SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Finished products	$ 92,450	$ 86,487
Work in process	20,475	19,708
Materials, parts, assemblies and supplies	67,555	52,173
Contracts in process	8,081	8,291
Less: Billings to date	(1,166)	(1,692)
Inventories, net of valuation reserves	$ 187,395	$ 164,967

Carrying amount as of balance sheet date of inventory billed and customer advances for contracts in process.

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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 progress payments and reserves of inventories associated with long-term contracts or programs.

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Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one 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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