Significant Components of Benefit Obligation and Net Obligation Recognized in Financial Statements (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011		Oct. 31, 2010
Defined Benefit Plans
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 12,075		$ 12,018
Service cost	48		46		44
Interest cost	495		569		592
Actuarial loss	1,233		944
Benefits and expenses paid	(1,137)	[1]	(1,502)	[1]
Benefit obligation at end of year	12,714		12,075		12,018
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	5,917	[1]	5,589	[1]
Actual return on plan assets	384	[1]	176	[1]
Employer contributions	1,490	[1]	1,654	[1]
Benefits and expenses paid	(1,137)	[1]	(1,502)	[1]
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	6,654	[1]	5,917	[1]	5,589	[1]
Unfunded status at end of year	(6,060)		(6,158)
Current liabilities	(1,288)		(1,001)
Non-current liabilities	(4,772)		(5,157)
Net obligation	(6,060)		(6,158)
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(6,060)		(6,158)
Defined Benefit Plans | Retained Earnings
Change in Plan Assets
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(2,535)		(3,765)
Defined Benefit Plans | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Change in Plan Assets
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(3,525)		(2,393)
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	5,595		5,297
Service cost	12		13		15
Interest cost	246		256		281
Actuarial loss	322		329
Benefits and expenses paid	(339)	[1]	(300)	[1]
Benefit obligation at end of year	5,836		5,595		5,297
Change in Plan Assets
Employer contributions	339	[1]	300	[1]
Benefits and expenses paid	(339)	[1]	(300)	[1]
Unfunded status at end of year	(5,836)		(5,595)
Current liabilities	(250)		(301)
Non-current liabilities	(5,586)		(5,294)
Net obligation	(5,836)		(5,595)
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(5,836)		(5,595)
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans | Retained Earnings
Change in Plan Assets
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(5,232)		(5,315)
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Change in Plan Assets
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	$ (604)		$ (280)

[1] Amounts relate to the OneSource Pension Plan which is the only Company funded defined benefit pension plan.