SHORT-TERM CAPITAL RESOURCES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Short-term capital resources
Amount for outstanding receivables providing recourse with joint venture	$ 41	$ 1,034
Numerator for the ratio of debt to EBITDA, maximum	2.75
Denominator for the ratio of debt to EBITDA, maximum	1
Limit to cash dividends paid and stock repurchased (per fiscal year) if debt to EBITDA ratio exceeds 2.75	50,000
Unsecured senior five-year revolving credit facility
Short-term capital resources
Maximum borrowing capacity	150,000
Credit facility term (in years)	4
Increase in the credit agreement's borrowing capacity available under the approval of named borrowers	100,000
Description of variable base interest rate	LIBOR
Short term debt for certain receivables provided recourse with Red Iron
Short-term capital resources
Amount for outstanding receivables providing recourse with joint venture	41	258
Non-U.S. Operations | Unsecured short-term lines of credit
Short-term capital resources
Maximum borrowing capacity	14,785
Outstanding short-term debt	$ 0	$ 776