SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Finished products	$ 86,487,000	$ 72,263,000
Work in process	19,708,000	13,739,000
Materials, parts, assemblies and supplies	52,173,000	46,918,000
Contracts-in-process	8,291,000	5,295,000
Less: Billings to date	(1,692,000)	0
Inventories, net of valuation reserves	$ 164,967,000	$ 138,215,000