Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 62,582	$ 68,504	$ 64,121
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	136	194	(251)
Income from continuing operations	62,718	68,698	63,870
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:
Depreciation and Amortization	50,897	52,658	36,315
Deferred income taxes	9,772	24,227	17,654
Share-based compensation expense	10,236	9,191	4,071
Provision for bad debt	2,551	3,142	2,636
Discount accretion on insurance claims	715	874	912
Auction rate security credit loss impairment	313		127
Gain on sale of assets	(2,015)	(150)	(1,059)
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net	(6,395)	(3,915)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	5,802	2,539
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Trade accounts receivable	(11,359)	(18,432)	1,976
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(14,188)	(7,786)	(297)
Insurance recoverables	6,110	5,488	(3,981)
Other assets and long-term receivables	9,390	5,962	3,856
Income taxes payable	4,542	4,396	22,629
Retirement plans and other non-current liabilities	(1,584)	(4,085)	(317)
Insurance claims	1,688	(11,950)	(247)
Trade accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	19,754	25,943	(7,399)
Total adjustments	86,229	88,102	76,876
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	148,947	156,800	140,746
Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities	1,665	3,190	9,118
Net cash provided by operating activities	150,612	159,990	149,864
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(28,052)	(22,124)	(23,942)
Proceeds from sale of assets and other	4,177	912	1,512
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(5,963)	(290,985)	(65,430)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		(215)
Proceeds from redemption of auction rate securities		5,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(29,838)	(307,412)	(87,860)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercises of stock options (including income tax benefit)	12,496	9,708	11,376
Dividends paid	(31,309)	(29,744)	(28,152)
Deferred financing costs paid	(14)	(5,021)
Borrowings from line of credit	773,000	885,500	448,000
Repayment of borrowings from line of credit	(858,000)	(726,000)	(480,000)
Changes in book cash overdrafts	45		(7,935)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(103,782)	134,443	(56,711)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16,992	(12,979)	5,293
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	26,467	39,446	34,153
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	43,459	26,467	39,446
Supplemental Data:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received	15,545	9,651	(108)
Tax effect from exercise of options	(156)	(467)	383
Cash received from exercise of options	12,652	10,175	10,993
Interest paid on line of credit	$ 5,331	$ 10,055	$ 3,398