Nordson (NDSN) 10-Q 4 Sep 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Aug. 26, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Jul-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'NDSN	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NORDSON CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000072331	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--10-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	63,096,577

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Sales	$458,550	$402,960	$1,235,431	$1,132,103
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	201,039	177,877	547,586	492,853
Selling and administrative expenses	143,056	131,867	426,697	402,268
Total operating costs and expenses	344,095	309,744	974,283	895,121
Operating profit	114,455	93,216	261,148	236,982
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-3,810	-3,353	-10,917	-11,045
Interest and investment income	137	112	466	304
Other - net	-236	2,699	-851	934
Total other income (expense)	-3,909	-542	-11,302	-9,807
Income before income taxes	110,546	92,674	249,846	227,175
Income taxes	32,667	27,250	75,153	65,135
Net income	$77,879	$65,424	$174,693	$162,040
Average common shares	63,482	64,137	63,888	64,242
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and deferred stock-based compensation	659	717	631	681
Average common shares and common share equivalents	64,141	64,854	64,519	64,923
Basic earnings per share	$1.23	$1.02	$2.73	$2.52
Diluted earnings per share	$1.21	$1.01	$2.71	$2.50
Dividends declared per share	$0.18	$0.15	$0.54	$0.45

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$77,879	$65,424	$174,693	$162,040
Components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-4,769	-5,133	-3,517	-9,716
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses	1,722	2,687	5,180	8,213
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,047	-2,446	1,663	-1,503
Total comprehensive income	$74,832	$62,978	$176,356	$160,537

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$53,223	$42,375
Receivables - net	358,189	308,707
Inventories - net	210,352	198,401
Deferred income taxes	29,830	29,354
Prepaid expenses	28,197	21,733
Total current assets	679,791	600,570
Property, plant and equipment - net	209,285	200,979
Goodwill	937,139	939,211
Intangible assets - net	250,083	269,073
Other assets	33,147	32,456
Total assets	2,109,445	2,042,289
Current liabilities:	'	'
Notes payable	9,405	3,604
Accounts payable	66,266	62,123
Income taxes payable	29,961	14,522
Accrued liabilities	112,205	110,528
Customer advanced payments	25,992	28,341
Current maturities of long-term debt	10,755	10,832
Current obligations under capital leases	5,473	5,521
Total current liabilities	260,057	235,471
Long-term debt	612,358	638,158
Deferred income taxes	82,344	79,977
Pension obligations	93,111	103,754
Postretirement obligations	61,494	59,794
Other long-term liabilities	41,306	37,272
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common shares	12,253	12,253
Capital in excess of stated value	322,451	304,549
Retained earnings	1,502,752	1,362,584
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-55,717	-57,380
Common shares in treasury, at cost	-822,964	-734,143
Total shareholders' equity	958,775	887,863
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$2,109,445	$2,042,289

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$174,693	$162,040
Depreciation and amortization	43,839	39,555
Non-cash stock compensation	13,494	8,779
Deferred income taxes	-709	4,186
Other non-cash expense	328	1,626
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	194	-1,886
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	-4,127	-3,192
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	-44,754	-16,524
Net cash provided by operating activities	182,958	194,584
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-27,936	-34,569
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	278	3,760
Acquisition of business	0	-1,231
Investment in equity affiliate	-854	-1,116
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	0	277
Net cash used in investing activities	-28,512	-32,879
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	8,673	5,033
Repayment of short-term borrowings	-2,778	-50,000
Proceeds from long-term debt	49,272	118,925
Repayment of long-term debt	-74,030	-148,734
Repayment of capital lease obligations	-4,629	-3,995
Issuance of common shares	5,870	5,124
Purchase of treasury shares	-94,410	-28,831
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	4,127	3,192
Dividends paid	-34,525	-28,930
Net cash used in financing activities	-142,430	-128,216
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-1,168	640
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	10,848	34,129
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
Beginning of year	42,375	41,239
End of quarter	$53,223	$75,368

Significant_accounting_policie

Significant accounting policies	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant accounting policies	'
	1	Significant accounting policies
	Basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2013.
	Basis of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates and joint ventures in which our ownership is 50% or less or in which we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
	Revenue recognition. Most of our revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.
	A relative selling price hierarchy exists for determining the selling price of deliverables in multiple deliverable arrangements. Vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) is used, if available. Third-party evidence (TPE) is used if VSOE is not available, and best estimated selling price is used if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. Our multiple deliverable arrangements include installation, installation supervision, training, and spare parts, which tend to be completed in a short period of time, at an insignificant cost, and utilizing skills not unique to us, and, therefore, are typically regarded as inconsequential or perfunctory. Revenue for undelivered items is deferred and included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet. Revenues deferred in 2014 and 2013 were not material.
	Earnings per share. Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year, while diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding. Common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options computed using the treasury stock method, as well as restricted shares and deferred stock-based compensation. Options whose exercise price is higher than the average market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended July 31, 2014, the number of options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share was 92. For the three months ended July 31, 2014, and the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, no options were excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share. Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, executive officers and selected other key employees receive common share awards based on corporate performance measures over three-year performance periods. Awards for which performance measures have not been met were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Recently_issued_accounting_sta

Recently issued accounting standards	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Recently issued accounting standards	'
	2	Recently issued accounting standards
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) which requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carry forward that would apply in settlement of uncertain tax positions. Under the new standard, unrecognized tax benefits will be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carry forwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carry forwards that are created by the unrecognized tax benefits. The new guidance is effective prospectively to all existing unrecognized tax benefits, but entities can choose to apply it retrospectively. The guidance will be effective for us in our first quarter of 2015, with early adoption permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this ASU will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard regarding revenue recognition. Under this standard, a company recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard implements a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition that focuses on transfer of control, as opposed to transfer of risk and rewards. It will be effective for us beginning in 2018, with early adoption not permitted. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	3	Inventories
	At July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, inventories consisted of the following:
		July 31, 2014			October 31, 2013
	Raw materials and component parts	$	84,212		$	81,943
	Work-in-process		33,987			34,756
	Finished goods		129,029			115,078
			247,228			231,777
	Obsolescence and other reserves		(29,452	)		(26,579	)
	LIFO reserve		(7,424	)		(6,797	)
		$	210,352		$	198,401

