Retirement, pension and other postretirement plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Pension plan, United States [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 237,370	$ 224,966
Service cost	6,058	5,997	4,177
Interest cost	12,008	11,883	11,897
Plan amendments	5	643
Actuarial (gain) loss	21,289	18,336
Benefits paid	(7,781)	(24,455)
Benefit obligation at end of year	268,949	237,370	224,966
Change in plan assets:
Balance at beginning of year	175,864	113,356
Actual return on plan assets	15,946	17,266
Company contributions	672	69,697
Benefits paid	(7,781)	(24,455)
Balance at end of year	184,701	175,864	113,356
Funded status at end of year	(84,248)	(61,506)
Amounts recognized in financial statements:
Accrued benefit liability	(571)	(467)
Long-term pension and retirement obligations	(83,677)	(61,039)
Total amount recognized in financial statements	(84,248)	(61,506)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	136,927	123,449
Prior service cost (credit)	2,035	2,695
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	138,962	126,144	124,496
Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	11,356	7,226
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	667	666
Total	12,023	7,892
Pension plan International [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	71,936	61,631
Service cost	2,097	1,632	1,315
Interest cost	2,973	2,791	2,625
Participant contributions	124	128
Plan amendments	(1,210)
Addition of plan from business combination		1,241
Foreign currency exchange rate change	345	(448)
Actuarial (gain) loss	(2,567)	7,966
Benefits paid	(2,337)	(3,005)
Benefit obligation at end of year	71,361	71,936	61,631
Change in plan assets:
Balance at beginning of year	29,799	28,833
Actual return on plan assets	672	994
Company contributions	3,788	3,446
Participant contributions	124	128
Foreign currency exchange rate change	121	(597)
Benefits paid	(2,337)	(3,005)
Balance at end of year	32,167	29,799	28,833
Funded status at end of year	(39,194)	(42,137)
Amounts recognized in financial statements:
Noncurrent asset	191	497
Accrued benefit liability	(4)	(346)
Long-term pension and retirement obligations	(39,381)	(42,288)
Total amount recognized in financial statements	(39,194)	(42,137)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	14,937	17,486
Prior service cost (credit)	(1,201)	14
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	13,736	17,500	9,569
Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	579	857
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(98)	5
Total	$ 481	$ 862