Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Deferred Tax Assets and Carryforwards [Abstract]
Accrued compensation and benefits	$ 936	$ 783
Inventory	558	569
State income credits and loss carryforwards	1,115	1,080
Pension obligations and post retirement benefits	12,365	9,555
Foreign net operating loss	2,033	2,246
Tax credits in foreign countries	677	786
Other accruals and reserves	2,206	2,308
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	19,890	17,327
Less: Valuation allowance	(4,401)	(4,263)
Total deferred tax assets	15,489	13,064
Fixed assets	(9,690)	(9,551)
Prepaid expenses and other	(352)	(367)
Net deferred tax asset	5,447	3,146
Change in net deferred tax asset attributable to the provision for deferred taxes	(1,984)	(2,037)
Change in net deferred tax asset attributable to other items	86	117
Pension and postretirement benefits	4,199	1,003
Total change in net deferred tax asset	$ 2,301	$ (917)