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_

Goodwill and other intangible assets	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and other intangible assets	'
	4	Goodwill and other intangible assets
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 by operating segment are as follows:
		Adhesive			Advanced			Industrial		Total
		Dispensing			Technology			Coating
		Systems			Systems			Systems
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	407,269		$	507,884		$	24,058	$	939,211
	Currency effect		(1,941	)		(131	)		—		(2,072	)
	Balance at July 31, 2014	$	405,328		$	507,753		$	24,058	$	937,139
	Accumulated impairment losses, which were recorded in 2009, were $232,789 at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013. Of these losses, $229,173 related to the Advanced Technology Systems segment, and $3,616 related to the Industrial Coating Systems segment.
	Information regarding our intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:
		July 31, 2014
		Carrying			Accumulated			Net Book
		Amount			Amortization			Value
	Customer relationships	$	171,219		$	38,834		$	132,385
	Patent/technology costs		85,920			26,055			59,865
	Trade name		67,957			11,053			56,904
	Non-compete agreements		8,371			7,616			755
	Other		1,391			1,217			174
	Total	$	334,858		$	84,775		$	250,083
		31-Oct-13
		Carrying			Accumulated			Net Book
		Amount			Amortization			Value
	Customer relationships	$	171,489		$	28,872		$	142,617
	Patent/technology costs		85,414			21,145			64,269
	Trade name		67,865			7,856			60,009
	Non-compete agreements		9,965			8,091			1,874
	Other		1,400			1,096			304
	Total	$	336,133		$	67,060		$	269,073
	Amortization expense for the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $6,150 and $5,550, respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $18,790 and $17,034, respectively.

Pension_and_other_postretireme

Pension and other postretirement plans	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and other postretirement plans	'
	5	Pension and other postretirement plans
	The components of net periodic pension cost for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013 were:
		U.S.						International
	Three months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	2,018		$	2,070		$	691		$	516
	Interest cost		3,480			3,057			783			709
	Expected return on plan assets		(4,324	)		(3,737	)		(430	)		(373	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		59			38			(20	)		(19	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		1,985			3,431			384			347
	Total benefit cost	$	3,218		$	4,859		$	1,408		$	1,180
		U.S.						International
	Nine months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	6,053		$	6,692		$	2,102		$	1,586
	Interest cost		10,441			9,235			2,392			2,147
	Expected return on plan assets		(12,972	)		(11,401	)		(1,309	)		(1,133	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		177			117			(59	)		(62	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		5,955			10,496			1,170			1,049
	Total benefit cost	$	9,654		$	15,139		$	4,296		$	3,587
	The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013 were:
		U.S.						International
	Three months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	259		$	187		$	7		$	8
	Interest cost		766			592			9			10
	Amortization of prior service credit		(112	)		(118	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		358			477			(3	)		(1	)
	Total benefit cost	$	1,271		$	1,138		$	13		$	17
		U.S.						International
	Nine months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	778		$	859		$	22		$	26
	Interest cost		2,297			1,948			28			29
	Amortization of prior service credit		(337	)		(355	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		1,076			1,584			(10	)		(3	)
	Total benefit cost	$	3,814		$	4,036		$	40		$	52

Income_taxes

Income taxes	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income taxes	'
	6	Income taxes
	We record our interim provision for income taxes based on our estimated annual effective tax rate, as well as certain items discrete to the current period. The effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ended July 31, 2014 were 29.5% and 30.1%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ended July 31, 2013 were 29.4% and 28.7%, respectively.
	During the three months ending July 31, 2014, we recorded an adjustment related to our 2013 tax provision that reduced income taxes by $550. Additionally, we recorded a tax benefit of $500 related to an adjustment to deferred taxes resulting from a state income tax rate reduction.
	During the three months ending July 31, 2013, we recorded an adjustment related to our 2012 tax provision that reduced income taxes by $430. Additionally, we recorded a tax benefit of $215 related to an adjustment to deferred taxes resulting from a tax rate reduction in the United Kingdom.
	During the nine months ending July 31, 2013, we recorded a favorable adjustment to unrecognized tax benefits of $900 primarily related to expiration of certain foreign statutes of limitations. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted which retroactively reinstated and extended the Federal R&D Tax Credit from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 and extended certain other tax provisions. As a result, the Company’s income tax provision for the nine months ending July 31, 2013 includes a discrete tax benefit of $1,700 related to 2012.

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	7	Accumulated other comprehensive loss
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of:
		Cumulative			Pension and			Accumulated
		translation			postretirement benefit			other comprehensive
		adjustments			plan adjustments			loss
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	26,699		$	(84,079	)	$	(57,380	)
	Reclassification adjustments, net of tax of $(2,813)		—			5,180			5,180
	Current period charge		(3,517	)		—			(3,517	)
	Balance at July 31, 2014	$	23,182		$	(78,899	)	$	(55,717	)
	For the three months ended July 31, 2014, reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive loss affecting net income were $1,722 (net of tax of $936) and related to pension and postretirement adjustments.

