Nordson (NDSN) 10-K 15 Dec 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Nov. 28, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Oct-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	NDSN
Entity Registrant Name	NORDSON CORP
Entity Central Index Key	72331
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		62,211,946
Entity Public Float			$4,713,344,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$1,704,021	$1,542,921	$1,409,578
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	758,923	676,777	586,289
Selling and administrative expenses	577,993	542,295	487,809
Total operating costs and expenses	1,336,916	1,219,072	1,074,098
Operating profit	367,105	323,849	335,480
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	-15,035	-14,841	-11,153
Interest and investment income	581	421	463
Other - net	-138	1,694	1,463
Total other income (expense)	-14,592	-12,726	-9,227
Income before income taxes	352,513	311,123	326,253
Income tax provision:
Current	102,251	84,184	91,596
Deferred	3,489	5,122	9,828
Income taxes	105,740	89,306	101,424
Net income	$246,773	$221,817	$224,829
Average common shares	63,656	64,214	64,407
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, restricted stock and deferred stock-based compensation	625	694	696
Average common shares and common share equivalents	64,281	64,908	65,103
Basic earnings per share	$3.88	$3.45	$3.49
Diluted earnings per share	$3.84	$3.42	$3.45
Dividends declared per common share	$0.76	$0.63	$0.53

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$246,773	$221,817	$224,829
Components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Translation adjustments	-23,972	465	-10,806
Pension and postretirement benefit plans:
Prior service (cost) credit arising during the year	175	-1,050	2,142
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year	-29,158	38,149	-23,829
Amortization of prior service cost	-251	-375	-183
Amortization of actuarial loss	6,989	9,657	7,899
Settlement loss recognized	398		563
Total pension and postretirement benefit plans	-21,847	46,381	-13,408
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-45,819	46,846	-24,214
Total comprehensive income	$200,954	$268,663	$200,615

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$42,314	$42,375
Receivables - net	365,844	308,707
Inventories - net	210,871	198,401
Deferred income taxes	29,926	30,850
Prepaid expenses	23,728	21,733
Total current assets	672,683	602,066
Property, plant and equipment - net	224,439	200,979
Goodwill	1,052,537	939,211
Intangible assets - net	291,310	269,073
Deferred income taxes	6,559	9,394
Other assets	32,602	32,456
Total assets	2,280,130	2,053,179
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	106,181	3,604
Accounts payable	68,500	62,123
Income taxes payable	16,586	14,522
Accrued liabilities	137,001	110,528
Customer advance payments	25,578	28,341
Current maturities of long-term debt	10,751	10,832
Deferred income taxes	1,163	1,326
Current obligations under capital leases	5,108	5,521
Total current liabilities	370,868	236,797
Long-term debt	682,868	638,158
Obligations under capital leases	11,018	10,112
Pension obligations	124,082	103,754
Postretirement obligations	68,300	59,794
Deferred income taxes	87,092	89,541
Other liabilities	31,105	27,160
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred shares, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common shares, no par value; 160,000 shares authorized; 98,023 shares issued at October 31, 2014 and 2013	12,253	12,253
Capital in excess of stated value	328,605	304,549
Retained earnings	1,560,966	1,362,584
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-103,199	-57,380
Common shares in treasury, at cost	-893,828	-734,143
Total shareholders' equity	904,797	887,863
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$2,280,130	$2,053,179

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred shares, par value
Preferred shares, authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred shares, issued	0	0
Common shares, par value
Common shares, authorized	160,000,000	160,000,000
Common shares, issued	98,023,000	98,023,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Shares [Member]	Capital in Excess of Stated Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Common Shares in Treasury, At Cost [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at beginning of year at Oct. 31, 2011		$12,253	$272,928	$990,221	($80,012)	($624,067)
Balance at beginning of year at Oct. 31, 2011		32,422
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans		-571
Purchase of treasury shares		1,915
Translation adjustments	-10,806				-10,806
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans			-504			7,762
Net income	224,829			224,829
Settlement loss recognized, net of tax of $(234) in 2014 and $(331) in 2012	563				563
Tax benefit from stock option and restricted stock transactions			4,792
Dividends paid ($.76 per share in 2014, $.63 per share in 2013, and $.525 per share in 2012)				-33,805
Purchase of treasury shares						-90,778
Net prior service cost arising during the year, net of tax of $125 in 2014, $840 in 2013 and $(1,078) in 2012					1,959
Stock-based compensation			10,365
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year, net of tax of $11,457 in 2014, $(28,644) in 2013 and $7,791 in 2012					-15,930
Balance at end of year at Oct. 31, 2012	669,770	12,253	287,581	1,181,245	-104,226	-707,083
Balance at end of year at Oct. 31, 2012		33,766
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans		-468
Purchase of treasury shares		507
Translation adjustments	465				465
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans			-325			6,490
Net income	221,817			221,817
Tax benefit from stock option and restricted stock transactions			5,531
Dividends paid ($.76 per share in 2014, $.63 per share in 2013, and $.525 per share in 2012)				-40,478
Purchase of treasury shares						-33,550
Net prior service cost arising during the year, net of tax of $125 in 2014, $840 in 2013 and $(1,078) in 2012					-1,425
Stock-based compensation			11,762
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year, net of tax of $11,457 in 2014, $(28,644) in 2013 and $7,791 in 2012					47,806
Balance at end of year at Oct. 31, 2013	887,863	12,253	304,549	1,362,584	-57,380	-734,143
Balance at end of year at Oct. 31, 2013		33,805
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans		-480
Purchase of treasury shares		2,263
Translation adjustments	-23,972				-23,972
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans			264			6,749
Net income	246,773			246,773
Settlement loss recognized, net of tax of $(234) in 2014 and $(331) in 2012	398				398
Tax benefit from stock option and restricted stock transactions			6,385
Dividends paid ($.76 per share in 2014, $.63 per share in 2013, and $.525 per share in 2012)				-48,391
Purchase of treasury shares						-166,434
Net prior service cost arising during the year, net of tax of $125 in 2014, $840 in 2013 and $(1,078) in 2012					-76
Stock-based compensation			17,407
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year, net of tax of $11,457 in 2014, $(28,644) in 2013 and $7,791 in 2012					-22,169
Balance at end of year at Oct. 31, 2014	$904,797	$12,253	$328,605	$1,560,966	($103,199)	($893,828)
Balance at end of year at Oct. 31, 2014		35,588

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha1

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Dividends paid per share	$0.76	$0.63	$0.53
Retained Earnings [Member]
Dividends paid per share	$0.76	$0.63	$0.53
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Tax on settlement loss recognized	($234)		($331)
Tax on net prior service cost (credit) occurring during the year	125	840	-1,078
Tax on net actuarial loss occurring during the year	$11,457	($28,644)	$7,791

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$246,773	$221,817	$224,829
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	34,446	31,766	24,469
Amortization	25,308	22,672	14,521
Provision for losses on receivables	867	889	710
Deferred income taxes	3,489	5,122	9,828
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	-6,385	-5,531	-4,792
Non-cash stock compensation	17,407	11,762	10,365
(Gain)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	218	-1,879	-638
Other non-cash	406	760	-401
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	-65,692	19,971	-49,595
Inventories	-8,699	-10,741	171
Prepaid expenses	-1,852	-75	-1,201
Other noncurrent assets	-232	-5,898	-1,290
Accounts payable	6,906	-2,549	4,882
Income taxes payable	9,524	-8,552	18,855
Accrued liabilities	27,932	-19,130	12,923
Customer advance payments	-2,103	-839	2,124
Other noncurrent liabilities	59	7,195	12,156
Other	-217	1,616	-3,518
Net cash provided by operating activities	288,155	268,376	274,398
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-43,574	-47,219	-30,959
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	323	3,847	6,120
Proceeds from sale of product lines			2,213
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-186,420	-176,333	-443,864
Investment in equity affiliate	-854	-1,116
Proceeds from sale of (purchases of) marketable securities		276	-279
Net cash used in investing activities	-230,525	-220,545	-466,769
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	108,679	5,036	250,001
Repayment of short-term borrowings	-6,093	-51,505	-200,033
Proceeds from long-term debt	158,828	270,283	401,175
Repayment of long-term debt	-107,591	-208,067	-136,589
Repayment of capital lease obligations	-5,854	-5,842	-5,203
Issuance of common shares	7,013	6,018	4,934
Purchase of treasury shares	-166,434	-33,402	-88,455
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	6,385	5,531	4,792
Dividends paid	-48,391	-40,478	-33,805
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-53,458	-52,426	196,817
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-4,233	5,731	-615
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-61	1,136	3,831
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	42,375	41,239	37,408
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$42,314	$42,375	$41,239

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1 — Significant accounting policies
	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 percent 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 generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
	Presentation — Certain amounts for 2013 were reclassified to correct immaterial misclassifications of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. Specifically, non-current deferred tax liabilities increased $9,564, current deferred tax liabilities increased $1,326, non-current deferred tax assets increased $9,394 and current deferred tax assets increased $1,496.
	Fiscal year — Our fiscal year is November 1 through October 31.
	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 (BESP) 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, 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, 2013 and 2012 were not material.
	Shipping and handling costs — Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are recorded as revenue. Shipping and handling expenses are included in cost of sales.
	Advertising costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $10,823, $12,480 and $10,935 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Research and development — Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were $47,536, $47,973 and $36,535 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	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 stock 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. Options for 69 common shares were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation in 2014 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. No options for common shares were excluded from the 2013 diluted earnings per share calculation, and options for 75 common shares were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation in 2012. Under the 2012 Stock Incentive and Award 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.
	Cash and cash equivalents — Highly liquid instruments with maturities of 90 days or less at date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
	Allowance for doubtful accounts — An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. The amount of the allowance is determined principally on the basis of past collection experience and known factors regarding specific customers. Accounts are written off against the allowance when it becomes evident that collection will not occur.
	Inventories — Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost was determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for 21 percent of consolidated inventories at October 31, 2014, and October 31, 2013. The first-in, first-out (FIFO) method is used for all other inventories. Consolidated inventories would have been $7,496 and $6,797 higher than reported at October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively, had the FIFO method, which approximates current cost, been used for valuation of all inventories.
	Property, plant and equipment and depreciation — Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Additions and improvements that extend the lives of assets are capitalized, while expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Plant and equipment are depreciated for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, in the case of property under capital leases, over the terms of the leases. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or their useful lives. Useful lives are as follows:
	Land improvements		15-25 years
	Buildings		20-40 years
	Machinery and equipment		3-18 years
	Enterprise management systems		5-13 years
	Depreciation expense is included in cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses.
	Internal use software costs are expensed or capitalized depending on whether they are incurred in the preliminary project stage, application development stage or the post-implementation stage. Amounts capitalized are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software beginning with the project’s completion. All reengineering costs are expensed as incurred. Interest costs on significant capital projects are capitalized. No interest was capitalized in 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	Goodwill and intangible assets — Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill relates to and is assigned directly to specific reporting units. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment testing. Our annual impairment testing is performed as of August 1. Testing is done more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of those assets.
	Other amortizable intangible assets, which consist primarily of patent/technology costs, customer relationships, noncompete agreements, and trade names, are amortized over their useful lives on a straight-line basis. At October 31, 2014, the weighted-average useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets were:
	Patent/technology costs		14 years
	Customer relationships		14 years
	Noncompete agreements		3 years
	Trade names		16 years
	Foreign currency translation — The financial statements of subsidiaries outside the United States are generally measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. The resulting translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Generally, gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, including forward contracts, of these subsidiaries and the United States parent are included in net income. Gains and losses from intercompany foreign currency transactions of a long-term investment nature are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss — Accumulated other comprehensive loss at October 31, 2014 and 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	)
	Pension and postretirement plan changes, net of tax of $(11,348)		—			(21,847	)		(21,847	)
	Current period charge		(23,972	)		—			(23,972	)
	Balance at October 31, 2014	$	2,727		$	(105,926	)	$	(103,199	)
	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) measured 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 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	9,409		$	8,929
	Accruals for warranties		10,813			7,891
	Warranty assumed from acquisitions		—			947
	Warranty payments		(10,012	)		(8,356	)
	Currency adjustments		(292	)		(2	)
	Balance at end of year	$	9,918		$	9,409

