CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Customers, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$ 1,964	$ 3,828
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Preferred stock, authorized voting shares	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, authorized non-voting shares	850,000	850,000
Preferred stock, issued voting shares	0	0
Preferred stock, issued non-voting shares	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding voting shares	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding non-voting shares	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Common stock, authorized shares	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	29,603,095	31,394,942
Common stock, outstanding shares	29,603,095	31,394,942