Retirement, pension and other postretirement plans (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011
Discount Rate [Member] | Pension plan, United States [Member]
Effect of a one percent change in the discount rate, expected return on assets and compensation increase
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on service and interest cost	$ (3,107)
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on service and interest cost	3,696
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on pension obligation	(34,776)
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on pension obligation	43,229
Discount Rate [Member] | Pension plan International [Member]
Effect of a one percent change in the discount rate, expected return on assets and compensation increase
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on service and interest cost	(324)
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on service and interest cost	405
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on pension obligation	(11,917)
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on pension obligation	13,847
Expected Return On Assets [Member] | Pension plan, United States [Member]
Effect of a one percent change in the discount rate, expected return on assets and compensation increase
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on service and interest cost	(1,889)
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on service and interest cost	1,888
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on pension obligation	0
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on pension obligation	0
Expected Return On Assets [Member] | Pension plan International [Member]
Effect of a one percent change in the discount rate, expected return on assets and compensation increase
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on service and interest cost	(302)
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on service and interest cost	301
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on pension obligation	0
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on pension obligation	0
Compensation Increase [Member] | Pension plan, United States [Member]
Effect of a one percent change in the discount rate, expected return on assets and compensation increase
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on service and interest cost	2,816
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on service and interest cost	(2,291)
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on pension obligation	14,649
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on pension obligation	(12,040)
Compensation Increase [Member] | Pension plan International [Member]
Effect of a one percent change in the discount rate, expected return on assets and compensation increase
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on service and interest cost	462
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on service and interest cost	(420)
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on pension obligation	8,575
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on pension obligation	$ (7,062)