Financial instruments - Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments, Other than Receivables and Accounts Payable (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	$ 54,432	$ 41,239	$ 49,483	$ 37,408
Marketable securities, Carrying Amount	293	279
Notes payable, Carrying Amount	50,007	50,001
Long-term debt, including current maturities, Carrying Amount	573,231
Foreign exchange contracts (net), Carrying Amount	4,182
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	54,432
Marketable securities, Fair Value	293
Notes payable, Fair Value	50,007
Long-term debt, including current maturities, Fair Value	567,678
Foreign exchange contracts (net), Fair Value	$ 4,182