Retirement, pension and other postretirement plans (Details 10) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Postretirement Benefit Plans United States [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 55,599	$ 52,858
Service cost	1,122	837	589
Interest cost	2,932	2,504	2,926
Participant contributions	1,307	1,143
Plan amendment		(1,171)
Actuarial (gain) loss	14,409	1,326
Benefits paid	(1,977)	(1,898)
Benefit obligation at end of year	73,392	55,599	52,858
Change in plan assets:
Balance at beginning of year	0	0
Company contributions	670	755
Participant contributions	1,307	1,143
Benefits paid	(1,977)	(1,898)
Balance at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status at end of year	(73,392)	(55,599)
Amounts recognized in financial statements:
Accrued benefit liability	(2,123)	(2,339)
Long-term postretirement obligations	(71,269)	(53,260)
Total amount recognized in financial statements	(73,392)	(55,599)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	37,690	24,887
Prior service cost (credit)	(2,316)	(3,464)
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	35,374	21,423	21,291
Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	2,681	1,498
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(584)	(1,147)
Total	2,097	351
Postretirement Benefit Plans International [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	659	605
Service cost	31	29	23
Interest cost	41	45	35
Foreign currency exchange rate change	13	37
Actuarial (gain) loss	(62)	(53)
Benefits paid	(4)	(4)
Benefit obligation at end of year	678	659	605
Change in plan assets:
Balance at beginning of year	0	0
Company contributions	4	4
Benefits paid	(4)	(4)
Balance at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status at end of year	(678)	(659)
Amounts recognized in financial statements:
Accrued benefit liability	(4)	(4)
Long-term postretirement obligations	(674)	(655)
Total amount recognized in financial statements	(678)	(659)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	(260)	(203)
Prior service cost (credit)	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	(260)	(203)	(146)
Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(14)	(5)
Total	$ (14)	$ (5)