Stockbased_compensation

Stock-based compensation	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based compensation	'
	8	Stock-based compensation
	During the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 26, 2013, our shareholders approved the 2012 Stock Incentive and Award Plan (the “2012 Plan”). The 2012 Plan provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, performance shares, stock purchase rights, stock equivalent units, cash awards and other stock or performance-based incentives. A maximum of 2,900 common shares is available for grant under the Plan.
	Stock Options
	Nonqualified or incentive stock options may be granted to our employees and directors. Generally, options granted to employees may be exercised beginning one year from the date of grant at a rate not exceeding 25% per year and expire 10 years from the date of grant. Vesting accelerates upon the occurrence of events that involve or may result in a change of control. For grants made prior to November 2012, vesting would cease upon retirement, death and disability, and unvested shares would be forfeited. For grants made in or after November 2012, in the event of termination of employment due to early retirement or normal retirement at age 65, options granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and vesting continues post retirement for all other unvested options granted. In the event of disability or death, all unvested stock options fully vest. Termination for any other reason results in forfeiture of unvested options and vested options in certain circumstances. The amortized cost of options is accelerated if the retirement eligibility date occurs before the normal vesting date. Option exercises are satisfied through the issuance of treasury shares on a first-in, first-out basis. We recognized compensation expense related to stock options of $2,358 and $1,244 in the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Corresponding amounts for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 were $8,202 and $3,647, respectively. Most of the increases were related to accelerated amortization of the cost of options.
	The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Aggregate		Weighted
		Options			Exercise Price Per		Intrinsic Value		Average
					Share				Remaining
									Term
	Outstanding at October 31, 2013		1,749		$	34.63
	Granted		277		$	71.75
	Exercised		(251	)	$	23.41
	Forfeited or expired		(22	)	$	50.58
	Outstanding at July 31, 2014		1,753		$	41.92	$	58,295		6.2 years
	Vested or expected to vest at July 31, 2014		1,737		$	41.68	$	58,160		6.2 years
	Exercisable at July 31, 2014		1,018		$	30.07	$	45,904		4.8 years
	At July 31, 2014, there was $8,818 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options. That cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.4 years.
	The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
	Nine months ended	July 31, 2014		July 31, 2013
	Expected volatility	40.1%-44.7%		45.3%-46.9%
	Expected dividend yield	0.98%-1.03%		0.97%-1.01%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.51%-1.79%		0.75%-0.90%
	Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4-6.1		5.4-6.1
	The weighted-average expected volatility used to value the 2014 and 2013 options was 44.5% and 46.3%, respectively.
	Historical information was the primary basis for the selection of the expected volatility, expected dividend yield and the expected lives of the options. The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon yields of U.S. Treasury issues with a term equal to the expected life of the option being valued.
	The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $27.92 and $24.12, respectively.
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $7,330 and $2,235, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $13,291 and $10,590, respectively.
	Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $5,870 and $5,124, respectively. The tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $4,127 and $3,192, respectively.
	Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units
	We may grant restricted shares and/or restricted share units to our employees and directors. These shares or units may not be transferred for a designated period of time (generally one to three years) defined at the date of grant.
	For employee recipients, in the event of termination of employment due to early retirement, restricted shares granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and other restricted shares vest on a pro-rata basis. In the event of termination of employment due to retirement at normal retirement age, restricted shares granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and, for other restricted shares, the restriction period will terminate and the shares will vest and be transferable. Restrictions lapse in the event of a recipient’s disability or death. Termination for any other reason prior to the lapse of any restrictions results in forfeiture of the shares.
	For non-employee directors, all restrictions lapse in the event of disability or death of the non-employee director. Termination of service as a director for any other reason within one year of date of grant results in a pro-rata vesting of shares or units.
	As shares or units are issued, deferred stock-based compensation equivalent to the fair market value on the date of grant is expensed over the vesting period. Tax benefits arising from the lapse of restrictions are recognized when realized and credited to capital in excess of stated value.
	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted shares during the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted shares at October 31, 2013		82		$	52.67
	Granted		23		$	71.89
	Vested		(38	)	$	47.77
	Restricted shares at July 31, 2014		67		$	62.1
	As of July 31, 2014 there was $2,069 of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted shares. The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. The amount charged to expense related to restricted shares was $458 and $752 in the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These amounts included common share dividends for the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 of $12 and $14, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the amounts charged to expense related to restricted shares were $1,353 and $1,888, respectively. These amounts included common share dividends for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 of $37 and $42, respectively.
	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted share units during the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Units			Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted share units at October 31, 2013		12		$	51.79
	Granted		12		$	71.82
	Vested		(6	)	$	43.73
	Restricted share units at July 31, 2014		18		$	68.71
	As of July 31, 2014, there was $220 of remaining expense to be recognized related to outstanding restricted share units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.3 years. The amount charged to expense related to restricted share units during the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $222 and $262, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the amounts were $667 and $480, respectively.
	Directors Deferred Compensation
	Non-employee directors may defer all or part of their cash and equity-based compensation until retirement. Cash compensation may be deferred as cash or as share equivalent units. Deferred cash amounts are recorded as liabilities, and share equivalent units are recorded as equity. Additional share equivalent units are earned when common share dividends are declared.
	The following table summarizes activity related to director deferred compensation share equivalent units during the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Outstanding at October 31, 2013		148		$	23.22
	Restricted stock units vested		6		$	43.73
	Dividend equivalents		1		$	75.23
	Distributions		(43	)	$	18.81
	Outstanding at July 31, 2014		112		$	26.6
	The amount charged to expense related to director deferred compensation for the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $23 and $43, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the corresponding amounts were $75 and $152, respectively.
Long-Term Incentives
Executive officers and selected other key employees participate in a common share-based long-term incentive compensation program. Payouts vary based on the degree to which corporate financial performance exceeds predetermined threshold, target and maximum performance levels over three-year performance periods. No payout will occur unless certain threshold performance objectives are exceeded.
The amount of compensation expense is based upon current performance projections for each three-year period and the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered. The calculations are also based upon the grant date fair value determined using the closing market price of our common shares at the grant date, reduced by the implied value of dividends not to be paid. This value was $69.25 per share for 2014, $59.59 per share for 2013 and $42.12 per share for 2012. During the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, $699 and $334, respectively, was charged to expense. For the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the corresponding amounts were $3,144 and $2,601, respectively. The cumulative amount recorded in shareholders’ equity at July 31, 2014 was $6,410.
Our executive officers and other highly compensated employees may elect to defer up to 100% of their base pay and annual cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90% of their share-based long-term incentive compensation plan payout each year. Additional share units are credited for quarterly dividends paid on our common shares. Expense related to dividends paid under this plan for the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was $32 and $21, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the amounts were $90 and $53, respectively.

Warranties

Warranties	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Warranties	'
	9	Warranties
	We offer warranties to our customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement. A typical warranty program requires that we repair or replace defective products within a specified time period (generally one year) from the date of delivery or first use. We record an estimate for future warranty-related costs based on actual historical return rates. Based on analysis of return rates and other factors, the adequacy of our warranty provisions are adjusted as necessary. The liability for warranty costs is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013:
		July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Beginning balance at October 31	$	9,409		$	8,929
	Accruals for warranties		7,054			5,609
	Warranty payments		(6,744	)		(5,964	)
	Currency effect		(35	)		(44	)
	Ending balance	$	9,684		$	8,530

