Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 3,669	$ 5,905	$ 19,915
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,251	1,214	1,115
Actuarial net gain (loss)	(5,081)	743	(4,113)
Asset net gain (loss)	(3,006)	(3,008)	926
Income tax benefit (provision)	2,986	(387)	783
Total defined benefit pension plans & other post retirement benefits, net of tax	(3,850)	(1,438)	(1,289)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	(183)	(689)	518
Income tax benefit (provision)	58	248	(53)
Reclassification adjustments for gain on marketable securities included in net income	0	0	(365)
Total marketable securities, net of tax	(125)	(441)	100
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap agreements	(1,577)	(2,912)	(2,510)
Income tax benefit	111	861	952
Reclassification adjustments for settlement of derivatives included in net income	1,530	433	0
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax	64	(1,618)	(1,558)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation loss	(3,032)	(9,671)	(8,052)
Reclassification adjustments for settlement of foreign currency included in net income	530	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	(2,502)	(9,671)	(8,052)
Comprehensive income (loss), net	$ (2,744)	$ (7,263)	$ 9,116