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Note 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. 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 as well as the method by which we will adopt the new standard.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Note 3 — Acquisitions
	Business acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases, with the acquired assets and liabilities recorded at estimated fair value on the dates of acquisition. The cost in excess of the net assets of the business acquired is included in goodwill. Operating results since the respective dates of acquisitions are included in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
	2014 acquisitions
	On August 8, 2014, we purchased 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Avalon Laboratories Holding Corp. (Avalon). Avalon, a leading designer and manufacturer of highly specialized catheters and medical tubing products for cardiology, pulmonology and related applications, complements our existing lines of highly engineered, single-use plastic components for fluid management in medical applications. We acquired Avalon for an aggregate purchase price of $179,966, net of cash acquired of $1,324. Based on the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, goodwill of $122,011 and identifiable intangible assets of $52,000 were recorded. The identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of $32,200 of customer relationships (amortized over 10 years), $9,800 of technology (amortized over 10 years) and $10,000 of tradenames (amortized over 15 years). Goodwill associated with this acquisition is not tax deductible; however there is $15,800 from a previous acquisition that is tax deductible.
	On August 29, 2014, we purchased 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Dima Group B.V. (Dima), a Netherlands based manufacturer of conformal coating, dispensing and surface mount technology equipment for the global electronics assembly market. We acquired Dima for an aggregate purchase price of $6,454, net of cash acquired of $149. Based on the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, goodwill of $2,380 and identifiable intangible assets of $1,281 were recorded. The identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of $1,017 of customer relationships (amortized over 7 years), and $264 of tradenames (amortized over 15 years). Goodwill associated with this acquisition is not tax deductible.
	Both of these acquisitions are being reported in our Advanced Technology Systems segment.
	As of October 31, 2014, the purchase price allocations remain preliminary as we complete our assessments of deferred taxes and certain reserves.
	2013 acquisitions
	On November 8, 2012, we purchased certain assets of Kodama Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., a Japanese licensed distributor of EDI Holdings, Inc, (EDI), that we had previously acquired in 2012. This operation provides die sales to extrusion processors, web converters, and OEMs in Japan and Taiwan and carries out final manufacturing steps on new equipment to enhance die performance and accommodate local requirements. The acquisition date fair value was $1,335, which consisted of cash transferred of $1,231 and a holdback liability of $104. Based on the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, identifiable intangible assets of $912 were recorded. The identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of $847 of customer relationships that are being amortized over nine years and $65 of technology being amortized over nine years. This operation is being reported in our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment.
	On August 30, 2013, we purchased 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Münster, Germany based Kreyenborg Group’s Kreyenborg GmbH and BKG Bruckmann & Kreyenborg Granuliertechnik GmbH (the Kreyenborg Group). The Kreyenborg Group broadens our existing offering of screen changers, pumps and valves, critical components in the polymer processing melt stream for extrusion processes, and expands the product portfolio to include pelletizers, the key component in polymer compounding, recycling and related processes. The acquired companies employ approximately 270 people, have additional operations in Shanghai, China, Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia, and are reported in our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment. We acquired the Kreyenborg Group for an aggregate purchase price of $169,994, net of cash acquired of $22,913 and debt assumed of $391. Based on the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, goodwill of $115,103 and identifiable intangible assets of $60,021 were recorded. The identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of $42,306 of customer relationships (amortized over 15 years), $15,336 of technology (amortized over 15 years) and $1,851 of tradenames related to BKG (amortized over 10 years). Goodwill associated with this acquisition is not tax deductible.
	On September 27, 2013 we purchased certain assets of Nellcor Puritan Bennett Mexico, S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of Covidien LP (Nellcor) to be used by our Value Plastics operation. The fair value on the date of acquisition was $5,500, consisting solely of cash. Based on the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, goodwill of $2,301, property, plant and equipment of $1,149, technology of $740 (amortized over 10 years) and customer relationships of $1,310 (amortized over 25 years) were recorded. Goodwill associated with this acquisition is not tax deductible. Value Plastics is reported in our Advanced Technology Systems segment.
	2012 acquisitions
	On June 14, 2012, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of EDI Holdings, Inc. (EDI), a provider of slot coating and flat polymer extrusion dies for plastic processors and web converters headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. EDI is being reported in our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment.
	On June 21, 2012, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Xaloy Superior Holdings, Inc. (Xaloy), a manufacturer of melt delivery components for injection and extrusion machinery in the global plastic processing industry headquartered in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Xaloy is being reported in our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment.
	On August 1, 2012 we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc. (SEE), a manufacturer of precision dispense systems and fluid dispense valves headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan. SEE is being reported in our Industrial Coating Systems segment.
	These acquisitions were not individually material, but in the aggregate they must be disclosed pursuant to the business combinations guidance. The total purchase price of these acquisitions was allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon management’s estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. To the extent the purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, such excess was allocated to goodwill.
	Based on the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, goodwill of $271,501 and identifiable intangible assets of $122,216 were recorded. The intangible assets acquired consist of customer lists of $48,350, which are being amortized over a weighted average life of nine years; technology assets of $25,740 which are being amortized over a weighted average life of 15 years; trade names of $43,710 which are being amortized over a weighted average life of 15 years; and non-compete agreements of $4,416, which are being amortized over a weighted average life of two years. Goodwill of $24,058 associated with the SEE acquisition is tax deductible, and none of the goodwill associated with the EDI and Xaloy acquisitions is tax deductible. However, there is $11,000 of goodwill related to their previous acquisitions that is tax deductible.
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information for 2012 assumes the acquisitions above occurred as of the beginning of 2011, after giving effect to certain adjustments, including amortization of intangible assets, interest expense on acquisition debt and income tax effects. The pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations which may occur in the future or that would have occurred had the acquisitions been affected on the date indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of our future results of operations.
	Sales	$	1,537,251
	Net income	$	234,092
	Basic earnings per share	$	3.63
	Diluted earnings per share	$	3.6
	Proforma results were adjusted to exclude $2,109 of acquisition-related expenses and $4,589 of nonrecurring expense related to the fair value adjustment to acquisition-date inventory. Proforma results included $11,713 of pretax amortization expense related to intangible assets.

Details_of_Balance_Sheet

Details of Balance Sheet	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]
Details of Balance Sheet	Note 4 — Details of balance sheet
		2014			2013
	Receivables:
	Accounts	$	347,259		$	292,469
	Notes		6,339			9,467
	Other		16,733			11,036
			370,331			312,972
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(4,487	)		(4,265	)
		$	365,844		$	308,707
	Inventories:
	Raw materials and component parts	$	86,573		$	81,943
	Work-in-process		27,994			34,756
	Finished goods		130,544			115,078
			245,111			231,777
	Obsolescence and other reserves		(26,744	)		(26,579	)
	LIFO reserve		(7,496	)		(6,797	)
		$	210,871		$	198,401
	Property, plant and equipment:
	Land	$	10,216		$	10,383
	Land improvements		3,827			3,849
	Buildings		141,880			127,178
	Machinery and equipment		319,110			294,374
	Enterprise management system		44,682			43,983
	Construction-in-progress		27,419			21,251
	Leased property under capitalized leases		27,715			26,838
			574,849			527,856
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(350,410	)		(326,877	)
		$	224,439		$	200,979
	Accrued liabilities:
	Salaries and other compensation	$	57,722		$	44,561
	Pension and retirement		1,738			720
	Taxes other than income taxes		6,367			5,570
	Other		71,174			59,677
		$	137,001		$	110,528

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Note 5 — Goodwill and intangible assets
	We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350 and account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the entities acquired are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired in various business combinations. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually at the reporting unit level, or more often if indications of impairment exist. We assess the fair value of reporting units on a non-recurring basis using a combination of two valuation methods, a market approach and an income approach, to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. The implied fair value of our reporting units is determined based on significant unobservable inputs; accordingly, these inputs fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Our reporting units are the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment, the Industrial Coating Systems segment and one level below the Advanced Technology Systems segment.
	The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. In the first step, performed in the fourth quarter of each year, we estimate a reporting unit’s fair value using a combination of the discounted cash flow method of the Income Approach and the guideline public company method of the Market Approach and compare the result against the reporting unit’s carrying value of net assets. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then a second step is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired. In the second step, a hypothetical purchase price allocation of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities is performed using the fair value calculated in step one. The difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the hypothetical fair value of assets and liabilities is the implied goodwill amount. Impairment is recorded if the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is higher than its implied goodwill. Based upon results of step one in 2014, 2013 and 2012, the second step of the goodwill impairment test was not necessary.
	We acquired Avalon on August 8, 2014 and Dima on August 29, 2014. Determination of the preliminary goodwill associated with these acquisitions was completed with the assistance of an independent valuation specialist in October 2014. Since the dates of the valuations, no events or changes in circumstances have occurred that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of these acquisitions below their carrying values.
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during 2014 by operating segment follow:
		Adhesive			Advanced			Industrial		Total
		Dispensing			Technology			Coating
		Systems			Systems			Systems
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	407,269		$	507,884		$	24,058	$	939,211
	Acquisitions		—			124,391			—		124,391
	Currency effect		(10,223	)		(842	)		—		(11,065	)
	Balance at October 31, 2014	$	397,046		$	631,433		$	24,058	$	1,052,537
	Accumulated impairment losses, which were recorded in 2009, were $232,789 at October 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 intangible assets subject to amortization follows:
		October 31, 2014
		Carrying			Accumulated			Net Book Value
		Amount			Amortization
	Customer relationships	$	200,028		$	41,910		$	158,118
	Patent/technology costs		93,799			27,030			66,769
	Trade name		77,846			12,173			65,673
	Noncompete agreements		8,220			7,600			620
	Other		1,369			1,239			130
	Total	$	381,262		$	89,952		$	291,310
		October 31, 2013
		Carrying			Accumulated			Net Book Value
		Amount			Amortization
	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
	Noncompete agreements		9,965			8,091			1,874
	Other		1,400			1,096			304
	Total	$	336,133		$	67,060		$	269,073
	Amortization expense for 2014 and 2013 was $25,308 and $22,672, respectively.
	Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years follows:
	Year	Amounts
	2015	$	27,754
	2016	$	27,075
	2017	$	26,653
	2018	$	26,366
	2019	$	26,359

