Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (233,525)	$ (9,743)	$ (17,870)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Income from discontinued operations	(5,886)	(7,502)	(6,163)
Depreciation and amortization	49,958	52,418	55,072
Stock-based compensation	21,556	22,552	14,414
Provision for doubtful accounts	5,729	4,030	8,233
Loss/(gain) on disposal of fixed assets	218	(6,366)	(5,822)
Unrealized foreign currency (gain)/loss	(1,600)	(155)	156
Asset impairments	12,327	7,234	86,373
Non-cash interest expense	6,795	3,685	19,112
Equity in earnings	613	282	(355)
Deferred income taxes	159,097	(8,621)	(28,248)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of business acquisitions:
Trade accounts receivable	(1,220)	(50,750)	(29,110)
Other receivables	(759)	(89)	13,231
Inventories	(11,860)	7,183	(68,157)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,176)	(5,018)	(4,619)
Other assets	3,798	2,146	(4,586)
Accounts payable	7,750	(6,087)	24,517
Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities	9,258	(4,677)	8,992
Income taxes payable	3,815	(15,094)	(11,511)
Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities of continuing operations	24,888	(14,572)	53,659
Cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	2,304	1,033	490
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	27,192	(13,539)	54,149
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(52,182)	(63,343)	(89,028)
Business acquisitions, net of acquired cash			(5,578)
Proceeds from the sale of properties and equipment	859	8,198	12,546
Cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	(51,323)	(55,145)	(82,060)
Cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations	(2,570)	(11,855)	(562)
Net cash used in investing activities	(53,893)	(67,000)	(82,622)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on lines of credit	6,157	15,139	30,070
Payments on lines of credit	(22,561)	(12,641)	(35,303)
Borrowings on long-term debt	652,915	140,035	315,330
Payments on long-term debt	(582,456)	(112,841)	(284,676)
Stock option exercises and employee stock purchases	9,944	2,241	4,129
Purchase of non-controlling interest	(58)	(11,000)
Payments of debt and equity issuance costs	(14,277)		(6,391)
Cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations	49,664	20,933	23,159
Cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations
Net cash provided by financing activities	49,664	20,933	23,159
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(7,506)	(8,324)	(5,526)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	15,457	(67,930)	(10,840)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	41,823	109,753	120,593
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	57,280	41,823	109,753
Supplementary cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	52,115	54,788	47,055
Cash paid for income taxes	11,799	25,733	20,356
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures accrued at year-end	$ 5,432	$ 6,026	$ 3,246