably estimate the possible losses or a range of possible losses resulting from these matters.

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 us and certain of our officers on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired our 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 our 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 our common stock between October 7, 2015 and April 3, 2017 and alleges that we and certain of our 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 our products and (ii) overstated our ability to achieve profitable sales growth. The plaintiffs seek class certification, unspecified monetary damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees. We dispute the allegations in the complaints and intend to move to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint and to vigorously defend against the claims. We filed a motion to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint. On August 12, 2019, the court entered an order granting our motion to dismiss in part and dismissing all claims based on 42 of the 47 statements challenged in the Consolidated Complaint but also denying the motion in part and allowing claims based on 5 challenged statements to proceed to discovery. 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, we are 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. We are insured, in excess of a self-retention, for Directors and Officers liability.

Litigation

We are 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. 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 in future periods. We establish 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, we cannot make a meaningful estimate of actual costs to be incurred that could possibly be higher or lower than the amounts reserved.

Environmental Matters

Our operations 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 operations to limit air and water pollution, and these permits are subject to modification, renewal, and revocation by issuing authorities. On an ongoing basis, we invest capital and incur operating costs relating to environmental compliance. Environmental laws and regulations have generally become stricter in recent years. We are not aware of any pending legislation or proposed regulation related to environmental issues that would have a material adverse effect. The cost of responding to future changes may be substantial. We establish 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

We are a party to contracts entered into in the normal course of business in which it is common for us 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, we 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 us for specific unrecognized liabilities of the acquiree in existence as of the date of acquisition. For some acquisitions of businesses, we act 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 we may be reimbursed through the holdback funds are usually uncertain as of the date of the change of control. In certain circumstances, we are 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 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. We do not believe that any amounts we are likely to be required to pay under these acquisition-related liabilities, including net holdback funds, will be material to our financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.

Product Warranty and Recall Costs

Our products generally have a standard warranty term of five years that assure our products comply with agreed upon specifications. We record a reserve 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. However, there can be no assurance that future warranty or recall costs will not exceed historical amounts or that new technology products may not generate unexpected costs. If actual future warranty or recall costs exceed historical amounts, additional reserves may be required, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows.

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, 2019, 2018, and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	27.3		$	22.0		$	15.5
Warranty and recall costs	18.7			32.4			39.8
Payments and other deductions	(19.7		)	(27.7		)	(33.3		)
Acquired warranty and recall liabilities	—			0.6			—
ASC 606 adjustments ⁽¹⁾	(14.8		)	—			—
Ending balance	$	11.5		$	27.3		$	22.0

^{______________________________}

⁽¹⁾Certain service-type warranties accounted for as contingent liabilities prior to the adoption of ASC 606 are now reflected as contract liabilities effective September 1, 2018. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements and Revenue Recognition footnotes for additional information.

Trade Compliance Matters

In the course of routine reviews of import and export activity, we previously determined that we misclassified and/or inaccurately valued certain international shipments of products. We are conducting a detailed review of this activity to

determine the extent of any liabilities and implementing the appropriate remedial measures. At this time, we are unable to determine the likelihood or amount of loss, if any, associated with these shipments.

Special Charges

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Special Charges

During the year ended August 31, 2019, we recognized pre-tax special charges of $1.8 million. These charges were primarily related to move costs associated with the previously announced transfer of activities from a planned facility closure. Additionally, we recognized severance costs for actions initiated during fiscal 2019 related to our ongoing efforts to streamline the business, including integrating recent acquisitions. We expect that these actions to streamline our business activities, in addition to those taken in previous fiscal years, will allow us to reduce spending in certain areas while permitting continued investment in future growth initiatives, such as new products, expanded market presence, and technology and innovation. The severance costs related to fiscal 2019 actions were more than offset by reversals of prior year severance costs related to certain planned streamlining activities that did not occur.

During fiscal 2018, we recognized pre-tax special charges of $5.6 million 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 did not occur, primarily due to the sale of our Spanish lighting business during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

The details of the special charges during the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018		2017
Severance and employee-related costs	$	(0.5	)	$	5.4	$	11.2
Other restructuring costs	2.3			0.2		0.1
Total special charges	$	1.8		$	5.6	$	11.3

As of August 31, 2019, remaining reserves were $1.9 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, 2019 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Fiscal 2019 Actions			Fiscal 2018 Actions			Fiscal 2017 Actions			Total
Balance as of August 31, 2018	$	—		$	9.2		$	0.9		$	10.1
Severance costs	1.9			(2.0		)	(0.4		)	(0.5		)
Payments made during the period	(0.6		)	(6.6		)	(0.5		)	(7.7		)
Balance as of August 31, 2019	$	1.3		$	0.6		$	—		$	1.9

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

We account 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,
	2019		2018			2017
Provision for current federal taxes	$	60.3	$	88.9		$	151.2
Provision for current state taxes	14.7		16.4			20.4
Provision for current foreign taxes	10.2		9.2			7.0
Provision (benefit) for deferred taxes	9.3		(38.2		)	(7.7		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	94.5	$	76.3		$	170.9

The following table reconciles the provision at the federal statutory rate to the total provision for income taxes (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$	89.2		$	109.4		$	172.4
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	12.2			11.5			12.2
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	2.1			(2.0		)	(1.6		)
Discrete income tax benefits of the TCJA	(2.2		)	(34.6		)	—
Research and development tax credits	(18.1		)	(3.3		)	(3.0		)
Unrecognized tax benefits	12.2			0.4			0.8
Other, net	(0.9		)	(5.1		)	(9.9		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	94.5		$	76.3		$	170.9

Components of the net deferred income tax liabilities at August 31, 2019 and 2018 include (in millions):



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	$	(22.0	)	$	(15.0	)
Goodwill and intangibles	(149.6		)	(151.2		)
Other liabilities	(2.8		)	(2.3		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(174.4		)	(168.5		)
Deferred income tax assets:
Self-insurance	2.6			2.6
Pension	22.7			18.1
Deferred compensation	20.5			23.7
Net operating losses	6.2			6.2
Other accruals not yet deductible	26.9			24.9
Other assets	9.7			7.0
Total deferred income tax assets	88.6			82.5
Valuation allowance	(4.6		)	(3.6		)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	(90.4	)	$	(89.6	)

On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). The TCJA included changes that took effect during fiscal 2019 including, but 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. Our U.S. federal corporate tax rate was 21.0% for the current fiscal year. During fiscal 2018, we recorded a provisional discrete tax benefit of $34.6 million within Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income following the enactment of the TCJA. During fiscal 2019, we recorded an additional tax benefit of $2.2 million related to TCJA impacts including, but not limited to, our one-time transition tax, deferred income taxes, and executive compensation. The total tax benefit related to the enactment of the TCJA was $36.8 million, which included a benefit of $32.5 million to decrease our deferred income taxes to the revised statutory federal rate as well as a current estimated benefit of approximately $4.3 million for the transition tax on unremitted foreign earnings.

Previously, we asserted that all undistributed earnings and original investments in foreign subsidiaries were indefinitely reinvested and, therefore, had not recorded any deferred taxes related to any outside basis differences associated with our foreign subsidiaries. As of August 31, 2019, the estimated undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries was $107.7 million. A significant portion of these earnings was subject to U.S. federal taxation in fiscal 2018 as part of the one-time transition tax. We are no longer asserting indefinite reinvestment on the portion of our unremitted earnings that were previously subject to U.S. federal taxation with the one-time transition tax. Accordingly, we recognized a deferred income tax liability of $0.6 million for certain foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state taxes. With respect to unremitted earnings and original investments in foreign subsidiaries where we are continuing to assert indefinite reinvestment, any future remittances could be subject to additional foreign withholding taxes, U.S. state taxes, and certain tax impacts relating to foreign currency exchange effects. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of any unrecognized tax effects on these reinvested earnings and original investments in foreign subsidiaries.

We have elected to account for the tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period cost and, therefore, do not record deferred taxes related to GILTI on our foreign subsidiaries.

At August 31, 2019, we had state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $2.2 million, which will expire beginning in 2021. At August 31, 2019, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $32.9 million that expire beginning in 2030, state net operating loss carryforwards of $20.3 million that begin expiring in 2020, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $1.8 million that expire beginning in 2026.

The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of August 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled $16.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively, which includes $15.9 million and $3.8 million, respectively, of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate. We recognize 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, we are 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 2013. We do not anticipate unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.

The following table reconciles 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, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year	$	4.4		$	6.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	2.0			0.6
Additions for tax positions of prior years	10.9			1.0
Reductions due to settlements	—			(2.2		)
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(0.7		)	(1.0		)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year	$	16.6		$	4.4

Total accrued interest was $1.0 million and $0.5 million as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There were no accruals related to income tax penalties during fiscal 2019. 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.

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Aug. 31, 2019
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event On September 17, 2019, using cash on hand and borrowings under available existing credit arrangements, we acquired all of the equity interests of The Luminaires Group (“TLG”), a leading provider of specification-grade luminaires for commercial, institutional, hospitality, and municipal markets. TLG’s indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures are marketed to architects, landscape architects, interior designers and engineers through five niche lighting brands: A-light, Cyclone, Eureka, Luminaire LED and Luminis.

Supplemental Disaggregated Information

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Supplemental Disaggregated Information

We have one reportable segment. Sales of products and solutions, excluding services, accounted for approximately 99% of total consolidated net sales in fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017. Our geographic distribution of 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, 2019, 2018, and 2017 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net sales⁽¹⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	3,277.4	$	3,292.6	$	3,123.1
International	395.3		387.5		382.0
Total	$	3,672.7	$	3,680.1	$	3,505.1
Operating profit:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	419.3	$	419.0	$	503.3
International	43.6		41.8		24.2
Total	$	462.9	$	460.8	$	527.5
Income before provision for income taxes:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	386.4	$	386.4	$	478.5
International	38.5		39.5		14.1
Total	$	424.9	$	425.9	$	492.6
Long-lived assets⁽³⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	248.9	$	256.4	$	252.8
International	48.4		52.0		51.5
Total	$	297.3	$	308.4	$	304.3

_______________________________________


⁽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, 2019

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 Unsecured Notes and the initial purchasers of the Unsecured Notes, ABL and the guarantors to the Notes filed a registration statement with the SEC for an offer to exchange the Unsecured Notes for an issue of SEC-registered notes with identical terms. Due to the filing of the registration statement and offer to exchange, we 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, we have included the accompanying Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements in accordance with Rule 3-10(d) of SEC Regulation S-X since the Unsecured 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 our 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, 2019
	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	361.9	$	18.1	$	—	$	81.0	$	—		$	461.0
Accounts receivable, net	—		484.7		—		76.3		—			561.0
Inventories	—		317.1		—		23.7		—			340.8
Other current assets	32.2		27.1		—		19.7		—			79.0
Total current assets	394.1		847.0		—		200.7		—			1,441.8
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2		220.7		—		56.4		—			277.3
Goodwill	—		747.6		2.7		217.0		—			967.3
Intangible assets, net	—		271.0		103.7		91.3		—			466.0
Deferred income taxes	30.2		—		—		5.8		(33.7		)	2.3
Other long-term assets	1.1		15.2		—		1.4		—			17.7
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,627.9		476.8		321.6		—		(2,426.3		)	—
Total assets	$	2,053.5	$	2,578.3	$	428.0	$	572.6	$	(2,460.0	)	$	3,172.4

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	0.7	$	314.4	$	—	$	23.7	$	—		$	338.8
Current maturities of long-term debt	—		8.7		—		0.4		—			9.1
Other accrued liabilities	11.8		186.0		—		50.4		—			248.2
Total current liabilities	12.5		509.1		—		74.5		—			596.1
Long-term debt	—		345.2		—		2.3		—			347.5
Deferred income taxes	—		105.8		—		20.6		(33.7		)	92.7
Other long-term liabilities	122.1		80.4		—		14.7		—			217.2
Amounts due to affiliates	—		—		—		146.4		(146.4		)	—
Total stockholders’ equity	1,918.9		1,537.8		428.0		314.1		(2,279.9		)	1,918.9
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,053.5	$	2,578.3	$	428.0	$	572.6	$	(2,460.0	)	$	3,172.4

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
Other 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 STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	3,253.6		$	—	$	419.1		$	—		$	3,672.7
Intercompany sales	—			—			52.7		204.7			(257.4		)	—
Total sales	—			3,253.6			52.7		623.8			(257.4		)	3,672.7
Cost of products sold	—			1,940.1			—		454.1			(201.2		)	2,193.0
Gross profit	—			1,313.5			52.7		169.7			(56.2		)	1,479.7
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	15.6			897.6			2.8		155.3			(56.3		)	1,015.0
Intercompany charges	(33.2		)	25.6			—		7.6			—			—
Special charges	—			1.8			—		—			—			1.8
Operating profit	17.6			388.5			49.9		6.8			0.1			462.9
Interest expense, net	10.9			17.4			—		5.0			—			33.3
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(330.0		)	(23.2		)	—		0.2			353.0			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	6.7			(2.1		)	—		0.1			—			4.7
Income before income taxes	330.0			396.4			49.9		1.5			(352.9		)	424.9
Income tax (benefit) expense	(0.4		)	84.5			10.5		(0.1		)	—			94.5
Net income	330.4			311.9			39.4		1.6			(352.9		)	330.4

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(11.5		)	(11.5		)	—		—			11.5			(11.5		)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax	(25.1		)	(17.1		)	—		(0.2		)	17.3			(25.1		)
Other comprehensive loss items, net of tax	(36.6		)	(28.6		)	—		(0.2		)	28.8			(36.6		)
Comprehensive income	$	293.8		$	283.3		$	39.4	$	1.4		$	(324.1	)	$	293.8

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	—			1,951.2			—		442.1			(198.6		)	2,194.7
Gross profit	—			1,324.5			53.6		173.5			(66.2		)	1,485.4
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	41.0			884.6			3.2		156.3			(66.1		)	1,019.0
Intercompany charges	(59.2		)	49.5			—		9.7			—			—
Special charges	—			5.6			—		—			—			5.6
Operating profit	18.2			384.8			50.4		7.5			(0.1		)	460.8
Interest expense, net	11.1			16.9			—		5.5			—			33.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(344.3		)	(18.5		)	—		0.2			362.6			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	6.4			(1.8		)	—		(3.2		)	—			1.4
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 plans, net of tax	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	—			1,764.6			—		432.8			(173.4		)	2,024.0
Gross profit	—			1,340.6			49.4		146.3			(55.2		)	1,481.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	39.2			824.6			3.6		130.0			(55.1		)	942.3
Intercompany charges	(56.9		)	47.7			—		9.2			—			—
Special charges	—			11.3			—		—			—			11.3
Operating profit	17.7			457.0			45.8		7.1			(0.1		)	527.5
Interest expense, net	11.0			16.1			—		5.4			—			32.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(320.9		)	(7.7		)	—		0.2			328.4			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	5.8			(7.9		)	—		4.5			—			2.4
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 plans, net of tax	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 CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	391.1		$	63.4		$	—	$	43.1		$	(2.9	)	$	494.7
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(44.5		)	—		(8.5		)	—			(53.0		)
Investments in subsidiaries	(2.9		)	—			—		—			2.9			—
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	—			(2.9		)	—		—			—			(2.9		)
Other investing activities	0.8			2.1			—		—			—			2.9
Net cash used for investing activities	(2.1		)	(45.3		)	—		(8.5		)	2.9			(53.0		)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	—			86.5			—		—			—			86.5
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	—			(86.5		)	—		—			—			(86.5		)
Repayments of long-term debt	—			—			—		(0.4		)	—			(0.4		)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.6			—			—		—			—			0.6
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6		)	—			—		—			—			(81.6		)
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(6.0		)	—			—		—			—			(6.0		)
Dividends paid	(20.8		)	—			—		—			—			(20.8		)
Net cash used for financing activities	(107.8		)	—			—		(0.4		)	—			(108.2		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.2			—			—		(1.8		)	—			(1.6		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	281.4			18.1			—		32.4			—			331.9
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	80.5			—			—		48.6			—			129.1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	361.9		$	18.1		$	—	$	81.0		$	—		$	461.0

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	$	322.1		$	30.2		$	—	$	36.0		$	(36.8	)	$	351.5
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
Other investing activities	1.7			—			—		—			—			1.7
Net cash used for investing activities	(153.0		)	(167.7		)	—		(38.0		)	154.7			(204.0		)
Cash flows 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		)
Withholding 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		)
Withholding 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

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)



	Fiscal Year 2019
(In millions)	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
Net sales	$	932.6	$	854.4	$	947.6	$	938.1
Gross profit	$	367.5	$	333.9	$	383.6	$	394.7
Net income	$	79.6	$	66.3	$	88.4	$	96.1
Basic earnings per share	$	1.99	$	1.68	$	2.23	$	2.43
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.98	$	1.67	$	2.22	$	2.42



	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 ⁽¹⁾	$	349.9	$	334.5	$	389.1	$	411.9
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

______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Fiscal 2018 quarterly gross profit amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the impact of ASU 2017-07 to our interim periods. See the New Accounting Pronouncements footnote for further details.

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.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

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 and Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

Use of Estimates

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Accounts Receivable

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Reclassifications

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure for occurrences and transactions after the date of the consolidated financial statements as of August 31, 2019.

Inventories

Assets Held for Sale

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we classify assets as held for sale upon the development of a plan for disposal and cease the depreciation and amortization of the assets at that date.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Miscellaneous Expense, Net

Depreciation

Research and Development

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included within Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Interest Expense, Net

Miscellaneous expense, net, is comprised primarily of non-service related components of net periodic pension cost, gains or losses on foreign currency items, and other non-operating items.

Foreign Currency Translation

Comprehensive Income

Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2019

ASU 2017-01 -— Clarifying the Definition of a Business

ASU 2016-15 — Statement of Cash Flows

ASU 2017-07 — Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost

The impact of the provisions of ASU 2017-07 on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31, 2018								Year Ended August 31, 2017
	As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)			As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)
Cost of products sold	$	2,194.7	$	2,193.3		$	1.4		$	2,024.0	$	2,023.9		$	0.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,019.0		1,026.6			(7.6		)	942.3		951.1			(8.8		)
Miscellaneous expense, net	1.4		(4.8		)	6.2			2.4		(6.3		)	8.7

ASC 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers



Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption		Higher (Lower)
Net sales	$	3,672.7	$	3,681.6	$	(8.9	)
Cost of products sold	2,193.0		2,197.1		(4.1		)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,015.0		1,014.6		0.4
Operating profit	462.9		468.1		(5.2		)
Income tax expense	94.5		95.7		(1.2		)
Net income	330.4		334.4		(4.0		)

Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.42	$	(0.10	)
Diluted earnings per share	8.29		8.39		(0.10		)



Consolidated Balance Sheet	August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption	Higher (Lower)
Accounts receivable, net	$	561.0	539.6	$	21.4
Prepayments and other current assets	79.0		65.1	13.9
Other accrued liabilities	175.0		139.4	35.6
Deferred income tax liabilities	92.7		98.0	(5.3		)
Other long-term liabilities	110.7		88.7	22.0
Retained earnings	2,295.8		2,312.8	(17.0		)

Accounting Standards Yet to Be Adopted

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, 2019

Schedule of Changes in Reserves for Doubtful Accounts

The changes in these reserves during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	23.4		$	21.3		$	17.3
Refund costs	—			133.4			134.2
Payments and other deductions	—			(131.3		)	(130.2		)
ASC 606 adjustments ⁽¹⁾	(23.4		)	—			—
Ending balance	$	—		$	23.4		$	21.3

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Estimated liabilities for returns, cash discounts, and other deductions are now reflected as Other current liabilities within our consolidated financial statements. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements and Revenue Recognition footnotes for additional information.

Schedule of Inventory



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Raw materials, supplies, and work in process⁽¹⁾	$	179.4		$	196.8
Finished goods	183.7			251.8
Inventories excluding reserves	363.1			448.6
Less: Reserves	(22.3		)	(36.8		)
Total inventories	$	340.8		$	411.8

_______________________________________

⁽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, we do not believe the segregation of raw materials and work in process is meaningful information.

Schedule of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during fiscal 2019 and 2018 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Carrying Amount
Balance, August 31, 2017	$	900.9
Additions from acquired businesses	77.0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7.3		)
Balance, August 31, 2018	970.6
Additions from an acquired business	2.0
Adjustments to provisional amounts	(0.2		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5.1		)
Balance as of August 31, 2019	$	967.3

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Summarized information for our acquired intangible assets is as follows (in millions except amortization periods):



		August 31,
		2019					2018
	Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Patents and patented technology	12	$	135.7	$	(72.9	)	$	137.2	$	(62.2	)
Trademarks and trade names	19	27.2		(14.5		)	27.2		(13.2		)
Distribution network	28	61.8		(39.7		)	61.8		(37.5		)
Customer relationships	21	299.2		(72.1		)	300.0		(56.3		)
Total definite-lived intangible assets	17	$	523.9	$	(199.2	)	$	526.2	$	(169.2	)
Indefinite-lived trade names		$	141.3				$	141.7

Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Summarized information for our acquired intangible assets is as follows (in millions except amortization periods):



		August 31,
		2019					2018
	Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Patents and patented technology	12	$	135.7	$	(72.9	)	$	137.2	$	(62.2	)
Trademarks and trade names	19	27.2		(14.5		)	27.2		(13.2		)
Distribution network	28	61.8		(39.7		)	61.8		(37.5		)
Customer relationships	21	299.2		(72.1		)	300.0		(56.3		)
Total definite-lived intangible assets	17	$	523.9	$	(199.2	)	$	526.2	$	(169.2	)
Indefinite-lived trade names		$	141.3				$	141.7

Schedule of Other Long-Term Assets

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



	August 31,
	2019		2018
Deferred contract costs	$	15.4	$	12.8
Net overfunded pension plans	—		1.6
Other⁽¹⁾	2.3		4.4
Total other long-term assets	$	17.7	$	18.8

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Schedule of Other Long-Term Liabilities

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



	August 31,
	2019		2018
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits other than pensions⁽¹⁾	$	41.6	$	40.0
Service-type warranties⁽²⁾	46.3		14.8
Unrecognized tax position liabilities, including interest⁽³⁾	17.6		4.9
Other⁽⁴⁾	5.2		8.2
Total other long-term liabilities	$	110.7	$	67.9

____________________________________

⁽¹⁾


⁽²⁾	Certain service-type warranties accounted for as contingent liabilities prior to the adoption of ASC 606 are now reflected as contract liabilities effective September 1, 2018. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements and Revenue Recognition footnotes for additional information.


⁽³⁾	See the Income Taxes footnote for more information.

⁽⁴⁾

Amount primarily includes deferred rent.

