Business Segment Information Revenue by Product Line (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 206,598	$ 166,059	$ 182,146	$ 145,383	$ 148,851	$ 142,021	$ 162,831	$ 132,371	$ 700,186	$ 586,074
Engineered welded blanks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									280,209	287,604
Complex stampings and modular assemblies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									215,869	157,531
Blanking [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									80,412	92,387
Highly engineered aluminum die casting and machining
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									71,677	0
Other/scrap [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 52,019	$ 48,552