Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013		Apr. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 32,656		$ 22,342
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes			45
Income from continuing operations	32,656		22,387
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	31,650		25,803
Deferred income taxes	1,749		(1,253)
Share-based compensation expense	6,286		5,436
Provision for bad debt	1,909		1,548
Discount accretion on insurance claims	252		360
Auction rate security credit loss impairment			313
Gain on sale of assets	(67)		(1,229)
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net	(2,328)		(4,633)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	1,688		4,311
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Trade accounts receivable	(21,993)		(13,405)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,594		(6,338)
Insurance recoverables	(61)		(85)
Other assets and long-term receivables	4,963		7,652
Income taxes payable	612		9,604
Retirement plans and other non-current liabilities	(2,950)		(313)
Insurance claims	(2,472)		6,987
Trade accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	(16,662)		(2,766)
Total adjustments	5,170		31,992
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	37,826		54,379
Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities			1,143
Net cash provided by operating activities	37,826		55,522
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(10,392)		(16,875)
Proceeds from sale of assets and other	476		1,793
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(191,987)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(3)
Proceeds from redemption of auction rate security	5,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(196,906)		(15,082)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercises of stock options (including income tax benefit)	2,047		8,097
Dividends paid	(16,054)		(15,579)
Deferred financing costs paid			(14)
Borrowings from line of credit	595,000		404,000
Repayment of borrowings from line of credit	(426,000)		(438,000)
Changes in book cash overdrafts	451
Other	(1,917)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	153,527		(41,496)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(5,553)		(1,056)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	43,459	[1]	26,467
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	37,906	[1]	25,411
Supplemental Data:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received	12,734		5,236
Tax effect from exercise of options	54
Cash received from exercise of options	1,993		8,094
Interest paid on line of credit	$ 3,785		$ 2,915

[1] Cash and cash equivalents are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value.