Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 21,650	$ 26,467
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of $11,197 and $13,485 at July 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively	577,898	552,098
Notes receivable and other	56,872	52,756
Prepaid expenses	50,726	41,823
Prepaid income taxes	4,232	7,205
Deferred income taxes, net	38,096	40,565
Insurance recoverables	10,173	10,851
Current assets of discontinued operations	467	1,992
Total current assets	760,114	733,757
Insurance deposits	31,720	35,974
Other investments and long-term receivables	5,013	5,798
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, net	14,987	14,423
Investments in auction rate securities	16,704	15,670
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $117,984 and $97,819 at July 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively	62,753	60,009
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $94,755 and $78,669 at July 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively	114,662	128,994
Goodwill	750,944	750,872
Noncurrent deferred income taxes, net	33,254	30,948
Noncurrent insurance recoverables	55,176	59,759
Other assets	41,568	43,394
Total assets	1,886,895	1,879,598
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	124,371	130,464
Accrued liabilities
Compensation	111,201	112,233
Taxes-other than income	20,288	19,144
Insurance claims	82,889	78,828
Other	116,205	102,220
Income taxes payable	5,029	307
Total current liabilities	459,983	443,196
Noncurrent income taxes payable	43,996	38,236
Line of credit	252,000	300,000
Retirement plans and other	36,466	39,707
Noncurrent insurance claims	268,958	262,573
Total liabilities	1,061,403	1,083,712
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 54,200,540 and 53,333,071 shares issued at July 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively	542	533
Additional paid-in capital	229,134	211,389
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(1,906)	(2,661)
Retained earnings	597,722	586,625
Total stockholders' equity	825,492	795,886
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,886,895	$ 1,879,598