Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 167,689	$ 114,492
Depreciation and amortization	20,805	22,345
Non-cash stock compensation	6,770	6,644
Deferred income tax expense	1,024	19,306
Other non-cash expense	1,763	1,157
(Gain)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	227	(91)
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	(7,150)	(6,104)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(10,836)	(91,220)
Net cash provided by operating activities	180,292	66,529
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(14,306)	(7,812)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	130	237
Sale of product lines		(881)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(34,627)	(18,492)
Proceeds from sale of (purchases of) marketable securities	7,552	(937)
Net cash used in investing activities	(41,251)	(27,885)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		7,253
Repayment of short-term borrowings	(1,827)	(6,122)
Proceeds from long-term debt	49,500	101,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(107,810)	(91,290)
Repayment of capital lease obligations	(3,522)	(3,848)
Issuance of common shares	9,620	10,804
Purchase of treasury shares	(46,342)	(13,611)
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	7,150	6,104
Dividends paid	(21,442)	(19,315)
Net cash used in financing activities	(114,673)	(9,025)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,360	(358)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	26,728	29,261
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	42,329	18,781
End of quarter	$ 69,057	$ 48,042