CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (8,118)	$ (6,748)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	9,690	9,706
Restructuring charges	0	2,115
Deferred income taxes	(6,499)	(5,457)
Stock-based compensation	2,067	1,602
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts and notes receivable	10,862	21,281
Decrease (increase) in inventory	(13,417)	(8,517)
Decrease (increase) in other current assets	(291)	(1,046)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(11,496)	(9,582)
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities	(15,695)	(4,482)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes	487	346
Increase (decrease) in deferred pension and postretirement benefits	862	967
Other, net	1,208	1,888
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(30,340)	2,073
Investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(22,449)	0
Capital expenditures	(11,500)	(8,024)
Other, net	16	0
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(33,933)	(8,024)
Financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(25)	(20)
Common stock dividends paid	(1,482)	(1,470)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	(1,284)
Issuance of common stock from stock option exercises, including related tax benefits	677	344
Debt issuance costs	(1,070)	0
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(1,900)	(2,430)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	(524)	484
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(66,697)	(7,897)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	71,255	89,619
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 4,558	$ 81,722