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	Note 6 — Retirement, pension and other postretirement plans
	Retirement plans — We have funded contributory retirement plans covering certain employees. Our contributions are primarily determined by the terms of the plans, subject to the limitation that they shall not exceed the amounts deductible for income tax purposes. We also sponsor unfunded contributory supplemental retirement plans for certain employees. Generally, benefits under these plans vest gradually over a period of approximately three years from date of employment, and are based on the employee’s contribution. The expense applicable to retirement plans for 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $14,423, $12,955 and $10,827, respectively.
	Pension plans — We have various pension plans covering a portion of our United States and international employees. Pension plan benefits are generally based on years of employment and, for salaried employees, the level of compensation. Actuarially determined amounts are contributed to United States plans to provide sufficient assets to meet future benefit payment requirements. We also sponsor an unfunded supplemental pension plan for certain employees. International subsidiaries fund their pension plans according to local requirements.
	A reconciliation of the benefit obligations, plan assets, accrued benefit cost and the amount recognized in financial statements for pension plans is as follows:
			United States						International
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	299,716		$	326,792		$	85,543		$	83,433
	Service cost			8,071			8,896			2,597			2,098
	Interest cost			13,921			12,314			3,185			2,872
	Participant contributions			—			—			137			132
	Plan amendments			186			1,667			(419	)		—
	Foreign currency exchange rate change			—			—			(5,343	)		(279	)
	Actuarial (gain) loss			34,610			(40,996	)		13,293			(54	)
	Benefits paid			(11,025	)		(8,957	)		(2,162	)		(2,659	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year		$	345,479		$	299,716		$	96,831		$	85,543
	Change in plan assets:
	Beginning fair value of plan assets		$	243,506		$	214,128		$	37,078		$	34,217
	Actual return on plan assets			25,535			20,951			1,627			2,102
	Company contributions			19,896			17,384			4,009			3,501
	Participant contributions			—			—			137			132
	Foreign currency exchange rate change			—			—			(1,071	)		(215	)
	Benefits paid			(11,025	)		(8,957	)		(2,162	)		(2,659	)
	Ending fair value of plan assets		$	277,912		$	243,506		$	39,618		$	37,078
	Funded status at end of year		$	(67,567	)	$	(56,210	)	$	(57,213	)	$	(48,465	)
	Amounts recognized in financial statements:
	Noncurrent asset		$	—		$	—		$	17		$	22
	Accrued benefit liability			(709	)		(938	)		(6	)		(5	)
	Long-term pension and retirement obligations			(66,858	)		(55,272	)		(57,224	)		(48,482	)
	Total amount recognized in financial statements		$	(67,567	)	$	(56,210	)	$	(57,213	)	$	(48,465	)
			United States						International
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
	Net actuarial loss		$	111,337		$	93,537		$	34,683		$	24,392
	Prior service cost (credit)			(47	)		4			(995	)		(798	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$	111,290		$	93,541		$	33,688		$	23,594
	Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		$	8,694		$	8,260		$	2,459		$	1,531
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			121			237			(97	)		(82	)
	Total		$	8,815		$	8,497		$	2,362		$	1,449
	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
			United States						International
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year		$	93,541		$	152,732		$	23,594		$	25,230
	Net (gain) loss arising during the year			26,372			(46,707	)		13,438			(642	)
	Prior service cost (credit) arising during the year			186			1,668			(419	)		—
	Net gain (loss) recognized during the year			(7,940	)		(13,995	)		(1,233	)		(1,406	)
	Prior service (cost) credit recognized during the year			(237	)		(157	)		101			81
	Settlement loss			(632	)		—			—			—
	Exchange rate effect during the year			—			—			(1,793	)		331
	Balance at end of year		$	111,290		$	93,541		$	33,688		$	23,594
	Information regarding the accumulated benefit obligation is as follows:
			United States						International
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	For all plans:
	Accumulated benefit obligation		$	336,464		$	291,310		$	75,305		$	67,647
	For plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation			345,479			299,716			87,128			71,788
	Accumulated benefit obligation			336,464			291,310			73,135			59,589
	Fair value of plan assets			277,912			243,506			37,415			29,000
	Net pension benefit costs include the following components:
			United States									International
			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Service cost		$	8,071		$	8,896		$	7,488		$	2,597		$	2,098		$	1,504
Interest cost			13,921			12,314			12,137			3,185			2,872			3,002
Expected return on plan assets			(17,297	)		(15,241	)		(14,901	)		(1,772	)		(1,512	)		(1,547	)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			237			157			342			(101	)		(81	)		(97	)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss			7,940			13,995			11,672			1,233			1,406			564
Settlement loss			632			—			682			—			—			—
Total benefit cost		$	13,504		$	20,121		$	17,420		$	5,142		$	4,783		$	3,426
Net periodic pension cost for 2014 included a settlement loss of $632 due to a lump sum retirement payment. Net periodic pension cost for 2012 included a settlement loss of $682, due to a plan termination.
The weighted average assumptions used in the valuation of pension benefits were as follows:
		United States									International
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at October 31:
Discount rate			4.29	%		4.75	%		3.85	%		2.94	%		3.72	%		3.52	%
Rate of compensation increase			3.49			3.3			3.3			3.19			3.18			3.13
Assumptions used to determine net benefit costs for the years ended October 31:
Discount rate			4.75			3.85			4.46			3.72			3.52			4.43
Expected return on plan assets			7.24			7.24			7.75			4.6			4.43			4.85
Rate of compensation increase			3.3			3.3			3.2			3.18			3.13			3.16
The amortization of prior service cost is determined using a straight-line amortization of the cost over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits under the plans.
The discount rate reflects the current rate at which pension liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. The discount rate used considers a yield derived from matching projected pension payments with maturities of a portfolio of available bonds that receive the highest rating given from a recognized investments ratings agency. The decrease in the discount rate in 2014 and increase in 2013 are due to changes in yields for these types of investments as a result of the economic environment.
In determining the expected return on plan assets, we consider both historical performance and an estimate of future long-term rates of return on assets similar to those in our plans. We consult with and consider the opinions of financial and other professionals in developing appropriate return assumptions. The rate of compensation increase is based on managements’ estimates using historical experience and expected increases in rates.
The measurement of domestic pension plans’ projected benefit obligations included the effects of adopting the Society of Actuaries’ release of final RP2014 / MP2014 mortality tables. The adoption of these new tables resulted in an increase of $28,554 to our domestic pension plans’ projected benefit obligations.
Economic assumptions have a significant effect on the amounts reported. The effect of a one percent change in the discount rate, expected return on assets and compensation increase is shown in the table below. Bracketed numbers represent decreases in expense and obligation amounts.
		United States						International
		1% Point			1% Point			1% Point			1% Point
		Increase			Decrease			Increase			Decrease
Discount rate:
Effect on total service and interest cost components		$	(4,527	)	$	5,514		$	(1,235	)	$	1,561
in 2014
Effect on pension obligation as of October 31, 2014		$	(44,353	)	$	55,900		$	(15,756	)	$	19,996
Expected return on assets:
Effect on total service and interest cost components		$	(2,582	)	$	2,582		$	(375	)	$	375
in 2014
Compensation increase:
Effect on total service and interest cost components		$	4,257		$	(2,490	)	$	934		$	(1,088	)
in 2014
Effect on pension obligation as of October 31, 2014		$	21,915		$	(12,788	)	$	7,729		$	(6,999	)
The allocation of pension plan assets as of October 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Asset Category
Equity securities			23  %			27  %			—  %			—  %
Debt securities			29			29			—			—
Insurance contracts			—			—			58			60
Pooled investment funds			47			43			42			39
Other			1			1			—			1
Total			100  %			100  %			100  %			100  %
Our investment objective for defined benefit plan assets is to meet the plans’ benefit obligations, while minimizing the potential for future required plan contributions.
Our United States plans comprise 88 percent of the worldwide pension assets. In general, the investment strategies focus on asset class diversification, liquidity to meet benefit payments and an appropriate balance of long-term investment return and risk. Target ranges for asset allocations are determined by dynamically matching the actuarial projections of the plans’ future liabilities and benefit payments with expected long-term rates of return on the assets, taking into account investment return volatility and correlations across asset classes. The current target in “return-seeking assets” is 45 percent and 55 percent in fixed income. Plan assets are diversified across several investment managers and are invested in liquid funds that are selected to track broad market indices. Investment risk is carefully controlled with plan assets rebalanced to target allocations on a periodic basis and continual monitoring of investment managers’ performance relative to the investment guidelines established with each investment manager.
Our international plans comprise 12 percent of the worldwide pension assets. Asset allocations are developed on a country-specific basis. Our investment strategy is to cover pension obligations with insurance contracts or to employ independent managers to invest the assets.
The fair values of our pension plan assets at October 31, 2014 by asset category are in the table below:
		United States												International
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
Cash		$	1,617		$	1,617		$	—		$	—		$	8		$	8		$	—	$	—
Money market funds			2,820			2,820			—			—			—			—			—		—
Equity securities:
Basic materials			3,224			3,224			—			—			—			—			—		—
Consumer goods			5,114			5,114			—			—			—			—			—		—
Financial			8,036			8,036			—			—			—			—			—		—
Healthcare			4,372			4,372			—			—			—			—			—		—
Industrial goods			3,527			3,527			—			—			—			—			—		—
Technology			4,226			4,226			—			—			—			—			—		—
Utilities			1,084			1,084			—			—			—			—			—		—
Mutual funds			31,255			31,255			—			—			—			—			—		—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government			26,447			7,877			18,570			—			—			—			—		—
Corporate			50,720			—			50,720			—			—			—			—		—
Other			2,486			—			2,486			—			—			—			—		—
Other types of investments:
Insurance contracts			—			—			—			—			23,174			—			—		23,174
Real estate collective funds			16,495			—			—			16,495			—			—			—		—
Pooled investment funds			115,877			—			115,877			—			16,436			—			16,436		—
Other			612			612			—			—			—			—			—		—
		$	277,912		$	73,764		$	187,653		$	16,495		$	39,618		$	8		$	16,436	$	23,174
The fair values of our pension plan assets at October 31, 2013 by asset category are in the table below:
		United States												International
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
Cash		$	2,811		$	2,811		$	—		$	—		$	321		$	321		$	—	$	—
Money market funds			2,783			2,783			—			—			—			—			—		—
Equity securities:
Basic materials			3,834			3,834			—			—			—			—			—		—
Consumer goods			4,958			4,958			—			—			—			—			—		—
Financial			7,825			7,825			—			—			—			—			—		—
Healthcare			4,109			4,109			—			—			—			—			—		—
Industrial goods			3,255			3,255			—			—			—			—			—		—
Technology			4,159			4,159			—			—			—			—			—		—
Utilities			988			988			—			—			—			—			—		—
Mutual funds			32,617			32,617			—			—			—			—			—		—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Government			26,892			10,715			16,177			—			—			—			—		—
Corporate			43,367			—			43,367			—			—			—			—		—
Other			1,356			—			1,356			—			—			—			—		—
Other types of investments:
Insurance contracts			—			—			—			—			22,093			—			—		22,093
Real estate collective funds			14,958			—			—			14,958			—			—			—		—
Pooled investment funds			88,973			—			88,973			—			14,664			—			14,664		—
Other			621			621			—			—			—			—			—		—
		$	243,506		$	78,675		$	149,873		$	14,958		$	37,078		$	321		$	14,664	$	22,093
These investment funds did not own a significant number of shares of Nordson Corporation common stock for any year presented.
The inputs and methodology used to measure fair value of plan assets are consistent with those described in Note 12. Following are the valuation methodologies used to measure these assets:
	•		Money market funds — Money market funds are public investment vehicles that are valued with a net asset value of one dollar. This is a quoted price in an active market and is classified as Level 1.
	•		Equity securities — Common stocks are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded and are classified as Level 1. Mutual funds are valued at the net asset values of the shares at year-end, as determined by the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded and are classified as Level 1.
	•		Fixed income securities — U.S. Treasury bills reflect the closing price on the active market in which the securities are traded and are classified as Level 1. Securities of U.S. agencies are valued using bid evaluations and a classified as Level 2. Corporate fixed income securities are valued using evaluated prices, such as dealer quotes, bids and offers and are therefore classified as Level 2.
	•		Insurance contracts — Insurance contracts are investments with various insurance companies. The contract value represents the best estimate of fair value. These contracts do not hold any specific assets. These investments are classified as Level 3.
	•		Real estate collective funds — These funds are valued at the estimated fair value of the underlying properties. Estimated fair value is calculated using a combination of key inputs, such as revenue and expense growth rates, terminal capitalization rates and discount rates. These investments are classified as Level 3.
	•		Pooled investment funds — These are public investment vehicles valued using the net asset value. The net asset value is based on the value of the assets owned by the plan, less liabilities. These investments are not quoted on an active exchange and are classified as Level 2.
The following tables present an analysis of changes during the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 in Level 3 plan assets, by plan asset class, for U.S. and International pension plans using significant unobservable inputs to measure fair value:
		Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
		Real estate			Insurance			Total
		collective funds			contracts
Beginning balance at October 31, 2013		$	14,958		$	22,093		$	37,051
Actual return on plan assets:
Assets held, end of year			1,667			771			2,438
Assets sold during the period			25			—			25
Purchases			—			2,816			2,816
Sales			(155	)		(1,529	)		(1,684	)
Foreign currency translation			—			(977	)		(977	)
Ending balance at October 31, 2014		$	16,495		$	23,174		$	39,669
		Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
		Real estate			Insurance			Total
		collective funds			contracts
Beginning balance at October 31, 2012		$	13,110		$	19,046		$	32,156
Actual return on plan assets:
Assets held, end of year			1,970			1,025			2,995
Assets sold during the period			13			—			13
Purchases			—			4,242			4,242
Sales			(135	)		(2,093	)		(2,228	)
Foreign currency translation			—			(127	)		(127	)
Ending balance at October 31, 2013		$	14,958		$	22,093		$	37,051
Contributions to pension plans in 2015 are estimated to be approximately $26,000.
Retiree pension benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are anticipated to be paid as follows:
Year		United States			International
2015		$	10,922		$	4,833
2016			11,637			2,300
2017			12,721			2,166
2018			13,661			2,984
2019			14,853			5,014
2020-2024			92,418			17,392
Other postretirement plans — We have an unfunded postretirement benefit plan covering certain of our United States employees. Employees hired after January 1, 2002, are not eligible to participate in this plan. The plan provides medical and life insurance benefits. The plan is contributory, with retiree contributions in the form of premiums that are adjusted annually, and contains other cost-sharing features, such as deductibles and coinsurance. We also sponsor an unfunded, non-contributory postretirement benefit plan that provides medical and life insurance benefits for certain international employees.
A reconciliation of the benefit obligations, accrued benefit cost and the amount recognized in financial statements for other postretirement plans is as follows:
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	61,004		$	71,228		$	768		$	851
Service cost			1,037			1,145			28			35
Interest cost			3,062			2,598			38			38
Participant contributions			431			600			—			—
Foreign currency exchange rate change			—			—			(63	)		(34	)
Actuarial (gain) loss			6,015			(11,619	)		130			(118	)
Benefits paid			(2,070	)		(2,948	)		(4	)		(4	)
Benefit obligation at end of year		$	69,479		$	61,004		$	897		$	768
Change in plan assets:
Beginning fair value of plan assets		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Company contributions			1,639			2,348			4			4
Participant contributions			431			600			—			—
Benefits paid			(2,070	)		(2,948	)		(4	)		(4	)
Ending fair value of plan assets		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Funded status at end of year		$	(69,479	)	$	(61,004	)	$	(897	)	$	(768	)
Amounts recognized in financial statements:
Accrued benefit liability		$	(2,069	)	$	(1,974	)	$	(7	)	$	(4	)
Long-term postretirement obligations			(67,410	)		(59,030	)		(890	)		(764	)
Total amount recognized in financial statements		$	(69,479	)	$	(61,004	)	$	(897	)	$	(768	)
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
Net actuarial (gain) loss		$	22,434		$	17,854		$	(86	)	$	(243	)
Prior service cost (credit)			(1,012	)		(1,461	)		—			—
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss		$	21,422		$	16,393		$	(86	)	$	(243	)
Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		$	1,187		$	1,139		$	—		$	(14	)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			(438	)		(449	)		—			—
Total		$	749		$	690		$	—		$	(14	)
The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Balance at beginning of year		$	16,393		$	29,651		$	(243	)	$	(138	)
Net (gain) loss arising during the year			6,015			(11,619	)		130			(117	)
Net gain (loss) recognized during the year			(1,435	)		(2,112	)		13			4
Prior service credit (cost) recognized during the year			449			473			—			—
Exchange rate effect during the year			—			—			14			8
Balance at end of year		$	21,422		$	16,393		$	(86	)	$	(243	)
Net postretirement benefit costs include the following components:
		United States									International
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Service cost		$	1,037		$	1,145		$	1,183		$	28		$	35		$	28
Interest cost			3,062			2,598			2,759			38			38			41
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			(449	)		(473	)		(584	)		—			—			—
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss			1,435			2,112			1,789			(13	)		(4	)		(14	)
Total benefit cost		$	5,085		$	5,382		$	5,147		$	53		$	69		$	55
The weighted average assumptions used in the valuation of postretirement benefits were as follows:
		United States									International
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at October 31:
Discount rate			4.4	%		4.8	%		3.85	%		4.25	%		4.95	%		4.4	%
Health care cost trend rate			3.93			4.12			4.9			6.48			6.65			6.83
Rate to which health care cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)			3.41			3.47			3.6			3.5			3.5			3.5
Year the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate			2024			2021			2017			2031			2031			2031
Assumption used to determine net benefit costs for the years ended October 31:
Discount rate			4.80	%		3.85	%		4.50	%		4.95	%		4.40	%		5.85	%
The decrease in the weighted-average United States health care cost trend rate beginning in 2013 relates to a change in the plan design of the retiree medical plan effective January 1, 2013 moving to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for post-65 coverage.
The measurement of domestic other post employment benefit (OPEB) plan’s projected benefit obligation included the effect of adopting the Society of Actuaries’ release of final RP2014 / MP2014 mortality tables. The adoption of these new tables resulted in an increase of $4,878 to our domestic OPEB plan’s projected benefit obligation.
The discount rate and the health care cost trend rate assumptions have a significant effect on the amounts reported. For example, a one-percentage point change in the discount rate and the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects. Bracketed numbers represent decreases in expense and obligation amounts.
		United States						International
		1% Point			1% Point			1% Point			1% Point
		Increase			Decrease			Increase			Decrease
Discount rate:
Effect on total service and interest cost components in 2014		$	(770	)	$	938		$	(7	)	$	6
Effect on postretirement obligation as of October 31, 2014		$	(9,992	)	$	12,790		$	(173	)	$	229
Health care trend rate:
Effect on total service and interest cost components in 2014		$	589		$	(479	)	$	14		$	(14	)
Effect on postretirement obligation as of October 31, 2014		$	11,302		$	(9,001	)	$	174		$	(208	)
Contributions to postretirement plans in 2015 are estimated to be approximately $2,100.
Retiree postretirement benefit payments are anticipated to be paid as follows:
Year		United States			International
2015		$	2,069		$	7
2016			2,242			8
2017			2,420			9
2018			2,614			12
2019			2,743			13
2020-2024			16,609			107