Operating_segments

Operating segments	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating segments	'
	10		Operating segments
	We conduct business across three primary business segments: Adhesive Dispensing Systems, Advanced Technology Systems, and Industrial Coating Systems. The composition of segments and measure of segment profitability is consistent with that used by our chief operating decision maker. The primary measure used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing performance is operating profit, which equals sales less cost of sales and certain operating expenses. Items below the operating profit line of the Consolidated Statement of Income (interest and investment income, interest expense and other income/expense) are excluded from the measure of segment profitability reviewed by our chief operating decision maker and are not presented by operating segment. The accounting policies of the segments are generally the same as those described in Note 1, Significant Accounting Policies, of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2013.
	The following table presents sales and operating profits of our reportable segments:
			Adhesive			Advanced			Industrial			Corporate			Total
			Dispensing			Technology			Coating
			Systems			Systems			Systems
	Three months ended July 31, 2014
	Net external sales		$	226,762		$	174,636		$	57,152		$	—		$	458,550
	Operating profit (loss)			60,806			56,444			7,471			(10,266	)		114,455
	Three months ended July 31, 2013
	Net external sales		$	195,992		$	150,280		$	56,688		$	—		$	402,960
	Operating profit (loss)			50,998	(a)		42,465	(b)		7,585			(7,832	)		93,216
	Nine months ended July 31, 2014
	Net external sales		$	668,187		$	399,805		$	167,439		$	—		$	1,235,431
	Operating profit (loss)			171,425	(c)		97,664	(d)		21,762			(29,703	)		261,148
	Nine months ended July 31, 2013
	Net external sales		$	575,750		$	388,990		$	167,363		$	—		$	1,132,103
	Operating profit (loss)			146,011	(a)		96,310	(b)		22,896			(28,235	)		236,982
	(a)	Includes $58 and $315 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, respectively.
	(b)	Includes $265 and $712 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, respectively.
	(c)	Includes $699 of severance and restructuring costs in the nine months ended July 31, 2014.
	(d)	Includes $579 of severance and restructuring costs in the nine months ended July 31, 2014.
	A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Total profit for reportable segments		$	114,455		$	93,216		$	261,148		$	236,982
	Interest expense			(3,810	)		(3,353	)		(10,917	)		(11,045	)
	Interest and investment income			137			112			466			304
	Other-net			(236	)		2,699			(851	)		934
	Income before income taxes		$	110,546		$	92,674		$	249,846		$	227,175
	We had significant sales in the following geographic regions:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	United States		$	119,705		$	115,809		$	360,904		$	341,926
	Americas			31,296			28,017			89,705			91,851
	Europe			126,639			103,877			365,172			297,708
	Japan			34,593			26,704			89,727			93,914
	Asia Pacific			146,317			128,553			329,923			306,704
	Total net external sales		$	458,550		$	402,960		$	1,235,431		$	1,132,103

Fair_value_measurements

Fair value measurements	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value measurements	'
	11		Fair value measurements
	The inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value are classified into the following categories:
	Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	The following table presents the classification of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at July 31, 2014:
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Rabbi trust (a)		$	13,550	$	—	$	13,550	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts (b)			3,688		—		3,688		—
	Total assets at fair value		$	17,238	$	—	$	17,238	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plans (c)		$	8,494	$	8,494	$	—	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts (b)			3,966		—		3,966		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	12,460	$	8,494	$	3,966	$	—
	(a)	We maintain a rabbi trust that serves as an investment to shadow our deferred compensation plan liability. The investment assets of the trust consist of life insurance policies for which we recognize income or expense based upon changes in cash surrender value.
	(b)	We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the risk of foreign currency exposures resulting from receivables, payables, intercompany receivables, intercompany payables and loans denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using market exchange rates. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments.
	(c)	Executive officers and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100% of their salary and annual cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90% of their share-based long-term incentive compensation, into various non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Deferrals can be allocated to various market performance measurement funds. Changes in the value of compensation deferred under these plans are recognized each period based on the fair value of the underlying measurement funds.

Financial_instruments

Financial instruments	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
Financial instruments	'
	12		Financial instruments
	We operate internationally and enter into intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies. Consequently, we are subject to market risk arising from exchange rate movements between the dates foreign currencies are recorded and the dates they are settled. We regularly use foreign currency forward contracts to reduce our risks related to most of these transactions. These contracts usually have maturities of 90 days or less and generally require us to exchange foreign currencies for U.S. dollars at maturity, at rates stated in the contracts. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	Gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in “Other – net” on the Consolidated Statement of Income together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position. For the three months ended July 31, 2014, we recognized losses of $285 on foreign currency forward contracts and gains of $267 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. For the three months ended July 31, 2013, we recognized losses of $1,313 on foreign currency forward contracts and gains of $1,402 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. For the nine months ended July 31, 2014, we recognized losses of $2,614 on foreign currency forward contracts and gains of $2,448 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013, we recognized losses of $1,887 on foreign currency forward contracts and losses of $571 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions.
	We had the following outstanding foreign currency forward contracts at July 31, 2014:
			Sell						Buy
			Notional			Fair Market			Notional		Fair Market
			Amounts			Value			Amounts		Value
	Euro		$	379,824		$	374,283		$	338,853	$	334,180
	British pound			51,386			52,049			68,286		68,078
	Japanese yen			15,667			15,477			9,161		9,068
	Australian dollar			468			465			9,018		9,024
	Hong Kong dollar			53,195			53,202			111,493		111,508
	Singapore dollar			—			—			10,447		10,454
	Others			4,330			4,263			26,626		26,162
	Total		$	504,870		$	499,739		$	573,884	$	568,474
	The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at July 31, 2014, other than receivables and accounts payable, are shown in the table below. The carrying values of receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
			Carrying			Fair
			Amount			Value
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	53,223		$	53,223
	Notes payable			9,405			9,405
	Long-term debt, including current maturities			623,113			624,973
	Foreign currency forward contracts (net)			(278	)		(278	)
	We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of financial instruments:
		•		Cash, cash equivalents and notes payable are valued at their carrying amounts due to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments.
		•		Long-term debt is valued by discounting future cash flows at currently available rates for borrowing arrangements with similar terms and conditions, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.
		•		Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using observable market based inputs, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	13	Contingencies
	We are involved in pending or potential litigation regarding environmental, product liability, patent, contract, employee and other matters arising from the normal course of business. Including the environmental matter discussed below, it is our opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that resolutions of these matters are not expected to result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition, quarterly or annual operating results or cash flows.
	We have voluntarily agreed with the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin and other Potentially Responsible Parties to share costs associated with the remediation of the City of New Richmond municipal landfill (the “Site”) and the construction of a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site. At July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $615 and $668, respectively. The liability for environmental remediation represents management’s best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable undiscounted costs related to known remediation obligations. The accuracy of our estimate of environmental liability is affected by several uncertainties such as additional requirements that may be identified in connection with remedial activities, the complexity and evolution of environmental laws and regulations, and the identification of presently unknown remediation requirements. Consequently, our liability could be greater than our current estimate. However, we do not expect that the costs associated with remediation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent events	'
	14	Subsequent events
	On August 6, 2014, we entered into a $100,000 unsecured credit facility with PNC Bank, National Association. This facility has a 364-day term and contains events of default and covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and the maintenance of certain financial ratios that are consistent with our existing revolving credit facility.
	On August 8, 2014, we completed the acquisition of 100% of Avalon Laboratories Holding Corp (“Avalon”). Avalon, a leading designer and manufacturer of highly specialized catheters and medical tubing products for cardiology, pulminology and related applications, compliments our existing lines of highly engineered, single-use plastic components for fluid management in medical applications. Avalon will operate as part of our Advanced Technology Systems segment. We acquired Avalon on a cash-free and debt-free basis for an aggregate purchase price of $180,000, subject to certain adjustments. We financed the acquisition with borrowings under our credit facility with PNC Bank, National Association referred to above and with borrowings under our existing revolving credit facility.

