CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (9,743)	$ (17,870)	$ (6,270)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Income from discontinued operations			(1,830)
Depreciation and amortization	53,232	55,259	53,861
Stock-based compensation	22,552	14,414	12,831
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,594	8,732	15,307
Gain on disposal of fixed assets	(6,366)	(5,822)	(464)
Foreign currency (gain)/loss	(133)	156	(3,078)
Asset impairments	7,234	86,373	11,657
Non-cash interest expense	3,685	19,112	56,695
Equity in earnings	282	(355)	(524)
Deferred income taxes	(8,582)	(28,248)	8,029
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of business acquisitions:
Trade accounts receivable	(53,405)	(33,985)	39,846
Other receivables	(204)	13,827	(15,049)
Inventories	(4,978)	(70,706)	4,505
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(5,069)	(4,799)	7,103
Other assets	1,752	(4,586)	8,958
Accounts payable	1,964	24,839	15,412
Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities	(5,260)	9,320	9,276
Income taxes payable	(15,094)	(11,512)	(16,568)
Cash (used in)/provided by operating activities of continuing operations	(13,539)	54,149	199,697
Cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations			3,785
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	(13,539)	54,149	203,482
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(66,081)	(89,590)	(47,797)
Business acquisitions, net of acquired cash	(9,117)	(5,578)
Proceeds from the sale of properties and equipment	8,198	12,546	4,662
Changes in restricted cash			52,706
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities	(67,000)	(82,622)	9,571
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on lines of credit	15,139	30,070	16,581
Payments on lines of credit	(12,641)	(35,303)	(27,021)
Borrowings on long-term debt	140,035	315,330	59,353
Payments on long-term debt	(112,841)	(284,676)	(220,566)
Stock option exercises and employee stock purchases	2,241	4,129	3,639
Purchase of non-controlling interest	(11,000)		(5,174)
Payments of debt and equity issuance costs		(6,391)	(9,573)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	20,933	23,159	(182,761)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(8,324)	(5,526)	(9,215)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents	(67,930)	(10,840)	21,077
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	109,753	120,593	99,516
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	41,823	109,753	120,593
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	54,788	47,055	54,023
Income taxes	25,733	20,356	15,916
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures accrued at year-end	6,026	3,246	6,681
Common stock issued in debt-for-equity exchange			$ 132,250