Business Segment Information Revenue by Product Line (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 148,851	$ 142,021	$ 162,831	$ 132,371	$ 143,716	$ 128,191	$ 137,046	$ 108,790	$ 586,074	$ 517,743
Engineered welded blanks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									287,604	246,255
Complex stampings and modular assemblies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									157,531	123,949
Blanking [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									92,387	97,908
Steel processing, tools, dies, scrap and other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 48,552	$ 49,631