Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Aug. 01, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Aug. 01, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Sales	$ 262,138	$ 245,292	$ 677,789	$ 629,072
Cost of sales, excluding asset impairments (recovery)	205,348	194,999	536,641	504,765
Assets impairments (recovery)	(93)	(64)	(93)	849
Gross profit	56,883	50,357	141,241	123,458
Engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses	50,889	48,730	151,227	142,367
Restructuring charges (recovery)	(575)	551	(575)	1,904
Income (loss) from operations	6,569	1,076	(9,411)	(20,813)
Interest income	26	32	103	69
Interest expense	(3,890)	(4,424)	(12,014)	(13,638)
Refinancing costs				(174)
Other income (expense), net	(112)	(204)	1,166	1,579
Income (loss) before income taxes	2,593	(3,520)	(20,156)	(32,977)
Benefit from income taxes		(221)	(6,795)	(11,536)
Net income (loss)	2,593	(3,299)	(13,361)	(21,441)
Convertible preferred stock dividends and accretion	9,176	8,637	21,666	25,178
Convertible preferred stock beneficial conversion feature	6,494	4,583	8,040	246,052
Net loss applicable to common shares	$ (13,077)	$ (16,519)	$ (43,067)	$ (292,671)
Loss per common share:
Basic	$ (0.71)	$ (0.90)	$ (2.35)	$ (16.10)
Diluted	$ (0.71)	$ (0.90)	$ (2.35)	$ (16.10)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	18,467	18,274	18,292	18,184
Diluted	18,467	18,274	18,292	18,184