CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 1,958,690	$ 1,883,953	$ 1,690,378
Cost of sales	1,285,596	1,247,306	1,113,987
Gross profit	673,094	636,647	576,391
Selling, general, and administrative expense	467,481	452,160	425,125
Operating earnings	205,613	184,487	151,266
Interest expense	(16,906)	(16,970)	(17,113)
Other income, net	7,555	7,309	7,115
Earnings before income taxes	196,262	174,826	141,268
Provision for income taxes	66,721	57,168	48,031
Net earnings	$ 129,541	$ 117,658	$ 93,237
Basic net earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 2.18	$ 1.88	$ 1.41
Diluted net earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 2.14	$ 1.85	$ 1.39
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Basic (in shares)	59,446	62,534	65,964
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	60,618	63,594	66,874