Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Jan. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 703,873us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 839,312us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Operating income (loss)	48,706us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	85,245us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Interest income	2,940us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	2,583us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Interest expense	(15,897)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(16,403)us-gaap_InterestExpense
Income (loss) before income taxes	35,749	71,425
Depreciation and amortization	33,679	32,766
Capital expenditures	22,258	26,655
Underground
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	384,663	477,463
Operating income (loss)	38,197	62,606
Interest income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	38,197	62,606
Depreciation and amortization	19,188	18,734
Capital expenditures	9,061	9,856
Surface
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	347,036	400,696
Operating income (loss)	29,060	46,152
Interest income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	29,060	46,152
Depreciation and amortization	13,789	13,292
Capital expenditures	13,104	13,255
Corporate
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(12,095)	(14,222)
Interest income	2,940	2,583
Interest expense	(15,897)	(16,403)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(25,052)	(28,042)
Depreciation and amortization	702	740
Capital expenditures	93	3,544
Eliminations
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	(27,826)	(38,847)
Operating income (loss)	(6,456)	(9,291)
Interest income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	(6,456)	(9,291)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Capital expenditures	$ 0	$ 0

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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