CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED 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	$ 10,630	$ 8,390
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(10)	(15)
Income from continuing operations	10,640	8,405
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets	12,974	12,674
Deferred income taxes	2,940	2,092
Share-based compensation expense	2,789	2,174
Provision for bad debt	604	875
Discount accretion on insurance claims	180	220
Gain on sale of assets	(455)	28
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net	(3,132)	(787)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	2,963	157
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
Trade accounts receivable	(22,173)	(37,109)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(7,649)	(6,860)
Insurance recoverables	(43)
Other assets and long-term receivables	6,725	1,823
Income taxes payable	3,363	1,537
Retirement plans and other non-current liabilities	83	(998)
Insurance claims	3,326	(3,887)
Trade accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	(1,346)	19,914
Total adjustments	1,149	(8,147)
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	11,789	258
Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities	202	1,039
Net cash provided by operating activities	11,991	1,297
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(11,926)	(5,213)
Proceeds from sale of assets and other	682	34
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired		(292,178)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		(630)
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,244)	(297,987)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercises of stock options (including income tax benefit)	2,241	5,731
Dividends paid	(7,746)	(7,398)
Deferred financing costs paid	(14)	(4,991)
Borrowings from line of credit	212,000	430,500
Repayment of borrowings from line of credit	(219,000)	(141,000)
Changes in book cash overdrafts	2,955	5,767
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(9,564)	288,609
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(8,817)	(8,081)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	26,467	39,446
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	17,650	31,365
Supplemental Data:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received	1,098	688
Tax effect from exercise of options		971
Cash received from exercise of options	2,241	4,760
Interest paid on line of credit	$ 1,592	$ 2,881