Schedule of Interest Expense, Net

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



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Interest expense	$	36.4		$	35.5		$	34.1
Interest income	(3.1		)	(2.0		)	(1.6		)
Interest expense, net	$	33.3		$	33.5		$	32.5

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss net of tax during the year ended August 31, 2019 (in millions):



	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items
Balance as of August 31, 2017	$	(28.7	)	$	(71.0	)	$	(99.7	)
Other comprehensive (loss) 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 as of August 31, 2018	(53.9		)	(60.9		)	(114.8		)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(11.5		)	(31.1		)	(42.6		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	—			6.0			6.0
Net current period other comprehensive loss	(11.5		)	(25.1		)	(36.6		)
Balance at August 31, 2019	$	(65.4	)	$	(86.0	)	$	(151.4	)

_______________________________________

⁽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 expense, 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, 2019 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019									2018									2017
	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	$	(11.5	)	$	—		$	(11.5	)	$	(25.2	)	$	—		$	(25.2	)	$	19.0	$	—		$	19.0
Defined benefit pension plans:
Actuarial (losses) gains	(40.8		)	9.7			(31.1		)	18.4			(4.4		)	14.0			18.3		(5.7		)	12.6
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Prior service cost	3.5			(0.9		)	2.6			3.1			(0.7		)	2.4			3.1		(0.7		)	2.4
Actuarial losses	4.1			(1.0		)	3.1			6.8			(2.0		)	4.8			8.9		(3.2		)	5.7
Settlement losses	0.4			(0.1		)	0.3			—			—			—			—		—			—
Total defined benefit plans, net	(32.8		)	7.7			(25.1		)	28.3			(7.1		)	21.2			30.3		(9.6		)	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(44.3	)	$	7.7		$	(36.6	)	$	3.1		$	(7.1	)	$	(4.0	)	$	49.3	$	(9.6	)	$	39.7

New Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles

The effects of the adoption of ASC 606 on our Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended August 31, 2019 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2019 are as follows (in millions except per share amounts):



Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption		Higher (Lower)
Net sales	$	3,672.7	$	3,681.6	$	(8.9	)
Cost of products sold	2,193.0		2,197.1		(4.1		)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,015.0		1,014.6		0.4
Operating profit	462.9		468.1		(5.2		)
Income tax expense	94.5		95.7		(1.2		)
Net income	330.4		334.4		(4.0		)

Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.42	$	(0.10	)
Diluted earnings per share	8.29		8.39		(0.10		)



Consolidated Balance Sheet	August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption	Higher (Lower)
Accounts receivable, net	$	561.0	539.6	$	21.4
Prepayments and other current assets	79.0		65.1	13.9
Other accrued liabilities	175.0		139.4	35.6
Deferred income tax liabilities	92.7		98.0	(5.3		)
Other long-term liabilities	110.7		88.7	22.0
Retained earnings	2,295.8		2,312.8	(17.0		)

The impact of the provisions of ASU 2017-07 on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31, 2018								Year Ended August 31, 2017
	As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)			As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)
Cost of products sold	$	2,194.7	$	2,193.3		$	1.4		$	2,024.0	$	2,023.9		$	0.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,019.0		1,026.6			(7.6		)	942.3		951.1			(8.8		)
Miscellaneous expense, net	1.4		(4.8		)	6.2			2.4		(6.3		)	8.7

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Amount of transaction price from contracts with customers allocated to Company's contract liabilities

The amount of transaction price from contracts with customers allocated to our contract liabilities as of August 31, 2019 and September 1, 2018 consists of the following (in millions):



	August 31, 2019		September 1, 2018
Current deferred revenues	$	4.7	$	4.8
Non-current deferred revenues	46.4		35.0

Revenue from contract with customers by sales channel

The following table shows revenue from contracts with customers by sales channel for the year ended August 31, 2019 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
Independent sales network	$	2,516.4
Direct sales network	381.1
Retail sales	270.2
Corporate accounts	318.0
Other	187.0
Total	$	3,672.7

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values and estimated fair values of certain financial instruments were as follows at August 31, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):



	August 31, 2019				August 31, 2018
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior unsecured public notes, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	349.9	$	352.7	$	349.5	$	361.7
Industrial revenue bond	4.0		4.0		4.0		4.0
Bank loans	2.7		2.9		3.3		3.3

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Domestic and International Pension Plans

The following tables reflect the status of our domestic (U.S.-based) and international pension plans at August 31, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	August 31,						August 31,
	2019			2018			2019			2018
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	203.2		$	215.5		$	45.5		$	53.5
Service cost	2.9			2.7			0.2			0.2
Interest cost	7.7			7.3			1.3			1.3
Amendments	11.4			—			—			—
Actuarial losses (gains)	26.2			(14.3		)	3.2			(4.5		)
Settlement gain	(3.4		)	—			—			—
Benefits paid	(8.8		)	(8.0		)	(2.6		)	(5.5		)
Other	—			—			(3.0		)	0.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	239.2			203.2			44.6			45.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	149.4		$	136.8		$	30.9		$	34.1
Actual return on plan assets	9.0			11.3			3.1			0.9
Employer contributions	5.3			9.3			1.2			1.2
Benefits paid	(12.2		)	(8.0		)	(2.6		)	(5.5		)
Other	—			—			(1.9		)	0.2
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	151.5			149.4			30.7			30.9
Funded status at the end of year	$	(87.7	)	$	(53.8	)	$	(13.9	)	$	(14.6	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$	—		$	1.6		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities	(1.8		)	(5.3		)	(0.1		)	(0.1		)
Non-current liabilities	(85.9		)	(50.1		)	(13.8		)	(14.5		)
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheets	$	(87.7	)	$	(53.8	)	$	(13.9	)	$	(14.6	)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	239.2		$	202.7		$	44.6		$	45.5
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost	$	(12.4	)	$	(4.6	)	$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	(83.4		)	(58.8		)	(13.0		)	(12.9		)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(95.8	)	$	(63.4	)	$	(13.0	)	$	(12.9	)
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	239.2		$	119.2		$	44.6		$	45.5
Accumulated benefit obligation	239.2			118.7			44.6			45.5
Plan assets	151.5			63.8			30.6			30.9
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	$	4.0		$	3.1		$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	$	4.1		$	2.9		$	1.4		$	1.5

Schedule of Net Periodic Pension Cost

Net periodic pension cost during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 included the following components before tax (in millions):



	Domestic Plans									International Plans
	2019			2018			2017			2019			2018			2017
Service cost	$	2.9		$	2.7		$	3.5		$	0.2		$	0.2		$	0.2
Interest cost	7.7			7.3			6.9			1.3			1.3			1.1
Expected return on plan assets	(10.5		)	(10.2		)	(9.4		)	(1.9		)	(2.2		)	(1.9		)
Amortization of prior service cost	3.5			3.1			3.1			—			—			—
Settlement	0.4			—			—			—			—			—
Recognized actuarial loss	2.7			4.5			5.3			1.4			2.3			3.6
Net periodic pension cost	$	6.7		$	7.4		$	9.4		$	1.0		$	1.6		$	3.0

Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used

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



	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Discount rate	2.8	%	3.9	%	2.0	%	2.9	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.0	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.1	%

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



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	2019		2018		2017		2019		2018		2017
Discount rate	3.9	%	3.5	%	3.2	%	2.9	%	2.5	%	2.1	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.3	%	7.5	%	7.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.5	%	5.5	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.1	%	3.2	%

Schedule of Pension Plan Asset Allocation

Our pension plan asset allocation at August 31, 2019 and 2018 by asset category is as follows:



	% of Plan Assets
	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Equity securities	53.3	%	57.5	%	73.0	%	61.9	%
Fixed income securities	41.8	%	37.8	%	17.1	%	25.5	%
Multi-strategy investments	—	%	—	%	9.9	%	12.6	%
Real estate	4.9	%	4.7	%	—	%	—	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

The following tables present the fair value of the domestic pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2019 and 2018 (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, 2019		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Mutual funds:
Domestic large cap equity fund	$	45.6	$	45.6	$	—	$	—
Foreign equity fund	20.5		20.5		—		—
Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities	14.6		—		14.6		—
Short-term fixed income investments	6.0		6.0		—		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	86.7
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Fixed-income investments	57.4
Real estate fund	7.4
Total assets at net asset value	64.8
Total assets at fair value	$	151.5



			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

The following tables present the fair value of the international pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2019 and 2018 (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, 2019		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Equity securities	$	22.4	$	—	$	22.4	$	—
Short-term fixed income investments	0.3		0.3		—		—
Multi-strategy investments	3.0		—		3.0		—
Fixed-income investments	5.0		—		5.0		—
Total assets at fair value	$	30.7



			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

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
2020	$	9.5	$	1.0
2021	9.3		1.0
2022	12.5		1.0
2023	24.2		1.1
2024	17.8		1.1
2025-2029	66.8		6.3

Debt and Lines of Credit (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments

Our debt at August 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, principal	$	350.0		$	350.0
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, unamortized discount and deferred costs	(0.1		)	(0.5		)
Industrial revenue bond due June 2021	4.0			4.0
Bank loans	2.7			3.3
Total debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	356.6		$	356.8

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.

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Common Stock and Related Matters (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Changes in Common Stock

Changes in common stock for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were as follows (amounts and shares in millions):



	Common Stock
	Shares		Amount
			(At par)
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
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.1		—
Balance at August 31, 2019	53.8		$	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, 2019, 2018, and 2017 (in millions, except per share data):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net income	$	330.4	$	349.6	$	321.7
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	39.7		40.9		43.1
Common stock equivalents	0.1		0.1		0.2
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	39.8		41.0		43.3
Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.54	$	7.46
Diluted earnings per share	$	8.29	$	8.52	$	7.43

Share-Based Payments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]

Schedule of Restricted Stock Award Activity

Activity related to restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was as follows (in millions, except per share data):



	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at August 31, 2018	0.4	$	186.63
Granted	0.2	$	120.73
Vested	(0.2)	$	184.60
Forfeited*	—	$	159.88
Outstanding at August 31, 2019	0.4	$	156.32

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

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:



	2019	2018	2017
Dividend yield	0.4%	0.3%	0.2%
Expected volatility	32.8%	30.9%	28.5%
Risk-free interest rate	3.0%	2.0%	1.3%
Expected life of options	4 years	4 years	4 years
Weighted-average fair value of options	$34.06	$41.87	$57.40

Schedule of Stock Option Transactions

Stock option activity during the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 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, 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
Granted	0.1		$116.40
Outstanding at August 31, 2019	0.4		$146.70	0.3		$147.51
Range of option exercise prices:
$40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 3.1 years)	0.1		$62.25	0.1		$62.25
$100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.9 years)	0.2		$125.66	0.1		$125.09
$160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 6.2 years)	0.1		$207.80	0.1		$207.80
$210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 7.1 years)	0.1		$239.76	—	*	$239.76

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Product Warranty and Recall Reserves



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	27.3		$	22.0		$	15.5
Warranty and recall costs	18.7			32.4			39.8
Payments and other deductions	(19.7		)	(27.7		)	(33.3		)
Acquired warranty and recall liabilities	—			0.6			—
ASC 606 adjustments ⁽¹⁾	(14.8		)	—			—
Ending balance	$	11.5		$	27.3		$	22.0

^{______________________________}

Special Charges (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Details of Special Charges Incurred

The details of the special charges during the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018		2017
Severance and employee-related costs	$	(0.5	)	$	5.4	$	11.2
Other restructuring costs	2.3			0.2		0.1
Total special charges	$	1.8		$	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, 2019 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Fiscal 2019 Actions			Fiscal 2018 Actions			Fiscal 2017 Actions			Total
Balance as of August 31, 2018	$	—		$	9.2		$	0.9		$	10.1
Severance costs	1.9			(2.0		)	(0.4		)	(0.5		)
Payments made during the period	(0.6		)	(6.6		)	(0.5		)	(7.7		)
Balance as of August 31, 2019	$	1.3		$	0.6		$	—		$	1.9

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes

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



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018			2017
Provision for current federal taxes	$	60.3	$	88.9		$	151.2
Provision for current state taxes	14.7		16.4			20.4
Provision for current foreign taxes	10.2		9.2			7.0
Provision (benefit) for deferred taxes	9.3		(38.2		)	(7.7		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	94.5	$	76.3		$	170.9

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

The following table reconciles the provision at the federal statutory rate to the total provision for income taxes (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$	89.2		$	109.4		$	172.4
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	12.2			11.5			12.2
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	2.1			(2.0		)	(1.6		)
Discrete income tax benefits of the TCJA	(2.2		)	(34.6		)	—
Research and development tax credits	(18.1		)	(3.3		)	(3.0		)
Unrecognized tax benefits	12.2			0.4			0.8
Other, net	(0.9		)	(5.1		)	(9.9		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	94.5		$	76.3		$	170.9

Schedule of Components of Net Deferred Income Taxes

Components of the net deferred income tax liabilities at August 31, 2019 and 2018 include (in millions):



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	$	(22.0	)	$	(15.0	)
Goodwill and intangibles	(149.6		)	(151.2		)
Other liabilities	(2.8		)	(2.3		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(174.4		)	(168.5		)
Deferred income tax assets:
Self-insurance	2.6			2.6
Pension	22.7			18.1
Deferred compensation	20.5			23.7
Net operating losses	6.2			6.2
Other accruals not yet deductible	26.9			24.9
Other assets	9.7			7.0
Total deferred income tax assets	88.6			82.5
Valuation allowance	(4.6		)	(3.6		)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	(90.4	)	$	(89.6	)

Schedule of Change in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefit



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year	$	4.4		$	6.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	2.0			0.6
Additions for tax positions of prior years	10.9			1.0
Reductions due to settlements	—			(2.2		)
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(0.7		)	(1.0		)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year	$	16.6		$	4.4

Supplemental Disaggregated Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

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

Our geographic distribution of 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, 2019, 2018, and 2017 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net sales⁽¹⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	3,277.4	$	3,292.6	$	3,123.1
International	395.3		387.5		382.0
Total	$	3,672.7	$	3,680.1	$	3,505.1
Operating profit:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	419.3	$	419.0	$	503.3
International	43.6		41.8		24.2
Total	$	462.9	$	460.8	$	527.5
Income before provision for income taxes:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	386.4	$	386.4	$	478.5
International	38.5		39.5		14.1
Total	$	424.9	$	425.9	$	492.6
Long-lived assets⁽³⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	248.9	$	256.4	$	252.8
International	48.4		52.0		51.5
Total	$	297.3	$	308.4	$	304.3

_______________________________________


⁽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, 2019

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)



	At August 31, 2019
	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	361.9	$	18.1	$	—	$	81.0	$	—		$	461.0
Accounts receivable, net	—		484.7		—		76.3		—			561.0
Inventories	—		317.1		—		23.7		—			340.8
Other current assets	32.2		27.1		—		19.7		—			79.0
Total current assets	394.1		847.0		—		200.7		—			1,441.8
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2		220.7		—		56.4		—			277.3
Goodwill	—		747.6		2.7		217.0		—			967.3
Intangible assets, net	—		271.0		103.7		91.3		—			466.0
Deferred income taxes	30.2		—		—		5.8		(33.7		)	2.3
Other long-term assets	1.1		15.2		—		1.4		—			17.7
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,627.9		476.8		321.6		—		(2,426.3		)	—
Total assets	$	2,053.5	$	2,578.3	$	428.0	$	572.6	$	(2,460.0	)	$	3,172.4

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	0.7	$	314.4	$	—	$	23.7	$	—		$	338.8
Current maturities of long-term debt	—		8.7		—		0.4		—			9.1
Other accrued liabilities	11.8		186.0		—		50.4		—			248.2
Total current liabilities	12.5		509.1		—		74.5		—			596.1
Long-term debt	—		345.2		—		2.3		—			347.5
Deferred income taxes	—		105.8		—		20.6		(33.7		)	92.7
Other long-term liabilities	122.1		80.4		—		14.7		—			217.2
Amounts due to affiliates	—		—		—		146.4		(146.4		)	—
Total stockholders’ equity	1,918.9		1,537.8		428.0		314.1		(2,279.9		)	1,918.9
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,053.5	$	2,578.3	$	428.0	$	572.6	$	(2,460.0	)	$	3,172.4

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
Other 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 STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	3,253.6		$	—	$	419.1		$	—		$	3,672.7
Intercompany sales	—			—			52.7		204.7			(257.4		)	—
Total sales	—			3,253.6			52.7		623.8			(257.4		)	3,672.7
Cost of products sold	—			1,940.1			—		454.1			(201.2		)	2,193.0
Gross profit	—			1,313.5			52.7		169.7			(56.2		)	1,479.7
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	15.6			897.6			2.8		155.3			(56.3		)	1,015.0
Intercompany charges	(33.2		)	25.6			—		7.6			—			—
Special charges	—			1.8			—		—			—			1.8
Operating profit	17.6			388.5			49.9		6.8			0.1			462.9
Interest expense, net	10.9			17.4			—		5.0			—			33.3
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(330.0		)	(23.2		)	—		0.2			353.0			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	6.7			(2.1		)	—		0.1			—			4.7
Income before income taxes	330.0			396.4			49.9		1.5			(352.9		)	424.9
Income tax (benefit) expense	(0.4		)	84.5			10.5		(0.1		)	—			94.5
Net income	330.4			311.9			39.4		1.6			(352.9		)	330.4

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(11.5		)	(11.5		)	—		—			11.5			(11.5		)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax	(25.1		)	(17.1		)	—		(0.2		)	17.3			(25.1		)
Other comprehensive loss items, net of tax	(36.6		)	(28.6		)	—		(0.2		)	28.8			(36.6		)
Comprehensive income	$	293.8		$	283.3		$	39.4	$	1.4		$	(324.1	)	$	293.8

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	—			1,951.2			—		442.1			(198.6		)	2,194.7
Gross profit	—			1,324.5			53.6		173.5			(66.2		)	1,485.4
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	41.0			884.6			3.2		156.3			(66.1		)	1,019.0
Intercompany charges	(59.2		)	49.5			—		9.7			—			—
Special charges	—			5.6			—		—			—			5.6
Operating profit	18.2			384.8			50.4		7.5			(0.1		)	460.8
Interest expense, net	11.1			16.9			—		5.5			—			33.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(344.3		)	(18.5		)	—		0.2			362.6			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	6.4			(1.8		)	—		(3.2		)	—			1.4
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 plans, net of tax	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	—			1,764.6			—		432.8			(173.4		)	2,024.0
Gross profit	—			1,340.6			49.4		146.3			(55.2		)	1,481.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	39.2			824.6			3.6		130.0			(55.1		)	942.3
Intercompany charges	(56.9		)	47.7			—		9.2			—			—
Special charges	—			11.3			—		—			—			11.3
Operating profit	17.7			457.0			45.8		7.1			(0.1		)	527.5
Interest expense, net	11.0			16.1			—		5.4			—			32.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(320.9		)	(7.7		)	—		0.2			328.4			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	5.8			(7.9		)	—		4.5			—			2.4
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 plans, net of tax	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 CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	391.1		$	63.4		$	—	$	43.1		$	(2.9	)	$	494.7
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(44.5		)	—		(8.5		)	—			(53.0		)
Investments in subsidiaries	(2.9		)	—			—		—			2.9			—
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	—			(2.9		)	—		—			—			(2.9		)
Other investing activities	0.8			2.1			—		—			—			2.9
Net cash used for investing activities	(2.1		)	(45.3		)	—		(8.5		)	2.9			(53.0		)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	—			86.5			—		—			—			86.5
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	—			(86.5		)	—		—			—			(86.5		)
Repayments of long-term debt	—			—			—		(0.4		)	—			(0.4		)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.6			—			—		—			—			0.6
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6		)	—			—		—			—			(81.6		)
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(6.0		)	—			—		—			—			(6.0		)
Dividends paid	(20.8		)	—			—		—			—			(20.8		)
Net cash used for financing activities	(107.8		)	—			—		(0.4		)	—			(108.2		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.2			—			—		(1.8		)	—			(1.6		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	281.4			18.1			—		32.4			—			331.9
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	80.5			—			—		48.6			—			129.1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	361.9		$	18.1		$	—	$	81.0		$	—		$	461.0

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	$	322.1		$	30.2		$	—	$	36.0		$	(36.8	)	$	351.5
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
Other investing activities	1.7			—			—		—			—			1.7
Net cash used for investing activities	(153.0		)	(167.7		)	—		(38.0		)	154.7			(204.0		)
Cash flows 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		)
Withholding 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		)
Withholding 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

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)



	Fiscal Year 2019
(In millions)	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
Net sales	$	932.6	$	854.4	$	947.6	$	938.1
Gross profit	$	367.5	$	333.9	$	383.6	$	394.7
Net income	$	79.6	$	66.3	$	88.4	$	96.1
Basic earnings per share	$	1.99	$	1.68	$	2.23	$	2.43
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.98	$	1.67	$	2.22	$	2.42



	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 ⁽¹⁾	$	349.9	$	334.5	$	389.1	$	411.9
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

______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Fiscal 2018 quarterly gross profit amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the impact of ASU 2017-07 to our interim periods. See the New Accounting Pronouncements footnote for further details.

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 Segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1

Significant Accounting Policies - Changes in Reserves for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - Reserve for doubtful accounts - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 23.4	$ 21.3	$ 17.3
Refund costs	0.0	133.4	134.2
Payments and other deductions	0.0	(131.3)	(130.2)
ASC 606 adjustments	(23.4)	0.0	0.0
Ending balance	$ 0.0	$ 23.4	$ 21.3

Significant Accounting Policies - Concentration of Credit Risk (Details) - Customer Concentration Risk - Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
One Customer
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Portion of receivables (percent)	10.00%	10.00%
Two Customers
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Portion of receivables (percent)			10.00%

Significant Accounting Policies - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Raw materials, supplies, and work in process	$ 179.4	$ 196.8
Finished goods	183.7	251.8
Inventories excluding reserves	363.1	448.6
Less: Reserves	(22.3)	(36.8)
Total inventories	$ 340.8	$ 411.8

Significant Accounting Policies - Assets Held For Sale (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Assets held for sale, total	$ 0	$ 0

Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) reporting_unit	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($) reporting_unit	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Begining balance	$ 970,600,000	$ 900,900,000
Additions from acquired businesses	2,000,000.0	77,000,000.0
Adjustments to provisional amounts	(200,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5,100,000)	(7,300,000)
Ending balance	$ 967,300,000	970,600,000	$ 900,900,000
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	17 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 523,900,000	526,200,000
Accumulated Amortization	(199,200,000)	(169,200,000)
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets	30,800,000	$ 28,500,000	28,000,000.0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Amortization expense in fiscal 2020	30,800,000
Amortization expense in fiscal 2021	28,000,000.0
Amortization expense in fiscal 2022	27,000,000.0
Amortization expense in fiscal 2023	25,900,000
Amortization expense in fiscal 2024	$ 25,400,000
Number of reporting units \| reporting_unit	1	1
Goodwill impairment charge	$ 0	$ 0	0
Trade Names
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized trade names, Gross Carrying Amount	141,300,000	141,700,000
Intangible asset impairment charge	$ 0		$ 0
Patents and patented technology
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	12 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 135,700,000	137,200,000
Accumulated Amortization	$ (72,900,000)	(62,200,000)
Trademarks and trade names
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	19 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 27,200,000	27,200,000
Accumulated Amortization	$ (14,500,000)	(13,200,000)
Distribution network
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	28 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 61,800,000	61,800,000
Accumulated Amortization	$ (39,700,000)	(37,500,000)
Customer relationships
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	21 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 299,200,000	300,000,000.0
Accumulated Amortization	$ (72,100,000)	$ (56,300,000)

Significant Accounting Policies - Other Long-Term Assets and Liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) Employee	Sep. 01, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Other Long-Term Assets [Abstract]
Deferred contract costs	$ 15.4		$ 12.8
Net overfunded pension plans	0.0		1.6
Other	2.3		4.4
Total other long-term assets	$ 17.7		18.8
Number of former employees covered under life insurance policy \| Employee	66
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits other than pensions	$ 41.6		40.0
Service-type warranties	46.4	$ 35.0
Uncertain tax positions liability, including interest	17.6		4.9
Other	5.2		8.2
Total other long-term liabilities	$ 110.7		67.9
Percentage contribution rate of eligible employee's compensation	3.00%
Service-Type Warranties
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]
Service-type warranties	$ 46.3
Service-type warranties			$ 14.8

Significant Accounting Policies - Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Other shipping and handling costs	$ 138.4	$ 154.9	$ 138.3
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]
Share-based payment expense	29.2	32.3	32.0
Income tax benefit for share-based compensation	6.5	8.4	11.1
Net excess tax expense (benefit) related to share-based payment cost	1.6	0.8	(5.2)
Research and development expense	74.7	63.9	52.0
Advertising costs	$ 18.5	$ 20.6	$ 18.6

Significant Accounting Policies - Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 57.5	$ 51.8	$ 46.6
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, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Interest Revenue (Expense), Net [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 36.4	$ 35.5	$ 34.1
Interest income	(3.1)	(2.0)	(1.6)
Interest expense, net	$ 33.3	$ 33.5	$ 32.5

Significant Accounting Policies - Miscellaneous Income, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Financial Statement Line Items with Differences in Reported Amount and Reporting Currency Denominated Amounts [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business	$ 0.0	$ 5.4	$ 0.0
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	(6.0)	1.5
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0.0	0.0	7.2
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	0.6	0.1	$ (0.5)
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	$ 0.0	$ 8.7

