Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 34,919	$ 50,456
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	94	60
Income from continuing operations	35,013	50,516
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	38,559	39,010
Deferred income taxes	(421)	13,960
Share-based compensation expense	7,303	6,689
Provision for bad debt	1,661	2,842
Discount accretion on insurance claims	536	655
Auction rate security credit loss impairment	313
Gain on sale of assets	(1,298)	(110)
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net	(5,380)	(2,785)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	4,583	985
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Trade accounts receivable	(27,042)	(30,809)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(12,761)	(15,265)
Insurance recoverables	5,261	5,301
Other assets and long-term receivables	7,790	9,172
Income taxes payable	13,455	1,398
Retirement plans and other non-current liabilities	(2,119)	(2,085)
Insurance claims	9,910	(12,032)
Trade accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	6,794	15,110
Total adjustments	47,144	32,036
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	82,157	82,552
Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities	1,623	2,285
Net cash provided by operating activities	83,780	84,837
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(23,765)	(16,547)
Proceeds from sale of assets and other	2,185	415
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(5,640)	(290,478)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		(955)
Proceeds from redemption of auction rate securities		5,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(27,220)	(302,565)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercises of stock options (including income tax benefit)	10,055	9,519
Dividends paid	(23,425)	(22,278)
Deferred financing costs paid	(14)	(4,991)
Borrowings from line of credit	604,000	740,500
Repayment of borrowings from line of credit	(652,000)	(516,000)
Changes in book cash overdrafts	7	11,146
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(61,377)	217,896
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(4,817)	168
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	26,467	39,446
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	21,650	39,614
Supplemental Data:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received	8,928	7,838
Tax effect from exercise of options		1,366
Cash received from exercise of options	10,051	8,153
Interest paid on line of credit	$ 4,139	$ 7,821