Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Changes in Level 3 plan assets (Detail) (Level 3 [Member], Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 32,156	$ 18,501
Assets held, end of year	2,995	1,949
Assets sold during the period	13	2
Purchases	4,242	14,311
Sales	(2,228)	(2,183)
Foreign currency translation	(127)	(424)
Ending balance	37,051	32,156
Other Type of Investments Real Estate Collective Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	13,110
Assets held, end of year	1,970	1,169
Assets sold during the period	13	2
Purchases		12,000
Sales	(135)	(61)
Ending balance	14,958	13,110
Other Type of Investments Insurance Contract [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	19,046	18,501
Assets held, end of year	1,025	780
Purchases	4,242	2,311
Sales	(2,093)	(2,122)
Foreign currency translation	(127)	(424)
Ending balance	$ 22,093	$ 19,046