Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,049	$ 12,014
Investment in marketable securities	794	1,045
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $609 and $601 at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively	155,727	171,242
Related-party accounts receivable	966	533
Prepaid Taxes	2,019	2,142
Inventories, net	96,459	91,303
Deferred income taxes	3,501	3,496
Prepaid expenses	11,319	11,987
Total current assets	277,834	293,762
Property, plant and equipment, net	278,230	274,828
Goodwill	29,842	30,887
Intangible assets, net	21,265	21,998
Deferred income taxes	3,545	2,605
Other assets	4,875	5,445
Total assets	615,591	629,525
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current debt	1,601	1,918
Accounts payable	143,128	146,478
Other accrued expenses	32,435	41,336
Total current liabilities	177,164	189,732
Long-term Debt	271,594	268,102
Long-term benefit liabilities	25,867	19,951
Deferred income taxes	0	2,739
Interest rate swap agreement	4,930	2,510
Other liabilities	2,022	1,972
Total liabilities	$ 481,577	$ 485,006
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 17,217,284 and 17,214,284 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively	172	172
Paid-in capital	68,351	68,035
Retained earnings	115,636	113,193
Accumulated other comprehensive loss: Pension related liability, net	(50,145)	(36,881)
Total stockholders’ equity	134,014	144,519
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 615,591	$ 629,525