Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss	$ 153,441	$ 125,520
Unrecognized prior service cost	4,675	6,239
Unrecognized initial net obligation	471	494
Net amount recognized	158,587	132,253
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
Prepaid benefit cost	40,741	48,815
Accrued benefit liability	(115,044)	(114,790)
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss	158,587	132,253
Net amount recognized	84,284	66,278
United States [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss	119,475	104,697
Unrecognized prior service cost	4,675	6,239
Unrecognized initial net obligation	(28)	(76)
Net amount recognized	124,122	110,860
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
Accrued benefit liability	(80,888)	(81,153)
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss	124,122	110,860
Net amount recognized	43,234	29,707
Germany [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss	3,899	4,872
Net amount recognized	3,899	4,872
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
Accrued benefit liability	(27,937)	(28,548)
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss	3,899	4,872
Net amount recognized	(24,038)	(23,676)
United Kingdom [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss	11,462	(3,609)
Net amount recognized	11,462	(3,609)
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
Prepaid benefit cost	34,634	44,027
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss	11,462	(3,609)
Net amount recognized	46,096	40,418
Other International [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss	19,560	19,560
Unrecognized initial net obligation	570	570
Net amount recognized	19,829	20,130
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
Prepaid benefit cost	6,107	4,788
Accrued benefit liability	(6,219)	(5,089)
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss	19,104	20,130
Net amount recognized	$ 18,992	$ 19,829

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Defined Benefit Plan Unrecognized Initial Net Obligation.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss.

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- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan Unrecognized Prior Service Cost.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The pretax total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph i

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

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-Section 50

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- Definition

The aggregate net amount recognized in the balance sheet associated with the defined benefit plan(s). Will normally be the same as the Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan, Total.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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- Definition

Disclosure under FAS 132R, before it was amended by FAS 158, of the accrued benefit liability, if any, as one of the amounts recognized in the balance sheet prior to the adoption of the recognition provisions of FAS 158.

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- Definition

Disclosure under FAS 132R, before it was amended by FAS 158, of the amounts recognized in the balance sheet prior to the adoption of the recognition provisions of FAS 158. This will normally be the same amount as Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Amount Recognized, Total.

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- Definition

Disclosure under FAS 132R, before it was amended by FAS 158, of prepaid benefit costs, if any, as one of the amounts recognized in the balance sheet prior to the adoption of the recognition provisions of FAS 158.

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