Significant Accounting Policies - Changes of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,716.8	$ 1,665.6	$ 1,659.8
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(42.6)	(2.5)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	6.0	(1.5)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(36.6)	(4.0)	39.7
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA		0.0
Ending balance	1,918.9	1,716.8	1,665.6
Foreign Currency Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(53.9)	(28.7)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(11.5)	(16.5)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0.0	(8.7)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(11.5)	(25.2)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA		0.0
Ending balance	(65.4)	(53.9)	(28.7)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(60.9)	(71.0)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(31.1)	14.0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	6.0	7.2
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(25.1)	21.2
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA		(11.1)
Ending balance	(86.0)	(60.9)	(71.0)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(114.8)	(99.7)	(139.4)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(36.6)	(4.0)	39.7
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA		(11.1)
Ending balance	$ (151.4)	$ (114.8)	$ (99.7)

Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Other Comprehensive Income Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Foreign currency translation adjustments - Before Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (11.5)	$ (25.2)	$ 19.0
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	(11.5)	(25.2)	19.0
Defined benefit pension plans - Before Tax Amounts
Actuarial (losses) gains	(40.8)	18.4	18.3
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Prior service cost	3.5	3.1	3.1
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	4.1	6.8	8.9
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Settlement losses	0.4	0.0	0.0
Total defined benefit plans, net - before tax	(32.8)	28.3	30.3
Defined benefit pension plans - Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Actuarial (losses) gains	9.7	(4.4)	(5.7)
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Prior service cost	(0.9)	(0.7)	(0.7)
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	(1.0)	(2.0)	(3.2)
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Settlement losses	(0.1)	0.0	0.0
Total defined benefit plans, net - tax	7.7	(7.1)	(9.6)
Defined benefit pension plans - Net of Tax Amount
Actuarial (losses) gains	(31.1)	14.0	12.6
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Prior service cost	2.6	2.4	2.4
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	3.1	4.8	5.7
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Settlement losses	0.3	0.0	0.0
Total defined benefit plans, net - net of tax	(25.1)	21.2	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income before tax	(44.3)	3.1	49.3
Other comprehensive (loss) income, tax	7.7	(7.1)	(9.6)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	$ (36.6)	$ (4.0)	$ 39.7

New Accounting Pronouncements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Sep. 01, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Decrease in cash flow from operating activities	$ (494,700,000)	$ (351,500,000)	$ (336,600,000)
Increase in cash flow from investing activities	(53,000,000.0)	(204,000,000.0)	(48,800,000)
Increase in operating profit	462,900,000	460,800,000	527,500,000
Increase in miscellaneous expense	(4,700,000)	(1,400,000)	(2,400,000)
Cumulative effect of applying ASC 606 in Retained Earnings				$ (13,000,000.0)
ASU 2016-15
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Proceeds from corporate-owned life insurance policies	800,000	1,700,000	0
Decrease in cash flow from operating activities		1,700,000
Increase in cash flow from investing activities		1,700,000
ASU 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase in miscellaneous expense		1,400,000	2,400,000
ASU 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of applying ASC 606 in Retained Earnings				$ 13,000,000.0
Increase \| ASU 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase in operating profit		6,200,000	8,700,000
Increase in miscellaneous expense		$ 6,200,000	$ 8,700,000
Expect \| Minimum \| ASU 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease liability	63,000,000
Expect \| Maximum \| ASU 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease liability	$ 68,000,000

New Accounting Pronouncements - Impact of Adopting ASU 2017-07 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of products sold	$ 2,193.0	$ 2,194.7	$ 2,024.0
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,015.0	1,019.0	942.3
Miscellaneous expense, net	$ (4.7)	(1.4)	(2.4)
ASU 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of products sold		2,194.7	2,024.0
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses		1,019.0	942.3
Miscellaneous expense, net		1.4	2.4
ASU 2017-07 \| Previously Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of products sold		2,193.3	2,023.9
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses		1,026.6	951.1
Miscellaneous expense, net		(4.8)	(6.3)
ASU 2017-07 \| Higher (Lower)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of products sold		1.4	0.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses		(7.6)	(8.8)
Miscellaneous expense, net		$ 6.2	$ 8.7

New Accounting Pronouncements - Effects of Adopting ASC 606 on Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 938.1	$ 947.6	$ 854.4	$ 932.6	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Cost of products sold									2,193.0	2,194.7	2,024.0
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									1,015.0	1,019.0	942.3
Operating profit:									462.9	460.8	527.5
Income tax expense									94.5	76.3	170.9
Net income	$ 96.1	$ 88.4	$ 66.3	$ 79.6	$ 108.2	$ 73.0	$ 96.9	$ 71.5	$ 330.4	$ 349.6	$ 321.7
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.43	$ 2.23	$ 1.68	$ 1.99	$ 2.71	$ 1.81	$ 2.34	$ 1.71	$ 8.32	$ 8.54	$ 7.46
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.42	$ 2.22	$ 1.67	$ 1.98	$ 2.70	$ 1.80	$ 2.33	$ 1.70	$ 8.29	$ 8.52	$ 7.43
Without ASC 606 Adoption
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 3,681.6
Cost of products sold									2,197.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									1,014.6
Operating profit:									468.1
Income tax expense									95.7
Net income									$ 334.4
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)									$ 8.42
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)									$ 8.39
Higher (Lower)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									$ (8.9)
Cost of products sold									(4.1)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									0.4
Operating profit:									(5.2)
Income tax expense									(1.2)
Net income									$ (4.0)
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)									$ (0.10)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)									$ (0.10)

New Accounting Pronouncements - Effects of Adopting ASC 606 on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 561.0	$ 637.9
Prepayments and other current assets	79.0	32.3
Other accrued liabilities	175.0	164.2
Deferred income taxes	92.7	92.5
Other long-term liabilities	110.7	67.9
Retained earnings	2,295.8	$ 1,999.2
Higher (Lower)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	21.4
Prepayments and other current assets	13.9
Other accrued liabilities	35.6
Deferred income taxes	(5.3)
Other long-term liabilities	22.0
Retained earnings	(17.0)
Without ASC 606 Adoption
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	539.6
Prepayments and other current assets	65.1
Other accrued liabilities	139.4
Deferred income taxes	98.0
Other long-term liabilities	88.7
Retained earnings	$ 2,312.8

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($) acquisition	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions completed \| acquisition		0
Goodwill	$ 967.3	$ 900.9	$ 970.6
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	17 years
Lucid and IOTA
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 76.8
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 81.8
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	14 years

Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Sep. 01, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Right of return assets	$ 13.9			$ 16.4
Revenues recognized from beginning balances of contract liabilities	4.1
Customers with Rights of Return, Cash Discounts and Other Credits
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Refund liabilities	37.3			41.2
Customers with Rebate, Marketing, and Trade Promotion Programs
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Refund liabilities	$ 34.5			$ 43.9
Revenue source \| Net sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Portion of revenues (percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Short-term Contract with Customer \| Revenue source \| Net sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Portion of revenues (percent)	95.00%	95.00%	95.00%

Revenue Recognition - Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Sep. 01, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Current deferred revenues	$ 4.7	$ 4.8
Non-current deferred revenues	$ 46.4	$ 35.0

Revenue Recognition - Disaggregated Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 938.1	$ 947.6	$ 854.4	$ 932.6	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Independent sales network
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									2,516.4
Direct sales network
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									381.1
Retail sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									270.2
Corporate accounts
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									318.0
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 187.0

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 461.0	$ 129.1
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	349.9	349.5
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	352.7	361.7
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	2.7	3.3
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	2.9	3.3
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	$ 461.0	$ 129.1

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$ 0.0	$ 1.6
Non-current liabilities	(99.7)	(64.6)
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic pension cost	0.4	0.0	$ 0.0
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	203.2	215.5
Service cost	2.9	2.7	3.5
Interest cost	7.7	7.3	6.9
Amendments	11.4	0.0
Actuarial losses (gains)	26.2	(14.3)
Settlement gain	(3.4)	0.0
Benefits paid	(8.8)	(8.0)
Other	0.0	0.0
Benefit obligation at end of year	239.2	203.2	215.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	149.4	136.8
Actual return on plan assets	9.0	11.3
Employer contributions	5.3	9.3
Benefits paid	(12.2)	(8.0)
Other	0.0	0.0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	151.5	149.4	136.8
Funded status at end of year:
Funded status at the end of year	(87.7)	(53.8)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	0.0	1.6
Current liabilities	(1.8)	(5.3)
Non-current liabilities	(85.9)	(50.1)
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheets	(87.7)	(53.8)
Accumulated benefit obligation	239.2	202.7
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost	(12.4)	(4.6)
Net actuarial loss	(83.4)	(58.8)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(95.8)	(63.4)
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated comprehensive income over the next fiscal year:
Prior service cost	4.0	3.1
Net actuarial loss	4.1	2.9
International Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic pension cost	0.0	0.0	0.0
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	45.5	53.5
Service cost	0.2	0.2	0.2
Interest cost	1.3	1.3	1.1
Amendments	0.0	0.0
Actuarial losses (gains)	3.2	(4.5)
Settlement gain	0.0	0.0
Benefits paid	(2.6)	(5.5)
Other	(3.0)	0.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	44.6	45.5	53.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	30.9	34.1
Actual return on plan assets	3.1	0.9
Employer contributions	1.2	1.2
Benefits paid	(2.6)	(5.5)
Other	(1.9)	0.2
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	30.7	30.9	$ 34.1
Funded status at end of year:
Funded status at the end of year	(13.9)	(14.6)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	0.0	0.0
Current liabilities	(0.1)	(0.1)
Non-current liabilities	(13.8)	(14.5)
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheets	(13.9)	(14.6)
Accumulated benefit obligation	44.6	45.5
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost	0.0	0.0
Net actuarial loss	(13.0)	(12.9)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(13.0)	(12.9)
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	1.4	1.5
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets: \| Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	119.2
Benefit obligation at end of year	239.2	119.2
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	63.8
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	151.5	63.8
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	239.2	118.7
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets: \| International Plans \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	45.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	44.6	45.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	30.9
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	30.6	30.9
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	44.6	45.5
Pensions plans in which plan assets exceed benefit obligation: \| Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	84.0
Benefit obligation at end of year	0.0	84.0
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	85.6
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0.0	85.6
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	0.0	84.0
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, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Domestic Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	$ 4.1	$ 2.9
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	2.9	2.7	$ 3.5
Interest cost	7.7	7.3	6.9
Expected return on plan assets	(10.5)	(10.2)	(9.4)
Amortization of prior service cost	3.5	3.1	3.1
Settlement	0.4	0.0	0.0
Recognized actuarial loss	2.7	4.5	5.3
Net periodic pension cost	$ 6.7	$ 7.4	$ 9.4
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.80%	3.90%
Rate of compensation increase	5.00%	5.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.90%	3.50%	3.20%
Expected return on plan assets	7.30%	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, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Domestic Plans \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	55.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	53.30%	57.50%
Domestic Plans \| Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	40.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	41.80%	37.80%
Domestic Plans \| Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	5.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	4.90%	4.70%
Domestic Plans \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	0.00%	0.00%
International Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	$ 1.4	$ 1.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	0.2	0.2	$ 0.2
Interest cost	1.3	1.3	1.1
Expected return on plan assets	(1.9)	(2.2)	(1.9)
Amortization of prior service cost	0.0	0.0	0.0
Settlement	0.0	0.0	0.0
Recognized actuarial loss	1.4	2.3	3.6
Net periodic pension cost	$ 1.0	$ 1.6	$ 3.0
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.00%	2.90%
Rate of compensation increase	3.10%	3.10%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.90%	2.50%	2.10%
Expected return on plan assets	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
Rate of compensation increase	3.10%	3.10%	3.20%
Reduction in net periodic pension cost per 100 basis point increase in benefit obligation discount rate	$ 1.2
Additional net periodic pension cost per 100 basis point decrease in expected return on plan assets rate	$ 0.3
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	100.00%	100.00%
International Plans \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	75.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	73.00%	61.90%
International Plans \| Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	15.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	17.10%	25.50%
International Plans \| Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	0.00%	0.00%
International Plans \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	10.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	9.90%	12.60%

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans - Fair Value Measurements and Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) multiemployer_plan	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Multiemployer Defined Pension Plans
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Abstract]
Number of multi-employer plans \| multiemployer_plan	2
Contributions to Multi-employer Pension Plans	$ 0.5	$ 0.5	$ 0.5
Defined Contribution Plan
Defined Contribution Plan [Abstract]
Defined contribution plan, cost recognized	8.1	8.0	8.0
Common stock included in defined contribution plan, market value	$ 7.4
Common stock included in defined contribution plan as percentage of total fair value of assets in plan	2.00%
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	$ 151.5	149.4	136.8
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment [Abstract]
2020	9.5
2021	9.3
2022	12.5
2023	24.2
2024	17.8
2025-2029	66.8
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Mutual Funds: Domestic large cap equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	45.6	48.3
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	20.5	20.8
Domestic Plans \| 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
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	6.0	7.6
Domestic Plans \| 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
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	14.6	16.8
Domestic 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
Domestic Plans \| 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
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
Domestic Plans \| 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
Domestic 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
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	86.7	93.5
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3 \| Mutual Funds: Domestic large cap equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	45.6	48.3
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	20.5	20.8
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3 \| Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	14.6	16.8
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	6.0	7.6
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	64.8	55.9
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| NAV \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	57.4	48.9
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| NAV \| Real estate fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	7.4	7.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	30.7	30.9	$ 34.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment [Abstract]
2020	1.0
2021	1.0
2022	1.0
2023	1.1
2024	1.1
2025-2029	6.3
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	22.4	19.1
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.3	0.3
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	3.0	3.9
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	5.0	7.6
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	0.3
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	22.4	19.1
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	3.0	3.9
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	5.0	7.6
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
Qualified Plan \| Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer expected contribution to defined benefit plans in next fiscal year	3.6
Qualified Plan \| International Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer expected contribution to defined benefit plans in next fiscal year	$ 1.0

Debt and Lines of Credit - Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 01, 2009	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		$ 356,600,000	$ 356,800,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2020		350,300,000
2021		4,400,000
2022		400,000
2023		400,000
2024		300,000
After 2024		900,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		350,000,000.0	350,000,000.0
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, unamortized discount and deferred costs		(100,000)	(500,000)
Carrying value of debt to be refinanced		341,200,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Unsecured Notes \| ABL
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes	$ 350,000,000.0
Interest rate (percent)	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		$ 4,000,000.0	4,000,000.0
Long-term debt interest rate (percent)		1.70%
Bank loans \| Fixed-rate Bank Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		$ 2,700,000	$ 3,300,000
Minimum \| Bank loans \| Fixed-rate Bank Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)		0.80%
Maximum \| Bank loans \| Fixed-rate Bank Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)		2.00%

Debt and Lines of Credit - Lines of Credit (Details)	Jun. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit		$ 3,800,000
Lines of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 800,000,000
Minimum interest coverage ratio	2.50
Maximum leverage ratio	3.50
Outstanding letters of credit		8,000,000.0
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]
Term of notes	5 years
Revolving credit facility	$ 400,000,000.0
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility		0	$ 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]
Additional borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility		$ 796,200,000
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]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	2.50%
Year two \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	2.50%
Year three \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	5.00%
Year four \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	5.00%
Year five \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	7.50%

Common Stock and Related Matters (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			18 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Common Stock [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Balance beginning of period (in shares)	53,667,327
Common Stock, Balance end of period (in shares)	53,778,155	53,667,327		53,778,155
Common Stock, Amount (at par), Balance beginning of period	$ 0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations, Amount	23.1	$ 23.7	$ 16.8
Stock options exercised, Amount		1.1	$ 2.1
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	14,325,197	13,676,689		14,325,197
Treasury stock at original repurchase cost	$ 1,156.0	$ 1,074.4		$ 1,156.0
Reacquired shares of outstanding common stock	700,000
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]
Shares authorized for repurchase (shares)					6,000,000,000,000
Reacquired shares of outstanding common stock				1,450,000
Amount
Common Stock [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Balance beginning of period (in shares)	53,700,000	53,500,000	53,400,000
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations (in shares)	100,000	200,000	100,000
Stock options exercised (in shares)		0	0
Common Stock, Balance end of period (in shares)	53,800,000	53,700,000	53,500,000	53,800,000
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
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, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Earnings per share:
Net income									$ 330.4	$ 349.6	$ 321.7
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									39,700	40,900	43,100
Common stock equivalents (in shares)									100	100	200
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)									39,800	41,000	43,300
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.43	$ 2.23	$ 1.68	$ 1.99	$ 2.71	$ 1.81	$ 2.34	$ 1.71	$ 8.32	$ 8.54	$ 7.46
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.42	$ 2.22	$ 1.67	$ 1.98	$ 2.70	$ 1.80	$ 2.33	$ 1.70	$ 8.29	$ 8.52	$ 7.43
Stock Options
Earnings per share:
Stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)									300	179	117
Restricted Stock
Earnings per share:
Stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)									160	227	99

Share-Based Payments (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Share-Based Payments (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based expense	$ 29,200,000	$ 32,300,000	$ 32,000,000.0
Stock Options \| $40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 3.1 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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	3 years 1 month
Stock Options \| $100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.9 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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 10 months 24 days
Stock Options \| $160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 6.2 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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	6 years 2 months 12 days
Stock Options \| $210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 7.1 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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	7 years 1 month
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Roll Forward]
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 159.88
Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance (in shares)				2,700,000
Number of shares available for grant (in shares)	1,400,000	1,600,000	1,400,000
Stock Incentive Plan \| $40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 3.1 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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
Stock Incentive Plan \| $100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.9 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Outstanding	200,000
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 125.66
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)	$ 125.09
Stock Incentive Plan \| $160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 6.2 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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	100,000
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 207.80
Stock Incentive Plan \| $210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 7.1 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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)	$ 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
Stock Incentive Plan \| Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based compensation vesting period (years)	3 years
Share-based expense	$ 2,700,000	$ 3,100,000	$ 3,600,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 2,800,000
Unrecognized compensation cost period of recognition (years)	1 year 3 months 18 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	0.40%	0.30%	0.20%
Expected volatility	32.80%	30.90%	28.50%
Risk-free interest rate	3.00%	2.00%	1.30%
Expected life of options	4 years	4 years	4 years
Weighted-average fair value of options (in dollars per share)	$ 34.06	$ 41.87	$ 57.40
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period, Outstanding, Number of Shares	300,000	300,000	300,000
Granted, Number of Shares	100,000	0	0
Stock options exercised (in shares)	0	0	0
End of period, Outstanding, Number of Shares	420,000	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)	$ 154.69	$ 156.43	$ 129.85
Granted, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	116.40	156.39	239.76
Exercised, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)		115.27	139.69
End of period, Outstanding, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 146.70	$ 154.69	$ 156.43
Exercisable, Number of shares outstanding (in shares)	300,000	200,000	200,000		100,000
Exercisable, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 147.51	$ 134.13	$ 106.54		$ 83.89
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Total intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest		$ 500,000	$ 1,300,000
Stock options exercised (in shares)	0	0	0
Total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	$ 5,800,000
Total intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest	700,000
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercisable	$ 5,100,000
Stock Incentive Plan \| Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based compensation vesting period (years)	4 years
Share-based expense	$ 25,100,000	$ 27,900,000	$ 27,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period, Outstanding (in shares)	400,000
Granted (in shares)	200,000
Vested (in shares)	(200,000)
End of period, Outstanding (in shares)	350,000	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)	$ 186.63
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	120.73
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	184.60
End of period, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 156.32	$ 186.63
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 34,600,000
Unrecognized compensation cost period of recognition (years)	1 year 7 months 6 days
Total fair value of shares vested	$ 26,900,000	$ 26,600,000	24,800,000
Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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 (in shares)	360,000	370,000	390,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based expense	$ 1,400,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 1,200,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Deferred compensation, number of share units outstanding	119,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance (in shares)	1,500,000
Number of shares available for grant (in shares)	1,000,000.0
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Employee discount on purchases of common stock	5.00%

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)						12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	Aug. 12, 2019 statement	May 17, 2019 patent	May 01, 2019 patent	Oct. 05, 2018 statement	Jan. 03, 2018 executive	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2020						$ 16,700,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2021						13,500,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2022						9,900,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2023						7,200,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2024						4,600,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal year after 2023						16,800,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net [Abstract]
Total rent expense						22,600,000	$ 22,300,000	$ 20,000,000.0
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2020						347,200,000
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2021						5,000,000.0
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2022						5,000,000.0
Purchase obligations extending beyond August 31, 2022						$ 0
Standard product warranty period						5 years
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance						$ 27,300,000	22,000,000.0	15,500,000
Warranty and recall costs						18,700,000	32,400,000	39,800,000
Payments and other deductions						(19,700,000)	(27,700,000)	(33,300,000)
Acquired warranty and recall liabilities						0	600,000	0
ASC 606 adjustments						(14,800,000)	0	0
Ending balance						$ 11,500,000	$ 27,300,000	$ 22,000,000.0
Total work force covered by collective bargaining agreements
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Portion of revenues (percent)						67.00%
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements Expiring within One Year
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Portion of revenues (percent)						57.00%
Lighting Science Group Patent Litigation
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Number of patents under alleged infringement claims (patents) \| patent		7	8
Number of patents under dropped claims (patents) \| patent		1
Securities Class Action
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Number of initial claims under class action \| statement	42
Number of claims dismissed \| statement				47
Number of claims allowed \| statement	5
Former Executive \| Securities Class Action
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Number of former executives accused \| executive					1

Special Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Special Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges	$ 1.8	$ 5.6	$ 11.3
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	10.1
Payments made during the period	(7.7)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	1.9	10.1
Special Charges
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges	1.8	5.6	11.3
Consolidation of facilities and reduction in employee headcount
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges		10.6
Streamlining activities related to sale of business
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges		(5.0)
Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	(0.5)
Severance and employee-related costs \| Special Charges
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges	(0.5)	5.4	11.2
Other restructuring costs \| Special Charges
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges	2.3	0.2	$ 0.1
Fiscal 2019 Actions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.0
Payments made during the period	(0.6)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	1.3	0.0
Fiscal 2019 Actions \| Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	1.9
Fiscal 2018 Actions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	9.2
Payments made during the period	(6.6)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.6	9.2
Fiscal 2018 Actions \| Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	(2.0)
Fiscal 2017 Actions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.9
Payments made during the period	(0.5)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.0	$ 0.9
Fiscal 2017 Actions \| Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	$ (0.4)

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for current federal taxes	$ 60.3	$ 88.9	$ 151.2
Provision for current state taxes	14.7	16.4	20.4
Provision for current foreign taxes	10.2	9.2	7.0
Provision (benefit) for deferred taxes	9.3	(38.2)	(7.7)
Total provision for income taxes	$ 94.5	$ 76.3	$ 170.9

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$ 89,200,000	$ 109,400,000	$ 172,400,000
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	12,200,000	11,500,000	12,200,000
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	2,100,000	(2,000,000.0)	(1,600,000)
Discrete income tax benefits of the TCJA	(2,200,000)	(34,600,000)	0
Research and development tax credits	(18,100,000)	(3,300,000)	(3,000,000.0)
Unrecognized tax benefits	12,200,000	400,000	800,000
Other, net	(900,000)	(5,100,000)	(9,900,000)
Total provision for income taxes	94,500,000	76,300,000	170,900,000
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(22,000,000.0)	(15,000,000.0)
Goodwill and intangibles	(149,600,000)	(151,200,000)
Other liabilities	(2,800,000)	(2,300,000)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(174,400,000)	(168,500,000)
Deferred income tax assets:
Self-insurance	2,600,000	2,600,000
Pension	22,700,000	18,100,000
Deferred compensation	20,500,000	23,700,000
Net operating losses	6,200,000	6,200,000
Other accruals not yet deductible	26,900,000	24,900,000
Other assets	9,700,000	7,000,000.0
Total deferred income tax assets	88,600,000	82,500,000
Valuation allowance	(4,600,000)	(3,600,000)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	(90,400,000)	(89,600,000)
Discrete tax benefit	36,800,000
Provisional benefit to decrease Company's deferred income taxes to a revised statutory federal rate	32,500,000
Current estimated benefit for transition tax on unremitted foreign earnings	4,300,000
Undistributed earnings and original investments in foreign subsidiaries	107,700,000
Deferred income tax liability for certain foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state taxes	600,000
State tax credit carryforwards	2,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	16,600,000	4,400,000	$ 6,000,000.0
Unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect annual effective tax rate	15,900,000	3,800,000
Total accrued interest	1,000,000.0	$ 500,000
Accruals related to income tax penalties	0
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Deferred income tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	32,900,000
State and Local Jurisdiction
Deferred income tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	20,300,000
Foreign Tax Authority
Deferred income tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 1,800,000

