Operating segments and geographic area data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2011

Operating segments and geographic area data (Tables) [Abstract]

Reportable segments

	Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems			Industrial Coating Systems			Corporate			Total
Year ended October 31, 2011
Net external sales	$	611,911		$	438,634		$	182,614		$	—		$	1,233,159
Depreciation		7,087			7,869			2,837			2,965			20,758
Operating profit		210,350	(a)		114,903			26,977			(36,687	)(b)		315,543
Identifiable assets (c)		286,974			692,295			70,622			270,500			1,320,391
Expenditures for long-lived assets		4,477			4,842			2,428			8,492			20,239
Year ended October 31, 2010
Net external sales	$	525,290		$	369,449		$	146,812		$	—		$	1,041,551
Depreciation		8,014			7,641			2,851			4,119			22,625
Operating profit (loss)		166,255			84,247			14,588			(30,257	)(b)		234,833
Identifiable assets (c)		251,881			477,563			61,256			206,663	(d)		997,363
Expenditures for long-lived assets		1,857			2,792			548			9,120			14,317
Year ended October 31, 2009
Net external sales	$	460,746		$	242,247		$	116,172		$	—		$	819,165
Depreciation		9,087			7,268			3,326			6,629			26,310
Operating profit		127,589			(214,781	)(e)		(6,895	)(e)		(33,720	)(b)		(127,807	)
Identifiable assets (c)		226,904			448,196			53,176			168,686	(d)		896,962
Expenditures for long-lived assets		1,922			7,089			865			2,638			12,514

Sales and long-lived assets information by geographic area

	2011		2010		2009
Net external sales
United States	$	312,328	$	273,652	$	234,038
Americas		102,077		78,058		60,632
Europe		390,319		336,119		294,951
Japan		111,003		93,318		81,678
Asia Pacific		317,432		260,404		147,866
Total net external sales	$	1,233,159	$	1,041,551	$	819,165
Long-lived assets
United States	$	90,994	$	80,974	$	79,675
Americas		2,933		1,865		1,703
Europe		16,312		13,401		15,329
Japan		3,496		3,587		3,257
Asia Pacific		17,148		16,568		18,327
Total long-lived assets	$	130,883	$	116,395	$	118,291

Total consolidated income before income taxes

	2011			2010			2009
Total profit (loss) for reportable segments	$	315,543		$	234,833		$	(127,807	)
Interest expense		(5,069	)		(6,263	)		(7,771	)
Interest and investment income		569			819			492
Other-net		3,518			1,930			7,895
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	314,561		$	231,319		$	(127,191	)

Total consolidated assets

	2011			2010			2009
Total assets for reportable segments	$	1,320,391		$	997,363		$	896,962
Customer advance payments		9,375			10,999			8,807
Eliminations		(25,316	)		(22,008	)		(15,095	)
Total consolidated assets	$	1,304,450		$	986,354		$	890,674