ACQUISITIONS ACQUISITIONS (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Assets acquired:
Goodwill	$ 688,489	$ 542,114	$ 443,402
Other Acquisitions [Member]
Assets acquired:
Goodwill	68,068	18,499	49,575
Identifiable intangible assets	39,843	21,831	40,187
Accounts receivable	9,233	4,390	9,072
Property, plant and equipment	6,286	1,361	10,206
Inventories	3,112	4,688	16,847
Other assets	2,603	171	1,639
Total assets acquired, excluding cash	129,145	50,940	127,526
Liabilities assumed:
Accrued additional purchase consideration	21,223	11,982	5,738
Deferred income taxes	13,868	0	7,423
Accrued expenses	3,846	645	7,634
Accounts payable	1,746	445	7,555
Other liabilities	0	0	5,184
Total liabilities assumed	40,683	13,072	33,534
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	0	3,918	5,921
Net assets acquired, excluding cash	$ 88,462	$ 33,950	$ 88,071