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Change in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year	$ 4.4	$ 6.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	2.0	0.6
Additions for tax positions of prior years	10.9	1.0
Reductions due to settlements	0.0	(2.2)
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(0.7)	(1.0)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year	$ 16.6	$ 4.4

Subsequent Event (Details)	Sep. 17, 2019 brand
The Luminaires Group (TLG) \| Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of niche lighting brands of acquired entity	5

Supplemental Disaggregated Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) Segment	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Geographic Distribution
Number of reportable segments \| Segment	1
Net sales	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Operating profit:	462.9	460.8	527.5
Income before provision for income taxes:	424.9	425.9	492.6
Long-lived assets	297.3	308.4	304.3
Domestic
Geographic Distribution
Net sales	3,277.4	3,292.6	3,123.1
Operating profit:	419.3	419.0	503.3
Income before provision for income taxes:	386.4	386.4	478.5
Long-lived assets	248.9	256.4	252.8
International
Geographic Distribution
Net sales	395.3	387.5	382.0
Operating profit:	43.6	41.8	24.2
Income before provision for income taxes:	38.5	39.5	14.1
Long-lived assets	$ 48.4	$ 52.0	$ 51.5
Sales of lighting solutions, excluding services \| Revenue source
Geographic Distribution
Sales as percentage of total sales (percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Lighting and Building Management Solutions \| Sales of lighting solutions, excluding services \| Revenue source
Geographic Distribution
Sales as percentage of total sales (percent)	99.00%	99.00%	99.00%

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 461.0	$ 129.1
Accounts receivable, net	561.0	637.9
Inventories	340.8	411.8
Other current assets	79.0	32.3
Total current assets	1,441.8	1,211.1
Property, plant, and equipment, net	277.3	286.7
Goodwill	967.3	970.6	$ 900.9
Intangible assets, net	466.0	498.7
Deferred income taxes	2.3	2.9
Other long-term assets	17.7	18.8
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total assets	3,172.4	2,988.8
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	338.8	451.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	9.1	0.4
Other accrued liabilities	248.2	231.2
Total current liabilities	596.1	682.7
Long-term debt	347.5	356.4
Deferred income taxes	92.7	92.5
Other long-term liabilities	217.2	140.4
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,918.9	1,716.8	$ 1,665.6	$ 1,659.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	3,172.4	2,988.8
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	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	(33.7)	(39.7)
Other long-term assets	0.0	0.0
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	(2,426.3)	(2,357.1)
Total assets	(2,460.0)	(2,396.8)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0.0	0.0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Other accrued liabilities	0.0	0.0
Total current liabilities	0.0	0.0
Long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	(33.7)	(39.7)
Other long-term liabilities	0.0	0.0
Amounts due to affiliates	(146.4)	(138.8)
Total stockholders’ equity	(2,279.9)	(2,218.3)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	(2,460.0)	(2,396.8)
Parent
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	361.9	80.5
Accounts receivable, net	0.0	0.0
Inventories	0.0	0.0
Other current assets	32.2	2.3
Total current assets	394.1	82.8
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2	0.2
Goodwill	0.0	0.0
Intangible assets, net	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	30.2	36.4
Other long-term assets	1.1	1.2
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,627.9	1,707.0
Total assets	2,053.5	1,827.6
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0.7	0.3
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Other accrued liabilities	11.8	18.8
Total current liabilities	12.5	19.1
Long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term liabilities	122.1	91.7
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,918.9	1,716.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,053.5	1,827.6
Subsidiary Issuer
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	18.1	0.0
Accounts receivable, net	484.7	560.7
Inventories	317.1	386.6
Other current assets	27.1	18.6
Total current assets	847.0	965.9
Property, plant, and equipment, net	220.7	226.8
Goodwill	747.6	746.5
Intangible assets, net	271.0	286.6
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term assets	15.2	15.6
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	476.8	370.6
Total assets	2,578.3	2,612.0
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	314.4	420.7
Current maturities of long-term debt	8.7	0.0
Other accrued liabilities	186.0	170.1
Total current liabilities	509.1	590.8
Long-term debt	345.2	353.5
Deferred income taxes	105.8	106.5
Other long-term liabilities	80.4	34.0
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,537.8	1,527.2
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,578.3	2,612.0
Subsidiary Guarantor
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	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	103.7	106.5
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term assets	0.0	0.0
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	321.6	279.5
Total assets	428.0	388.7
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0.0	0.0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Other 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	428.0	388.7
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	428.0	388.7
Non- Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	81.0	48.6
Accounts receivable, net	76.3	77.2
Inventories	23.7	25.2
Other current assets	19.7	11.4
Total current assets	200.7	162.4
Property, plant, and equipment, net	56.4	59.7
Goodwill	217.0	221.4
Intangible assets, net	91.3	105.6
Deferred income taxes	5.8	6.2
Other long-term assets	1.4	2.0
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total assets	572.6	557.3
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	23.7	30.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.4	0.4
Other accrued liabilities	50.4	42.3
Total current liabilities	74.5	72.8
Long-term debt	2.3	2.9
Deferred income taxes	20.6	25.7
Other long-term liabilities	14.7	14.7
Amounts due to affiliates	146.4	138.8
Total stockholders’ equity	314.1	302.4
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 572.6	$ 557.3

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Net sales:
Total sales	$ 938.1	$ 947.6	$ 854.4	$ 932.6	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Cost of products sold									2,193.0	2,194.7	2,024.0
Gross profit	394.7	383.6	333.9	367.5	411.9	389.1	334.5	349.9	1,479.7	1,485.4	1,481.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									1,015.0	1,019.0	942.3
Intercompany charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Special charges									1.8	5.6	11.3
Operating profit									462.9	460.8	527.5
Interest expense, net									33.3	33.5	32.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									0.0	0.0	0.0
Miscellaneous expense, net									4.7	1.4	2.4
Income before income taxes									424.9	425.9	492.6
Income tax (benefit) expense									94.5	76.3	170.9
Net income	$ 96.1	$ 88.4	$ 66.3	$ 79.6	$ 108.2	$ 73.0	$ 96.9	$ 71.5	330.4	349.6	321.7
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(11.5)	(25.2)	19.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									(25.1)	21.2	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(36.6)	(4.0)	39.7
Comprehensive income									293.8	345.6	361.4
Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales:
Total sales									(257.4)	(264.8)	(228.6)
Cost of products sold									(201.2)	(198.6)	(173.4)
Gross profit									(56.2)	(66.2)	(55.2)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									(56.3)	(66.1)	(55.1)
Intercompany charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Special charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									0.1	(0.1)	(0.1)
Interest expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									353.0	362.6	328.4
Miscellaneous expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income before income taxes									(352.9)	(362.7)	(328.5)
Income tax (benefit) expense									0.0	0.0	0.0
Net income									(352.9)	(362.7)	(328.5)
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									11.5	25.2	(19.0)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									17.3	(21.2)	(19.3)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									28.8	4.0	(38.3)
Comprehensive income									(324.1)	(358.7)	(366.8)
Parent
Net sales:
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									15.6	41.0	39.2
Intercompany charges									(33.2)	(59.2)	(56.9)
Special charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									17.6	18.2	17.7
Interest expense, net									10.9	11.1	11.0
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									(330.0)	(344.3)	(320.9)
Miscellaneous expense, net									6.7	6.4	5.8
Income before income taxes									330.0	345.0	321.8
Income tax (benefit) expense									(0.4)	(4.6)	0.1
Net income									330.4	349.6	321.7
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(11.5)	(25.2)	19.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									(25.1)	21.2	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(36.6)	(4.0)	39.7
Comprehensive income									293.8	345.6	361.4
Subsidiary Issuer
Net sales:
Total sales									3,253.6	3,275.7	3,105.2
Cost of products sold									1,940.1	1,951.2	1,764.6
Gross profit									1,313.5	1,324.5	1,340.6
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									897.6	884.6	824.6
Intercompany charges									25.6	49.5	47.7
Special charges									1.8	5.6	11.3
Operating profit									388.5	384.8	457.0
Interest expense, net									17.4	16.9	16.1
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									(23.2)	(18.5)	(7.7)
Miscellaneous expense, net									(2.1)	(1.8)	(7.9)
Income before income taxes									396.4	388.2	456.5
Income tax (benefit) expense									84.5	72.0	158.0
Net income									311.9	316.2	298.5
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(11.5)	(25.2)	19.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									(17.1)	16.9	11.8
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(28.6)	(8.3)	30.8
Comprehensive income									283.3	307.9	329.3
Subsidiary Guarantor
Net sales:
Total sales									52.7	53.6	49.4
Cost of products sold									0.0	0.0	0.0
Gross profit									52.7	53.6	49.4
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									2.8	3.2	3.6
Intercompany charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Special charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									49.9	50.4	45.8
Interest expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									0.0	0.0	0.0
Miscellaneous expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income before income taxes									49.9	50.4	45.8
Income tax (benefit) expense									10.5	8.5	15.7
Net income									39.4	41.9	30.1
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0.0	0.0	0.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									0.0	0.0	0.0
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									0.0	0.0	0.0
Comprehensive income									39.4	41.9	30.1
Non- Guarantors
Net sales:
Total sales									623.8	615.6	579.1
Cost of products sold									454.1	442.1	432.8
Gross profit									169.7	173.5	146.3
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									155.3	156.3	130.0
Intercompany charges									7.6	9.7	9.2
Special charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									6.8	7.5	7.1
Interest expense, net									5.0	5.5	5.4
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									0.2	0.2	0.2
Miscellaneous expense, net									0.1	(3.2)	4.5
Income before income taxes									1.5	5.0	(3.0)
Income tax (benefit) expense									(0.1)	0.4	(2.9)
Net income									1.6	4.6	(0.1)
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0.0	0.0	0.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									(0.2)	4.3	7.5
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(0.2)	4.3	7.5
Comprehensive income									1.4	8.9	7.4
External sales
Net sales:
Total sales									3,672.7	3,680.1	3,505.1
External sales \| Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
External sales \| Parent
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
External sales \| Subsidiary Issuer
Net sales:
Total sales									3,253.6	3,275.7	3,105.2
External sales \| Subsidiary Guarantor
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
External sales \| Non- Guarantors
Net sales:
Total sales									419.1	404.4	399.9
Intercompany sales
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany sales \| Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales:
Total sales									(257.4)	(264.8)	(228.6)
Intercompany sales \| Parent
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany sales \| Subsidiary Issuer
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany sales \| Subsidiary Guarantor
Net sales:
Total sales									52.7	53.6	49.4
Intercompany sales \| Non- Guarantors
Net sales:
Total sales									$ 204.7	$ 211.2	$ 179.2

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 494.7	$ 351.5	$ 336.6
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(53.0)	(43.6)	(67.3)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	0.0	0.0	5.5
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	(2.9)	(163.2)	0.0
Proceeds from sale of business	0.0	1.1	0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0.0	0.0	13.2
Other investing activities	2.9	1.7	(0.2)
Net cash used for investing activities	(53.0)	(204.0)	(48.8)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	86.5	395.4	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	(86.5)	(395.4)	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	(0.4)	(0.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			1.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.6	1.7	3.0
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6)	(298.4)	(357.9)
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(6.0)	(8.2)	(15.2)
Intercompany dividends		0.0
Intercompany capital		0.0
Dividends paid	(20.8)	(21.4)	(22.7)
Net cash used for financing activities	(108.2)	(326.7)	(391.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1.6)	(2.8)	1.9
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	331.9	(182.0)	(102.1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	129.1	311.1	413.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	461.0	129.1	311.1
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	(2.9)	(36.8)	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
Investments in subsidiaries	2.9	154.7
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of business		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			0.0
Other investing activities	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	2.9	154.7	0.0
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0	0.0
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends		36.8
Intercompany capital		(154.7)
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	0.0	(117.9)	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
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	391.1	322.1	262.3
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
Investments in subsidiaries	(2.9)	(154.7)
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of business		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			0.0
Other investing activities	0.8	1.7	0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	(2.1)	(153.0)	0.0
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.6	1.7	3.0
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6)	(298.4)	(357.9)
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(6.0)	(8.2)	(15.2)
Intercompany dividends		0.0
Intercompany capital		0.0
Dividends paid	(20.8)	(21.4)	(22.7)
Net cash used for financing activities	(107.8)	(326.3)	(392.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.2	0.0	0.0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	281.4	(157.2)	(130.5)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	80.5	237.7	368.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	361.9	80.5	237.7
Subsidiary Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	63.4	30.2	41.4
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(44.5)	(31.4)	(53.1)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment			0.2
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	(2.9)	(136.3)
Proceeds from sale of business		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			13.2
Other investing activities	2.1	0.0	(0.2)
Net cash used for investing activities	(45.3)	(167.7)	(39.9)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	86.5	395.4
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	(86.5)	(395.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0	0.0
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends		0.0
Intercompany capital		136.6
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	0.0	136.6	0.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.0	0.9	(1.5)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	18.1	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	18.1	0.0	0.0
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
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of business		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			0.0
Other investing activities	0.0	0.0	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	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0	0.0
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends		0.0
Intercompany capital		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	43.1	36.0	32.9
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(8.5)	(12.2)	(14.2)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment			5.3
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0	(26.9)
Proceeds from sale of business		1.1
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			0.0
Other investing activities	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	(8.5)	(38.0)	(8.9)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	(0.4)	(0.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			1.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0	0.0
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends		(36.8)
Intercompany capital		18.1
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	(0.4)	(19.1)	1.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1.8)	(3.7)	3.4
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	32.4	(24.8)	28.4
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48.6	73.4	45.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 81.0	$ 48.6	$ 73.4

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 938.1	$ 947.6	$ 854.4	$ 932.6	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Gross profit	394.7	383.6	333.9	367.5	411.9	389.1	334.5	349.9	1,479.7	1,485.4	1,481.1
Net income	$ 96.1	$ 88.4	$ 66.3	$ 79.6	$ 108.2	$ 73.0	$ 96.9	$ 71.5	$ 330.4	$ 349.6	$ 321.7
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.43	$ 2.23	$ 1.68	$ 1.99	$ 2.71	$ 1.81	$ 2.34	$ 1.71	$ 8.32	$ 8.54	$ 7.46
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.42	$ 2.22	$ 1.67	$ 1.98	$ 2.70	$ 1.80	$ 2.33	$ 1.70	$ 8.29	$ 8.52	$ 7.43

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

Label	Element	Value
Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ (13,000,000.0)

Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Oct. 23, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Registrant Name	ACUITY BRANDS, INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Public Float			$ 4,550
Entity File Number	001-16583
Entity Tax Identification Number	58-2632672
Entity Address, Address Line One	1170 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 2300
Entity Address, City or Town	Atlanta
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30309
City Area Code	404
Local Phone Number	853-1400
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	AYI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,643,111
Entity Central Index Key	0001144215
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 461.0	$ 129.1
Accounts receivable, less reserve for doubtful accounts of $1.0 and $1.3, respectively	561.0	637.9
Inventories	340.8	411.8
Prepayments and other current assets	79.0	32.3
Total current assets	1,441.8	1,211.1
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost:
Land	22.6	22.9
Buildings and leasehold improvements	190.7	189.1
Machinery and equipment	544.4	516.6
Total property, plant, and equipment	757.7	728.6
Less — Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(480.4)	(441.9)
Property, plant, and equipment, net	277.3	286.7
Goodwill	967.3	970.6
Intangible assets, net	466.0	498.7
Deferred income taxes	2.3	2.9
Other long-term assets	17.7	18.8
Total assets	3,172.4	2,988.8
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	338.8	451.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	9.1	0.4
Accrued compensation	73.2	67.0
Other accrued liabilities	175.0	164.2
Total current liabilities	596.1	682.7
Long-term debt	347.5	356.4
Accrued pension liabilities	99.7	64.6
Deferred income taxes	92.7	92.5
Self-insurance reserves	6.8	7.9
Other long-term liabilities	110.7	67.9
Total liabilities	1,253.5	1,272.0
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; 53,778,155 and 53,667,327 issued, respectively	0.5	0.5
Paid-in capital	930.0	906.3
Retained earnings	2,295.8	1,999.2
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(151.4)	(114.8)
Treasury stock, at cost — 14,325,197 and 13,676,689 shares, respectively	(1,156.0)	(1,074.4)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,918.9	1,716.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 3,172.4	$ 2,988.8

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1.0	$ 1.3
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)	53,778,155	53,667,327
Treasury stock (in shares)	14,325,197	13,676,689

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Cost of products sold	2,193.0	2,194.7	2,024.0
Gross profit	1,479.7	1,485.4	1,481.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,015.0	1,019.0	942.3
Special charges	1.8	5.6	11.3
Operating profit	462.9	460.8	527.5
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	33.3	33.5	32.5
Miscellaneous expense, net	4.7	1.4	2.4
Total other expense	38.0	34.9	34.9
Income before income taxes	424.9	425.9	492.6
Income tax expense	94.5	76.3	170.9
Net income	$ 330.4	$ 349.6	$ 321.7
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 8.32	$ 8.54	$ 7.46
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	39.7	40.9	43.1
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 8.29	$ 8.52	$ 7.43
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	39.8	41.0	43.3
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.52
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 330.4	$ 349.6	$ 321.7
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(11.5)	(25.2)	19.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax	(25.1)	21.2	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(36.6)	(4.0)	39.7
Comprehensive income	$ 293.8	$ 345.6	$ 361.4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 330.4	$ 349.6	$ 321.7
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	88.3	80.3	74.6
Share-based payment expense	29.2	32.3	32.0
Loss on the sale or disposal of property, plant, and equipment	0.9	0.6	0.3
Deferred income taxes	9.3	(38.2)	(7.7)
Gain on sale of business	0.0	(5.4)	0.0
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0.0	0.0	(7.2)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions, divestitures, and exchange rate changes:
Accounts receivable	97.7	(62.8)	2.7
Inventories	70.8	(74.4)	(32.4)
Prepayments and other current assets	(34.0)	0.7	6.0
Accounts payable	(111.5)	52.5	(4.6)
Other current liabilities	(11.9)	19.1	(63.5)
Other	25.5	(2.8)	14.7
Net cash provided by operating activities	494.7	351.5	336.6
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(53.0)	(43.6)	(67.3)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	0.0	0.0	5.5
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(2.9)	(163.2)	0.0
Proceeds from sale of business	0.0	1.1	0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0.0	0.0	13.2
Other investing activities	2.9	1.7	(0.2)
Net cash used for investing activities	(53.0)	(204.0)	(48.8)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	86.5	395.4	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	(86.5)	(395.4)	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	(0.4)	(0.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			1.0
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6)	(298.4)	(357.9)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.6	1.7	3.0
Payments of taxes withheld on net settlement of equity awards	(6.0)	(8.2)	(15.2)
Dividends paid	(20.8)	(21.4)	(22.7)
Net cash used for financing activities	(108.2)	(326.7)	(391.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1.6)	(2.8)	1.9
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	331.9	(182.0)	(102.1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	129.1	311.1	413.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	461.0	129.1	311.1
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid during the period	92.9	126.6	173.6
Interest paid during the period	$ 35.6	$ 36.7	$ 33.6

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, 2016	$ 1,659.8	$ 0.5	$ 856.4	$ 1,360.9	$ (139.4)	$ (418.6)
Beginning balance (in 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 (in 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 (in 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 (in 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 (in 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 (in 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 (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2018		40.0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	330.4			330.4
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(36.6)				(36.6)
Amortization, issuance, and cancellations of restricted stock grants (in shares)		0.2
Amortization, issuance, and cancellations of restricted stock grants	23.1		23.1
Employee stock purchase plan issuances	0.6		0.6
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(20.8)			(20.8)
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)		(0.7)
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6)					(81.6)
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2019	$ 1,918.9	$ 0.5	$ 930.0	$ 2,295.8	$ (151.4)	$ (1,156.0)
Ending balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2019		39.5

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
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, 2019
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 wholly-owned subsidiaries (Acuity Brands, ABL, and such other subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company,” or similar references) and was incorporated in 2001 under the laws of the State of Delaware. We are 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. Our lighting and building management solutions include devices such as luminaires, lighting controls, controls for various building systems, power supplies, prismatic skylights, and drivers, as well as integrated systems designed to optimize energy efficiency and comfort for various indoor and outdoor applications. Additionally, we continue to expand our solutions portfolio, including software and services, to provide a host of other economic benefits resulting from data analytics that enables the Internet of Things (“IoT”), supports the advancement of smart buildings, smart cities, and the smart grid, and allows businesses to develop custom applications to scale their operations. We have one reportable segment serving the North American lighting market and select international markets. We have prepared the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) to 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, 2019

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

Use of Estimates

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Accounts Receivable



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	23.4		$	21.3		$	17.3
Refund costs	—			133.4			134.2
Payments and other deductions	—			(131.3		)	(130.2		)
ASC 606 adjustments ⁽¹⁾	(23.4		)	—			—
Ending balance	$	—		$	23.4		$	21.3

_______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Estimated liabilities for returns, cash discounts, and other deductions are now reflected as Other current liabilities within our consolidated financial statements. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements and Revenue Recognition footnotes for additional information.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Reclassifications

Subsequent Events

Inventories



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Raw materials, supplies, and work in process⁽¹⁾	$	179.4		$	196.8
Finished goods	183.7			251.8
Inventories excluding reserves	363.1			448.6
Less: Reserves	(22.3		)	(36.8		)
Total inventories	$	340.8		$	411.8

_______________________________________


⁽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, we do not believe the segregation of raw materials and work in process is meaningful information.

Assets Held for Sale

Goodwill and Other Intangibles



	Carrying Amount
Balance, August 31, 2017	$	900.9
Additions from acquired businesses	77.0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7.3		)
Balance, August 31, 2018	970.6
Additions from an acquired business	2.0
Adjustments to provisional amounts	(0.2		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5.1		)
Balance as of August 31, 2019	$	967.3

Summarized information for our acquired intangible assets is as follows (in millions except amortization periods):



		August 31,
		2019					2018
	Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Patents and patented technology	12	$	135.7	$	(72.9	)	$	137.2	$	(62.2	)
Trademarks and trade names	19	27.2		(14.5		)	27.2		(13.2		)
Distribution network	28	61.8		(39.7		)	61.8		(37.5		)
Customer relationships	21	299.2		(72.1		)	300.0		(56.3		)
Total definite-lived intangible assets	17	$	523.9	$	(199.2	)	$	526.2	$	(169.2	)
Indefinite-lived trade names		$	141.3				$	141.7

Other Long-Term Assets

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



	August 31,
	2019		2018
Deferred contract costs	$	15.4	$	12.8
Net overfunded pension plans	—		1.6
Other⁽¹⁾	2.3		4.4
Total other long-term assets	$	17.7	$	18.8

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Other Long-Term Liabilities

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



	August 31,
	2019		2018
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits other than pensions⁽¹⁾	$	41.6	$	40.0
Service-type warranties⁽²⁾	46.3		14.8
Unrecognized tax position liabilities, including interest⁽³⁾	17.6		4.9
Other⁽⁴⁾	5.2		8.2
Total other long-term liabilities	$	110.7	$	67.9

____________________________________

⁽¹⁾


⁽²⁾	Certain service-type warranties accounted for as contingent liabilities prior to the adoption of ASC 606 are now reflected as contract liabilities effective September 1, 2018. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements and Revenue Recognition footnotes for additional information.


⁽³⁾	See the Income Taxes footnote for more information.