Significant_accounting_policie1

Significant accounting policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2013.
Basis of Consolidation	'
	Basis of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates and joint ventures in which our ownership is 50% or less or in which we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue recognition. Most of our revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.
	A relative selling price hierarchy exists for determining the selling price of deliverables in multiple deliverable arrangements. Vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) is used, if available. Third-party evidence (TPE) is used if VSOE is not available, and best estimated selling price is used if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. Our multiple deliverable arrangements include installation, installation supervision, training, and spare parts, which tend to be completed in a short period of time, at an insignificant cost, and utilizing skills not unique to us, and, therefore, are typically regarded as inconsequential or perfunctory. Revenue for undelivered items is deferred and included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet. Revenues deferred in 2014 and 2013 were not material.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings per share. Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year, while diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding. Common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options computed using the treasury stock method, as well as restricted shares and deferred stock-based compensation. Options whose exercise price is higher than the average market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended July 31, 2014, the number of options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share was 92. For the three months ended July 31, 2014, and the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, no options were excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share. Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, executive officers and selected other key employees receive common share awards based on corporate performance measures over three-year performance periods. Awards for which performance measures have not been met were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	At July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, inventories consisted of the following:
		July 31, 2014			October 31, 2013
	Raw materials and component parts	$	84,212		$	81,943
	Work-in-process		33,987			34,756
	Finished goods		129,029			115,078
			247,228			231,777
	Obsolescence and other reserves		(29,452	)		(26,579	)
	LIFO reserve		(7,424	)		(6,797	)
		$	210,352		$	198,401

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_1

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 by operating segment are as follows:
		Adhesive			Advanced			Industrial		Total
		Dispensing			Technology			Coating
		Systems			Systems			Systems
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	407,269		$	507,884		$	24,058	$	939,211
	Currency effect		(1,941	)		(131	)		—		(2,072	)
	Balance at July 31, 2014	$	405,328		$	507,753		$	24,058	$	937,139
Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	'
	Information regarding our intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:
		July 31, 2014
		Carrying			Accumulated			Net Book
		Amount			Amortization			Value
	Customer relationships	$	171,219		$	38,834		$	132,385
	Patent/technology costs		85,920			26,055			59,865
	Trade name		67,957			11,053			56,904
	Non-compete agreements		8,371			7,616			755
	Other		1,391			1,217			174
	Total	$	334,858		$	84,775		$	250,083
		October 31, 2013
		Carrying			Accumulated			Net Book
		Amount			Amortization			Value
	Customer relationships	$	171,489		$	28,872		$	142,617
	Patent/technology costs		85,414			21,145			64,269
	Trade name		67,865			7,856			60,009
	Non-compete agreements		9,965			8,091			1,874
	Other		1,400			1,096			304
	Total	$	336,133		$	67,060		$	269,073

Pension_and_other_postretireme1

Pension and other postretirement plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Pension Cost [Member]	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost	'
	The components of net periodic pension cost for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013 were:
		U.S.						International
	Three months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	2,018		$	2,070		$	691		$	516
	Interest cost		3,480			3,057			783			709
	Expected return on plan assets		(4,324	)		(3,737	)		(430	)		(373	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		59			38			(20	)		(19	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		1,985			3,431			384			347
	Total benefit cost	$	3,218		$	4,859		$	1,408		$	1,180
		U.S.						International
	Nine months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	6,053		$	6,692		$	2,102		$	1,586
	Interest cost		10,441			9,235			2,392			2,147
	Expected return on plan assets		(12,972	)		(11,401	)		(1,309	)		(1,133	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		177			117			(59	)		(62	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		5,955			10,496			1,170			1,049
	Total benefit cost	$	9,654		$	15,139		$	4,296		$	3,587
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost	'
	The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013 were:
		U.S.						International
	Three months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	259		$	187		$	7		$	8
	Interest cost		766			592			9			10
	Amortization of prior service credit		(112	)		(118	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		358			477			(3	)		(1	)
	Total benefit cost	$	1,271		$	1,138		$	13		$	17
		U.S.						International
	Nine months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	778		$	859		$	22		$	26
	Interest cost		2,297			1,948			28			29
	Amortization of prior service credit		(337	)		(355	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		1,076			1,584			(10	)		(3	)
	Total benefit cost	$	3,814		$	4,036		$	40		$	52

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv1

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of:
		Cumulative			Pension and			Accumulated
		translation			postretirement benefit			other comprehensive
		adjustments			plan adjustments			loss
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	26,699		$	(84,079	)	$	(57,380	)
	Reclassification adjustments, net of tax of $(2,813)		—			5,180			5,180
	Current period charge		(3,517	)		—			(3,517	)
	Balance at July 31, 2014	$	23,182		$	(78,899	)	$	(55,717	)

Stockbased_compensation_Tables

Stock-based compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summarized Activity Related to Stock Options	'
	The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Aggregate		Weighted
		Options			Exercise Price Per		Intrinsic		Average
					Share		Value		Remaining
									Term
	Outstanding at October 31, 2013		1,749		$	34.63
	Granted		277		$	71.75
	Exercised		(251	)	$	23.41
	Forfeited or expired		(22	)	$	50.58
	Outstanding at July 31, 2014		1,753		$	41.92	$	58,295		6.2 years
	Vested or expected to vest at July 31, 2014		1,737		$	41.68	$	58,160		6.2 years
	Exercisable at July 31, 2014		1,018		$	30.07	$	45,904		4.8 years
Fair Value Assumptions of Stock Options	'
	The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
	Nine months ended	July 31, 2014		July 31, 2013
	Expected volatility	40.1%-44.7%		45.3%-46.9%
	Expected dividend yield	0.98%-1.03%		0.97%-1.01%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.51%-1.79%		0.75%-0.90%
	Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4-6.1		5.4-6.1
Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock	'
	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted shares during the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted shares at October 31, 2013		82		$	52.67
	Granted		23		$	71.89
	Vested		(38	)	$	47.77
	Restricted shares at July 31, 2014		67		$	62.1
Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units	'
	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted share units during the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Units			Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted share units at October 31, 2013		12		$	51.79
	Granted		12		$	71.82
	Vested		(6	)	$	43.73
	Restricted share units at July 31, 2014		18		$	68.71
Summarized Activity Related to Director Deferred Compensation Shares	'
	The following table summarizes activity related to director deferred compensation share equivalent units during the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Outstanding at October 31, 2013		148		$	23.22
	Restricted stock units vested		6		$	43.73
	Dividend equivalents		1		$	75.23
	Distributions		(43	)	$	18.81
	Outstanding at July 31, 2014		112		$	26.6

