CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Net sales	$ 1,883,953	$ 1,690,378	$ 1,523,447
Cost of sales	1,247,306	1,113,987	1,012,472
Gross profit	636,647	576,391	510,975
Selling, general, and administrative expense	452,160	425,125	395,778
Operating earnings	184,487	151,266	115,197
Interest expense	(16,970)	(17,113)	(17,578)
Other income (expense), net	7,309	7,115	(1,831)
Earnings before income taxes	174,826	141,268	95,788
Provision for income taxes	57,168	48,031	32,951
Net earnings	$ 117,658	$ 93,237	$ 62,837
Basic net earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 3.76	$ 2.83	$ 1.76
Diluted net earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 3.70	$ 2.79	$ 1.73
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Basic (in shares)	31,267	32,982	35,788
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	31,797	33,437	36,240