⁽⁴⁾	Amount primarily includes deferred rent.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

Share-based Payments

See the Share-based Payments footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Depreciation

Research and Development

Advertising

Interest Expense, Net

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



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Interest expense	$	36.4		$	35.5		$	34.1
Interest income	(3.1		)	(2.0		)	(1.6		)
Interest expense, net	$	33.3		$	33.5		$	32.5

Miscellaneous Expense, Net

Income Taxes

Foreign Currency Translation

Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss net of tax during the year ended August 31, 2019 (in millions):



	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items
Balance as of August 31, 2017	$	(28.7	)	$	(71.0	)	$	(99.7	)
Other comprehensive (loss) 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 as of August 31, 2018	(53.9		)	(60.9		)	(114.8		)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(11.5		)	(31.1		)	(42.6		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	—			6.0			6.0
Net current period other comprehensive loss	(11.5		)	(25.1		)	(36.6		)
Balance at August 31, 2019	$	(65.4	)	$	(86.0	)	$	(151.4	)

_______________________________________


⁽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 expense, 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, 2019 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019									2018									2017
	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	$	(11.5	)	$	—		$	(11.5	)	$	(25.2	)	$	—		$	(25.2	)	$	19.0	$	—		$	19.0
Defined benefit pension plans:
Actuarial (losses) gains	(40.8		)	9.7			(31.1		)	18.4			(4.4		)	14.0			18.3		(5.7		)	12.6
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Prior service cost	3.5			(0.9		)	2.6			3.1			(0.7		)	2.4			3.1		(0.7		)	2.4
Actuarial losses	4.1			(1.0		)	3.1			6.8			(2.0		)	4.8			8.9		(3.2		)	5.7
Settlement losses	0.4			(0.1		)	0.3			—			—			—			—		—			—
Total defined benefit plans, net	(32.8		)	7.7			(25.1		)	28.3			(7.1		)	21.2			30.3		(9.6		)	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(44.3	)	$	7.7		$	(36.6	)	$	3.1		$	(7.1	)	$	(4.0	)	$	49.3	$	(9.6	)	$	39.7

New Accounting Pronouncements

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2019

ASU 2017-01 -— Clarifying the Definition of a Business

ASU 2016-15 — Statement of Cash Flows

ASU 2017-07 — Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost

The impact of the provisions of ASU 2017-07 on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31, 2018								Year Ended August 31, 2017
	As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)			As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)
Cost of products sold	$	2,194.7	$	2,193.3		$	1.4		$	2,024.0	$	2,023.9		$	0.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,019.0		1,026.6			(7.6		)	942.3		951.1			(8.8		)
Miscellaneous expense, net	1.4		(4.8		)	6.2			2.4		(6.3		)	8.7

ASC 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers



Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption		Higher (Lower)
Net sales	$	3,672.7	$	3,681.6	$	(8.9	)
Cost of products sold	2,193.0		2,197.1		(4.1		)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,015.0		1,014.6		0.4
Operating profit	462.9		468.1		(5.2		)
Income tax expense	94.5		95.7		(1.2		)
Net income	330.4		334.4		(4.0		)

Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.42	$	(0.10	)
Diluted earnings per share	8.29		8.39		(0.10		)



Consolidated Balance Sheet	August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption	Higher (Lower)
Accounts receivable, net	$	561.0	539.6	$	21.4
Prepayments and other current assets	79.0		65.1	13.9
Other accrued liabilities	175.0		139.4	35.6
Deferred income tax liabilities	92.7		98.0	(5.3		)
Other long-term liabilities	110.7		88.7	22.0
Retained earnings	2,295.8		2,312.8	(17.0		)

Accounting Standards Yet to Be Adopted

All other newly issued accounting pronouncements not yet effective have been deemed either immaterial or not applicable.

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions	Aug. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions The following discussion relates to acquisitions completed during fiscal 2019 and 2018. No acquisitions were completed during fiscal 2017. Fiscal 2019 Acquisitions WhiteOptics, LLC On June 20, 2019, using cash on hand, we acquired all of the equity interests of WhiteOptics, LLC (“WhiteOptics”). WhiteOptics is headquartered in New Castle, Delaware and manufactures advanced optical components used to reflect, diffuse, and control light for light emitting diode (“LED”) lighting used in commercial and institutional applications. The operating results of WhiteOptics have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are not material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Fiscal 2018 Acquisitions IOTA Engineering, LLC On May 1, 2018, using cash on hand and borrowings available under existing credit arrangements, we 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 our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are not material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Lucid Design Group, Inc. On February 12, 2018, using cash on hand, we 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 our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are not material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Accounting for Acquisitions Acquisition-related costs were expensed as incurred. Preliminary amounts related to the acquisition accounting for WhiteOptics and finalized amounts related to the acquisition accounting for Lucid and IOTA are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2019. WhiteOptics did not have a material impact to our financial position or results of operations for fiscal 2019. We finalized the acquisition accounting for Lucid and IOTA during the second and third quarter of fiscal 2019, respectively. There were no material changes to our financial statements as a result of the finalization of the acquisition accounting for Lucid or IOTA. The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions reflects total goodwill and identified intangible assets of approximately $76.8 million and $81.8 million, respectively, as of August 31, 2019. 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.

Revenue Recognition

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Revenue Recognition

Costs to obtain and fulfill contracts, such as sales commissions and shipping and handling activities, are short-term in nature and are expensed as incurred.

Nature of Goods and Services

Products

Professional Services

Software

Shipping and Handling Activities

Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations

Contract Balances

The amount of transaction price from contracts with customers allocated to our contract liabilities as of August 31, 2019 and September 1, 2018 consists of the following (in millions):



	August 31, 2019		September 1, 2018
Current deferred revenues	$	4.7	$	4.8
Non-current deferred revenues	46.4		35.0

Disaggregated Revenues



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
Independent sales network	$	2,516.4
Direct sales network	381.1
Retail sales	270.2
Corporate accounts	318.0
Other	187.0
Total	$	3,672.7

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Fair Value Measurements



	August 31, 2019				August 31, 2018
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior unsecured public notes, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	349.9	$	352.7	$	349.5	$	361.7
Industrial revenue bond	4.0		4.0		4.0		4.0
Bank loans	2.7		2.9		3.3		3.3

face amount of the bond approximates fair value as of August 31, 2019 based on bonds of similar terms and maturity (Level 2).

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans

Company-sponsored Pension Plans

The following tables reflect the status of our domestic (U.S.-based) and international pension plans at August 31, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	August 31,						August 31,
	2019			2018			2019			2018
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	203.2		$	215.5		$	45.5		$	53.5
Service cost	2.9			2.7			0.2			0.2
Interest cost	7.7			7.3			1.3			1.3
Amendments	11.4			—			—			—
Actuarial losses (gains)	26.2			(14.3		)	3.2			(4.5		)
Settlement gain	(3.4		)	—			—			—
Benefits paid	(8.8		)	(8.0		)	(2.6		)	(5.5		)
Other	—			—			(3.0		)	0.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	239.2			203.2			44.6			45.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	149.4		$	136.8		$	30.9		$	34.1
Actual return on plan assets	9.0			11.3			3.1			0.9
Employer contributions	5.3			9.3			1.2			1.2
Benefits paid	(12.2		)	(8.0		)	(2.6		)	(5.5		)
Other	—			—			(1.9		)	0.2
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	151.5			149.4			30.7			30.9
Funded status at the end of year	$	(87.7	)	$	(53.8	)	$	(13.9	)	$	(14.6	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$	—		$	1.6		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities	(1.8		)	(5.3		)	(0.1		)	(0.1		)
Non-current liabilities	(85.9		)	(50.1		)	(13.8		)	(14.5		)
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheets	$	(87.7	)	$	(53.8	)	$	(13.9	)	$	(14.6	)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	239.2		$	202.7		$	44.6		$	45.5
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost	$	(12.4	)	$	(4.6	)	$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	(83.4		)	(58.8		)	(13.0		)	(12.9		)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(95.8	)	$	(63.4	)	$	(13.0	)	$	(12.9	)
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	239.2		$	119.2		$	44.6		$	45.5
Accumulated benefit obligation	239.2			118.7			44.6			45.5
Plan assets	151.5			63.8			30.6			30.9
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	$	4.0		$	3.1		$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	$	4.1		$	2.9		$	1.4		$	1.5



	Domestic Plans									International Plans
	2019			2018			2017			2019			2018			2017
Service cost	$	2.9		$	2.7		$	3.5		$	0.2		$	0.2		$	0.2
Interest cost	7.7			7.3			6.9			1.3			1.3			1.1
Expected return on plan assets	(10.5		)	(10.2		)	(9.4		)	(1.9		)	(2.2		)	(1.9		)
Amortization of prior service cost	3.5			3.1			3.1			—			—			—
Settlement	0.4			—			—			—			—			—
Recognized actuarial loss	2.7			4.5			5.3			1.4			2.3			3.6
Net periodic pension cost	$	6.7		$	7.4		$	9.4		$	1.0		$	1.6		$	3.0

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



	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Discount rate	2.8	%	3.9	%	2.0	%	2.9	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.0	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.1	%

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



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	2019		2018		2017		2019		2018		2017
Discount rate	3.9	%	3.5	%	3.2	%	2.9	%	2.5	%	2.1	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.3	%	7.5	%	7.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.5	%	5.5	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.1	%	3.2	%

Our pension plan asset allocation at August 31, 2019 and 2018 by asset category is as follows:



	% of Plan Assets
	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Equity securities	53.3	%	57.5	%	73.0	%	61.9	%
Fixed income securities	41.8	%	37.8	%	17.1	%	25.5	%
Multi-strategy investments	—	%	—	%	9.9	%	12.6	%
Real estate	4.9	%	4.7	%	—	%	—	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

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

Collective Trust

Fixed Income Investments

Real Estate Fund

International Plan Investments

The following tables present the fair value of the domestic pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2019 and 2018 (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, 2019		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Mutual funds:
Domestic large cap equity fund	$	45.6	$	45.6	$	—	$	—
Foreign equity fund	20.5		20.5		—		—
Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities	14.6		—		14.6		—
Short-term fixed income investments	6.0		6.0		—		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	86.7
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Fixed-income investments	57.4
Real estate fund	7.4
Total assets at net asset value	64.8
Total assets at fair value	$	151.5



			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

The following tables present the fair value of the international pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2019 and 2018 (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, 2019		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Equity securities	$	22.4	$	—	$	22.4	$	—
Short-term fixed income investments	0.3		0.3		—		—
Multi-strategy investments	3.0		—		3.0		—
Fixed-income investments	5.0		—		5.0		—
Total assets at fair value	$	30.7



			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

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
2020	$	9.5	$	1.0
2021	9.3		1.0
2022	12.5		1.0
2023	24.2		1.1
2024	17.8		1.1
2025-2029	66.8		6.3

Multi-employer Pension Plans


•	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.

Our contributions to these plans were $0.5 million for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Defined Contribution Plans

Debt and Lines of Credit

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Debt and Lines of Credit

Debt

Our debt at August 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, principal	$	350.0		$	350.0
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, unamortized discount and deferred costs	(0.1		)	(0.5		)
Industrial revenue bond due June 2021	4.0			4.0
Bank loans	2.7			3.3
Total debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	356.6		$	356.8

Long-term Debt

Lines of Credit

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

Common Stock and Related Matters

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Common Stock and Related Matters

Common Stock

Changes in common stock for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were as follows (amounts and shares in millions):



	Common Stock
	Shares		Amount
			(At par)
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
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.1		—
Balance at August 31, 2019	53.8		$	0.5

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

As of August 31, 2019 and 2018, we had 14.3 million and 13.7 million of repurchased shares recorded as treasury stock at an original repurchase cost of $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.

Preferred Stock

We have 50 million shares of preferred stock authorized. No shares of preferred stock were issued in fiscal 2019 or 2018, and no shares of preferred stock are outstanding.

Earnings per Share

The following table calculates basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 (in millions, except per share data):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net income	$	330.4	$	349.6	$	321.7
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	39.7		40.9		43.1
Common stock equivalents	0.1		0.1		0.2
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	39.8		41.0		43.3
Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.54	$	7.46
Diluted earnings per share	$	8.29	$	8.52	$	7.43

Share-Based Payments

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Share-based Payments

Omnibus Stock Compensation Incentive and Directors’ Equity Plans

Restricted Stock Awards

Activity related to restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was as follows (in millions, except per share data):



	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at August 31, 2018	0.4	$	186.63
Granted	0.2	$	120.73
Vested	(0.2)	$	184.60
Forfeited*	—	$	159.88
Outstanding at August 31, 2019	0.4	$	156.32

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

Stock Options

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



	2019	2018	2017
Dividend yield	0.4%	0.3%	0.2%
Expected volatility	32.8%	30.9%	28.5%
Risk-free interest rate	3.0%	2.0%	1.3%
Expected life of options	4 years	4 years	4 years
Weighted-average fair value of options	$34.06	$41.87	$57.40

Stock option activity during the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 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, 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
Granted	0.1		$116.40
Outstanding at August 31, 2019	0.4		$146.70	0.3		$147.51
Range of option exercise prices:
$40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 3.1 years)	0.1		$62.25	0.1		$62.25
$100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.9 years)	0.2		$125.66	0.1		$125.09
$160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 6.2 years)	0.1		$207.80	0.1		$207.80
$210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 7.1 years)	0.1		$239.76	—	*	$239.76

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

Employee Deferred Share Units

Director Deferred Share Units

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies

Self-Insurance

Leases

Total rent expense was $22.6 million, $22.3 million, and $20.0 million in fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Purchase Obligations

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Lighting Science Group Patent Litigation

Securities Class Action

Litigation

Environmental Matters

Guarantees and Indemnities

Acquisition-Related Liabilities

Product Warranty and Recall Costs



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	27.3		$	22.0		$	15.5
Warranty and recall costs	18.7			32.4			39.8
Payments and other deductions	(19.7		)	(27.7		)	(33.3		)
Acquired warranty and recall liabilities	—			0.6			—
ASC 606 adjustments ⁽¹⁾	(14.8		)	—			—
Ending balance	$	11.5		$	27.3		$	22.0

^{______________________________}

Trade Compliance Matters

Special Charges

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Special Charges

The details of the special charges during the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018		2017
Severance and employee-related costs	$	(0.5	)	$	5.4	$	11.2
Other restructuring costs	2.3			0.2		0.1
Total special charges	$	1.8		$	5.6	$	11.3



	Fiscal 2019 Actions			Fiscal 2018 Actions			Fiscal 2017 Actions			Total
Balance as of August 31, 2018	$	—		$	9.2		$	0.9		$	10.1
Severance costs	1.9			(2.0		)	(0.4		)	(0.5		)
Payments made during the period	(0.6		)	(6.6		)	(0.5		)	(7.7		)
Balance as of August 31, 2019	$	1.3		$	0.6		$	—		$	1.9

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

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



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018			2017
Provision for current federal taxes	$	60.3	$	88.9		$	151.2
Provision for current state taxes	14.7		16.4			20.4
Provision for current foreign taxes	10.2		9.2			7.0
Provision (benefit) for deferred taxes	9.3		(38.2		)	(7.7		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	94.5	$	76.3		$	170.9

The following table reconciles the provision at the federal statutory rate to the total provision for income taxes (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$	89.2		$	109.4		$	172.4
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	12.2			11.5			12.2
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	2.1			(2.0		)	(1.6		)
Discrete income tax benefits of the TCJA	(2.2		)	(34.6		)	—
Research and development tax credits	(18.1		)	(3.3		)	(3.0		)
Unrecognized tax benefits	12.2			0.4			0.8
Other, net	(0.9		)	(5.1		)	(9.9		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	94.5		$	76.3		$	170.9

Components of the net deferred income tax liabilities at August 31, 2019 and 2018 include (in millions):



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	$	(22.0	)	$	(15.0	)
Goodwill and intangibles	(149.6		)	(151.2		)
Other liabilities	(2.8		)	(2.3		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(174.4		)	(168.5		)
Deferred income tax assets:
Self-insurance	2.6			2.6
Pension	22.7			18.1
Deferred compensation	20.5			23.7
Net operating losses	6.2			6.2
Other accruals not yet deductible	26.9			24.9
Other assets	9.7			7.0
Total deferred income tax assets	88.6			82.5
Valuation allowance	(4.6		)	(3.6		)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	(90.4	)	$	(89.6	)

We have elected to account for the tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period cost and, therefore, do not record deferred taxes related to GILTI on our foreign subsidiaries.



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year	$	4.4		$	6.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	2.0			0.6
Additions for tax positions of prior years	10.9			1.0
Reductions due to settlements	—			(2.2		)
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(0.7		)	(1.0		)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year	$	16.6		$	4.4

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Aug. 31, 2019
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event On September 17, 2019, using cash on hand and borrowings under available existing credit arrangements, we acquired all of the equity interests of The Luminaires Group (“TLG”), a leading provider of specification-grade luminaires for commercial, institutional, hospitality, and municipal markets. TLG’s indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures are marketed to architects, landscape architects, interior designers and engineers through five niche lighting brands: A-light, Cyclone, Eureka, Luminaire LED and Luminis.

Supplemental Disaggregated Information

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Supplemental Disaggregated Information



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net sales⁽¹⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	3,277.4	$	3,292.6	$	3,123.1
International	395.3		387.5		382.0
Total	$	3,672.7	$	3,680.1	$	3,505.1
Operating profit:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	419.3	$	419.0	$	503.3
International	43.6		41.8		24.2
Total	$	462.9	$	460.8	$	527.5
Income before provision for income taxes:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	386.4	$	386.4	$	478.5
International	38.5		39.5		14.1
Total	$	424.9	$	425.9	$	492.6
Long-lived assets⁽³⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	248.9	$	256.4	$	252.8
International	48.4		52.0		51.5
Total	$	297.3	$	308.4	$	304.3

_______________________________________


⁽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, 2019

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)



	At August 31, 2019
	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	361.9	$	18.1	$	—	$	81.0	$	—		$	461.0
Accounts receivable, net	—		484.7		—		76.3		—			561.0
Inventories	—		317.1		—		23.7		—			340.8
Other current assets	32.2		27.1		—		19.7		—			79.0
Total current assets	394.1		847.0		—		200.7		—			1,441.8
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2		220.7		—		56.4		—			277.3
Goodwill	—		747.6		2.7		217.0		—			967.3
Intangible assets, net	—		271.0		103.7		91.3		—			466.0
Deferred income taxes	30.2		—		—		5.8		(33.7		)	2.3
Other long-term assets	1.1		15.2		—		1.4		—			17.7
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,627.9		476.8		321.6		—		(2,426.3		)	—
Total assets	$	2,053.5	$	2,578.3	$	428.0	$	572.6	$	(2,460.0	)	$	3,172.4

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	0.7	$	314.4	$	—	$	23.7	$	—		$	338.8
Current maturities of long-term debt	—		8.7		—		0.4		—			9.1
Other accrued liabilities	11.8		186.0		—		50.4		—			248.2
Total current liabilities	12.5		509.1		—		74.5		—			596.1
Long-term debt	—		345.2		—		2.3		—			347.5
Deferred income taxes	—		105.8		—		20.6		(33.7		)	92.7
Other long-term liabilities	122.1		80.4		—		14.7		—			217.2
Amounts due to affiliates	—		—		—		146.4		(146.4		)	—
Total stockholders’ equity	1,918.9		1,537.8		428.0		314.1		(2,279.9		)	1,918.9
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,053.5	$	2,578.3	$	428.0	$	572.6	$	(2,460.0	)	$	3,172.4

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
Other 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 STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	3,253.6		$	—	$	419.1		$	—		$	3,672.7
Intercompany sales	—			—			52.7		204.7			(257.4		)	—
Total sales	—			3,253.6			52.7		623.8			(257.4		)	3,672.7
Cost of products sold	—			1,940.1			—		454.1			(201.2		)	2,193.0
Gross profit	—			1,313.5			52.7		169.7			(56.2		)	1,479.7
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	15.6			897.6			2.8		155.3			(56.3		)	1,015.0
Intercompany charges	(33.2		)	25.6			—		7.6			—			—
Special charges	—			1.8			—		—			—			1.8
Operating profit	17.6			388.5			49.9		6.8			0.1			462.9
Interest expense, net	10.9			17.4			—		5.0			—			33.3
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(330.0		)	(23.2		)	—		0.2			353.0			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	6.7			(2.1		)	—		0.1			—			4.7
Income before income taxes	330.0			396.4			49.9		1.5			(352.9		)	424.9
Income tax (benefit) expense	(0.4		)	84.5			10.5		(0.1		)	—			94.5
Net income	330.4			311.9			39.4		1.6			(352.9		)	330.4

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(11.5		)	(11.5		)	—		—			11.5			(11.5		)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax	(25.1		)	(17.1		)	—		(0.2		)	17.3			(25.1		)
Other comprehensive loss items, net of tax	(36.6		)	(28.6		)	—		(0.2		)	28.8			(36.6		)
Comprehensive income	$	293.8		$	283.3		$	39.4	$	1.4		$	(324.1	)	$	293.8

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	—			1,951.2			—		442.1			(198.6		)	2,194.7
Gross profit	—			1,324.5			53.6		173.5			(66.2		)	1,485.4
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	41.0			884.6			3.2		156.3			(66.1		)	1,019.0
Intercompany charges	(59.2		)	49.5			—		9.7			—			—
Special charges	—			5.6			—		—			—			5.6
Operating profit	18.2			384.8			50.4		7.5			(0.1		)	460.8
Interest expense, net	11.1			16.9			—		5.5			—			33.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(344.3		)	(18.5		)	—		0.2			362.6			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	6.4			(1.8		)	—		(3.2		)	—			1.4
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 plans, net of tax	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	—			1,764.6			—		432.8			(173.4		)	2,024.0
Gross profit	—			1,340.6			49.4		146.3			(55.2		)	1,481.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	39.2			824.6			3.6		130.0			(55.1		)	942.3
Intercompany charges	(56.9		)	47.7			—		9.2			—			—
Special charges	—			11.3			—		—			—			11.3
Operating profit	17.7			457.0			45.8		7.1			(0.1		)	527.5
Interest expense, net	11.0			16.1			—		5.4			—			32.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(320.9		)	(7.7		)	—		0.2			328.4			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	5.8			(7.9		)	—		4.5			—			2.4
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 plans, net of tax	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 CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	391.1		$	63.4		$	—	$	43.1		$	(2.9	)	$	494.7
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(44.5		)	—		(8.5		)	—			(53.0		)
Investments in subsidiaries	(2.9		)	—			—		—			2.9			—
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	—			(2.9		)	—		—			—			(2.9		)
Other investing activities	0.8			2.1			—		—			—			2.9
Net cash used for investing activities	(2.1		)	(45.3		)	—		(8.5		)	2.9			(53.0		)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	—			86.5			—		—			—			86.5
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	—			(86.5		)	—		—			—			(86.5		)
Repayments of long-term debt	—			—			—		(0.4		)	—			(0.4		)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.6			—			—		—			—			0.6
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6		)	—			—		—			—			(81.6		)
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(6.0		)	—			—		—			—			(6.0		)
Dividends paid	(20.8		)	—			—		—			—			(20.8		)
Net cash used for financing activities	(107.8		)	—			—		(0.4		)	—			(108.2		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.2			—			—		(1.8		)	—			(1.6		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	281.4			18.1			—		32.4			—			331.9
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	80.5			—			—		48.6			—			129.1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	361.9		$	18.1		$	—	$	81.0		$	—		$	461.0

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	$	322.1		$	30.2		$	—	$	36.0		$	(36.8	)	$	351.5
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
Other investing activities	1.7			—			—		—			—			1.7
Net cash used for investing activities	(153.0		)	(167.7		)	—		(38.0		)	154.7			(204.0		)
Cash flows 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		)
Withholding 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		)
Withholding 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

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)



	Fiscal Year 2019
(In millions)	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
Net sales	$	932.6	$	854.4	$	947.6	$	938.1
Gross profit	$	367.5	$	333.9	$	383.6	$	394.7
Net income	$	79.6	$	66.3	$	88.4	$	96.1
Basic earnings per share	$	1.99	$	1.68	$	2.23	$	2.43
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.98	$	1.67	$	2.22	$	2.42



	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 ⁽¹⁾	$	349.9	$	334.5	$	389.1	$	411.9
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

______________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Fiscal 2018 quarterly gross profit amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the impact of ASU 2017-07 to our interim periods. See the New Accounting Pronouncements footnote for further details.

