Summary of Fair Value of Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives	$ 0	$ 0
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	0	0
Pension plan assets	19,196	18,562
Total assets	20,087	86,381
Aluminum derivatives	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Net assets (liabilities)	20,087	86,381
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 \| Money Market Funds
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Money market fund investments	891	67,819
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives	38	10
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	11	6
Pension plan assets	0	0
Total assets	49	16
Aluminum derivatives	(79)	(174)
Foreign currency derivatives	(123)	(23)
Total liabilities	(202)	(197)
Net assets (liabilities)	(153)	(181)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Money Market Funds
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Money market fund investments	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives	0	0
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	0	0
Pension plan assets	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Aluminum derivatives	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Net assets (liabilities)	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Money Market Funds
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Money market fund investments	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives	38	10
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	11	6
Pension plan assets	19,196	18,562
Total assets	20,136	86,397
Aluminum derivatives	(79)	(174)
Foreign currency derivatives	(123)	(23)
Total liabilities	(202)	(197)
Net assets (liabilities)	19,934	86,200
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Money Market Funds
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value [Line Items]
Money market fund investments	$ 891	$ 67,819

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This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

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This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Company may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

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Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

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Fair value of the assets less the liabilities of a derivative or group of derivatives.

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