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Product Warranty Liability	'
	Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013:
		July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Beginning balance at October 31	$	9,409		$	8,929
	Accruals for warranties		7,054			5,609
	Warranty payments		(6,744	)		(5,964	)
	Currency effect		(35	)		(44	)
	Ending balance	$	9,684		$	8,530

Operating_segments_Tables

Operating segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reportable Segments	'
	The following table presents sales and operating profits of our reportable segments:
			Adhesive			Advanced			Industrial			Corporate			Total
			Dispensing			Technology			Coating
			Systems			Systems			Systems
	Three months ended July 31, 2014
	Net external sales		$	226,762		$	174,636		$	57,152		$	—		$	458,550
	Operating profit (loss)			60,806			56,444			7,471			(10,266	)		114,455
	Three months ended July 31, 2013
	Net external sales		$	195,992		$	150,280		$	56,688		$	—		$	402,960
	Operating profit (loss)			50,998	(a)		42,465	(b)		7,585			(7,832	)		93,216
	Nine months ended July 31, 2014
	Net external sales		$	668,187		$	399,805		$	167,439		$	—		$	1,235,431
	Operating profit (loss)			171,425	(c)		97,664	(d)		21,762			(29,703	)		261,148
	Nine months ended July 31, 2013
	Net external sales		$	575,750		$	388,990		$	167,363		$	—		$	1,132,103
	Operating profit (loss)			146,011	(a)		96,310	(b)		22,896			(28,235	)		236,982
	(a)	Includes $58 and $315 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, respectively.
	(b)	Includes $265 and $712 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, respectively.
	(c)	Includes $699 of severance and restructuring costs in the nine months ended July 31, 2014.
	(d)	Includes $579 of severance and restructuring costs in the nine months ended July 31, 2014.
Total Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes	'
	A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	Total profit for reportable segments		$	114,455		$	93,216		$	261,148		$	236,982
	Interest expense			(3,810	)		(3,353	)		(10,917	)		(11,045	)
	Interest and investment income			137			112			466			304
	Other-net			(236	)		2,699			(851	)		934
	Income before income taxes		$	110,546		$	92,674		$	249,846		$	227,175
Sales Information by Geographic Regions	'
	We had significant sales in the following geographic regions:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
	United States		$	119,705		$	115,809		$	360,904		$	341,926
	Americas			31,296			28,017			89,705			91,851
	Europe			126,639			103,877			365,172			297,708
	Japan			34,593			26,704			89,727			93,914
	Asia Pacific			146,317			128,553			329,923			306,704
	Total net external sales		$	458,550		$	402,960		$	1,235,431		$	1,132,103

Fair_value_measurements_Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table presents the classification of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at July 31, 2014:
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Rabbi trust (a)		$	13,550	$	—	$	13,550	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts (b)			3,688		—		3,688		—
	Total assets at fair value		$	17,238	$	—	$	17,238	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plans (c)		$	8,494	$	8,494	$	—	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts (b)			3,966		—		3,966		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	12,460	$	8,494	$	3,966	$	—
	(a)	We maintain a rabbi trust that serves as an investment to shadow our deferred compensation plan liability. The investment assets of the trust consist of life insurance policies for which we recognize income or expense based upon changes in cash surrender value.
	(b)	We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the risk of foreign currency exposures resulting from receivables, payables, intercompany receivables, intercompany payables and loans denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using market exchange rates. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments.
	(c)	Executive officers and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100% of their salary and annual cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90% of their long-term incentive compensation, into various non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Deferrals can be allocated to various market performance measurement funds. Changes in the value of compensation deferred under these plans are recognized each period based on the fair value of the underlying measurement funds.

Financial_instruments_Tables

Financial instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
Outstanding Currency, Forward Exchange Contracts	'
	We had the following outstanding foreign currency forward contracts at July 31, 2014:
		Sell						Buy
		Notional			Fair Market			Notional		Fair Market
		Amounts			Value			Amounts		Value
	Euro	$	379,824		$	374,283		$	338,853	$	334,180
	British pound		51,386			52,049			68,286		68,078
	Japanese yen		15,667			15,477			9,161		9,068
	Australian dollar		468			465			9,018		9,024
	Hong Kong dollar		53,195			53,202			111,493		111,508
	Singapore dollar		—			—			10,447		10,454
	Others		4,330			4,263			26,626		26,162
	Total	$	504,870		$	499,739		$	573,884	$	568,474
Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments, Other than Receivables and Accounts Payable	'
	The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at July 31, 2014, other than receivables and accounts payable, are shown in the table below. The carrying values of receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
		Carrying			Fair
		Amount			Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	53,223		$	53,223
	Notes payable		9,405			9,405
	Long-term debt, including current maturities		623,113			624,973
	Foreign currency forward contracts (net)		(278	)		(278	)

Recovered_Sheet1

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options for common shares excluded from computation of diluted earning per share	0	0	92	0
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage in affiliates and joint ventures	50.00%	'	50.00%	'

Inventories_Inventories_Detail

Inventories - Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials and component parts	$84,212	$81,943
Work-in-process	33,987	34,756
Finished goods	129,029	115,078
Inventories - gross	247,228	231,777
Obsolescence and other reserves	-29,452	-26,579
LIFO reserve	-7,424	-6,797
Inventories - net	$210,352	$198,401

Recovered_Sheet2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
		Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]	Advanced Technology Systems [Member]	Industrial Coating Systems [Member]	Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at October 31, 2013	$939,211	$407,269	$507,884	$24,058	$24,058
Currency effect	-2,072	-1,941	-131	'	'
Balance at July 31, 2014	$937,139	$405,328	$507,753	$24,058	$24,058

Recovered_Sheet3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$232,789	'	$232,789	'	$232,789
Intangible assets, amortization expense	6,150	5,550	18,790	17,034	'
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	229,173	'	229,173	'	229,173
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$3,616	'	$3,616	'	$3,616

