Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 222,364	$ 168,048	$ (160,055)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	20,758	22,625	26,310
Amortization	8,018	6,263	5,100
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairments	1,811		243,043
Provision for losses on receivables	977	607	1,998
Deferred income taxes	716	26,830	4,055
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	(6,924)	(7,798)	(284)
Non-cash stock compensation	8,845	7,633	(814)
(Gain)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	362	(18)	(4,324)
Loss on divestiture		357
Other	(5,628)	(10,791)	23,500
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(4,474)	(50,732)	42,182
Inventories	(14,666)	(15,004)	22,688
Other current assets	(1,619)	222	1,170
Other noncurrent assets	875	(2,837)	(872)
Accounts payable	4,389	7,046	(10,257)
Income taxes payable	(1,993)	18,170	5,456
Accrued liabilities	3,263	5,466	(20,766)
Customer advance payments	(2,382)	2,614	853
Other noncurrent liabilities	12,035	(38,515)	(10,306)
Net cash provided by operating activities	246,727	140,186	168,677
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(20,239)	(14,317)	(12,514)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	161	354	8,611
Sale of product lines		(990)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(292,980)	(18,576)
Proceeds from sale of (purchases of) marketable securities	7,552	(7,795)	(36)
Net cash used in investing activities	(305,506)	(41,324)	(3,939)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	190	12,566	613
Repayment of short-term borrowings	(2,361)	(11,411)	(41,591)
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,039,800	116,000	46,200
Repayment of long-term debt	(830,937)	(162,290)	(132,490)
Repayment of capital lease obligations	(4,738)	(4,392)	(5,158)
Issuance of common shares	9,652	13,828	2,986
Purchase of treasury shares	(137,989)	(24,935)	(7,115)
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	6,924	7,798	284
Dividends paid	(29,838)	(26,439)	(24,747)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	50,703	(79,275)	(161,018)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	3,155	3,961	3,306
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(4,921)	23,548	7,026
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	42,329	18,781	11,755
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 37,408	$ 42,329	$ 18,781