Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011		Oct. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Contingent Amounts and Other	$ (756)	[1]	$ (3,480)
Engineering
Goodwill [Line Items]
Contingent Amounts and Other	(2,852)	[1]	(193)
Engineering | Reclassifications
Goodwill [Line Items]
Contingent Amounts and Other	$ 2,852

[1] Effective November 1, 2010, the Company changed the management reporting responsibility for a subsidiary from the Janitorial segment to the Engineering segment. As a result of the organizational change, the Company reclassified the goodwill associated with this subsidiary from the Janitorial segment to the Engineering segment which amounted to $2.9 million.