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 7 — Income taxes
	Income tax expense includes the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	U.S. federal	$	52,985		$	45,004		$	51,458
	State and local		1,900			2,351			1,378
	Foreign		47,366			36,829			38,760
	Total current		102,251			84,184			91,596
	Deferred:
	U.S. federal		8,695			8,361			7,204
	State and local		(1,635	)		(991	)		782
	Foreign		(3,571	)		(2,248	)		1,842
	Total deferred		3,489			5,122			9,828
		$	105,740		$	89,306		$	101,424
	Earnings before income taxes of domestic operations, which are calculated after intercompany profit eliminations, were $184,894, $164,702 and $177,035 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Income tax expense in 2013 included a benefit of $900 for the reduction of unrecognized tax benefits 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 Research and Development Tax Credit (Federal R&D Tax Credit) from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 and extended certain other tax provisions. As a result, our income tax provision for 2013 included a discrete tax benefit of $1,700 related to 2012.
	Income tax expense in 2012 included a benefit of $2,717 related to the utilization of loss carryforwards and to the release of the valuation allowance related to loss carryforwards which are expected to be utilized in future years.
	A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal rate to the worldwide consolidated effective tax rate follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Statutory federal income tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	Domestic Production Deduction		(1.74	)		(1.71	)		(1.82	)
	Foreign tax rate variances, net of foreign tax credits		(3.42	)		(3.39	)		(2.31	)
	State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		0.05			0.28			0.43
	Amounts related to prior years		(0.24	)		(1.00	)		(0.31	)
	Other — net		0.35			(0.48	)		0.1
	Effective tax rate		30	%		28.7	%		31.09	%
	The Domestic Production Deduction, enacted by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, allows a deduction with respect to income from certain United States manufacturing activities.
	Earnings before income taxes of international operations, which are calculated before intercompany profit elimination entries, were $167,619, $146,421 and $149,218 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Deferred income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries that are intended to be permanently invested in their operations. These undistributed earnings aggregated approximately $622,914 and $510,842 at October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Should these earnings be distributed, applicable foreign tax credits would substantially offset taxes due upon the distribution. It is not practical to estimate the amount of additional taxes that might be payable on such undistributed earnings.
	At October 31, 2014 and 2013, total unrecognized tax benefits were $5,812 and $5,717, respectively. The amounts that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate were $5,175 and $5,178 at October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in unrecognized tax benefits in 2013 as compared to prior year relates primarily to foreign positions and, if recognized, a substantial portion of the gross unrecognized tax benefits would be offset against assets currently recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	5,717		$	3,140		$	2,576
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		196			703			148
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		319			3,261			896
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		—			(317	)		—
	Settlements		(110	)		—			—
	Lapse of statute of limitations		(310	)		(1,070	)		(480	)
	Balance at end of year	$	5,812		$	5,717		$	3,140
	At October 31, 2014 and 2013, we had accrued interest and penalty expense related to unrecognized tax benefits of $2,025 and $1,085, respectively. We include interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as other income (expense).
	We are subject to United States Federal income tax as well as income taxes in numerous state and foreign jurisdictions. We are subject to examination in the U.S. by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 tax years; tax years prior to the 2012 year are closed to further examination by the IRS. Generally, major state and foreign jurisdiction tax years remain open to examination for tax years after 2008. Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that certain statute of limitations periods would expire, which could result in a minimal decrease in our unrecognized tax benefits.
	Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Employee benefits	$	79,669		$	66,148
	Other accruals not currently deductible for taxes		17,379			16,984
	Tax credit and loss carryforwards		16,531			13,077
	Inventory adjustments		5,276			4,998
	Translation of foreign currency accounts		154			384
	Total deferred tax assets		119,009			101,591
	Valuation allowance		(7,672	)		(5,663	)
	Total deferred tax assets		111,337			95,928
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation and amortization		163,107			146,500
	Other — net		—			51
	Total deferred tax liabilities		163,107			146,551
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(51,770	)	$	(50,623	)
	At October 31, 2014, we had $4,161 of tax credit carryforwards of which $161 will expire in 2015 through 2017, and $4,000 of which has an indefinite carryforward period. We also had $19,535 Federal, $50,343 state and $13,213 foreign operating loss carryforwards, of which $70,084 will expire in 2015 through 2033, and $13,007 of which has an indefinite carryforward period. The net change in the valuation allowance was an increase of $2,009 in 2014 and an increase of $617 in 2013. The valuation allowance of $7,672 at October 31, 2014, related primarily to tax credits and loss carryforwards that may expire before being realized. We continue to assess the need for valuation allowances against deferred tax assets based on determinations of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits will be realized.

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Notes Payable	Note 8 — Notes payable
	Bank lines of credit and notes payable are summarized as follows:
		2014			2013
	Maximum borrowings under bank lines of credit:
	Domestic banks	$	100,000		$	—
	Foreign banks		48,619			83,191
	Total	$	148,619		$	83,191
	Outstanding notes payable:
	Domestic bank debt	$	100,000		$	—
	Foreign bank debt		6,181			3,604
	Total	$	106,181		$	3,604
	Weighted-average interest rate on notes payable		1	%		2	%
	Unused bank lines of credit	$	42,438		$	79,587
	In 2014, we entered into a 364-day, $100,000 unsecured credit facility with PNC Bank. We borrowed $100,000 under this facility to partially fund the Avalon acquisition.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Note 9 — Long-term debt
	A summary of long-term debt is as follows:
		2014		2013
	Revolving credit agreement, due 2017	$	375,242	$	254,000
	Senior notes, due 2017-2025		200,000		200,000
	Euro loan, due 2016		63,244		129,058
	Private shelf facility, due 2012-2020		53,333		63,889
	Development loans, due 2011-2026		1,586		1,702
	Other		214		341
			693,619		648,990
	Less current maturities		10,751		10,832
	Long-term maturities	$	682,868	$	638,158
	Revolving credit agreement — This $500,000 unsecured multi-currency revolving credit agreement is with a group of banks and expires in December 2016. Payment of quarterly commitment fees is required. The weighted average interest rate for borrowings under this agreement was 1.08 percent at October 31, 2014.
	Senior notes, due 2017-2025 —These fixed-rate notes entered into in 2012 with a group of insurance companies had an original weighted-average life of 8.78 years at the time of issuance. The weighted-average interest rate at October 31, 2014 was 2.93 percent.
	Euro loan, due 2016 — This loan was entered into in 2013 with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. It can be extended by one year at the end of the third and fourth anniversaries. The interest rate is variable based upon the EUR LIBOR rate. The weighted average interest rate at October 31, 2014 was 0.95 percent.
	Private shelf facility — In 2011, we entered into a $150,000 three-year Private Shelf Note agreement with New York Life Investment Management LLC (NYLIM). The amount of the facility was increased to $175,000 in 2013. Borrowings under the agreement may be up to 12 years, with an average life of up to 10 years, and are unsecured. The interest rate on each borrowing can be fixed or floating and is based upon the market rate at the borrowing date. At October 31, 2014, the amount outstanding under this facility was at a fixed rate of 2.21 percent.
	Development loans, due 2011-2026 — These fixed-rate loans with the State of Ohio and Cuyahoga County, Ohio were issued in 2011 in connection with the construction of our corporate headquarters building and are payable in monthly installments over 15 years beginning in 2011. The interest rate on the State of Ohio loan is 3.00 percent, and the interest rate on the Cuyahoga County loan is 3.50 percent.
	Annual maturities — The annual maturities of long-term debt for the five years subsequent to October 31, 2014, are as follows: $10,751 in 2015; $74,041 in 2016; and $413,343 in 2017; $26,587 in 2018 and $21,591 in 2019.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Note 10 — Leases
	We have lease commitments expiring at various dates, principally for manufacturing, warehouse and office space, automobiles and office equipment. Many leases contain renewal options and some contain purchase options and residual guarantees.
	Rent expense for all operating leases was approximately $15,135, $14,835 and $13,822 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Amortization of assets recorded under capital leases is recorded in depreciation expense.
	Assets held under capitalized leases and included in property, plant and equipment are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Transportation equipment	$	15,524		$	16,261
	Other		12,191			10,577
	Total capitalized leases		27,715			26,838
	Accumulated amortization		(11,139	)		(10,805	)
	Net capitalized leases	$	16,576		$	16,033
	At October 31, 2014, future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable capitalized and operating leases are as follows:
		Capitalized			Operating
		Leases			Leases
	Year:
	2015	$	6,866		$	12,189
	2016		4,957			7,192
	2017		2,340			5,808
	2018		993			4,179
	2019		635			3,773
	Later years		6,476			10,410
	Total minimum lease payments		22,267		$	43,551
	Less amount representing executory costs		1,993
	Net minimum lease payments		20,274
	Less amount representing interest		4,148
	Present value of net minimum lease payments		16,126
	Less current portion		5,108
	Long-term obligations at October 31, 2014	$	11,018

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Note 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 October 31, 2014:
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts(a)		$	9,934	$	—	$	9,934	$	—
	Total assets at fair value		$	9,934	$	—	$	9,934	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plans(b)		$	8,884	$	8,884	$	—	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts(a)			8,424		—		8,424		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	17,308	$	8,884	$	8,424	$	—
	(a)	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 exchange contracts are valued using market exchange rates. These foreign exchange contracts are not designated as hedges.
	(b)	Executive officers and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100 percent of their salary and annual cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90 percent 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.
	Fair value disclosures related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are disclosed in Note 5.