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.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

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 and Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

Use of Estimates

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Accounts Receivable

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Reclassifications

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure for occurrences and transactions after the date of the consolidated financial statements as of August 31, 2019.

Inventories

Assets Held for Sale

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we classify assets as held for sale upon the development of a plan for disposal and cease the depreciation and amortization of the assets at that date.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Miscellaneous Expense, Net

Depreciation

Research and Development

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included within Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Interest Expense, Net

Miscellaneous expense, net, is comprised primarily of non-service related components of net periodic pension cost, gains or losses on foreign currency items, and other non-operating items.

Foreign Currency Translation

Comprehensive Income

Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2019

ASU 2017-01 -— Clarifying the Definition of a Business

ASU 2016-15 — Statement of Cash Flows

ASU 2017-07 — Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost

The impact of the provisions of ASU 2017-07 on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31, 2018								Year Ended August 31, 2017
	As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)			As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)
Cost of products sold	$	2,194.7	$	2,193.3		$	1.4		$	2,024.0	$	2,023.9		$	0.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,019.0		1,026.6			(7.6		)	942.3		951.1			(8.8		)
Miscellaneous expense, net	1.4		(4.8		)	6.2			2.4		(6.3		)	8.7

ASC 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers



Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption		Higher (Lower)
Net sales	$	3,672.7	$	3,681.6	$	(8.9	)
Cost of products sold	2,193.0		2,197.1		(4.1		)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,015.0		1,014.6		0.4
Operating profit	462.9		468.1		(5.2		)
Income tax expense	94.5		95.7		(1.2		)
Net income	330.4		334.4		(4.0		)

Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.42	$	(0.10	)
Diluted earnings per share	8.29		8.39		(0.10		)



Consolidated Balance Sheet	August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption	Higher (Lower)
Accounts receivable, net	$	561.0	539.6	$	21.4
Prepayments and other current assets	79.0		65.1	13.9
Other accrued liabilities	175.0		139.4	35.6
Deferred income tax liabilities	92.7		98.0	(5.3		)
Other long-term liabilities	110.7		88.7	22.0
Retained earnings	2,295.8		2,312.8	(17.0		)

Accounting Standards Yet to Be Adopted

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, 2019

Schedule of Changes in Reserves for Doubtful Accounts

The changes in these reserves during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	23.4		$	21.3		$	17.3
Refund costs	—			133.4			134.2
Payments and other deductions	—			(131.3		)	(130.2		)
ASC 606 adjustments ⁽¹⁾	(23.4		)	—			—
Ending balance	$	—		$	23.4		$	21.3

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Schedule of Inventory



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Raw materials, supplies, and work in process⁽¹⁾	$	179.4		$	196.8
Finished goods	183.7			251.8
Inventories excluding reserves	363.1			448.6
Less: Reserves	(22.3		)	(36.8		)
Total inventories	$	340.8		$	411.8

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Schedule of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during fiscal 2019 and 2018 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Carrying Amount
Balance, August 31, 2017	$	900.9
Additions from acquired businesses	77.0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7.3		)
Balance, August 31, 2018	970.6
Additions from an acquired business	2.0
Adjustments to provisional amounts	(0.2		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5.1		)
Balance as of August 31, 2019	$	967.3

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Summarized information for our acquired intangible assets is as follows (in millions except amortization periods):



		August 31,
		2019					2018
	Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Patents and patented technology	12	$	135.7	$	(72.9	)	$	137.2	$	(62.2	)
Trademarks and trade names	19	27.2		(14.5		)	27.2		(13.2		)
Distribution network	28	61.8		(39.7		)	61.8		(37.5		)
Customer relationships	21	299.2		(72.1		)	300.0		(56.3		)
Total definite-lived intangible assets	17	$	523.9	$	(199.2	)	$	526.2	$	(169.2	)
Indefinite-lived trade names		$	141.3				$	141.7

Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Summarized information for our acquired intangible assets is as follows (in millions except amortization periods):



		August 31,
		2019					2018
	Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Patents and patented technology	12	$	135.7	$	(72.9	)	$	137.2	$	(62.2	)
Trademarks and trade names	19	27.2		(14.5		)	27.2		(13.2		)
Distribution network	28	61.8		(39.7		)	61.8		(37.5		)
Customer relationships	21	299.2		(72.1		)	300.0		(56.3		)
Total definite-lived intangible assets	17	$	523.9	$	(199.2	)	$	526.2	$	(169.2	)
Indefinite-lived trade names		$	141.3				$	141.7

Schedule of Other Long-Term Assets

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



	August 31,
	2019		2018
Deferred contract costs	$	15.4	$	12.8
Net overfunded pension plans	—		1.6
Other⁽¹⁾	2.3		4.4
Total other long-term assets	$	17.7	$	18.8

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Schedule of Other Long-Term Liabilities

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



	August 31,
	2019		2018
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits other than pensions⁽¹⁾	$	41.6	$	40.0
Service-type warranties⁽²⁾	46.3		14.8
Unrecognized tax position liabilities, including interest⁽³⁾	17.6		4.9
Other⁽⁴⁾	5.2		8.2
Total other long-term liabilities	$	110.7	$	67.9

____________________________________

⁽¹⁾


⁽²⁾	Certain service-type warranties accounted for as contingent liabilities prior to the adoption of ASC 606 are now reflected as contract liabilities effective September 1, 2018. Refer to the New Accounting Pronouncements and Revenue Recognition footnotes for additional information.


⁽³⁾	See the Income Taxes footnote for more information.

⁽⁴⁾

Amount primarily includes deferred rent.

Schedule of Interest Expense, Net

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



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Interest expense	$	36.4		$	35.5		$	34.1
Interest income	(3.1		)	(2.0		)	(1.6		)
Interest expense, net	$	33.3		$	33.5		$	32.5

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss net of tax during the year ended August 31, 2019 (in millions):



	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items
Balance as of August 31, 2017	$	(28.7	)	$	(71.0	)	$	(99.7	)
Other comprehensive (loss) 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 as of August 31, 2018	(53.9		)	(60.9		)	(114.8		)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(11.5		)	(31.1		)	(42.6		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	—			6.0			6.0
Net current period other comprehensive loss	(11.5		)	(25.1		)	(36.6		)
Balance at August 31, 2019	$	(65.4	)	$	(86.0	)	$	(151.4	)

_______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

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, 2019 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019									2018									2017
	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	$	(11.5	)	$	—		$	(11.5	)	$	(25.2	)	$	—		$	(25.2	)	$	19.0	$	—		$	19.0
Defined benefit pension plans:
Actuarial (losses) gains	(40.8		)	9.7			(31.1		)	18.4			(4.4		)	14.0			18.3		(5.7		)	12.6
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Prior service cost	3.5			(0.9		)	2.6			3.1			(0.7		)	2.4			3.1		(0.7		)	2.4
Actuarial losses	4.1			(1.0		)	3.1			6.8			(2.0		)	4.8			8.9		(3.2		)	5.7
Settlement losses	0.4			(0.1		)	0.3			—			—			—			—		—			—
Total defined benefit plans, net	(32.8		)	7.7			(25.1		)	28.3			(7.1		)	21.2			30.3		(9.6		)	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(44.3	)	$	7.7		$	(36.6	)	$	3.1		$	(7.1	)	$	(4.0	)	$	49.3	$	(9.6	)	$	39.7

New Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles



Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption		Higher (Lower)
Net sales	$	3,672.7	$	3,681.6	$	(8.9	)
Cost of products sold	2,193.0		2,197.1		(4.1		)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,015.0		1,014.6		0.4
Operating profit	462.9		468.1		(5.2		)
Income tax expense	94.5		95.7		(1.2		)
Net income	330.4		334.4		(4.0		)

Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.42	$	(0.10	)
Diluted earnings per share	8.29		8.39		(0.10		)



Consolidated Balance Sheet	August 31, 2019
	As Currently Reported		Without ASC 606 Adoption	Higher (Lower)
Accounts receivable, net	$	561.0	539.6	$	21.4
Prepayments and other current assets	79.0		65.1	13.9
Other accrued liabilities	175.0		139.4	35.6
Deferred income tax liabilities	92.7		98.0	(5.3		)
Other long-term liabilities	110.7		88.7	22.0
Retained earnings	2,295.8		2,312.8	(17.0		)

The impact of the provisions of ASU 2017-07 on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31, 2018								Year Ended August 31, 2017
	As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)			As Revised		Previously Reported			Higher (Lower)
Cost of products sold	$	2,194.7	$	2,193.3		$	1.4		$	2,024.0	$	2,023.9		$	0.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,019.0		1,026.6			(7.6		)	942.3		951.1			(8.8		)
Miscellaneous expense, net	1.4		(4.8		)	6.2			2.4		(6.3		)	8.7

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Amount of transaction price from contracts with customers allocated to Company's contract liabilities

The amount of transaction price from contracts with customers allocated to our contract liabilities as of August 31, 2019 and September 1, 2018 consists of the following (in millions):



	August 31, 2019		September 1, 2018
Current deferred revenues	$	4.7	$	4.8
Non-current deferred revenues	46.4		35.0

Revenue from contract with customers by sales channel

The following table shows revenue from contracts with customers by sales channel for the year ended August 31, 2019 (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
Independent sales network	$	2,516.4
Direct sales network	381.1
Retail sales	270.2
Corporate accounts	318.0
Other	187.0
Total	$	3,672.7

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values and estimated fair values of certain financial instruments were as follows at August 31, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):



	August 31, 2019				August 31, 2018
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior unsecured public notes, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	349.9	$	352.7	$	349.5	$	361.7
Industrial revenue bond	4.0		4.0		4.0		4.0
Bank loans	2.7		2.9		3.3		3.3

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Domestic and International Pension Plans

The following tables reflect the status of our domestic (U.S.-based) and international pension plans at August 31, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	August 31,						August 31,
	2019			2018			2019			2018
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	203.2		$	215.5		$	45.5		$	53.5
Service cost	2.9			2.7			0.2			0.2
Interest cost	7.7			7.3			1.3			1.3
Amendments	11.4			—			—			—
Actuarial losses (gains)	26.2			(14.3		)	3.2			(4.5		)
Settlement gain	(3.4		)	—			—			—
Benefits paid	(8.8		)	(8.0		)	(2.6		)	(5.5		)
Other	—			—			(3.0		)	0.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	239.2			203.2			44.6			45.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	149.4		$	136.8		$	30.9		$	34.1
Actual return on plan assets	9.0			11.3			3.1			0.9
Employer contributions	5.3			9.3			1.2			1.2
Benefits paid	(12.2		)	(8.0		)	(2.6		)	(5.5		)
Other	—			—			(1.9		)	0.2
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	151.5			149.4			30.7			30.9
Funded status at the end of year	$	(87.7	)	$	(53.8	)	$	(13.9	)	$	(14.6	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$	—		$	1.6		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities	(1.8		)	(5.3		)	(0.1		)	(0.1		)
Non-current liabilities	(85.9		)	(50.1		)	(13.8		)	(14.5		)
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheets	$	(87.7	)	$	(53.8	)	$	(13.9	)	$	(14.6	)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	239.2		$	202.7		$	44.6		$	45.5
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost	$	(12.4	)	$	(4.6	)	$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	(83.4		)	(58.8		)	(13.0		)	(12.9		)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(95.8	)	$	(63.4	)	$	(13.0	)	$	(12.9	)
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	239.2		$	119.2		$	44.6		$	45.5
Accumulated benefit obligation	239.2			118.7			44.6			45.5
Plan assets	151.5			63.8			30.6			30.9
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	$	4.0		$	3.1		$	—		$	—
Net actuarial loss	$	4.1		$	2.9		$	1.4		$	1.5

Schedule of Net Periodic Pension Cost

Net periodic pension cost during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 included the following components before tax (in millions):



	Domestic Plans									International Plans
	2019			2018			2017			2019			2018			2017
Service cost	$	2.9		$	2.7		$	3.5		$	0.2		$	0.2		$	0.2
Interest cost	7.7			7.3			6.9			1.3			1.3			1.1
Expected return on plan assets	(10.5		)	(10.2		)	(9.4		)	(1.9		)	(2.2		)	(1.9		)
Amortization of prior service cost	3.5			3.1			3.1			—			—			—
Settlement	0.4			—			—			—			—			—
Recognized actuarial loss	2.7			4.5			5.3			1.4			2.3			3.6
Net periodic pension cost	$	6.7		$	7.4		$	9.4		$	1.0		$	1.6		$	3.0

Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used

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



	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Discount rate	2.8	%	3.9	%	2.0	%	2.9	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.0	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.1	%

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



	Domestic Plans						International Plans
	2019		2018		2017		2019		2018		2017
Discount rate	3.9	%	3.5	%	3.2	%	2.9	%	2.5	%	2.1	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.3	%	7.5	%	7.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%	6.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.5	%	5.5	%	5.5	%	3.1	%	3.1	%	3.2	%

Schedule of Pension Plan Asset Allocation

Our pension plan asset allocation at August 31, 2019 and 2018 by asset category is as follows:



	% of Plan Assets
	Domestic Plans				International Plans
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Equity securities	53.3	%	57.5	%	73.0	%	61.9	%
Fixed income securities	41.8	%	37.8	%	17.1	%	25.5	%
Multi-strategy investments	—	%	—	%	9.9	%	12.6	%
Real estate	4.9	%	4.7	%	—	%	—	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

The following tables present the fair value of the domestic pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2019 and 2018 (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, 2019		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Mutual funds:
Domestic large cap equity fund	$	45.6	$	45.6	$	—	$	—
Foreign equity fund	20.5		20.5		—		—
Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities	14.6		—		14.6		—
Short-term fixed income investments	6.0		6.0		—		—
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	86.7
Assets calculated at net asset value:
Fixed-income investments	57.4
Real estate fund	7.4
Total assets at net asset value	64.8
Total assets at fair value	$	151.5



			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

The following tables present the fair value of the international pension plan assets by major category as of August 31, 2019 and 2018 (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, 2019		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets included in the fair value hierarchy:
Equity securities	$	22.4	$	—	$	22.4	$	—
Short-term fixed income investments	0.3		0.3		—		—
Multi-strategy investments	3.0		—		3.0		—
Fixed-income investments	5.0		—		5.0		—
Total assets at fair value	$	30.7



			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

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
2020	$	9.5	$	1.0
2021	9.3		1.0
2022	12.5		1.0
2023	24.2		1.1
2024	17.8		1.1
2025-2029	66.8		6.3

Debt and Lines of Credit (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments

Our debt at August 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following (in millions):



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, principal	$	350.0		$	350.0
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, unamortized discount and deferred costs	(0.1		)	(0.5		)
Industrial revenue bond due June 2021	4.0			4.0
Bank loans	2.7			3.3
Total debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount and deferred costs	$	356.6		$	356.8

Common Stock and Related Matters (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Changes in Common Stock

Changes in common stock for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were as follows (amounts and shares in millions):



	Common Stock
	Shares		Amount
			(At par)
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
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations	0.1		—
Balance at August 31, 2019	53.8		$	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, 2019, 2018, and 2017 (in millions, except per share data):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net income	$	330.4	$	349.6	$	321.7
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	39.7		40.9		43.1
Common stock equivalents	0.1		0.1		0.2
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	39.8		41.0		43.3
Basic earnings per share	$	8.32	$	8.54	$	7.46
Diluted earnings per share	$	8.29	$	8.52	$	7.43

Share-Based Payments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]

Schedule of Restricted Stock Award Activity

Activity related to restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was as follows (in millions, except per share data):



	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at August 31, 2018	0.4	$	186.63
Granted	0.2	$	120.73
Vested	(0.2)	$	184.60
Forfeited*	—	$	159.88
Outstanding at August 31, 2019	0.4	$	156.32

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

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:



	2019	2018	2017
Dividend yield	0.4%	0.3%	0.2%
Expected volatility	32.8%	30.9%	28.5%
Risk-free interest rate	3.0%	2.0%	1.3%
Expected life of options	4 years	4 years	4 years
Weighted-average fair value of options	$34.06	$41.87	$57.40

Schedule of Stock Option Transactions

Stock option activity during the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 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, 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
Granted	0.1		$116.40
Outstanding at August 31, 2019	0.4		$146.70	0.3		$147.51
Range of option exercise prices:
$40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 3.1 years)	0.1		$62.25	0.1		$62.25
$100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.9 years)	0.2		$125.66	0.1		$125.09
$160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 6.2 years)	0.1		$207.80	0.1		$207.80
$210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 7.1 years)	0.1		$239.76	—	*	$239.76

___________________________

* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Product Warranty and Recall Reserves



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	27.3		$	22.0		$	15.5
Warranty and recall costs	18.7			32.4			39.8
Payments and other deductions	(19.7		)	(27.7		)	(33.3		)
Acquired warranty and recall liabilities	—			0.6			—
ASC 606 adjustments ⁽¹⁾	(14.8		)	—			—
Ending balance	$	11.5		$	27.3		$	22.0

^{______________________________}

Special Charges (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Details of Special Charges Incurred

The details of the special charges during the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018		2017
Severance and employee-related costs	$	(0.5	)	$	5.4	$	11.2
Other restructuring costs	2.3			0.2		0.1
Total special charges	$	1.8		$	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, 2019 are summarized as follows (in millions):



	Fiscal 2019 Actions			Fiscal 2018 Actions			Fiscal 2017 Actions			Total
Balance as of August 31, 2018	$	—		$	9.2		$	0.9		$	10.1
Severance costs	1.9			(2.0		)	(0.4		)	(0.5		)
Payments made during the period	(0.6		)	(6.6		)	(0.5		)	(7.7		)
Balance as of August 31, 2019	$	1.3		$	0.6		$	—		$	1.9

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes

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



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018			2017
Provision for current federal taxes	$	60.3	$	88.9		$	151.2
Provision for current state taxes	14.7		16.4			20.4
Provision for current foreign taxes	10.2		9.2			7.0
Provision (benefit) for deferred taxes	9.3		(38.2		)	(7.7		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	94.5	$	76.3		$	170.9

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

The following table reconciles the provision at the federal statutory rate to the total provision for income taxes (in millions):



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$	89.2		$	109.4		$	172.4
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	12.2			11.5			12.2
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	2.1			(2.0		)	(1.6		)
Discrete income tax benefits of the TCJA	(2.2		)	(34.6		)	—
Research and development tax credits	(18.1		)	(3.3		)	(3.0		)
Unrecognized tax benefits	12.2			0.4			0.8
Other, net	(0.9		)	(5.1		)	(9.9		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	94.5		$	76.3		$	170.9

Schedule of Components of Net Deferred Income Taxes

Components of the net deferred income tax liabilities at August 31, 2019 and 2018 include (in millions):



	August 31,
	2019			2018
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	$	(22.0	)	$	(15.0	)
Goodwill and intangibles	(149.6		)	(151.2		)
Other liabilities	(2.8		)	(2.3		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(174.4		)	(168.5		)
Deferred income tax assets:
Self-insurance	2.6			2.6
Pension	22.7			18.1
Deferred compensation	20.5			23.7
Net operating losses	6.2			6.2
Other accruals not yet deductible	26.9			24.9
Other assets	9.7			7.0
Total deferred income tax assets	88.6			82.5
Valuation allowance	(4.6		)	(3.6		)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	(90.4	)	$	(89.6	)

Schedule of Change in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefit



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year	$	4.4		$	6.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	2.0			0.6
Additions for tax positions of prior years	10.9			1.0
Reductions due to settlements	—			(2.2		)
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(0.7		)	(1.0		)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year	$	16.6		$	4.4

Supplemental Disaggregated Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

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



	Year Ended August 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Net sales⁽¹⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	3,277.4	$	3,292.6	$	3,123.1
International	395.3		387.5		382.0
Total	$	3,672.7	$	3,680.1	$	3,505.1
Operating profit:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	419.3	$	419.0	$	503.3
International	43.6		41.8		24.2
Total	$	462.9	$	460.8	$	527.5
Income before provision for income taxes:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	386.4	$	386.4	$	478.5
International	38.5		39.5		14.1
Total	$	424.9	$	425.9	$	492.6
Long-lived assets⁽³⁾:
Domestic⁽²⁾	$	248.9	$	256.4	$	252.8
International	48.4		52.0		51.5
Total	$	297.3	$	308.4	$	304.3

_______________________________________


⁽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, 2019

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)



	At August 31, 2019
	Parent		Subsidiary Issuer		Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors		Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	361.9	$	18.1	$	—	$	81.0	$	—		$	461.0
Accounts receivable, net	—		484.7		—		76.3		—			561.0
Inventories	—		317.1		—		23.7		—			340.8
Other current assets	32.2		27.1		—		19.7		—			79.0
Total current assets	394.1		847.0		—		200.7		—			1,441.8
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2		220.7		—		56.4		—			277.3
Goodwill	—		747.6		2.7		217.0		—			967.3
Intangible assets, net	—		271.0		103.7		91.3		—			466.0
Deferred income taxes	30.2		—		—		5.8		(33.7		)	2.3
Other long-term assets	1.1		15.2		—		1.4		—			17.7
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,627.9		476.8		321.6		—		(2,426.3		)	—
Total assets	$	2,053.5	$	2,578.3	$	428.0	$	572.6	$	(2,460.0	)	$	3,172.4

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	0.7	$	314.4	$	—	$	23.7	$	—		$	338.8
Current maturities of long-term debt	—		8.7		—		0.4		—			9.1
Other accrued liabilities	11.8		186.0		—		50.4		—			248.2
Total current liabilities	12.5		509.1		—		74.5		—			596.1
Long-term debt	—		345.2		—		2.3		—			347.5
Deferred income taxes	—		105.8		—		20.6		(33.7		)	92.7
Other long-term liabilities	122.1		80.4		—		14.7		—			217.2
Amounts due to affiliates	—		—		—		146.4		(146.4		)	—
Total stockholders’ equity	1,918.9		1,537.8		428.0		314.1		(2,279.9		)	1,918.9
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,053.5	$	2,578.3	$	428.0	$	572.6	$	(2,460.0	)	$	3,172.4

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
Other 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 STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net sales:
External sales	$	—		$	3,253.6		$	—	$	419.1		$	—		$	3,672.7
Intercompany sales	—			—			52.7		204.7			(257.4		)	—
Total sales	—			3,253.6			52.7		623.8			(257.4		)	3,672.7
Cost of products sold	—			1,940.1			—		454.1			(201.2		)	2,193.0
Gross profit	—			1,313.5			52.7		169.7			(56.2		)	1,479.7
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	15.6			897.6			2.8		155.3			(56.3		)	1,015.0
Intercompany charges	(33.2		)	25.6			—		7.6			—			—
Special charges	—			1.8			—		—			—			1.8
Operating profit	17.6			388.5			49.9		6.8			0.1			462.9
Interest expense, net	10.9			17.4			—		5.0			—			33.3
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(330.0		)	(23.2		)	—		0.2			353.0			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	6.7			(2.1		)	—		0.1			—			4.7
Income before income taxes	330.0			396.4			49.9		1.5			(352.9		)	424.9
Income tax (benefit) expense	(0.4		)	84.5			10.5		(0.1		)	—			94.5
Net income	330.4			311.9			39.4		1.6			(352.9		)	330.4

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(11.5		)	(11.5		)	—		—			11.5			(11.5		)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax	(25.1		)	(17.1		)	—		(0.2		)	17.3			(25.1		)
Other comprehensive loss items, net of tax	(36.6		)	(28.6		)	—		(0.2		)	28.8			(36.6		)
Comprehensive income	$	293.8		$	283.3		$	39.4	$	1.4		$	(324.1	)	$	293.8

