Operating segments and geographic area data (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011 Customers BusinessSegments	Oct. 31, 2010 Customers	Oct. 31, 2009 Customers	Oct. 31, 2008	Jul. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairments	$ 1,811		$ 243,043
Severance charges	1,589	2,029	16,396	5,561
Operating segments and geographic area data (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of business segments	3
Major customers threshold limit	five percent or more of sales	five percent or more of sales	five percent or more of sales
Customers accounted for above threshold limit	0	0	0
Withdrawal from multiplier pension fund	3,120				3,136
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment charges related to write down of assets to fair value	1,811
Severance charges	1,589
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairments	239,427
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairments	$ 3,616