SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Finished products	$ 102,497	$ 93,873
Work in process	26,550	18,887
Materials, parts, assemblies and supplies	78,206	69,042
Contracts in process	9,993	8,299
Less: Billings to date	(990)	(397)
Inventories, net of valuation reserves	$ 216,256	$ 189,704

Carrying amount, net of valuation reserves and adjustments, as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods held by the company that are readily available for sale.

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Amount before valuation and LIFO reserves, and progress payments, of inventory associated with long-term contracts, expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount after valuation and LIFO reserves of inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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Carrying amount, net of valuation reserves and adjustments, as of the balance sheet date of items purchased for use as components of a finished product or pieces of machinery and equipment plus any items in their natural and unrefined state. This element may be used when the reporting entity combines raw materials and purchased parts into an aggregate amount.

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Carrying amount, net of reserves and adjustments, as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods which are partially completed. This inventory is generally comprised of raw materials, labor and factory overhead costs, which require further materials, labor and overhead to be converted into finished goods, and which generally require the use of estimates to determine percentage complete and pricing.

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Amount of advances received from customers under long-term contracts which have been offset against inventories accounts at the balance sheet date.

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