Pension and other postretirement plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2013

Pension Cost [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of net periodic pension cost for the three months ended January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2012 were:

	U.S.						International
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Service cost	$	2,316		$	1,741		$	547		$	380
Interest cost		3,094			2,941			729			756
Expected return on plan assets		(3,828	)		(3,716	)		(388	)		(385	)
Amortization of prior service cost		39			167			(23	)		(25	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		3,486			2,628			355			141
Settlement loss		—			682			—			—
Total benefit cost	$	5,107		$	4,443		$	1,220		$	867

Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three months ended January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2012 were:

	U.S.						International
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Service cost	$	336		$	364		$	9		$	7
Interest cost		678			822			10			10
Amortization of prior service cost		(118	)		(146	)		—			—
Amortization of net actuarial loss		553			670			(1	)		(4	)
Total benefit cost	$	1,449		$	1,710		$	18		$	13