Consolidated Condensed Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 54,623	$ 39,215
Depreciation and amortization	25,816	22,894
(Decrease) increase in operating capital	(48,283)	714
Other non-cash items	9,394	10,108
Net cash provided by operating activities	41,550	72,931
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(19,953)	(28,785)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired, and other	(398)	(32,449)
Insurance proceeds received	1,566	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(18,785)	(61,234)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of contingent consideration	(1,314)	0
Net repayments of short-term debt	(13,788)	(3,673)
Repayments of long-term debt	(292,025)	(514,200)
Proceeds from long-term debt	335,686	508,947
Debt acquisition costs	0	(9,207)
Repurchase of common stock	(46,143)	0
Issuance of common stock for employee stock plans	(2,613)	6,188
Net cash used in financing activities	(20,197)	(11,945)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(62)	(5)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,506	(253)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	5,175	3,573
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	$ 7,681	$ 3,320