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Amount	$334,858	$336,133
Accumulated Amortization	84,775	67,060
Net Book Value	250,083	269,073
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Amount	171,219	171,489
Accumulated Amortization	38,834	28,872
Net Book Value	132,385	142,617
Patent/Technology Costs [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Amount	85,920	85,414
Accumulated Amortization	26,055	21,145
Net Book Value	59,865	64,269
Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Amount	67,957	67,865
Accumulated Amortization	11,053	7,856
Net Book Value	56,904	60,009
Non-compete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Amount	8,371	9,965
Accumulated Amortization	7,616	8,091
Net Book Value	755	1,874
Other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Amount	1,391	1,400
Accumulated Amortization	1,217	1,096
Net Book Value	$174	$304

Recovered_Sheet4

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Pension Plan, United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$2,018	$2,070	$6,053	$6,692
Interest cost	3,480	3,057	10,441	9,235
Expected return on plan assets	-4,324	-3,737	-12,972	-11,401
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	59	38	177	117
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,985	3,431	5,955	10,496
Total benefit cost	3,218	4,859	9,654	15,139
Pension Plan, International [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	691	516	2,102	1,586
Interest cost	783	709	2,392	2,147
Expected return on plan assets	-430	-373	-1,309	-1,133
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-20	-19	-59	-62
Amortization of net actuarial loss	384	347	1,170	1,049
Total benefit cost	$1,408	$1,180	$4,296	$3,587

Recovered_Sheet5

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$259	$187	$778	$859
Interest cost	766	592	2,297	1,948
Amortization of prior service credit	-112	-118	-337	-355
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	358	477	1,076	1,584
Total benefit cost	1,271	1,138	3,814	4,036
Postretirement Benefit Plans, International [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	7	8	22	26
Interest cost	9	10	28	29
Amortization of prior service credit	0	0	0	0
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	-3	-1	-10	-3
Total benefit cost	$13	$17	$40	$52

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rates	29.50%	29.40%	30.10%	28.70%
Recorded an adjustment related to our tax provision that reduced income taxes	($550)	($430)	'	'
Additional tax benefit relating to retroactive reinstatement of research and development credit	'	'	'	1,700
Foreign [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	'	'	'	900
Foreign [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Recorded a tax benefit related an adjustment to deferred taxes	'	-215	'	'
State [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Recorded a tax benefit related an adjustment to deferred taxes	($500)	'	'	'

Recovered_Sheet6

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning balance	'	($57,380)
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	'	5,180
Current period charge	'	-3,517
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending balance	-55,717	-55,717
Cumulative Translation Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning balance	'	26,699
Current period charge	'	-3,517
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending balance	23,182	23,182
Pension And Postretirement Benefit Plan Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning balance	'	-84,079
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	-1,722	5,180
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending balance	($78,899)	($78,899)

Recovered_Sheet7

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'
Reclassification adjustments, tax	($2,813)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Reclassifications adjustments out of AOCI, net tax	'	($5,180)
Reclassifications adjustments out of AOCI, tax	'	-2,813
Pension And Postretirement Benefit Plan Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Reclassifications adjustments out of AOCI, net tax	1,722	-5,180
Reclassifications adjustments out of AOCI, tax	$936	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum number of common shares available for grant	2,900	'	2,900	'	'
Percentage of base pay and annual incentive compensation deferred	'	'	100.00%	'	'
Percentage of long term incentive compensation plan deferred	'	'	90.00%	'	'
Directors [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Expense related to director deferred compensation	$23	$43	$75	$152	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum rate of stock option, description	'	'	'Not exceeding 25% per year	'	'
Maximum rate of stock option	'	'	25.00%	'	'
Option Expiring period	'	'	'10 years	'	'
Compensation expense recognized	2,358	1,244	8,202	3,647	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	8,818	'	8,818	'	'
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares	'	'	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'	'
Weighted-average expected volatility used	'	'	44.50%	46.30%	'
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted	'	'	$27.92	$24.12	'
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	7,330	2,235	13,291	10,590	'
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	'	'	5,870	5,124	'
Tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises of stock options	'	'	4,127	3,192	'
Stock Options [Member] | Post November 2012 Option Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Normal retirement age	'	'	'65 years	'	'
Period for options considered to be forfeited for retirees	'	'	'12 months	'	'
Restricted Stock Unit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares	'	'	'3 months 18 days	'	'
Expense related to nonvested common shares	222	262	667	480	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	220	'	220	'	'
Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Periods of performance considered for calculating compensation expense	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Weighted average grant date fair value	'	'	$69.25	$59.59	$42.12
Compensation expense charged	699	334	3,144	2,601	'
Cumulative amount recorded in shareholders' equity related to Long-Term Incentive Plan	6,410	'	6,410	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	2,069	'	2,069	'	'
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares	'	'	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'	'
Period for restricted shares and share units considered to be forfeited for retirees	'	'	'12 months	'	'
Period for pro-rata vesting of shares or units for non-employee directors	'	'	'1 year	'	'
Expense related to nonvested common shares	458	752	1,353	1,888	'
Common share dividends amount included in compensation cost	12	14	37	42	'
Employee Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common share dividends amount included in compensation cost	$32	$21	$90	$53	'
Percentage of base pay and annual incentive compensation deferred	'	'	100.00%	'	'
Percentage of long term incentive compensation plan deferred	'	'	90.00%	'	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Stock Options (Detail) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014
Stock Options [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Options, Outstanding, Beginning balance	1,749
Number of Options, Granted	277
Number of Options, Exercised	-251
Number of Options, Forfeited or expired	-22
Number of Options, Outstanding, Ending balance	1,753
Number of Options, Vested or expected to vest	1,737
Number of Options, Exercisable	1,018
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Beginning balance	$34.63
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	$71.75
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$23.41
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited or expired	$50.58
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Ending balance	$41.92
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Vested or expected to vest	$41.68
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$30.07
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$58,295
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested or expected to vest	58,160
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$45,904
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Outstanding	'6 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Vested or expected to vest	'6 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Exercisable	'4 years 9 months 18 days

Stockbased_Compensation_Fair_V

Stock-based Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions of Stock Options (Detail) (Stock Options [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected volatility, Minimum	40.10%	45.30%
Expected volatility, Maximum	44.70%	46.90%
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	1.51%	0.75%
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	1.79%	0.90%
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected dividend yield	0.98%	0.97%
Expected life of the option (in years)	'5 years 4 months 24 days	'5 years 4 months 24 days
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected dividend yield	1.03%	1.01%
Expected life of the option (in years)	'6 years 1 month 6 days	'6 years 1 month 6 days