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	—			1,951.2			—		442.1			(198.6		)	2,194.7
Gross profit	—			1,324.5			53.6		173.5			(66.2		)	1,485.4
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	41.0			884.6			3.2		156.3			(66.1		)	1,019.0
Intercompany charges	(59.2		)	49.5			—		9.7			—			—
Special charges	—			5.6			—		—			—			5.6
Operating profit	18.2			384.8			50.4		7.5			(0.1		)	460.8
Interest expense, net	11.1			16.9			—		5.5			—			33.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(344.3		)	(18.5		)	—		0.2			362.6			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	6.4			(1.8		)	—		(3.2		)	—			1.4
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 plans, net of tax	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	—			1,764.6			—		432.8			(173.4		)	2,024.0
Gross profit	—			1,340.6			49.4		146.3			(55.2		)	1,481.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	39.2			824.6			3.6		130.0			(55.1		)	942.3
Intercompany charges	(56.9		)	47.7			—		9.2			—			—
Special charges	—			11.3			—		—			—			11.3
Operating profit	17.7			457.0			45.8		7.1			(0.1		)	527.5
Interest expense, net	11.0			16.1			—		5.4			—			32.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries	(320.9		)	(7.7		)	—		0.2			328.4			—
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	5.8			(7.9		)	—		4.5			—			2.4
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 plans, net of tax	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 CASH FLOWS

(In millions)



	Year Ended August 31, 2019
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Subsidiary Guarantor		Non- Guarantors			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	391.1		$	63.4		$	—	$	43.1		$	(2.9	)	$	494.7
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	—			(44.5		)	—		(8.5		)	—			(53.0		)
Investments in subsidiaries	(2.9		)	—			—		—			2.9			—
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	—			(2.9		)	—		—			—			(2.9		)
Other investing activities	0.8			2.1			—		—			—			2.9
Net cash used for investing activities	(2.1		)	(45.3		)	—		(8.5		)	2.9			(53.0		)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	—			86.5			—		—			—			86.5
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	—			(86.5		)	—		—			—			(86.5		)
Repayments of long-term debt	—			—			—		(0.4		)	—			(0.4		)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.6			—			—		—			—			0.6
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6		)	—			—		—			—			(81.6		)
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(6.0		)	—			—		—			—			(6.0		)
Dividends paid	(20.8		)	—			—		—			—			(20.8		)
Net cash used for financing activities	(107.8		)	—			—		(0.4		)	—			(108.2		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.2			—			—		(1.8		)	—			(1.6		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	281.4			18.1			—		32.4			—			331.9
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	80.5			—			—		48.6			—			129.1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	361.9		$	18.1		$	—	$	81.0		$	—		$	461.0

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	$	322.1		$	30.2		$	—	$	36.0		$	(36.8	)	$	351.5
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
Other investing activities	1.7			—			—		—			—			1.7
Net cash used for investing activities	(153.0		)	(167.7		)	—		(38.0		)	154.7			(204.0		)
Cash flows 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		)
Withholding 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		)
Withholding 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

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)



	Fiscal Year 2019
(In millions)	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
Net sales	$	932.6	$	854.4	$	947.6	$	938.1
Gross profit	$	367.5	$	333.9	$	383.6	$	394.7
Net income	$	79.6	$	66.3	$	88.4	$	96.1
Basic earnings per share	$	1.99	$	1.68	$	2.23	$	2.43
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.98	$	1.67	$	2.22	$	2.42



	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 ⁽¹⁾	$	349.9	$	334.5	$	389.1	$	411.9
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

______________________________________

⁽¹⁾

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 Segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1

Significant Accounting Policies - Changes in Reserves for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - Reserve for doubtful accounts - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 23.4	$ 21.3	$ 17.3
Refund costs	0.0	133.4	134.2
Payments and other deductions	0.0	(131.3)	(130.2)
ASC 606 adjustments	(23.4)	0.0	0.0
Ending balance	$ 0.0	$ 23.4	$ 21.3

Significant Accounting Policies - Concentration of Credit Risk (Details) - Customer Concentration Risk - Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
One Customer
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Portion of receivables (percent)	10.00%	10.00%
Two Customers
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Portion of receivables (percent)			10.00%

Significant Accounting Policies - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Raw materials, supplies, and work in process	$ 179.4	$ 196.8
Finished goods	183.7	251.8
Inventories excluding reserves	363.1	448.6
Less: Reserves	(22.3)	(36.8)
Total inventories	$ 340.8	$ 411.8

Significant Accounting Policies - Assets Held For Sale (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Assets held for sale, total	$ 0	$ 0

Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) reporting_unit	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($) reporting_unit	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Begining balance	$ 970,600,000	$ 900,900,000
Additions from acquired businesses	2,000,000.0	77,000,000.0
Adjustments to provisional amounts	(200,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5,100,000)	(7,300,000)
Ending balance	$ 967,300,000	970,600,000	$ 900,900,000
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	17 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 523,900,000	526,200,000
Accumulated Amortization	(199,200,000)	(169,200,000)
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets	30,800,000	$ 28,500,000	28,000,000.0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Amortization expense in fiscal 2020	30,800,000
Amortization expense in fiscal 2021	28,000,000.0
Amortization expense in fiscal 2022	27,000,000.0
Amortization expense in fiscal 2023	25,900,000
Amortization expense in fiscal 2024	$ 25,400,000
Number of reporting units \| reporting_unit	1	1
Goodwill impairment charge	$ 0	$ 0	0
Trade Names
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized trade names, Gross Carrying Amount	141,300,000	141,700,000
Intangible asset impairment charge	$ 0		$ 0
Patents and patented technology
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	12 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 135,700,000	137,200,000
Accumulated Amortization	$ (72,900,000)	(62,200,000)
Trademarks and trade names
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	19 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 27,200,000	27,200,000
Accumulated Amortization	$ (14,500,000)	(13,200,000)
Distribution network
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	28 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 61,800,000	61,800,000
Accumulated Amortization	$ (39,700,000)	(37,500,000)
Customer relationships
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	21 years
Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 299,200,000	300,000,000.0
Accumulated Amortization	$ (72,100,000)	$ (56,300,000)

Significant Accounting Policies - Other Long-Term Assets and Liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) Employee	Sep. 01, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Other Long-Term Assets [Abstract]
Deferred contract costs	$ 15.4		$ 12.8
Net overfunded pension plans	0.0		1.6
Other	2.3		4.4
Total other long-term assets	$ 17.7		18.8
Number of former employees covered under life insurance policy \| Employee	66
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred compensation and postretirement benefits other than pensions	$ 41.6		40.0
Service-type warranties	46.4	$ 35.0
Uncertain tax positions liability, including interest	17.6		4.9
Other	5.2		8.2
Total other long-term liabilities	$ 110.7		67.9
Percentage contribution rate of eligible employee's compensation	3.00%
Service-Type Warranties
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]
Service-type warranties	$ 46.3
Service-type warranties			$ 14.8

Significant Accounting Policies - Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Other shipping and handling costs	$ 138.4	$ 154.9	$ 138.3
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]
Share-based payment expense	29.2	32.3	32.0
Income tax benefit for share-based compensation	6.5	8.4	11.1
Net excess tax expense (benefit) related to share-based payment cost	1.6	0.8	(5.2)
Research and development expense	74.7	63.9	52.0
Advertising costs	$ 18.5	$ 20.6	$ 18.6

Significant Accounting Policies - Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 57.5	$ 51.8	$ 46.6
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, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Interest Revenue (Expense), Net [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 36.4	$ 35.5	$ 34.1
Interest income	(3.1)	(2.0)	(1.6)
Interest expense, net	$ 33.3	$ 33.5	$ 32.5

Significant Accounting Policies - Miscellaneous Income, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Financial Statement Line Items with Differences in Reported Amount and Reporting Currency Denominated Amounts [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business	$ 0.0	$ 5.4	$ 0.0
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	(6.0)	1.5
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0.0	0.0	7.2
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	0.6	0.1	$ (0.5)
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	$ 0.0	$ 8.7

Significant Accounting Policies - Changes of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,716.8	$ 1,665.6	$ 1,659.8
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(42.6)	(2.5)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	6.0	(1.5)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(36.6)	(4.0)	39.7
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA		0.0
Ending balance	1,918.9	1,716.8	1,665.6
Foreign Currency Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(53.9)	(28.7)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(11.5)	(16.5)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0.0	(8.7)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(11.5)	(25.2)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA		0.0
Ending balance	(65.4)	(53.9)	(28.7)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(60.9)	(71.0)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(31.1)	14.0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	6.0	7.2
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(25.1)	21.2
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA		(11.1)
Ending balance	(86.0)	(60.9)	(71.0)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(114.8)	(99.7)	(139.4)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	(36.6)	(4.0)	39.7
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of TCJA		(11.1)
Ending balance	$ (151.4)	$ (114.8)	$ (99.7)

Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Other Comprehensive Income Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Foreign currency translation adjustments - Before Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (11.5)	$ (25.2)	$ 19.0
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	(11.5)	(25.2)	19.0
Defined benefit pension plans - Before Tax Amounts
Actuarial (losses) gains	(40.8)	18.4	18.3
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Prior service cost	3.5	3.1	3.1
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	4.1	6.8	8.9
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Settlement losses	0.4	0.0	0.0
Total defined benefit plans, net - before tax	(32.8)	28.3	30.3
Defined benefit pension plans - Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Actuarial (losses) gains	9.7	(4.4)	(5.7)
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Prior service cost	(0.9)	(0.7)	(0.7)
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	(1.0)	(2.0)	(3.2)
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Settlement losses	(0.1)	0.0	0.0
Total defined benefit plans, net - tax	7.7	(7.1)	(9.6)
Defined benefit pension plans - Net of Tax Amount
Actuarial (losses) gains	(31.1)	14.0	12.6
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Prior service cost	2.6	2.4	2.4
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	3.1	4.8	5.7
Amortization of Defined benefit pension items - Settlement losses	0.3	0.0	0.0
Total defined benefit plans, net - net of tax	(25.1)	21.2	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income before tax	(44.3)	3.1	49.3
Other comprehensive (loss) income, tax	7.7	(7.1)	(9.6)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax	$ (36.6)	$ (4.0)	$ 39.7

New Accounting Pronouncements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Sep. 01, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Decrease in cash flow from operating activities	$ (494,700,000)	$ (351,500,000)	$ (336,600,000)
Increase in cash flow from investing activities	(53,000,000.0)	(204,000,000.0)	(48,800,000)
Increase in operating profit	462,900,000	460,800,000	527,500,000
Increase in miscellaneous expense	(4,700,000)	(1,400,000)	(2,400,000)
Cumulative effect of applying ASC 606 in Retained Earnings				$ (13,000,000.0)
ASU 2016-15
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Proceeds from corporate-owned life insurance policies	800,000	1,700,000	0
Decrease in cash flow from operating activities		1,700,000
Increase in cash flow from investing activities		1,700,000
ASU 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase in miscellaneous expense		1,400,000	2,400,000
ASU 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of applying ASC 606 in Retained Earnings				$ 13,000,000.0
Increase \| ASU 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase in operating profit		6,200,000	8,700,000
Increase in miscellaneous expense		$ 6,200,000	$ 8,700,000
Expect \| Minimum \| ASU 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease liability	63,000,000
Expect \| Maximum \| ASU 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease liability	$ 68,000,000

New Accounting Pronouncements - Impact of Adopting ASU 2017-07 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of products sold	$ 2,193.0	$ 2,194.7	$ 2,024.0
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	1,015.0	1,019.0	942.3
Miscellaneous expense, net	$ (4.7)	(1.4)	(2.4)
ASU 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of products sold		2,194.7	2,024.0
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses		1,019.0	942.3
Miscellaneous expense, net		1.4	2.4
ASU 2017-07 \| Previously Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of products sold		2,193.3	2,023.9
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses		1,026.6	951.1
Miscellaneous expense, net		(4.8)	(6.3)
ASU 2017-07 \| Higher (Lower)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of products sold		1.4	0.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses		(7.6)	(8.8)
Miscellaneous expense, net		$ 6.2	$ 8.7

New Accounting Pronouncements - Effects of Adopting ASC 606 on Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 938.1	$ 947.6	$ 854.4	$ 932.6	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Cost of products sold									2,193.0	2,194.7	2,024.0
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									1,015.0	1,019.0	942.3
Operating profit:									462.9	460.8	527.5
Income tax expense									94.5	76.3	170.9
Net income	$ 96.1	$ 88.4	$ 66.3	$ 79.6	$ 108.2	$ 73.0	$ 96.9	$ 71.5	$ 330.4	$ 349.6	$ 321.7
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.43	$ 2.23	$ 1.68	$ 1.99	$ 2.71	$ 1.81	$ 2.34	$ 1.71	$ 8.32	$ 8.54	$ 7.46
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.42	$ 2.22	$ 1.67	$ 1.98	$ 2.70	$ 1.80	$ 2.33	$ 1.70	$ 8.29	$ 8.52	$ 7.43
Without ASC 606 Adoption
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 3,681.6
Cost of products sold									2,197.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									1,014.6
Operating profit:									468.1
Income tax expense									95.7
Net income									$ 334.4
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)									$ 8.42
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)									$ 8.39
Higher (Lower)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									$ (8.9)
Cost of products sold									(4.1)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									0.4
Operating profit:									(5.2)
Income tax expense									(1.2)
Net income									$ (4.0)
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)									$ (0.10)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)									$ (0.10)

New Accounting Pronouncements - Effects of Adopting ASC 606 on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 561.0	$ 637.9
Prepayments and other current assets	79.0	32.3
Other accrued liabilities	175.0	164.2
Deferred income taxes	92.7	92.5
Other long-term liabilities	110.7	67.9
Retained earnings	2,295.8	$ 1,999.2
Higher (Lower)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	21.4
Prepayments and other current assets	13.9
Other accrued liabilities	35.6
Deferred income taxes	(5.3)
Other long-term liabilities	22.0
Retained earnings	(17.0)
Without ASC 606 Adoption
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	539.6
Prepayments and other current assets	65.1
Other accrued liabilities	139.4
Deferred income taxes	98.0
Other long-term liabilities	88.7
Retained earnings	$ 2,312.8

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($) acquisition	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions completed \| acquisition		0
Goodwill	$ 967.3	$ 900.9	$ 970.6
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	17 years
Lucid and IOTA
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 76.8
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 81.8
Weighted Average Amortization Period in Years	14 years

Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Sep. 01, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Right of return assets	$ 13.9			$ 16.4
Revenues recognized from beginning balances of contract liabilities	4.1
Customers with Rights of Return, Cash Discounts and Other Credits
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Refund liabilities	37.3			41.2
Customers with Rebate, Marketing, and Trade Promotion Programs
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Refund liabilities	$ 34.5			$ 43.9
Revenue source \| Net sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Portion of revenues (percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Short-term Contract with Customer \| Revenue source \| Net sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Portion of revenues (percent)	95.00%	95.00%	95.00%

Revenue Recognition - Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Sep. 01, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Current deferred revenues	$ 4.7	$ 4.8
Non-current deferred revenues	$ 46.4	$ 35.0

Revenue Recognition - Disaggregated Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 938.1	$ 947.6	$ 854.4	$ 932.6	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Independent sales network
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									2,516.4
Direct sales network
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									381.1
Retail sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									270.2
Corporate accounts
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									318.0
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 187.0

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 461.0	$ 129.1
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	349.9	349.5
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	352.7	361.7
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	2.7	3.3
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	2.9	3.3
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	$ 461.0	$ 129.1

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	$ 0.0	$ 1.6
Non-current liabilities	(99.7)	(64.6)
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic pension cost	0.4	0.0	$ 0.0
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	203.2	215.5
Service cost	2.9	2.7	3.5
Interest cost	7.7	7.3	6.9
Amendments	11.4	0.0
Actuarial losses (gains)	26.2	(14.3)
Settlement gain	(3.4)	0.0
Benefits paid	(8.8)	(8.0)
Other	0.0	0.0
Benefit obligation at end of year	239.2	203.2	215.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	149.4	136.8
Actual return on plan assets	9.0	11.3
Employer contributions	5.3	9.3
Benefits paid	(12.2)	(8.0)
Other	0.0	0.0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	151.5	149.4	136.8
Funded status at end of year:
Funded status at the end of year	(87.7)	(53.8)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	0.0	1.6
Current liabilities	(1.8)	(5.3)
Non-current liabilities	(85.9)	(50.1)
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheets	(87.7)	(53.8)
Accumulated benefit obligation	239.2	202.7
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost	(12.4)	(4.6)
Net actuarial loss	(83.4)	(58.8)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(95.8)	(63.4)
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated comprehensive income over the next fiscal year:
Prior service cost	4.0	3.1
Net actuarial loss	4.1	2.9
International Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic pension cost	0.0	0.0	0.0
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	45.5	53.5
Service cost	0.2	0.2	0.2
Interest cost	1.3	1.3	1.1
Amendments	0.0	0.0
Actuarial losses (gains)	3.2	(4.5)
Settlement gain	0.0	0.0
Benefits paid	(2.6)	(5.5)
Other	(3.0)	0.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	44.6	45.5	53.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	30.9	34.1
Actual return on plan assets	3.1	0.9
Employer contributions	1.2	1.2
Benefits paid	(2.6)	(5.5)
Other	(1.9)	0.2
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	30.7	30.9	$ 34.1
Funded status at end of year:
Funded status at the end of year	(13.9)	(14.6)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Non-current assets	0.0	0.0
Current liabilities	(0.1)	(0.1)
Non-current liabilities	(13.8)	(14.5)
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheets	(13.9)	(14.6)
Accumulated benefit obligation	44.6	45.5
Pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service cost	0.0	0.0
Net actuarial loss	(13.0)	(12.9)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(13.0)	(12.9)
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	1.4	1.5
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets: \| Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	119.2
Benefit obligation at end of year	239.2	119.2
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	63.8
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	151.5	63.8
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	239.2	118.7
Pensions plans in which benefit obligation exceeds plan assets: \| International Plans \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	45.5
Benefit obligation at end of year	44.6	45.5
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	30.9
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	30.6	30.9
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	44.6	45.5
Pensions plans in which plan assets exceed benefit obligation: \| Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	84.0
Benefit obligation at end of year	0.0	84.0
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	85.6
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0.0	85.6
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
Accumulated benefit obligation	0.0	84.0
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, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Domestic Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	$ 4.1	$ 2.9
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	2.9	2.7	$ 3.5
Interest cost	7.7	7.3	6.9
Expected return on plan assets	(10.5)	(10.2)	(9.4)
Amortization of prior service cost	3.5	3.1	3.1
Settlement	0.4	0.0	0.0
Recognized actuarial loss	2.7	4.5	5.3
Net periodic pension cost	$ 6.7	$ 7.4	$ 9.4
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.80%	3.90%
Rate of compensation increase	5.00%	5.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.90%	3.50%	3.20%
Expected return on plan assets	7.30%	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, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Domestic Plans \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	55.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	53.30%	57.50%
Domestic Plans \| Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	40.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	41.80%	37.80%
Domestic Plans \| Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	5.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	4.90%	4.70%
Domestic Plans \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	0.00%	0.00%
International Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	$ 1.4	$ 1.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	0.2	0.2	$ 0.2
Interest cost	1.3	1.3	1.1
Expected return on plan assets	(1.9)	(2.2)	(1.9)
Amortization of prior service cost	0.0	0.0	0.0
Settlement	0.0	0.0	0.0
Recognized actuarial loss	1.4	2.3	3.6
Net periodic pension cost	$ 1.0	$ 1.6	$ 3.0
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.00%	2.90%
Rate of compensation increase	3.10%	3.10%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.90%	2.50%	2.10%
Expected return on plan assets	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
Rate of compensation increase	3.10%	3.10%	3.20%
Reduction in net periodic pension cost per 100 basis point increase in benefit obligation discount rate	$ 1.2
Additional net periodic pension cost per 100 basis point decrease in expected return on plan assets rate	$ 0.3
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	100.00%	100.00%
International Plans \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	75.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	73.00%	61.90%
International Plans \| Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	15.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	17.10%	25.50%
International Plans \| Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	0.00%	0.00%
International Plans \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Targeted asset allocation, percentage	10.00%
Pension plan asset allocation, percentage	9.90%	12.60%

Pension and Defined Contribution Plans - Fair Value Measurements and Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) multiemployer_plan	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Multiemployer Defined Pension Plans
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Abstract]
Number of multi-employer plans \| multiemployer_plan	2
Contributions to Multi-employer Pension Plans	$ 0.5	$ 0.5	$ 0.5
Defined Contribution Plan
Defined Contribution Plan [Abstract]
Defined contribution plan, cost recognized	8.1	8.0	8.0
Common stock included in defined contribution plan, market value	$ 7.4
Common stock included in defined contribution plan as percentage of total fair value of assets in plan	2.00%
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	$ 151.5	149.4	136.8
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment [Abstract]
2020	9.5
2021	9.3
2022	12.5
2023	24.2
2024	17.8
2025-2029	66.8
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Mutual Funds: Domestic large cap equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	45.6	48.3
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	20.5	20.8
Domestic Plans \| 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
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	6.0	7.6
Domestic Plans \| 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
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	14.6	16.8
Domestic 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
Domestic Plans \| 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
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 3 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.0	0.0
Domestic Plans \| 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
Domestic 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
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	86.7	93.5
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3 \| Mutual Funds: Domestic large cap equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	45.6	48.3
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3 \| Mutual Funds: Foreign equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	20.5	20.8
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3 \| Collective trust: Domestic small cap equities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	14.6	16.8
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 1,2 and 3 \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	6.0	7.6
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	64.8	55.9
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| NAV \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	57.4	48.9
Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan \| NAV \| Real estate fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	7.4	7.0
International Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	30.7	30.9	$ 34.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment [Abstract]
2020	1.0
2021	1.0
2022	1.0
2023	1.1
2024	1.1
2025-2029	6.3
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	22.4	19.1
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Short-term fixed income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0.3	0.3
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Multi-strategy investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	3.0	3.9
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	5.0	7.6
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	0.3
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	22.4	19.1
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	3.0	3.9
International Plans \| Pension Plan \| Level 2 \| Fixed-income investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	5.0	7.6
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
Qualified Plan \| Domestic Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer expected contribution to defined benefit plans in next fiscal year	3.6
Qualified Plan \| International Plans \| Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer expected contribution to defined benefit plans in next fiscal year	$ 1.0

Debt and Lines of Credit - Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 01, 2009	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		$ 356,600,000	$ 356,800,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2020		350,300,000
2021		4,400,000
2022		400,000
2023		400,000
2024		300,000
After 2024		900,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		350,000,000.0	350,000,000.0
Senior unsecured public notes due December 2019, unamortized discount and deferred costs		(100,000)	(500,000)
Carrying value of debt to be refinanced		341,200,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Unsecured Notes \| ABL
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes	$ 350,000,000.0
Interest rate (percent)	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		$ 4,000,000.0	4,000,000.0
Long-term debt interest rate (percent)		1.70%
Bank loans \| Fixed-rate Bank Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt outstanding		$ 2,700,000	$ 3,300,000
Minimum \| Bank loans \| Fixed-rate Bank Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)		0.80%
Maximum \| Bank loans \| Fixed-rate Bank Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)		2.00%

Debt and Lines of Credit - Lines of Credit (Details)	Jun. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit		$ 3,800,000
Lines of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 800,000,000
Minimum interest coverage ratio	2.50
Maximum leverage ratio	3.50
Outstanding letters of credit		8,000,000.0
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]
Term of notes	5 years
Revolving credit facility	$ 400,000,000.0
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility		0	$ 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]
Additional borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility		$ 796,200,000
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]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	2.50%
Year two \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	2.50%
Year three \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	5.00%
Year four \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	5.00%
Year five \| Lines of Credit \| Unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Periodic payment maturity as percent of principal (percent)	7.50%

Common Stock and Related Matters (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			18 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Common Stock [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Balance beginning of period (in shares)	53,667,327
Common Stock, Balance end of period (in shares)	53,778,155	53,667,327		53,778,155
Common Stock, Amount (at par), Balance beginning of period	$ 0.5
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations, Amount	23.1	$ 23.7	$ 16.8
Stock options exercised, Amount		1.1	$ 2.1
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	14,325,197	13,676,689		14,325,197
Treasury stock at original repurchase cost	$ 1,156.0	$ 1,074.4		$ 1,156.0
Reacquired shares of outstanding common stock	700,000
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]
Shares authorized for repurchase (shares)					6,000,000,000,000
Reacquired shares of outstanding common stock				1,450,000
Amount
Common Stock [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Balance beginning of period (in shares)	53,700,000	53,500,000	53,400,000
Issuance of restricted stock grants, net of cancellations (in shares)	100,000	200,000	100,000
Stock options exercised (in shares)		0	0
Common Stock, Balance end of period (in shares)	53,800,000	53,700,000	53,500,000	53,800,000
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
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, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Earnings per share:
Net income									$ 330.4	$ 349.6	$ 321.7
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									39,700	40,900	43,100
Common stock equivalents (in shares)									100	100	200
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)									39,800	41,000	43,300
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.43	$ 2.23	$ 1.68	$ 1.99	$ 2.71	$ 1.81	$ 2.34	$ 1.71	$ 8.32	$ 8.54	$ 7.46
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.42	$ 2.22	$ 1.67	$ 1.98	$ 2.70	$ 1.80	$ 2.33	$ 1.70	$ 8.29	$ 8.52	$ 7.43
Stock Options
Earnings per share:
Stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)									300	179	117
Restricted Stock
Earnings per share:
Stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share (in shares)									160	227	99

