Details of balance sheet (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Receivables:
Accounts	$ 235,240	$ 215,960
Notes	16,082	11,035
Other	6,299	20,148
Receivables, gross	257,621	247,143
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(3,311)	(3,353)
Receivables - net	254,310	243,790
Inventories:
Finished goods	98,879	83,459
Work-in-process	13,971	15,614
Raw materials and finished parts	51,891	43,305
Inventories - gross	164,741	142,378
Obsolescence and other reserves	(16,050)	(16,802)
LIFO reserve	(6,779)	(7,855)
Inventories - net	141,912	117,721
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	7,791	7,810
Land improvements	3,392	2,325
Buildings	121,870	115,111
Machinery and equipment	207,734	207,740
Enterprise management system	43,006	37,249
Construction-in-progress	5,623	8,544
Leased property under capitalized leases	16,796	14,879
Property, plant and equipment - gross	406,212	393,658
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(275,329)	(277,263)
Property, plant and equipment - net	130,883	116,395	118,291
Accrued liabilities:
Salaries and other compensation	44,068	40,334
Pension and retirement	1,030	1,675
Taxes other than income taxes	9,252	8,110
Other	46,944	46,014
Accrued liabilities	$ 101,294	$ 96,133