Severance and restructuring costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Oct. 31, 2008
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment loss	$ 1,811		$ 243,043
Severance and restructuring costs (Textuals) [Abstract]
Severance and restructuring costs	1,589	2,029	16,396	5,561
Total severance and restructuring costs		23,986
Utilized accrual balance at Oct 31,2010	923
Georgia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance costs and other termination fees associated with the restructuring	2,400
Severance and restructuring	1,557
Assets held for sale measured on non recurring basis	4,150
Impairment losses	1,322
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance costs and other termination fees associated with the restructuring	200
Impairment losses	1,811
Severance and restructuring costs (Textuals) [Abstract]
Severance and restructuring costs	1,589
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member] | Germany [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance Costs	32
Impairment loss	489
Level 2 [Member] | Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member] | Germany [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets held for sale measured on non recurring basis	$ 932