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	Note 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 currency transactions occur 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 under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the changes in the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts are recognized in each accounting period in “other – net” on the Consolidated Statement of Income together with the transaction gain or loss from the related balance sheet position. In 2014, we recognized net losses of $826 on foreign currency forward contracts and net gains of $348 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. In 2013, we recognized net gains of $1,437 on foreign currency forward contracts and net losses of $3,651 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. In 2012, we recognized net gains of $294 on foreign currency forward contracts and net losses of $1,310 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions.
	The following table summarizes, by currency, the contracts outstanding at October 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Sell				Buy
			Notional		Fair Market		Notional		Fair Market
			Amounts		Value		Amounts		Value
	October 31, 2014 contract amounts:
	Euro		$	424,624	$	407,422	$	344,461	$	330,957
	Pound sterling			86,654		85,632		141,638		140,065
	Japanese yen			21,057		19,780		17,477		16,498
	Australian dollar			216		220		9,012		8,618
	Hong Kong dollar			52,278		52,247		117,040		116,978
	Singapore dollar			—		—		10,984		10,693
	Others			2,627		2,573		28,409		27,236
	Total		$	587,456	$	567,874	$	669,021	$	651,045
	October 31, 2013 contract amounts:
	Euro		$	194,531	$	194,187	$	131,198	$	131,825
	Pound sterling			17,854		17,856		29,441		29,950
	Japanese yen			11,426		11,404		8,686		8,672
	Australian dollar			894		899		8,653		8,986
	Hong Kong dollar			1,935		1,935		42,140		42,132
	Singapore dollar			201		201		9,815		10,065
	Others			5,768		5,745		24,227		24,503
	Total		$	232,609	$	232,227	$	254,160	$	256,133
	We also use intercompany foreign currency transactions of a long-term investment nature to hedge the value of investment in wholly-owned subsidiaries. For hedges of the net investment in foreign operations, realized and unrealized gains and losses are shown in the cumulative translation adjustment account included in total comprehensive income. For 2014 and 2013, net gains of $318 and $699, respectively, were included in the cumulative translation adjustment account related to foreign denominated fixed-rate debt designated as a hedge of net investment in foreign operations.
	We are exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial instruments. These financial instruments include cash deposits and foreign currency forward contracts. We periodically monitor the credit ratings of these counterparties in order to minimize our exposure. Our customers represent a wide variety of industries and geographic regions. As of October 31, 2014, there were no significant concentrations of credit risk.
	The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments, 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.
			2014				2013
			Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	42,314	$	42,314	$	42,375	$	42,375
	Notes payable			106,181		106,181		3,604		3,604
	Long-term debt (including current portion)			693,619		696,140		648,990		636,904
	Foreign currency forward contracts (net)			1,510		1,510		2,313		2,313
	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 estimated using quoted exchange rates, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

Capital_Shares

Capital Shares	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Shares	Note 13 — Capital shares
	Preferred — We have authorized 10,000 Series A convertible preferred shares without par value. No preferred shares were outstanding in 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	Common — We have 160,000 authorized common shares without par value. At October 31, 2014 and 2013, there were 98,023 common shares issued. At October 31, 2014 and 2013, the number of outstanding common shares, net of treasury shares, was 62,435 and 64,218, respectively.
	Common shares repurchased as part of publicly announced programs during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	Year	Number		Total		Average
		of Shares		Amount		per Share
	2014		2,224	$	163,584	$	73.55
	2013		459	$	30,443	$	66.29
	2012		1,831	$	86,022	$	46.98

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Note 14 — Stock-based compensation
	During the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 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 stock, 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 percent 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 ceases upon retirement, death and disability, and unvested shares are 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 $10,251, $4,906 and $3,789 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in the 2014 expense was primarily related to accelerated amortization of the cost of options.
	The following table summarizes activity related to stock options during 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		(314	)	$	22.35
	Forfeited or expired		(26	)	$	51.57
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014		1,686		$	42.77	$	56,957		6.0 years
	Vested at October 31, 2014 or expected to vest		1,673		$	42.58	$	56,841		6.0 years
	Exercisable at October 31, 2014		955		$	30.86	$	43,626		4.6 years
	Summarized information on currently outstanding options follows:
		Range of Exercise Price
		$14 — $28			$29 — $44		$45 — $73
	Number outstanding		610			543		533
	Weighted-average remaining contractual life, in years		3.5			6.4		8.6
	Weighted-average exercise price	$	22.54		$	41.9	$	66.78
	Number exercisable		578			318		59
	Weighted-average exercise price	$	22.28		$	40.71	$	61.62
	As of October 31, 2014, there was $6,741 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 Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. 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:
		2014		2013	2012
	Expected volatility	40.1%-44.7%		45.3%-46.9%	45.4%-46.9%
	Expected dividend yield	0.98%-1.03%		0.97%-1.01%	1.20%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.51%-1.79%		0.75%-0.90%	1.03%-1.23%
	Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4-6.1		5.4-6.1	5.4-6.1
	The weighted-average expected volatility used to value options granted in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was 44.5 percent, 46.3 percent and 46.2 percent, 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 United States Treasury issues with terms equal to the expected life of the option being valued.
	The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $27.92, $24.12 and $17.03, respectively.
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $17,223, $12,892 and $13,329, respectively.
	Cash received from the exercise of stock options for 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $7,013, $6,018 and $4,934, respectively. The tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises for 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $6,385, $5,531 and $4,792, 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 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant Date Fair
					Value Per Share
	Restricted at October 31, 2013		82		$	52.67
	Granted		28		$	73.56
	Vested		(39	)	$	48.13
	Restricted at October 31, 2014		71		$	63.53
	As of October 31, 2014, there was $2,074 of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted shares. The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years. The amount charged to expense related to restricted shares was $1,784, $2,464 and $1,724 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts included common share dividends $52, 57, and $53 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted share units in 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		(19	)	$	62.07
	Restricted share units at October 31, 2014		5		$	61.59
	As of October 31, 2014, there was no remaining expense to be recognized related to outstanding restricted share units. The amount charged to expense related to restricted share units during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $890, $598 and $370, respectively.
	Deferred directors’ 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 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant Date Fair
					Value Per Share
	Outstanding at October 31, 2013		148		$	23.22
	Restricted stock units vested		13		$	57.43
Dividend equivalents		1		$	76.49
Distributions		(52	)	$	19.2
Outstanding at October 31, 2014		110		$	29.74
The amount charged to expense related to director deferred compensation was $101, $183 and $265 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Performance share incentive awards — Executive officers and selected other key employees are eligible to receive common share-based incentive awards. Payouts, in the form of unrestricted common shares, 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 measures 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. The amounts charged to expense for executive officers and selected other key employees in 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $4,304, $3,588 and $4,235, respectively. The cumulative amount recorded in shareholders’ equity at October 31, 2014, and 2013 was $7,570 and $8,083, respectively.
Deferred compensation — Our executive officers and other highly compensated employees may elect to defer up to 100 percent of their base pay and cash incentive compensation and, for executive officers, up to 90 percent of their performance share-based incentive payout each year. Additional share units are credited for quarterly dividends paid on our common shares. Expense related to dividends paid under this plan was $129, $79 and $35 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Shares reserved for future issuance — At October 31, 2014, there were 2,430 of common shares reserved for future issuance through the exercise of outstanding options or rights.

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp

Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data	Note 15 — Operating segments and geographic area data
	We conduct business in three primary operating 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.
	No single customer accounted for 10 percent or more of sales in 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	The following table presents information about our reportable segments:
			Adhesive			Advanced			Industrial			Corporate			Total
			Dispensing			Technology			Coating
			Systems			Systems			Systems
	Year ended October 31, 2014
	Net external sales		$	899,696		$	561,784		$	242,541		$	—		$	1,704,021
	Depreciation			15,467			10,433			3,368			5,178			34,446
	Operating profit (loss)			229,556	(a)		140,240	(b)		38,117	(e)		(40,808	)		367,105
	Identifiable assets(c)			747,063			919,052			130,624			495,676	(d)		2,292,415
	Expenditures for long-lived assets			15,886			15,163			4,057			8,468			43,574
	Year ended October 31, 2013
	Net external sales		$	793,488		$	516,266		$	233,167		$	—		$	1,542,921
	Depreciation			15,326			9,180			3,084			4,176			31,766
	Operating profit (loss)			203,757	(a)		123,403	(b)		33,786			(37,097	)		323,849
	Identifiable assets(c)			750,616			721,524			113,835			467,809	(d)		2,053,784
	Expenditures for long-lived assets			20,498			10,080			6,239			10,402			47,219
	Year ended October 31, 2012
	Net external sales		$	684,096		$	515,992		$	209,490		$	—		$	1,409,578
	Depreciation			9,540			8,711			2,704			3,514			24,469
	Operating profit (loss)			211,072	(a)		134,074			25,933	(e)		(35,599	)		335,480
	Identifiable assets(c)			611,357			718,354			110,982			395,331	(d)		1,836,024
	Expenditures for long-lived assets			14,612			6,871			4,602			4,874			30,959
	(a)	Includes $1,731 and $315 of severance and restructuring costs in 2014 and 2013, respectively. Includes $3,862 of cost of goods sold — restructuring and severance and restructuring costs in 2012.
	(b)	Includes $579 and $811 of severance and restructuring costs 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	(c)	Operating segment identifiable assets include notes and accounts receivable net of customer advance payments and allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories net of reserves, property, plant and equipment net of accumulated depreciation and goodwill.
	(d)	Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents, deferred income taxes, capital leases, headquarter facilities, the major portion of our enterprise management system, and intangible assets.
	(e)	Includes $241 and $690 of severance and restructuring costs in 2014 and 2012, respectively.
	We have significant sales and long-lived assets in the following geographic areas:
			2014			2013			2012
	Net external sales
	United States		$	503,776		$	465,789		$	388,904
	Americas			120,993			123,654			109,074
	Europe			494,538			416,725			381,005
	Japan			127,057			127,945			127,509
	Asia Pacific			457,657			408,808			403,086
	Total net external sales		$	1,704,021		$	1,542,921		$	1,409,578
	Long-lived assets
	United States		$	159,946		$	136,551		$	127,486
	Americas			2,451			4,154			3,180
	Europe			21,039			22,576			14,896
	Japan			5,967			4,384			3,431
	Asia Pacific			35,036			33,314			25,938
	Total long-lived assets		$	224,439		$	200,979		$	174,931
	A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
	Total profit for reportable segments		$	367,105		$	323,849		$	335,480
	Interest expense			(15,035	)		(14,841	)		(11,153	)
	Interest and investment income			581			421			463
	Other-net			(138	)		1,694			1,463
	Income before income taxes		$	352,513		$	311,123		$	326,253
	A reconciliation of total assets for reportable segments to total consolidated assets is as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
	Total assets for reportable segments		$	2,292,415		$	2,053,784		$	1,836,024
	Customer advance payments			25,578			28,341			20,894
	Eliminations			(37,863	)		(28,946	)		(27,403	)
	Total consolidated assets		$	2,280,130		$	2,053,179		$	1,829,515

Supplemental_Information_for_t

Supplemental Information for the Statement of Cash Flows	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Information for the Statement of Cash Flows	Note 16 — Supplemental information for the statement of cash flows
		2014		2013		2012
	Cash operating activities:
	Interest paid	$	14,115	$	16,037	$	9,285
	Income taxes paid		87,797		93,074		70,935
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Capitalized lease obligations incurred	$	8,584	$	6,441	$	12,981
	Capitalized lease obligations terminated		864		468		894
	Shares acquired and issued through exercise of stock options		—		148		2,323

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Note 17 — Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	2014:00:00
	Sales	$	359,420	$	417,461	$	458,550	$	468,590
	Gross margin		194,782		235,552		257,511		257,253
	Net income		34,880		61,934		77,879		72,080
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		0.54		0.97		1.23		1.14
	Diluted		0.54		0.96		1.21		1.13
	2013:00:00
	Sales	$	347,043	$	382,100	$	402,960	$	410,818
	Gross margin		197,229		216,938		225,083		226,894
	Net income		42,011		54,605		65,424		59,777
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		0.65		0.85		1.02		0.93
	Diluted		0.65		0.84		1.01		0.92
	The sum of the per-share amounts for the four quarters may not always equal the annual per-share amounts due to differences in the average number of shares outstanding during the respective periods.
	During the fourth quarter of 2014, we recorded pre-tax severance costs of $1,273. Additionally, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $1,005 related to a property insurance settlement.
	During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded pre-tax severance costs of $1,278.
	During the third quarter of 2013, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $2,116 on the sale of real estate in China.
	During the first quarter of 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 Research and Development Tax Credit (Federal R&D Tax Credit) from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 and extended certain other tax provisions. As a result, our income tax provision for the first quarter of 2013 included a discrete tax benefit of $1,700 related to 2012.

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Note 18 — 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 effect on our financial condition, quarterly or annual operating results or cash flows.
	Environmental — 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 constructing a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site. At October 31, 2014, and 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 different 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.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation	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 percent 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 generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
Presentation	Presentation — Certain amounts for 2013 were reclassified to correct immaterial misclassifications of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. Specifically, non-current deferred tax liabilities increased $9,564, current deferred tax liabilities increased $1,326, non-current deferred tax assets increased $9,394 and current deferred tax assets increased $1,496.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal year — Our fiscal year is November 1 through October 31.
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 (BESP) 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, 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, 2013 and 2012 were not material.
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and handling costs — Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are recorded as revenue. Shipping and handling expenses are included in cost of sales.
Advertising Costs	Advertising costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $10,823, $12,480 and $10,935 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Research and Development	Research and development — Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were $47,536, $47,973 and $36,535 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
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 stock 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. Options for 69 common shares were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation in 2014 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. No options for common shares were excluded from the 2013 diluted earnings per share calculation, and options for 75 common shares were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation in 2012. Under the 2012 Stock Incentive and Award 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.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents — Highly liquid instruments with maturities of 90 days or less at date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for doubtful accounts — An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. The amount of the allowance is determined principally on the basis of past collection experience and known factors regarding specific customers. Accounts are written off against the allowance when it becomes evident that collection will not occur.
Inventories	Inventories — Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost was determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for 21 percent of consolidated inventories at October 31, 2014, and October 31, 2013. The first-in, first-out (FIFO) method is used for all other inventories. Consolidated inventories would have been $7,496 and $6,797 higher than reported at October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively, had the FIFO method, which approximates current cost, been used for valuation of all inventories.
Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation	Property, plant and equipment and depreciation — Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Additions and improvements that extend the lives of assets are capitalized, while expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Plant and equipment are depreciated for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, in the case of property under capital leases, over the terms of the leases. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or their useful lives. Useful lives are as follows:
	Land improvements		15-25 years
	Buildings		20-40 years
	Machinery and equipment		3-18 years
	Enterprise management systems		5-13 years
	Depreciation expense is included in cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses.
	Internal use software costs are expensed or capitalized depending on whether they are incurred in the preliminary project stage, application development stage or the post-implementation stage. Amounts capitalized are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software beginning with the project’s completion. All reengineering costs are expensed as incurred. Interest costs on significant capital projects are capitalized. No interest was capitalized in 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and intangible assets — Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill relates to and is assigned directly to specific reporting units. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment testing. Our annual impairment testing is performed as of August 1. Testing is done more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of those assets.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign currency translation — The financial statements of subsidiaries outside the United States are generally measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. The resulting translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Generally, gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, including forward contracts, of these subsidiaries and the United States parent are included in net income. Gains and losses from intercompany foreign currency transactions of a long-term investment nature are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated other comprehensive loss — Accumulated other comprehensive loss at October 31, 2014 and 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	)
	Pension and postretirement plan changes, net of tax of $(11,348)		—			(21,847	)		(21,847	)
	Current period charge		(23,972	)		—			(23,972	)
	Balance at October 31, 2014	$	2,727		$	(105,926	)	$	(103,199	)
Warranties	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) measured 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.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation	Useful lives are as follows:
	Land improvements		15-25 years
	Buildings		20-40 years
	Machinery and equipment		3-18 years
	Enterprise management systems		5-13 years
Weighted Average Useful Lives for Each Major Category of Amortizable Intangible Assets	At October 31, 2014, the weighted-average useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets were:
	Patent/technology costs		14 years
	Customer relationships		14 years
	Noncompete agreements		3 years
	Trade names		16 years
Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at October 31, 2014 and 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	)
	Pension and postretirement plan changes, net of tax of $(11,348)		—			(21,847	)		(21,847	)
	Current period charge		(23,972	)		—			(23,972	)
	Balance at October 31, 2014	$	2,727		$	(105,926	)	$	(103,199	)
Reconciliation of Product Warranty Liability	Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	9,409		$	8,929
	Accruals for warranties		10,813			7,891
	Warranty assumed from acquisitions		—			947
	Warranty payments		(10,012	)		(8,356	)
	Currency adjustments		(292	)		(2	)
	Balance at end of year	$	9,918		$	9,409

