Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 3,057	$ 6,353	$ (2,002)	$ 8,796
Amortization of net actuarial loss	310	297	620	593
Actuarial net gain (loss)	0	5,473	0	(683)
Asset net gain	0	1,237	0	391
Income tax provision	(112)	(2,651)	(224)	(114)
Total defined benefit pension plans & other post retirement benefits, net of tax	198	4,356	396	187
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	31	(43)	(175)	(294)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(10)	15	55	103
Total marketable securities, net of tax	21	(28)	(120)	(191)
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap agreements	(299)	622	(1,404)	(1,798)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(23)	(235)	268	680
Reclassification adjustments for settlement of derivatives included in net income	332	0	666	0
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax	10	387	(470)	(1,118)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	3,178	(158)	1,887	(7,585)
Reclassification adjustments for settlement of foreign currency included in net income	149	0	149	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of tax	3,327	(158)	2,036	(7,585)
Comprehensive income (loss), net	$ 6,613	$ 10,910	$ (160)	$ 89