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	82
Number of Restricted Shares, Granted	23
Number of Restricted Shares, Vested	-38
Number of Restricted Shares, Ending balance	67
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	$52.67
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$71.89
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$47.77
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Ending balance	$62.10

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar2

Stock-based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (Restricted Stock Unit [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Unit [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	12
Number of Restricted Shares, Granted	12
Number of Restricted Shares, Vested	-6
Number of Restricted Shares, Ending balance	18
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	$51.79
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$71.82
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$43.73
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Ending balance	$68.71

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar3

Stock-based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Director Deferred Compensation Shares (Detail) (Directors [Member], Deferred Compensation Share Equivalent Units [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014
Directors [Member] | Deferred Compensation Share Equivalent Units [Member]	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning balance	148
Number of Shares, Restricted stock units vested	6
Number of Shares, Dividend equivalents	1
Number of Shares, Distributions	-43
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance	112
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Beginning balance	$23.22
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Restricted stock units vested	$43.73
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Dividend equivalents	$75.23
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Distributions	$18.81
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Ending balance	$26.60

Warranties_Additional_Informat

Warranties - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Standard product warranty period	'One year

Warranties_Reconciliation_of_P

Warranties - Reconciliation of Product Warranty Liability (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'	'
Beginning balance	$9,409	$8,929
Accruals for warranties	7,054	5,609
Warranty payments	-6,744	-5,964
Currency effect	-35	-44
Ending balance	$9,684	$8,530

Operating_Segments_Additional_

Operating Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of operating segments	3

Operating_Segments_Sales_and_O

Operating Segments - Sales and Operating Profits of Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net external sales	$458,550	$402,960	$1,235,431	$1,132,103
Operating profit (loss)	114,455	93,216	261,148	236,982
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net external sales	226,762	195,992	668,187	575,750
Operating profit (loss)	60,806	50,998	171,425	146,011
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net external sales	174,636	150,280	399,805	388,990
Operating profit (loss)	56,444	42,465	97,664	96,310
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net external sales	57,152	56,688	167,439	167,363
Operating profit (loss)	7,471	7,585	21,762	22,896
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating profit (loss)	($10,266)	($7,832)	($29,703)	($28,235)

Operating_Segments_Sales_and_O1

Operating Segments - Sales and Operating Profits of Reportable Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Severance and restructuring costs	$58	$699	$315
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Severance and restructuring costs	$265	$579	$712

Operating_Segments_Reconciliat

Operating Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total profit for reportable segments	$114,455	$93,216	$261,148	$236,982
Interest expense	-3,810	-3,353	-10,917	-11,045
Interest and investment income	137	112	466	304
Other-net	-236	2,699	-851	934
Income before income taxes	$110,546	$92,674	$249,846	$227,175

Operating_Segments_Sales_Infor

Operating Segments - Sales Information by Geographic Regions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net external sales	$458,550	$402,960	$1,235,431	$1,132,103
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net external sales	119,705	115,809	360,904	341,926
Americas [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net external sales	31,296	28,017	89,705	91,851
Europe [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net external sales	126,639	103,877	365,172	297,708
Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net external sales	34,593	26,704	89,727	93,914
Asia Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net external sales	$146,317	$128,553	$329,923	$306,704

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'
Rabbi trust	$13,550
Foreign currency forward contracts	3,688
Total assets at fair value	17,238
Liabilities:	'
Deferred compensation plans	8,494
Foreign currency forward contracts	3,966
Total liabilities at fair value	12,460
Level 1 [Member]	'
Liabilities:	'
Deferred compensation plans	8,494
Foreign currency forward contracts	0
Total liabilities at fair value	8,494
Level 2 [Member]	'
Assets:	'
Rabbi trust	13,550
Foreign currency forward contracts	3,688
Total assets at fair value	17,238
Liabilities:	'
Deferred compensation plans	0
Foreign currency forward contracts	3,966
Total liabilities at fair value	$3,966

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu1

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Executive officers and other highly compensated employees salary and annual cash incentive compensation deferrals percentage, maximum	100.00%
Executive officers share-based long-term incentive compensation deferrals percentage, maximum	90.00%

Financial_Instruments_Addition

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Offsetting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Maturity of foreign currency forward contracts	'	'	'90 days	'
Gains (loss) on foreign currency forward contracts	($285)	($1,313)	($2,614)	($1,887)
Gains (losses) in fair value of balance sheet positions denominated in foreign currencies	$267	$1,402	$2,448	($571)

Financial_Instruments_Outstand

Financial Instruments - Outstanding Currency, Forward Exchange Contracts (Detail) (Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member], USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	$504,870
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	499,739
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	573,884
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	568,474
Euro [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	379,824
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	374,283
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	338,853
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	334,180
British Pound [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	51,386
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	52,049
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	68,286
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	68,078
Japanese Yen [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	15,667
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	15,477
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	9,161
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	9,068
Australian Dollar [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	468
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	465
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	9,018
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	9,024
Hong Kong Dollar [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	53,195
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	53,202
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	111,493
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	111,508
Singapore Dollar [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	0
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	0
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	10,447
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	10,454
Others [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	4,330
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	4,263
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	26,626
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	$26,162

Financial_Instruments_Carrying

Financial Instruments - Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments, Other than Receivables and Accounts Payable (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	$53,223	$42,375	$75,368	$41,239
Notes payable, Carrying Amount	9,405	3,604	'	'
Long-term debt, including current maturities, Carrying Amount	623,113	'	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts (net), Carrying Amount	-278	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	53,223	'	'	'
Notes payable, Fair Value	9,405	'	'	'
Long-term debt, including current maturities, Fair Value	624,973	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts (net), Fair Value	($278)	'	'	'

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]	'	'
Accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site	$615	$668

Subsequent_events_Additional_I

Subsequent events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Aug. 08, 2014	Aug. 06, 2014
	Acquisition [Member]	Acquisition [Member]	PNC Bank [Member]
	Avalon Laboratories Holding Corp [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
		Avalon Laboratories Holding Corp [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entered into a unsecured credit facility with PNC Bank, National Association	'	'	$100,000
Facility has a 364-day term	'	'	'364 days
Completed the acquisition of 100% of Avalon Laboratories Holding Corp ("Avalon")	'	100.00%	'
Compliments our existing lines	'	'Avalon, a leading designer and manufacturer of highly specialized catheters and medical tubing products for cardiology, pulminology and related applications, compliments our existing lines of highly engineered, single-use plastic components for fluid management in medical applications.	'
Acquired Avalon on a cash-free and debt-free basis for an aggregate purchase price	'	$180,000	'
Date of acquisition	8-Aug-14	'	'