Financial instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2011

Financial instruments (Tables) [Abstract]

Summarized values by currency and forward exchange contracts outstanding

	Sell				Buy
	Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value
October 31, 2011 contract amounts:
Euro	$	10,920	$	10,967	$	88,209	$	87,736
Pound sterling		29,381		29,465		56,028		56,515
Japanese yen		16,723		16,416		15,788		15,566
Others		13,827		13,891		33,001		33,473
Total	$	70,851	$	70,739	$	193,026	$	193,290
October 31, 2010 contract amounts:
Euro	$	17,145	$	17,601	$	171,870	$	181,430
Pound sterling		—		—		25,832		26,576
Japanese yen		12,947		13,260		18,678		19,490
Others		6,357		6,545		28,361		29,854
Total	$	36,449	$	37,406	$	244,741	$	257,350

Carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments, other than receivables and accounts payable

	2011				2010
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	37,408	$	37,408	$	42,329	$	42,329
Marketable securities		—		—		7,840		7,840
Notes payable		33		33		2,160		2,160
Long-term debt		319,123		313,850		110,260		112,495
Forward exchange contracts (net)		376		376		11,653		11,653