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables) (2012 Acquisitions [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition Pro forma of Financial Information
	Sales	$	1,537,251
	Net income	$	234,092
	Basic earnings per share	$	3.63
	Diluted earnings per share	$	3.6

Details_of_Balance_Sheet_Table

Details of Balance Sheet (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]
Details of Balance Sheet
		2014			2013
	Receivables:
	Accounts	$	347,259		$	292,469
	Notes		6,339			9,467
	Other		16,733			11,036
			370,331			312,972
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(4,487	)		(4,265	)
		$	365,844		$	308,707
	Inventories:
	Raw materials and component parts	$	86,573		$	81,943
	Work-in-process		27,994			34,756
	Finished goods		130,544			115,078
			245,111			231,777
	Obsolescence and other reserves		(26,744	)		(26,579	)
	LIFO reserve		(7,496	)		(6,797	)
		$	210,871		$	198,401
	Property, plant and equipment:
	Land	$	10,216		$	10,383
	Land improvements		3,827			3,849
	Buildings		141,880			127,178
	Machinery and equipment		319,110			294,374
	Enterprise management system		44,682			43,983
	Construction-in-progress		27,419			21,251
	Leased property under capitalized leases		27,715			26,838
			574,849			527,856
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(350,410	)		(326,877	)
		$	224,439		$	200,979
	Accrued liabilities:
	Salaries and other compensation	$	57,722		$	44,561
	Pension and retirement		1,738			720
	Taxes other than income taxes		6,367			5,570
	Other		71,174			59,677
		$	137,001		$	110,528

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during 2014 by operating segment follow:
		Adhesive			Advanced			Industrial		Total
		Dispensing			Technology			Coating
		Systems			Systems			Systems
	Balance at October 31, 2013	$	407,269		$	507,884		$	24,058	$	939,211
	Acquisitions		—			124,391			—		124,391
	Currency effect		(10,223	)		(842	)		—		(11,065	)
	Balance at October 31, 2014	$	397,046		$	631,433		$	24,058	$	1,052,537
Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	Information regarding intangible assets subject to amortization follows:
		October 31, 2014
		Carrying			Accumulated			Net Book Value
		Amount			Amortization
	Customer relationships	$	200,028		$	41,910		$	158,118
	Patent/technology costs		93,799			27,030			66,769
	Trade name		77,846			12,173			65,673
	Noncompete agreements		8,220			7,600			620
	Other		1,369			1,239			130
	Total	$	381,262		$	89,952		$	291,310
		31-Oct-13
		Carrying			Accumulated			Net Book Value
		Amount			Amortization
	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
	Noncompete agreements		9,965			8,091			1,874
	Other		1,400			1,096			304
	Total	$	336,133		$	67,060		$	269,073
Estimated Amortization Expense	Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years follows:
	Year	Amounts
	2015	$	27,754
	2016	$	27,075
	2017	$	26,653
	2018	$	26,366
	2019	$	26,359

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P1

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost [Member]
Reconciliation of the Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Accrued Benefit Cost and the Amount Recognized in Financial Statements for Pension Plans	A reconciliation of the benefit obligations, plan assets, accrued benefit cost and the amount recognized in financial statements for pension plans is as follows:
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	299,716		$	326,792		$	85,543		$	83,433
	Service cost		8,071			8,896			2,597			2,098
	Interest cost		13,921			12,314			3,185			2,872
	Participant contributions		—			—			137			132
	Plan amendments		186			1,667			(419	)		—
	Foreign currency exchange rate change		—			—			(5,343	)		(279	)
	Actuarial (gain) loss		34,610			(40,996	)		13,293			(54	)
	Benefits paid		(11,025	)		(8,957	)		(2,162	)		(2,659	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	345,479		$	299,716		$	96,831		$	85,543
	Change in plan assets:
	Beginning fair value of plan assets	$	243,506		$	214,128		$	37,078		$	34,217
	Actual return on plan assets		25,535			20,951			1,627			2,102
	Company contributions		19,896			17,384			4,009			3,501
	Participant contributions		—			—			137			132
	Foreign currency exchange rate change		—			—			(1,071	)		(215	)
	Benefits paid		(11,025	)		(8,957	)		(2,162	)		(2,659	)
	Ending fair value of plan assets	$	277,912		$	243,506		$	39,618		$	37,078
	Funded status at end of year	$	(67,567	)	$	(56,210	)	$	(57,213	)	$	(48,465	)
	Amounts recognized in financial statements:
	Noncurrent asset	$	—		$	—		$	17		$	22
	Accrued benefit liability		(709	)		(938	)		(6	)		(5	)
	Long-term pension and retirement obligations		(66,858	)		(55,272	)		(57,224	)		(48,482	)
	Total amount recognized in financial statements	$	(67,567	)	$	(56,210	)	$	(57,213	)	$	(48,465	)
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
	Net actuarial loss	$	111,337		$	93,537		$	34,683		$	24,392
	Prior service cost (credit)		(47	)		4			(995	)		(798	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	111,290		$	93,541		$	33,688		$	23,594
	Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	$	8,694		$	8,260		$	2,459		$	1,531
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		121			237			(97	)		(82	)
	Total	$	8,815		$	8,497		$	2,362		$	1,449
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Gain) Loss	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	93,541		$	152,732		$	23,594		$	25,230
	Net (gain) loss arising during the year		26,372			(46,707	)		13,438			(642	)
	Prior service cost (credit) arising during the year		186			1,668			(419	)		—
	Net gain (loss) recognized during the year		(7,940	)		(13,995	)		(1,233	)		(1,406	)
	Prior service (cost) credit recognized during the year		(237	)		(157	)		101			81
	Settlement loss		(632	)		—			—			—
	Exchange rate effect during the year		—			—			(1,793	)		331
	Balance at end of year	$	111,290		$	93,541		$	33,688		$	23,594
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	Information regarding the accumulated benefit obligation is as follows:
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	For all plans:
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	336,464		$	291,310		$	75,305		$	67,647
	For plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation		345,479			299,716			87,128			71,788
	Accumulated benefit obligation		336,464			291,310			73,135			59,589
	Fair value of plan assets		277,912			243,506			37,415			29,000
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost	Net pension benefit costs include the following components:
		United States									International
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	8,071		$	8,896		$	7,488		$	2,597		$	2,098		$	1,504
	Interest cost		13,921			12,314			12,137			3,185			2,872			3,002
	Expected return on plan assets		(17,297	)		(15,241	)		(14,901	)		(1,772	)		(1,512	)		(1,547	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		237			157			342			(101	)		(81	)		(97	)
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		7,940			13,995			11,672			1,233			1,406			564
	Settlement loss		632			—			682			—			—			—
	Total benefit cost	$	13,504		$	20,121		$	17,420		$	5,142		$	4,783		$	3,426
Weighted Average Assumptions Representing the Rates Used to Develop the Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation and the Net Periodic Benefit Costs	The weighted average assumptions used in the valuation of pension benefits were as follows:
		United States									International
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at October 31:
	Discount rate		4.29	%		4.75	%		3.85	%		2.94	%		3.72	%		3.52	%
	Rate of compensation increase		3.49			3.3			3.3			3.19			3.18			3.13
	Assumptions used to determine net benefit costs for the years ended October 31:
	Discount rate		4.75			3.85			4.46			3.72			3.52			4.43
	Expected return on plan assets		7.24			7.24			7.75			4.6			4.43			4.85
	Rate of compensation increase		3.3			3.3			3.2			3.18			3.13			3.16
The Effect of a One Percent Change in the Discount Rate, Expected Return on Assets and Compensation Increase	The effect of a one percent change in the discount rate, expected return on assets and compensation increase is shown in the table below. Bracketed numbers represent decreases in expense and obligation amounts.
		United States						International
		1% Point			1% Point			1% Point			1% Point
		Increase			Decrease			Increase			Decrease
	Discount rate:
	Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	(4,527	)	$	5,514		$	(1,235	)	$	1,561
	in 2014
	Effect on pension obligation as of October 31, 2014	$	(44,353	)	$	55,900		$	(15,756	)	$	19,996
	Expected return on assets:
	Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	(2,582	)	$	2,582		$	(375	)	$	375
	in 2014
	Compensation increase:
	Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	4,257		$	(2,490	)	$	934		$	(1,088	)
	in 2014
	Effect on pension obligation as of October 31, 2014	$	21,915		$	(12,788	)	$	7,729		$	(6,999	)
Allocation of Pension Plan Assets	The allocation of pension plan assets as of October 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Asset Category
	Equity securities		23  %			27  %			—  %			—  %
	Debt securities		29			29			—			—
	Insurance contracts		—			—			58			60
	Pooled investment funds		47			43			42			39
	Other		1			1			—			1
	Total		100  %			100  %			100  %			100  %
Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets	The fair values of our pension plan assets at October 31, 2014 by asset category are in the table below:
		United States												International
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Cash	$	1,617		$	1,617		$	—		$	—		$	8		$	8		$	—	$	—
	Money market funds		2,820			2,820			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Equity securities:
	Basic materials		3,224			3,224			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Consumer goods		5,114			5,114			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Financial		8,036			8,036			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Healthcare		4,372			4,372			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Industrial goods		3,527			3,527			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Technology		4,226			4,226			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Utilities		1,084			1,084			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Mutual funds		31,255			31,255			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Government		26,447			7,877			18,570			—			—			—			—		—
	Corporate		50,720			—			50,720			—			—			—			—		—
	Other		2,486			—			2,486			—			—			—			—		—
	Other types of investments:
	Insurance contracts		—			—			—			—			23,174			—			—		23,174
	Real estate collective funds		16,495			—			—			16,495			—			—			—		—
	Pooled investment funds		115,877			—			115,877			—			16,436			—			16,436		—
	Other		612			612			—			—			—			—			—		—
		$	277,912		$	73,764		$	187,653		$	16,495		$	39,618		$	8		$	16,436	$	23,174
	The fair values of our pension plan assets at October 31, 2013 by asset category are in the table below:
		United States												International
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Cash	$	2,811		$	2,811		$	—		$	—		$	321		$	321		$	—	$	—
	Money market funds		2,783			2,783			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Equity securities:
	Basic materials		3,834			3,834			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Consumer goods		4,958			4,958			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Financial		7,825			7,825			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Healthcare		4,109			4,109			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Industrial goods		3,255			3,255			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Technology		4,159			4,159			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Utilities		988			988			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Mutual funds		32,617			32,617			—			—			—			—			—		—
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Government		26,892			10,715			16,177			—			—			—			—		—
	Corporate		43,367			—			43,367			—			—			—			—		—
	Other		1,356			—			1,356			—			—			—			—		—
	Other types of investments:
	Insurance contracts		—			—			—			—			22,093			—			—		22,093
	Real estate collective funds		14,958			—			—			14,958			—			—			—		—
	Pooled investment funds		88,973			—			88,973			—			14,664			—			14,664		—
	Other		621			621			—			—			—			—			—		—
		$	243,506		$	78,675		$	149,873		$	14,958		$	37,078		$	321		$	14,664	$	22,093
Change in Level 3 Fair Value of Plan Assets	The following tables present an analysis of changes during the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 in Level 3 plan assets, by plan asset class, for U.S. and International pension plans using significant unobservable inputs to measure fair value:
		Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
		Real estate			Insurance			Total
		collective funds			contracts
	Beginning balance at October 31, 2013	$	14,958		$	22,093		$	37,051
	Actual return on plan assets:
	Assets held, end of year		1,667			771			2,438
	Assets sold during the period		25			—			25
	Purchases		—			2,816			2,816
	Sales		(155	)		(1,529	)		(1,684	)
	Foreign currency translation		—			(977	)		(977	)
	Ending balance at October 31, 2014	$	16,495		$	23,174		$	39,669
		Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
		Real estate			Insurance			Total
		collective funds			contracts
	Beginning balance at October 31, 2012	$	13,110		$	19,046		$	32,156
	Actual return on plan assets:
	Assets held, end of year		1,970			1,025			2,995
	Assets sold during the period		13			—			13
	Purchases		—			4,242			4,242
	Sales		(135	)		(2,093	)		(2,228	)
	Foreign currency translation		—			(127	)		(127	)
	Ending balance at October 31, 2013	$	14,958		$	22,093		$	37,051
Retiree Pension Benefit Payments	Retiree pension benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are anticipated to be paid as follows:
	Year	United States			International
	2015	$	10,922		$	4,833
	2016		11,637			2,300
	2017		12,721			2,166
	2018		13,661			2,984
	2019		14,853			5,014
	2020-2024		92,418			17,392
Components of Net Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member]
Reconciliation of the Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Accrued Benefit Cost and the Amount Recognized in Financial Statements for Pension Plans	A reconciliation of the benefit obligations, accrued benefit cost and the amount recognized in financial statements for other postretirement plans is as follows:
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	61,004		$	71,228		$	768		$	851
	Service cost		1,037			1,145			28			35
	Interest cost		3,062			2,598			38			38
	Participant contributions		431			600			—			—
	Foreign currency exchange rate change		—			—			(63	)		(34	)
	Actuarial (gain) loss		6,015			(11,619	)		130			(118	)
	Benefits paid		(2,070	)		(2,948	)		(4	)		(4	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	69,479		$	61,004		$	897		$	768
	Change in plan assets:
	Beginning fair value of plan assets	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Company contributions		1,639			2,348			4			4
	Participant contributions		431			600			—			—
	Benefits paid		(2,070	)		(2,948	)		(4	)		(4	)
	Ending fair value of plan assets	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Funded status at end of year	$	(69,479	)	$	(61,004	)	$	(897	)	$	(768	)
	Amounts recognized in financial statements:
	Accrued benefit liability	$	(2,069	)	$	(1,974	)	$	(7	)	$	(4	)
	Long-term postretirement obligations		(67,410	)		(59,030	)		(890	)		(764	)
	Total amount recognized in financial statements	$	(69,479	)	$	(61,004	)	$	(897	)	$	(768	)
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
	Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	22,434		$	17,854		$	(86	)	$	(243	)
	Prior service cost (credit)		(1,012	)		(1,461	)		—			—
	Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	$	21,422		$	16,393		$	(86	)	$	(243	)
	Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	$	1,187		$	1,139		$	—		$	(14	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		(438	)		(449	)		—			—
	Total	$	749		$	690		$	—		$	(14	)
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Gain) Loss	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
		United States						International
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	16,393		$	29,651		$	(243	)	$	(138	)
	Net (gain) loss arising during the year		6,015			(11,619	)		130			(117	)
	Net gain (loss) recognized during the year		(1,435	)		(2,112	)		13			4
	Prior service credit (cost) recognized during the year		449			473			—			—
	Exchange rate effect during the year		—			—			14			8
	Balance at end of year	$	21,422		$	16,393		$	(86	)	$	(243	)
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost	Net postretirement benefit costs include the following components:
		United States									International
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	1,037		$	1,145		$	1,183		$	28		$	35		$	28
	Interest cost		3,062			2,598			2,759			38			38			41
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		(449	)		(473	)		(584	)		—			—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		1,435			2,112			1,789			(13	)		(4	)		(14	)
	Total benefit cost	$	5,085		$	5,382		$	5,147		$	53		$	69		$	55
Weighted Average Assumptions Representing the Rates Used to Develop the Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation and the Net Periodic Benefit Costs	The weighted average assumptions used in the valuation of postretirement benefits were as follows:
		United States									International
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at October 31:
	Discount rate		4.4	%		4.8	%		3.85	%		4.25	%		4.95	%		4.4	%
	Health care cost trend rate		3.93			4.12			4.9			6.48			6.65			6.83
	Rate to which health care cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)		3.41			3.47			3.6			3.5			3.5			3.5
	Year the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate		2024			2021			2017			2031			2031			2031
	Assumption used to determine net benefit costs for the years ended October 31:
	Discount rate		4.80	%		3.85	%		4.50	%		4.95	%		4.40	%		5.85	%
Retiree Pension Benefit Payments	Retiree postretirement benefit payments are anticipated to be paid as follows:
	Year	United States			International
	2015	$	2,069		$	7
	2016		2,242			8
	2017		2,420			9
	2018		2,614			12
	2019		2,743			13
	2020-2024		16,609			107
Defined Benefit Plan Effect of One Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates and Discount Rate	The discount rate and the health care cost trend rate assumptions have a significant effect on the amounts reported. For example, a one-percentage point change in the discount rate and the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects. Bracketed numbers represent decreases in expense and obligation amounts.
		United States						International
		1% Point			1% Point			1% Point			1% Point
		Increase			Decrease			Increase			Decrease
	Discount rate:
	Effect on total service and interest cost components in 2014	$	(770	)	$	938		$	(7	)	$	6
	Effect on postretirement obligation as of October 31, 2014	$	(9,992	)	$	12,790		$	(173	)	$	229
	Health care trend rate:
	Effect on total service and interest cost components in 2014	$	589		$	(479	)	$	14		$	(14	)
	Effect on postretirement obligation as of October 31, 2014	$	11,302		$	(9,001	)	$	174		$	(208	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense	Income tax expense includes the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	U.S. federal	$	52,985		$	45,004		$	51,458
	State and local		1,900			2,351			1,378
	Foreign		47,366			36,829			38,760
	Total current		102,251			84,184			91,596
	Deferred:
	U.S. federal		8,695			8,361			7,204
	State and local		(1,635	)		(991	)		782
	Foreign		(3,571	)		(2,248	)		1,842
	Total deferred		3,489			5,122			9,828
		$	105,740		$	89,306		$	101,424
Income Taxes Computed at the U.S. Statutory Rate and Income Tax	A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal rate to the worldwide consolidated effective tax rate follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Statutory federal income tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	Domestic Production Deduction		(1.74	)		(1.71	)		(1.82	)
	Foreign tax rate variances, net of foreign tax credits		(3.42	)		(3.39	)		(2.31	)
	State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		0.05			0.28			0.43
	Amounts related to prior years		(0.24	)		(1.00	)		(0.31	)
	Other — net		0.35			(0.48	)		0.1
	Effective tax rate		30	%		28.7	%		31.09	%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	5,717		$	3,140		$	2,576
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		196			703			148
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		319			3,261			896
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		—			(317	)		—
	Settlements		(110	)		—			—
	Lapse of statute of limitations		(310	)		(1,070	)		(480	)
	Balance at end of year	$	5,812		$	5,717		$	3,140
Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Employee benefits	$	79,669		$	66,148
	Other accruals not currently deductible for taxes		17,379			16,984
	Tax credit and loss carryforwards		16,531			13,077
	Inventory adjustments		5,276			4,998
	Translation of foreign currency accounts		154			384
	Total deferred tax assets		119,009			101,591
	Valuation allowance		(7,672	)		(5,663	)
	Total deferred tax assets		111,337			95,928
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation and amortization		163,107			146,500
	Other — net		—			51
	Total deferred tax liabilities		163,107			146,551
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(51,770	)	$	(50,623	)

