Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 36,426	[1]	$ 43,459	[1]
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of $11,963 and $11,125 at January 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, respectively	642,870		561,317
Notes receivable and other	35,346		43,960
Prepaid expenses	58,687		46,672
Prepaid income taxes	251		385
Deferred income taxes, net	37,028		43,671
Insurance recoverables	9,870		9,870
Total current assets	820,478		749,334
Insurance deposits	27,982		31,720
Other investments and long-term receivables	4,623		5,666
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, net	15,422		14,863
Investments in auction rate securities	17,832	[2]	17,780	[2]
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $116,307 and $107,771 at January 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, respectively	74,232		59,909
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $107,499 and $100,180 at January 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, respectively	160,918		109,138
Goodwill	869,766		751,610
Noncurrent deferred income taxes, net	2,324		17,610
Noncurrent insurance recoverables	54,660		54,630
Other assets	39,911		38,898
Total assets	2,088,148		1,851,158
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	131,114		130,410
Accrued liabilities
Compensation	119,634		121,855
Taxes-other than income	30,140		19,437
Insurance claims	80,189		80,192
Other	93,850		95,473
Income taxes payable	4,227		8,450
Total current liabilities	459,154		455,817
Noncurrent income taxes payable	29,418		27,773
Line of credit	423,000	[3]	215,000	[3]
Retirement plans and other	43,753		38,558
Noncurrent insurance claims	273,360		263,612
Total liabilities	1,228,685		1,000,760
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 54,627,987 and 54,393,907 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, respectively	546		544
Additional paid-in capital	238,870		234,636
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(2,180)		(2,154)
Retained earnings	622,227		617,372
Total stockholders' equity	859,463		850,398
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 2,088,148		$ 1,851,158

[1] Cash and cash equivalents are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value.

[2] As of January 31, 2013, the Company held investments in auction rate securities from four different issuers having an original principal amount of $5.0 million each (aggregating to $20.0 million). For investments in auction rate securities that were not redeemed or had no market activity indicative of value, the fair value was based on discounted cash flow valuation models, primarily utilizing unobservable inputs. See Note 6, "Auction Rate Securities," for the roll-forwards of assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable Level 3 inputs and the sensitivity analysis of significant inputs. Subsequently, on February 8, 2013, one of the auction rate securities was redeemed by the issuer at its par value of $5.0 million. For that particular security, the fair value as of January 31, 2013 was determined to be the same as its par value.

[3] Represents the Company's $650.0 million five-year syndicated line of credit. Due to variable interest rates, the carrying value of outstanding borrowings under the Company's line of credit approximates its fair value. See Note 8, "Line of Credit," for more information