Segment and Geographic Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Segment Information [Line Items]
Number of segments	4
Identifiable assets	$ 1,620,470	$ 1,718,240	$ 1,764,223
United States [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 554,000
Sales [Member] | United States [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Percentage of net revenues from continuing operations	38.00%	39.00%	36.00%
Sales [Member] | France [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Percentage of net revenues from continuing operations	12.00%	11.00%	12.00%
Sales [Member] | Other Individual Country [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Percentage of net revenues from continuing operations	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
Sales [Member] | Foreign Countries [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Percentage of net revenues from continuing operations	62.00%	61.00%	64.00%
Sales [Member] | Largest customer [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Percentage of net revenues from continuing operations	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%