Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total		Common Stock	Contributed Capital	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Loss)	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance at Oct. 31, 2009	$ 236,879		$ 24,849	$ 204,183	$ 60,411	$ (54,860)	$ 2,296
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	(50,375)		0	0	(50,375)	0	0
Other comprehensive income:
Translation adjustments	3,589		0	0	0	0	3,589
Comprehensive income (loss)	(46,786)
Issuance of shares under employee stock plans, net of tax withholdings	(194)			(2,324)		2,130
Stock-based compensation	3,107		0	3,107	0	0	0
Balance at Oct. 30, 2010	193,006		24,849	204,966	10,036	(52,730)	5,885
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	(21,067)	[1],[2]	0	0	(21,067)	0	0
Other comprehensive income:
Translation adjustments	570		0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(20,497)
Issuance of shares under employee stock plans, net of tax withholdings	(295)			(3,739)		3,444
Stock based compensation tax deficiency	1,537			1,537
Stock-based compensation	2,255		0	2,255	0	0	0
Balance at Oct. 29, 2011	172,932		24,849	201,945	(11,031)	(49,286)	6,455
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	2,596	[3]	0	0	2,596	0	0
Other comprehensive income:
Translation adjustments	(1,495)		0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,101
Issuance of shares under employee stock plans, net of tax withholdings	(107)			(4,912)		4,805
Stock based compensation tax deficiency	(417)			(417)
Stock-based compensation	6,476		0	6,476	0	0	0
Balance at Nov. 03, 2012	$ 179,985		$ 24,849	$ 203,092	$ (8,435)	$ (44,481)	$ 4,960

[1] The earnings from discontinued operations in 2011 include the settlement agreement for breach of contract by Chemtura that led to $4,844 in cash proceeds and after tax earnings of $3,003.

[2] Operating earnings and net earnings from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2011 were impacted by charges totaling $41,067 ($28,813 net of tax), comprising goodwill impairments of $40,455 ($28,435 net of tax), restructuring and exit costs of $634 ($393 net of tax), and foreign currency gains of $22 ($15 net of tax).

[3] Operating earnings and net earnings from continuing operations in 2012 were impacted by charges totaling $8,834 ($5,917 net of tax), comprising merger and transaction costs of $6,901 ($4,486 net of tax), restructuring and exit costs of $2,521 ($1,866 net of tax), and foreign currency gains of $588 ($435 net of tax). Fourth quarter 2012 operating earnings and net earnings include foreign currency gains which pertain to prior annual periods of $1,465 ($1,026 net of tax). Prior annual periods were not corrected as such amounts were immaterial and thus recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012.