Retirement, pension and other postretirement plans (Details 12) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Postretirement Benefit Plans United States [Member]
Components of net postretirement benefit costs
Service cost	$ 1,122	$ 837	$ 589
Interest cost	2,932	2,504	2,926
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(1,147)	(1,147)	(1,009)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	1,606	1,170	765
Total benefit cost	4,513	3,364	3,271
Postretirement Benefit Plans International [Member]
Components of net postretirement benefit costs
Service cost	31	29	23
Interest cost	41	45	35
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(8)	(5)	(11)
Total benefit cost	$ 64	$ 68	$ 47

The amount of gains or losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The amount of the prior service cost or credit recognized in net periodic benefit cost relating to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 106

-Paragraph 518

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 87

-Paragraph 264

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph a, h

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- Definition

The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

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