Notes_Payable_Tables

Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Bank Lines of Credit and Notes	Bank lines of credit and notes payable are summarized as follows:
		2014			2013
	Maximum borrowings under bank lines of credit:
	Domestic banks	$	100,000		$	—
	Foreign banks		48,619			83,191
	Total	$	148,619		$	83,191
	Outstanding notes payable:
	Domestic bank debt	$	100,000		$	—
	Foreign bank debt		6,181			3,604
	Total	$	106,181		$	3,604
	Weighted-average interest rate on notes payable		1	%		2	%
	Unused bank lines of credit	$	42,438		$	79,587

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	A summary of long-term debt is as follows:
		2014		2013
	Revolving credit agreement, due 2017	$	375,242	$	254,000
	Senior notes, due 2017-2025		200,000		200,000
	Euro loan, due 2016		63,244		129,058
	Private shelf facility, due 2012-2020		53,333		63,889
	Development loans, due 2011-2026		1,586		1,702
	Other		214		341
			693,619		648,990
	Less current maturities		10,751		10,832
	Long-term maturities	$	682,868	$	638,158

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Assets Held Under Capitalized Leases and Included in Property, Plant and Equipment	Assets held under capitalized leases and included in property, plant and equipment are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Transportation equipment	$	15,524		$	16,261
	Other		12,191			10,577
	Total capitalized leases		27,715			26,838
	Accumulated amortization		(11,139	)		(10,805	)
	Net capitalized leases	$	16,576		$	16,033
Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-cancelable Capitalized and Operating Leases	At October 31, 2014, future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable capitalized and operating leases are as follows:
		Capitalized			Operating
		Leases			Leases
	Year:
	2015	$	6,866		$	12,189
	2016		4,957			7,192
	2017		2,340			5,808
	2018		993			4,179
	2019		635			3,773
	Later years		6,476			10,410
	Total minimum lease payments		22,267		$	43,551
	Less amount representing executory costs		1,993
	Net minimum lease payments		20,274
	Less amount representing interest		4,148
	Present value of net minimum lease payments		16,126
	Less current portion		5,108
	Long-term obligations at October 31, 2014	$	11,018

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 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 October 31, 2014:
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts(a)		$	9,934	$	—	$	9,934	$	—
	Total assets at fair value		$	9,934	$	—	$	9,934	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plans(b)		$	8,884	$	8,884	$	—	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts(a)			8,424		—		8,424		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	17,308	$	8,884	$	8,424	$	—
	(a)	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 exchange contracts are valued using market exchange rates. These foreign exchange contracts are not designated as hedges.
	(b)	Executive officers and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100 percent of their salary and annual cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90 percent 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)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Outstanding Currency, Forward Exchange Contracts	The following table summarizes, by currency, the contracts outstanding at October 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Sell				Buy
		Notional		Fair Market		Notional		Fair Market
		Amounts		Value		Amounts		Value
	October 31, 2014 contract amounts:
	Euro	$	424,624	$	407,422	$	344,461	$	330,957
	Pound sterling		86,654		85,632		141,638		140,065
	Japanese yen		21,057		19,780		17,477		16,498
	Australian dollar		216		220		9,012		8,618
	Hong Kong dollar		52,278		52,247		117,040		116,978
	Singapore dollar		—		—		10,984		10,693
	Others		2,627		2,573		28,409		27,236
	Total	$	587,456	$	567,874	$	669,021	$	651,045
	October 31, 2013 contract amounts:
	Euro	$	194,531	$	194,187	$	131,198	$	131,825
	Pound sterling		17,854		17,856		29,441		29,950
	Japanese yen		11,426		11,404		8,686		8,672
	Australian dollar		894		899		8,653		8,986
	Hong Kong dollar		1,935		1,935		42,140		42,132
	Singapore dollar		201		201		9,815		10,065
	Others		5,768		5,745		24,227		24,503
	Total	$	232,609	$	232,227	$	254,160	$	256,133
Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments, Other than Receivables and Accounts Payable	The carrying values of receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
		2014				2013
		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	42,314	$	42,314	$	42,375	$	42,375
	Notes payable		106,181		106,181		3,604		3,604
	Long-term debt (including current portion)		693,619		696,140		648,990		636,904
	Foreign currency forward contracts (net)		1,510		1,510		2,313		2,313

Capital_Shares_Tables

Capital Shares (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Shares	Common shares repurchased as part of publicly announced programs during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	Year	Number		Total		Average
		of Shares		Amount		per Share
	2014		2,224	$	163,584	$	73.55
	2013		459	$	30,443	$	66.29
	2012		1,831	$	86,022	$	46.98

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summarized Activity Related to Stock Options	The following table summarizes activity related to stock options during 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		(314	)	$	22.35
	Forfeited or expired		(26	)	$	51.57
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014		1,686		$	42.77	$	56,957		6.0 years
	Vested at October 31, 2014 or expected to vest		1,673		$	42.58	$	56,841		6.0 years
	Exercisable at October 31, 2014		955		$	30.86	$	43,626		4.6 years
Summarized Information on Currently Outstanding Options	Summarized information on currently outstanding options follows:
		Range of Exercise Price
		$14 — $28			$29 — $44		$45 — $73
	Number outstanding		610			543		533
	Weighted-average remaining contractual life, in years		3.5			6.4		8.6
	Weighted-average exercise price	$	22.54		$	41.9	$	66.78
	Number exercisable		578			318		59
	Weighted-average exercise price	$	22.28		$	40.71	$	61.62
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:
		2014		2013	2012
	Expected volatility	40.1%-44.7%		45.3%-46.9%	45.4%-46.9%
	Expected dividend yield	0.98%-1.03%		0.97%-1.01%	1.20%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.51%-1.79%		0.75%-0.90%	1.03%-1.23%
	Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4-6.1		5.4-6.1	5.4-6.1
Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted shares during 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant Date Fair
					Value Per Share
	Restricted at October 31, 2013		82		$	52.67
	Granted		28		$	73.56
	Vested		(39	)	$	48.13
	Restricted at October 31, 2014		71		$	63.53
Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted share units in 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		(19	)	$	62.07
	Restricted share units at October 31, 2014		5		$	61.59
Summarized Activity Related to Director Deferred Compensation Shares	The following table summarizes activity related to director deferred compensation share equivalent units during 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant Date Fair
					Value Per Share
	Outstanding at October 31, 2013		148		$	23.22
	Restricted stock units vested		13		$	57.43
	Dividend equivalents		1		$	76.49
	Distributions		(52	)	$	19.2
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014		110		$	29.74

