Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (19,947)	$ 11,479	$ (697)
Defined benefit pension plans & other post-retirement benefits
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,156	1,318	1,480
Actuarial net gain (loss)	(13,016)	7,861	604
Asset net gain (loss)	3,331	(2,889)	5,729
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02 (1)	0	(6,138)	0
Income tax provision	(217)	(1,442)	(3,001)
Total defined benefit pension plans & other post retirement benefits, net of tax	(8,746)	(1,290)	4,812
Marketable securities
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	(173)	45
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02 (1)	0	(7)	0
Income tax benefit (expense)	0	10	(250)
Realized income	18	0	0
Reclassification of other-than-temporary impairment losses on marketable securities included in net income (loss)	0	154	669
Total marketable securities, net of tax	18	(16)	464
Derivatives and hedging
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swap agreements	(1,225)	1,452
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swap agreements			1,543
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02 (1)	0	(213)	0
Income tax benefit (provision)	(217)	588
Income tax benefit (provision)	217	(588)	(1,151)
Reclassification adjustments for settlement of derivatives included in net income	(276)	(772)
Reclassification adjustments for settlement of derivatives included in net income			1,401
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax	(732)	1,423
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax			1,793
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(3,959)	(7,879)	7,156
Income tax provision	(677)	(931)	0
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation	(4,636)	(8,810)	7,156
Comprehensive income (loss), net	$ (34,043)	$ 2,786	$ 13,528