Significant Components of Benefit Obligation and Net Obligation Recognized in Financial Statements (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plans
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 12,714		$ 12,075
Service cost			48		46
Interest cost	399		495		569
Actuarial losses (gains)	181		1,233
Benefits and expenses paid	(1,056)	[1]	(1,137)	[1]
Benefit obligation at end of year	12,238		12,714		12,075
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	6,654	[1]	5,917	[1]
Actual return on plan assets	758	[1]	384	[1]
Employer contributions	1,316	[1]	1,490	[1]
Benefits and expenses paid	(1,056)	[1]	(1,137)	[1]
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	7,672	[1]	6,654	[1]	5,917	[1]
Unfunded status at end of year	(4,566)		(6,060)
Current liabilities	(791)		(1,288)
Non-current liabilities	(3,775)		(4,772)
Net obligation	(4,566)		(6,060)
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(4,566)		(6,060)
Defined Benefit Plans | Retained Earnings
Change in plan assets
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(1,385)		(2,535)
Defined Benefit Plans | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Change in plan assets
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(3,181)		(3,525)
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	5,836		5,595
Service cost	13		12		13
Interest cost	203		246		256
Actuarial losses (gains)	(508)		322
Benefits and expenses paid	(129)	[1]	(339)	[1]
Benefit obligation at end of year	5,415		5,836		5,595
Change in plan assets
Employer contributions	129	[1]	339	[1]
Benefits and expenses paid	(129)	[1]	(339)	[1]
Unfunded status at end of year	(5,415)		(5,836)
Current liabilities	(435)		(250)
Non-current liabilities	(4,980)		(5,586)
Net obligation	(5,415)		(5,836)
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(5,415)		(5,836)
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Retained Earnings
Change in plan assets
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	(5,350)		(5,232)
Postretirement Benefit Plans | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Change in plan assets
Net obligation recognized in Balance Sheet	$ (65)		$ (604)

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