Share-Based Payments (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Share-Based Payments (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based expense	$ 29,200,000	$ 32,300,000	$ 32,000,000.0
Stock Options \| $40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 3.1 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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	3 years 1 month
Stock Options \| $100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.9 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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 10 months 24 days
Stock Options \| $160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 6.2 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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	6 years 2 months 12 days
Stock Options \| $210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 7.1 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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	7 years 1 month
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Roll Forward]
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 159.88
Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance (in shares)				2,700,000
Number of shares available for grant (in shares)	1,400,000	1,600,000	1,400,000
Stock Incentive Plan \| $40.01 - $100.00 (average life - 3.1 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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
Stock Incentive Plan \| $100.01 - $160.00 (average life - 6.9 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Range of option exercise prices: Number of Shares, Outstanding	200,000
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 125.66
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)	$ 125.09
Stock Incentive Plan \| $160.01 - $210.00 (average life - 6.2 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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	100,000
Range of option exercise prices: Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 207.80
Stock Incentive Plan \| $210.01 - $239.76 (average life - 7.1 years)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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)	$ 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
Stock Incentive Plan \| Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based compensation vesting period (years)	3 years
Share-based expense	$ 2,700,000	$ 3,100,000	$ 3,600,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 2,800,000
Unrecognized compensation cost period of recognition (years)	1 year 3 months 18 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	0.40%	0.30%	0.20%
Expected volatility	32.80%	30.90%	28.50%
Risk-free interest rate	3.00%	2.00%	1.30%
Expected life of options	4 years	4 years	4 years
Weighted-average fair value of options (in dollars per share)	$ 34.06	$ 41.87	$ 57.40
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period, Outstanding, Number of Shares	300,000	300,000	300,000
Granted, Number of Shares	100,000	0	0
Stock options exercised (in shares)	0	0	0
End of period, Outstanding, Number of Shares	420,000	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)	$ 154.69	$ 156.43	$ 129.85
Granted, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	116.40	156.39	239.76
Exercised, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)		115.27	139.69
End of period, Outstanding, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 146.70	$ 154.69	$ 156.43
Exercisable, Number of shares outstanding (in shares)	300,000	200,000	200,000		100,000
Exercisable, Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 147.51	$ 134.13	$ 106.54		$ 83.89
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Total intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest		$ 500,000	$ 1,300,000
Stock options exercised (in shares)	0	0	0
Total intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	$ 5,800,000
Total intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest	700,000
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercisable	$ 5,100,000
Stock Incentive Plan \| Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based compensation vesting period (years)	4 years
Share-based expense	$ 25,100,000	$ 27,900,000	$ 27,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period, Outstanding (in shares)	400,000
Granted (in shares)	200,000
Vested (in shares)	(200,000)
End of period, Outstanding (in shares)	350,000	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)	$ 186.63
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	120.73
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	184.60
End of period, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 156.32	$ 186.63
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 34,600,000
Unrecognized compensation cost period of recognition (years)	1 year 7 months 6 days
Total fair value of shares vested	$ 26,900,000	$ 26,600,000	24,800,000
Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, 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 (in shares)	360,000	370,000	390,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract]
Share-based expense	$ 1,400,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 1,200,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Deferred compensation, number of share units outstanding	119,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance (in shares)	1,500,000
Number of shares available for grant (in shares)	1,000,000.0
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, End of Period [Abstract]
Employee discount on purchases of common stock	5.00%

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)						12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	Aug. 12, 2019 statement	May 17, 2019 patent	May 01, 2019 patent	Oct. 05, 2018 statement	Jan. 03, 2018 executive	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2020						$ 16,700,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2021						13,500,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2022						9,900,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2023						7,200,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal 2024						4,600,000
Minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease for fiscal year after 2023						16,800,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net [Abstract]
Total rent expense						22,600,000	$ 22,300,000	$ 20,000,000.0
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2020						347,200,000
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2021						5,000,000.0
Purchase obligations in fiscal 2022						5,000,000.0
Purchase obligations extending beyond August 31, 2022						$ 0
Standard product warranty period						5 years
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance						$ 27,300,000	22,000,000.0	15,500,000
Warranty and recall costs						18,700,000	32,400,000	39,800,000
Payments and other deductions						(19,700,000)	(27,700,000)	(33,300,000)
Acquired warranty and recall liabilities						0	600,000	0
ASC 606 adjustments						(14,800,000)	0	0
Ending balance						$ 11,500,000	$ 27,300,000	$ 22,000,000.0
Total work force covered by collective bargaining agreements
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Portion of revenues (percent)						67.00%
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements Expiring within One Year
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Portion of revenues (percent)						57.00%
Lighting Science Group Patent Litigation
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Number of patents under alleged infringement claims (patents) \| patent		7	8
Number of patents under dropped claims (patents) \| patent		1
Securities Class Action
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Number of initial claims under class action \| statement	42
Number of claims dismissed \| statement				47
Number of claims allowed \| statement	5
Former Executive \| Securities Class Action
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Number of former executives accused \| executive					1

Special Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Special Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges	$ 1.8	$ 5.6	$ 11.3
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	10.1
Payments made during the period	(7.7)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	1.9	10.1
Special Charges
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges	1.8	5.6	11.3
Consolidation of facilities and reduction in employee headcount
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges		10.6
Streamlining activities related to sale of business
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges		(5.0)
Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	(0.5)
Severance and employee-related costs \| Special Charges
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges	(0.5)	5.4	11.2
Other restructuring costs \| Special Charges
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charges	2.3	0.2	$ 0.1
Fiscal 2019 Actions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.0
Payments made during the period	(0.6)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	1.3	0.0
Fiscal 2019 Actions \| Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	1.9
Fiscal 2018 Actions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	9.2
Payments made during the period	(6.6)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.6	9.2
Fiscal 2018 Actions \| Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	(2.0)
Fiscal 2017 Actions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.9
Payments made during the period	(0.5)
Remaining balance of severance reserve	0.0	$ 0.9
Fiscal 2017 Actions \| Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Incurred costs	$ (0.4)

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for current federal taxes	$ 60.3	$ 88.9	$ 151.2
Provision for current state taxes	14.7	16.4	20.4
Provision for current foreign taxes	10.2	9.2	7.0
Provision (benefit) for deferred taxes	9.3	(38.2)	(7.7)
Total provision for income taxes	$ 94.5	$ 76.3	$ 170.9

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Federal income tax computed at statutory rate	$ 89,200,000	$ 109,400,000	$ 172,400,000
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit	12,200,000	11,500,000	12,200,000
Foreign permanent differences and rate differential	2,100,000	(2,000,000.0)	(1,600,000)
Discrete income tax benefits of the TCJA	(2,200,000)	(34,600,000)	0
Research and development tax credits	(18,100,000)	(3,300,000)	(3,000,000.0)
Unrecognized tax benefits	12,200,000	400,000	800,000
Other, net	(900,000)	(5,100,000)	(9,900,000)
Total provision for income taxes	94,500,000	76,300,000	170,900,000
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(22,000,000.0)	(15,000,000.0)
Goodwill and intangibles	(149,600,000)	(151,200,000)
Other liabilities	(2,800,000)	(2,300,000)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(174,400,000)	(168,500,000)
Deferred income tax assets:
Self-insurance	2,600,000	2,600,000
Pension	22,700,000	18,100,000
Deferred compensation	20,500,000	23,700,000
Net operating losses	6,200,000	6,200,000
Other accruals not yet deductible	26,900,000	24,900,000
Other assets	9,700,000	7,000,000.0
Total deferred income tax assets	88,600,000	82,500,000
Valuation allowance	(4,600,000)	(3,600,000)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	(90,400,000)	(89,600,000)
Discrete tax benefit	36,800,000
Provisional benefit to decrease Company's deferred income taxes to a revised statutory federal rate	32,500,000
Current estimated benefit for transition tax on unremitted foreign earnings	4,300,000
Undistributed earnings and original investments in foreign subsidiaries	107,700,000
Deferred income tax liability for certain foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state taxes	600,000
State tax credit carryforwards	2,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	16,600,000	4,400,000	$ 6,000,000.0
Unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect annual effective tax rate	15,900,000	3,800,000
Total accrued interest	1,000,000.0	$ 500,000
Accruals related to income tax penalties	0
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Deferred income tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	32,900,000
State and Local Jurisdiction
Deferred income tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	20,300,000
Foreign Tax Authority
Deferred income tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 1,800,000

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Change in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year	$ 4.4	$ 6.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	2.0	0.6
Additions for tax positions of prior years	10.9	1.0
Reductions due to settlements	0.0	(2.2)
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(0.7)	(1.0)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year	$ 16.6	$ 4.4

Subsequent Event (Details)	Sep. 17, 2019 brand
The Luminaires Group (TLG) \| Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of niche lighting brands of acquired entity	5

Supplemental Disaggregated Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) Segment	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Geographic Distribution
Number of reportable segments \| Segment	1
Net sales	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Operating profit:	462.9	460.8	527.5
Income before provision for income taxes:	424.9	425.9	492.6
Long-lived assets	297.3	308.4	304.3
Domestic
Geographic Distribution
Net sales	3,277.4	3,292.6	3,123.1
Operating profit:	419.3	419.0	503.3
Income before provision for income taxes:	386.4	386.4	478.5
Long-lived assets	248.9	256.4	252.8
International
Geographic Distribution
Net sales	395.3	387.5	382.0
Operating profit:	43.6	41.8	24.2
Income before provision for income taxes:	38.5	39.5	14.1
Long-lived assets	$ 48.4	$ 52.0	$ 51.5
Sales of lighting solutions, excluding services \| Revenue source
Geographic Distribution
Sales as percentage of total sales (percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Lighting and Building Management Solutions \| Sales of lighting solutions, excluding services \| Revenue source
Geographic Distribution
Sales as percentage of total sales (percent)	99.00%	99.00%	99.00%

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 461.0	$ 129.1
Accounts receivable, net	561.0	637.9
Inventories	340.8	411.8
Other current assets	79.0	32.3
Total current assets	1,441.8	1,211.1
Property, plant, and equipment, net	277.3	286.7
Goodwill	967.3	970.6	$ 900.9
Intangible assets, net	466.0	498.7
Deferred income taxes	2.3	2.9
Other long-term assets	17.7	18.8
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total assets	3,172.4	2,988.8
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	338.8	451.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	9.1	0.4
Other accrued liabilities	248.2	231.2
Total current liabilities	596.1	682.7
Long-term debt	347.5	356.4
Deferred income taxes	92.7	92.5
Other long-term liabilities	217.2	140.4
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,918.9	1,716.8	$ 1,665.6	$ 1,659.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	3,172.4	2,988.8
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	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	(33.7)	(39.7)
Other long-term assets	0.0	0.0
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	(2,426.3)	(2,357.1)
Total assets	(2,460.0)	(2,396.8)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0.0	0.0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Other accrued liabilities	0.0	0.0
Total current liabilities	0.0	0.0
Long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	(33.7)	(39.7)
Other long-term liabilities	0.0	0.0
Amounts due to affiliates	(146.4)	(138.8)
Total stockholders’ equity	(2,279.9)	(2,218.3)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	(2,460.0)	(2,396.8)
Parent
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	361.9	80.5
Accounts receivable, net	0.0	0.0
Inventories	0.0	0.0
Other current assets	32.2	2.3
Total current assets	394.1	82.8
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0.2	0.2
Goodwill	0.0	0.0
Intangible assets, net	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	30.2	36.4
Other long-term assets	1.1	1.2
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	1,627.9	1,707.0
Total assets	2,053.5	1,827.6
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0.7	0.3
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Other accrued liabilities	11.8	18.8
Total current liabilities	12.5	19.1
Long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term liabilities	122.1	91.7
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,918.9	1,716.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,053.5	1,827.6
Subsidiary Issuer
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	18.1	0.0
Accounts receivable, net	484.7	560.7
Inventories	317.1	386.6
Other current assets	27.1	18.6
Total current assets	847.0	965.9
Property, plant, and equipment, net	220.7	226.8
Goodwill	747.6	746.5
Intangible assets, net	271.0	286.6
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term assets	15.2	15.6
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	476.8	370.6
Total assets	2,578.3	2,612.0
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	314.4	420.7
Current maturities of long-term debt	8.7	0.0
Other accrued liabilities	186.0	170.1
Total current liabilities	509.1	590.8
Long-term debt	345.2	353.5
Deferred income taxes	105.8	106.5
Other long-term liabilities	80.4	34.0
Amounts due to affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,537.8	1,527.2
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,578.3	2,612.0
Subsidiary Guarantor
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	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	103.7	106.5
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Other long-term assets	0.0	0.0
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	321.6	279.5
Total assets	428.0	388.7
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0.0	0.0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
Other 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	428.0	388.7
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	428.0	388.7
Non- Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	81.0	48.6
Accounts receivable, net	76.3	77.2
Inventories	23.7	25.2
Other current assets	19.7	11.4
Total current assets	200.7	162.4
Property, plant, and equipment, net	56.4	59.7
Goodwill	217.0	221.4
Intangible assets, net	91.3	105.6
Deferred income taxes	5.8	6.2
Other long-term assets	1.4	2.0
Investments in and amounts due from affiliates	0.0	0.0
Total assets	572.6	557.3
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	23.7	30.1
Current maturities of long-term debt	0.4	0.4
Other accrued liabilities	50.4	42.3
Total current liabilities	74.5	72.8
Long-term debt	2.3	2.9
Deferred income taxes	20.6	25.7
Other long-term liabilities	14.7	14.7
Amounts due to affiliates	146.4	138.8
Total stockholders’ equity	314.1	302.4
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 572.6	$ 557.3

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Net sales:
Total sales	$ 938.1	$ 947.6	$ 854.4	$ 932.6	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Cost of products sold									2,193.0	2,194.7	2,024.0
Gross profit	394.7	383.6	333.9	367.5	411.9	389.1	334.5	349.9	1,479.7	1,485.4	1,481.1
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									1,015.0	1,019.0	942.3
Intercompany charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Special charges									1.8	5.6	11.3
Operating profit									462.9	460.8	527.5
Interest expense, net									33.3	33.5	32.5
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									0.0	0.0	0.0
Miscellaneous expense, net									4.7	1.4	2.4
Income before income taxes									424.9	425.9	492.6
Income tax (benefit) expense									94.5	76.3	170.9
Net income	$ 96.1	$ 88.4	$ 66.3	$ 79.6	$ 108.2	$ 73.0	$ 96.9	$ 71.5	330.4	349.6	321.7
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(11.5)	(25.2)	19.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									(25.1)	21.2	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(36.6)	(4.0)	39.7
Comprehensive income									293.8	345.6	361.4
Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales:
Total sales									(257.4)	(264.8)	(228.6)
Cost of products sold									(201.2)	(198.6)	(173.4)
Gross profit									(56.2)	(66.2)	(55.2)
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									(56.3)	(66.1)	(55.1)
Intercompany charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Special charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									0.1	(0.1)	(0.1)
Interest expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									353.0	362.6	328.4
Miscellaneous expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income before income taxes									(352.9)	(362.7)	(328.5)
Income tax (benefit) expense									0.0	0.0	0.0
Net income									(352.9)	(362.7)	(328.5)
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									11.5	25.2	(19.0)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									17.3	(21.2)	(19.3)
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									28.8	4.0	(38.3)
Comprehensive income									(324.1)	(358.7)	(366.8)
Parent
Net sales:
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									15.6	41.0	39.2
Intercompany charges									(33.2)	(59.2)	(56.9)
Special charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									17.6	18.2	17.7
Interest expense, net									10.9	11.1	11.0
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									(330.0)	(344.3)	(320.9)
Miscellaneous expense, net									6.7	6.4	5.8
Income before income taxes									330.0	345.0	321.8
Income tax (benefit) expense									(0.4)	(4.6)	0.1
Net income									330.4	349.6	321.7
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(11.5)	(25.2)	19.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									(25.1)	21.2	20.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(36.6)	(4.0)	39.7
Comprehensive income									293.8	345.6	361.4
Subsidiary Issuer
Net sales:
Total sales									3,253.6	3,275.7	3,105.2
Cost of products sold									1,940.1	1,951.2	1,764.6
Gross profit									1,313.5	1,324.5	1,340.6
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									897.6	884.6	824.6
Intercompany charges									25.6	49.5	47.7
Special charges									1.8	5.6	11.3
Operating profit									388.5	384.8	457.0
Interest expense, net									17.4	16.9	16.1
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									(23.2)	(18.5)	(7.7)
Miscellaneous expense, net									(2.1)	(1.8)	(7.9)
Income before income taxes									396.4	388.2	456.5
Income tax (benefit) expense									84.5	72.0	158.0
Net income									311.9	316.2	298.5
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(11.5)	(25.2)	19.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									(17.1)	16.9	11.8
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(28.6)	(8.3)	30.8
Comprehensive income									283.3	307.9	329.3
Subsidiary Guarantor
Net sales:
Total sales									52.7	53.6	49.4
Cost of products sold									0.0	0.0	0.0
Gross profit									52.7	53.6	49.4
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									2.8	3.2	3.6
Intercompany charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Special charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									49.9	50.4	45.8
Interest expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									0.0	0.0	0.0
Miscellaneous expense, net									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income before income taxes									49.9	50.4	45.8
Income tax (benefit) expense									10.5	8.5	15.7
Net income									39.4	41.9	30.1
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0.0	0.0	0.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									0.0	0.0	0.0
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									0.0	0.0	0.0
Comprehensive income									39.4	41.9	30.1
Non- Guarantors
Net sales:
Total sales									623.8	615.6	579.1
Cost of products sold									454.1	442.1	432.8
Gross profit									169.7	173.5	146.3
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses									155.3	156.3	130.0
Intercompany charges									7.6	9.7	9.2
Special charges									0.0	0.0	0.0
Operating profit									6.8	7.5	7.1
Interest expense, net									5.0	5.5	5.4
Equity earnings in subsidiaries									0.2	0.2	0.2
Miscellaneous expense, net									0.1	(3.2)	4.5
Income before income taxes									1.5	5.0	(3.0)
Income tax (benefit) expense									(0.1)	0.4	(2.9)
Net income									1.6	4.6	(0.1)
Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0.0	0.0	0.0
Defined benefit plans, net of tax									(0.2)	4.3	7.5
Other comprehensive (loss) income items, net of tax									(0.2)	4.3	7.5
Comprehensive income									1.4	8.9	7.4
External sales
Net sales:
Total sales									3,672.7	3,680.1	3,505.1
External sales \| Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
External sales \| Parent
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
External sales \| Subsidiary Issuer
Net sales:
Total sales									3,253.6	3,275.7	3,105.2
External sales \| Subsidiary Guarantor
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
External sales \| Non- Guarantors
Net sales:
Total sales									419.1	404.4	399.9
Intercompany sales
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany sales \| Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales:
Total sales									(257.4)	(264.8)	(228.6)
Intercompany sales \| Parent
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany sales \| Subsidiary Issuer
Net sales:
Total sales									0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany sales \| Subsidiary Guarantor
Net sales:
Total sales									52.7	53.6	49.4
Intercompany sales \| Non- Guarantors
Net sales:
Total sales									$ 204.7	$ 211.2	$ 179.2

Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 494.7	$ 351.5	$ 336.6
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(53.0)	(43.6)	(67.3)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	0.0	0.0	5.5
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	(2.9)	(163.2)	0.0
Proceeds from sale of business	0.0	1.1	0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	0.0	0.0	13.2
Other investing activities	2.9	1.7	(0.2)
Net cash used for investing activities	(53.0)	(204.0)	(48.8)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	86.5	395.4	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	(86.5)	(395.4)	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	(0.4)	(0.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			1.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.6	1.7	3.0
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6)	(298.4)	(357.9)
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(6.0)	(8.2)	(15.2)
Intercompany dividends		0.0
Intercompany capital		0.0
Dividends paid	(20.8)	(21.4)	(22.7)
Net cash used for financing activities	(108.2)	(326.7)	(391.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1.6)	(2.8)	1.9
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	331.9	(182.0)	(102.1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	129.1	311.1	413.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	461.0	129.1	311.1
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	(2.9)	(36.8)	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
Investments in subsidiaries	2.9	154.7
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of business		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			0.0
Other investing activities	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	2.9	154.7	0.0
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0	0.0
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends		36.8
Intercompany capital		(154.7)
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	0.0	(117.9)	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
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	391.1	322.1	262.3
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
Investments in subsidiaries	(2.9)	(154.7)
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of business		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			0.0
Other investing activities	0.8	1.7	0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	(2.1)	(153.0)	0.0
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.6	1.7	3.0
Repurchases of common stock	(81.6)	(298.4)	(357.9)
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(6.0)	(8.2)	(15.2)
Intercompany dividends		0.0
Intercompany capital		0.0
Dividends paid	(20.8)	(21.4)	(22.7)
Net cash used for financing activities	(107.8)	(326.3)	(392.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.2	0.0	0.0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	281.4	(157.2)	(130.5)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	80.5	237.7	368.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	361.9	80.5	237.7
Subsidiary Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	63.4	30.2	41.4
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(44.5)	(31.4)	(53.1)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment			0.2
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	(2.9)	(136.3)
Proceeds from sale of business		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			13.2
Other investing activities	2.1	0.0	(0.2)
Net cash used for investing activities	(45.3)	(167.7)	(39.9)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	86.5	395.4
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	(86.5)	(395.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0	0.0
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends		0.0
Intercompany capital		136.6
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	0.0	136.6	0.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.0	0.9	(1.5)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	18.1	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	18.1	0.0	0.0
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
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from sale of business		0.0
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			0.0
Other investing activities	0.0	0.0	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	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			0.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0	0.0
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends		0.0
Intercompany capital		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	43.1	36.0	32.9
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(8.5)	(12.2)	(14.2)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment			5.3
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets	0.0	(26.9)
Proceeds from sale of business		1.1
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate			0.0
Other investing activities	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for investing activities	(8.5)	(38.0)	(8.9)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
Repayments of borrowings on credit facility	0.0	0.0
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt	(0.4)	(0.4)
(Repayments) issuances of long-term debt			1.0
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other	0.0	0.0	0.0
Repurchases of common stock	0.0	0.0	0.0
Withholding taxes on net settlement of equity awards	0.0	0.0	0.0
Intercompany dividends		(36.8)
Intercompany capital		18.1
Dividends paid	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	(0.4)	(19.1)	1.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1.8)	(3.7)	3.4
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	32.4	(24.8)	28.4
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48.6	73.4	45.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 81.0	$ 48.6	$ 73.4

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 938.1	$ 947.6	$ 854.4	$ 932.6	$ 1,061.2	$ 944.0	$ 832.1	$ 842.8	$ 3,672.7	$ 3,680.1	$ 3,505.1
Gross profit	394.7	383.6	333.9	367.5	411.9	389.1	334.5	349.9	1,479.7	1,485.4	1,481.1
Net income	$ 96.1	$ 88.4	$ 66.3	$ 79.6	$ 108.2	$ 73.0	$ 96.9	$ 71.5	$ 330.4	$ 349.6	$ 321.7
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.43	$ 2.23	$ 1.68	$ 1.99	$ 2.71	$ 1.81	$ 2.34	$ 1.71	$ 8.32	$ 8.54	$ 7.46
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.42	$ 2.22	$ 1.67	$ 1.98	$ 2.70	$ 1.80	$ 2.33	$ 1.70	$ 8.29	$ 8.52	$ 7.43

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.