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp1

Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segments	The following table presents information about our reportable segments:
			Adhesive			Advanced			Industrial			Corporate			Total
			Dispensing			Technology			Coating
			Systems			Systems			Systems
	Year ended October 31, 2014
	Net external sales		$	899,696		$	561,784		$	242,541		$	—		$	1,704,021
	Depreciation			15,467			10,433			3,368			5,178			34,446
	Operating profit (loss)			229,556	(a)		140,240	(b)		38,117	(e)		(40,808	)		367,105
	Identifiable assets(c)			747,063			919,052			130,624			495,676	(d)		2,292,415
	Expenditures for long-lived assets			15,886			15,163			4,057			8,468			43,574
	Year ended October 31, 2013
	Net external sales		$	793,488		$	516,266		$	233,167		$	—		$	1,542,921
	Depreciation			15,326			9,180			3,084			4,176			31,766
	Operating profit (loss)			203,757	(a)		123,403	(b)		33,786			(37,097	)		323,849
	Identifiable assets(c)			750,616			721,524			113,835			467,809	(d)		2,053,784
	Expenditures for long-lived assets			20,498			10,080			6,239			10,402			47,219
	Year ended October 31, 2012
	Net external sales		$	684,096		$	515,992		$	209,490		$	—		$	1,409,578
	Depreciation			9,540			8,711			2,704			3,514			24,469
	Operating profit (loss)			211,072	(a)		134,074			25,933	(e)		(35,599	)		335,480
	Identifiable assets(c)			611,357			718,354			110,982			395,331	(d)		1,836,024
	Expenditures for long-lived assets			14,612			6,871			4,602			4,874			30,959
	(a)	Includes $1,731 and $315 of severance and restructuring costs in 2014 and 2013, respectively. Includes $3,862 of cost of goods sold — restructuring and severance and restructuring costs in 2012.
	(b)	Includes $579 and $811 of severance and restructuring costs 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	(c)	Operating segment identifiable assets include notes and accounts receivable net of customer advance payments and allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories net of reserves, property, plant and equipment net of accumulated depreciation and goodwill.
	(d)	Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents, deferred income taxes, capital leases, headquarter facilities, the major portion of our enterprise management system, and intangible assets.
	(e)	Includes $241 and $690 of severance and restructuring costs in 2014 and 2012, respectively.
Sales and Long-lived Asset Information by Geographic Regions	We have significant sales and long-lived assets in the following geographic areas:
			2014			2013			2012
	Net external sales
	United States		$	503,776		$	465,789		$	388,904
	Americas			120,993			123,654			109,074
	Europe			494,538			416,725			381,005
	Japan			127,057			127,945			127,509
	Asia Pacific			457,657			408,808			403,086
	Total net external sales		$	1,704,021		$	1,542,921		$	1,409,578
	Long-lived assets
	United States		$	159,946		$	136,551		$	127,486
	Americas			2,451			4,154			3,180
	Europe			21,039			22,576			14,896
	Japan			5,967			4,384			3,431
	Asia Pacific			35,036			33,314			25,938
	Total long-lived assets		$	224,439		$	200,979		$	174,931
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes	A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
	Total profit for reportable segments		$	367,105		$	323,849		$	335,480
	Interest expense			(15,035	)		(14,841	)		(11,153	)
	Interest and investment income			581			421			463
	Other-net			(138	)		1,694			1,463
	Income before income taxes		$	352,513		$	311,123		$	326,253
Summary of Reconciliation of Consolidated Assets	A reconciliation of total assets for reportable segments to total consolidated assets is as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
	Total assets for reportable segments		$	2,292,415		$	2,053,784		$	1,836,024
	Customer advance payments			25,578			28,341			20,894
	Eliminations			(37,863	)		(28,946	)		(27,403	)
	Total consolidated assets		$	2,280,130		$	2,053,179		$	1,829,515

Supplemental_Information_for_t1

Supplemental Information for the Statement of Cash Flows (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Information for the Statement of Cash Flows	Supplemental information for the statement of cash flows
		2014		2013		2012
	Cash operating activities:
	Interest paid	$	14,115	$	16,037	$	9,285
	Income taxes paid		87,797		93,074		70,935
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Capitalized lease obligations incurred	$	8,584	$	6,441	$	12,981
	Capitalized lease obligations terminated		864		468		894
	Shares acquired and issued through exercise of stock options		—		148		2,323

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data	Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	2014:00:00
	Sales	$	359,420	$	417,461	$	458,550	$	468,590
	Gross margin		194,782		235,552		257,511		257,253
	Net income		34,880		61,934		77,879		72,080
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		0.54		0.97		1.23		1.14
	Diluted		0.54		0.96		1.21		1.13
	2013:00:00
	Sales	$	347,043	$	382,100	$	402,960	$	410,818
	Gross margin		197,229		216,938		225,083		226,894
	Net income		42,011		54,605		65,424		59,777
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		0.65		0.85		1.02		0.93
	Diluted		0.65		0.84		1.01		0.92

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Increase in noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	$9,564,000
Increase in current deferred tax liabilities	1,326,000
Increase in noncurrent deferred tax assets	9,394,000
Increase in current deferred tax assets	1,496,000
Advertising costs incurred	10,823,000	12,480,000	10,935,000
Research and development costs incurred	47,536,000	47,973,000	36,535,000
Periods of performance considered for calculating compensation expense	3 years
Cost percentage of inventory under LIFO method	21.00%	21.00%
Consolidated inventories under FIFO method	7,496,000	6,797,000
Interest charges capitalized	$0	$0	$0
Product warranty period	1 year
Stock Options [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Options for common shares excluded from computation of diluted earning per share	69	0	75

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Useful Lifes of Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Minimum [Member] | Land Improvements [Member]
Depreciation Amortization Impairment [Line Items]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and depreciation	15 years
Minimum [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Depreciation Amortization Impairment [Line Items]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and depreciation	20 years
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Depreciation Amortization Impairment [Line Items]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and depreciation	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Enterprise Management Systems [Member]
Depreciation Amortization Impairment [Line Items]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and depreciation	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Land Improvements [Member]
Depreciation Amortization Impairment [Line Items]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and depreciation	25 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Depreciation Amortization Impairment [Line Items]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and depreciation	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Depreciation Amortization Impairment [Line Items]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and depreciation	18 years
Maximum [Member] | Enterprise Management Systems [Member]
Depreciation Amortization Impairment [Line Items]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and depreciation	13 years

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies - Weighted Average Useful Lives for Each Major Category of Amortizable Intangible Assets (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Patent/Technology Costs [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets	14 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets	14 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets	3 years
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets	16 years

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning balance	($57,380)
Pension and postretirement plan changes, net of tax	-21,847	46,381	-13,408
Current period charge	-23,972
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending balance	-103,199	-57,380
Cumulative Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning balance	26,699
Current period charge	-23,972
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending balance	2,727
Pension And Postretirement Benefit Plan Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning balance	-84,079
Pension and postretirement plan changes, net of tax	-21,847
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending balance	($105,926)

Significant_Accounting_Policie7

Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Pension and postretirement plan changes, tax	($11,348)

Significant_Accounting_Policie8

Significant Accounting Policies - Reconciliation of Product Warranty Liability (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$9,409	$8,929
Accruals for warranties	10,813	7,891
Warranty assumed from acquisitions		947
Warranty payments	-10,012	-8,356
Currency adjustments	-292	-2
Balance at end of year	$9,918	$9,409

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2012	Nov. 08, 2012	Aug. 30, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Aug. 08, 2014	Aug. 29, 2014	Jun. 14, 2012	Jun. 21, 2012	Aug. 02, 2012
				Person
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$1,052,537					$939,211
2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	271,501
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets	122,216
Acquisition related expenses excluded from results	2,109
Nonrecurring expense related to the fair value adjustment	4,589
Intangible assets, amortization expense	11,713
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization period	14 years
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] | 2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets		25,740
Intangible assets amortization period		15 years
Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization period	16 years
Trade Names [Member] | 2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets		43,710
Intangible assets amortization period		15 years
Customer Lists [Member] | 2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets		48,350
Intangible assets amortization period		9 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization period	3 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | 2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets		4,416
Intangible assets amortization period		2 years
Kodama Chemical Industry Co., Ltd [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of Cash transferred			1,231
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets			912
Acquisition date fair value			1,335
Holdback liability			104
Kodama Chemical Industry Co., Ltd [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets			847
Intangible assets amortization period			9 years
Kodama Chemical Industry Co., Ltd [Member] | Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets			65
Intangible assets amortization period			9 years
Kreyenborg Group [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired percent of the outstanding shares				100.00%
Fair value of Cash transferred				169,994
Goodwill				115,103
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets				60,021
Number of employees of acquired entity				270
Cash acquired				22,913
Debt assumed				391
Kreyenborg Group [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets				42,306
Intangible assets amortization period				15 years
Kreyenborg Group [Member] | Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets				15,336
Intangible assets amortization period				15 years
Kreyenborg Group [Member] | Trade Names [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets				1,851
Intangible assets amortization period				10 years
Covidien and Nellcor [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill					2,301
Acquisition date fair value					5,500
Property Plant and Equipment acquired					1,149
Covidien and Nellcor [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets					1,310
Intangible assets amortization period					25 years
Covidien and Nellcor [Member] | Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] | 2013 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets					740
Intangible assets amortization period					10 years
EDI Holdings, Inc. [Member] | 2012 Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired percent of the outstanding shares									100.00%
Xaloy Superior Holdings, Inc. [Member] | 2012 Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired percent of the outstanding shares										100.00%
Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc. [Member] | 2012 Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired percent of the outstanding shares											100.00%
Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc. [Member] | 2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business combination, goodwill, tax deductible amount											24,058
EDI and Xaloy [Member] | 2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business combination goodwill related to tax deduction						11,000
Avalon Laboratories Holding Corp [Member] | 2014 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired percent of the outstanding shares							100.00%
Fair value of Cash transferred							179,966
Goodwill							122,011
Cash acquired from business acquisition							1,324
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets							52,000
Business combination, goodwill, tax deductible amount							15,800
Avalon Laboratories Holding Corp [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member] | 2014 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets							32,200
Intangible assets amortization period							10 years
Avalon Laboratories Holding Corp [Member] | Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] | 2014 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets							9,800
Intangible assets amortization period							10 years
Avalon Laboratories Holding Corp [Member] | Trade Names [Member] | 2014 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets							10,000
Intangible assets amortization period							15 years
Dima Group B.V. [Member] | 2014 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired percent of the outstanding shares								100.00%
Fair value of Cash transferred								6,454
Goodwill								2,380
Cash acquired from business acquisition								149
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets								1,281
Dima Group B.V. [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member] | 2014 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets								1,017
Intangible assets amortization period								7 years
Dima Group B.V. [Member] | Trade Names [Member] | 2014 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, intangible assets								$264
Intangible assets amortization period								15 years

Acquisitions_Business_Acquisit

Acquisitions - Business Acquisition Pro forma of Financial Information (Detail) (2012 Acquisitions [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2012
2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Sales	$1,537,251
Net income	$234,092
Basic earnings per share	$3.63
Diluted earnings per share	$3.60

Details_of_Balance_Sheet_Detai

Details of Balance Sheet - Details of Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables:
Accounts	$347,259	$292,469
Notes	6,339	9,467
Other	16,733	11,036
Receivables, total	370,331	312,972
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-4,487	-4,265
Receivables-net	365,844	308,707
Inventories:
Raw materials and component parts	86,573	81,943
Work-in-process	27,994	34,756
Finished goods	130,544	115,078
Inventories gross	245,111	231,777
Obsolescence and other reserves	-26,744	-26,579
LIFO reserve	-7,496	-6,797
Inventories net	210,871	198,401
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment gross	574,849	527,856
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-350,410	-326,877
Property, plant and equipment - net	224,439	200,979	174,931
Accrued liabilities:
Salaries and other compensation	57,722	44,561
Pension and retirement	1,738	720
Taxes other than income taxes	6,367	5,570
Other	71,174	59,677
Accrued liabilities total	137,001	110,528
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment gross	10,216	10,383
Land Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment gross	3,827	3,849
Buildings [Member]
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment gross	141,880	127,178
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment gross	319,110	294,374
Enterprise Management System [Member]
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment gross	44,682	43,983
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment gross	27,419	21,251
Leased Property Under Capitalized Leases [Member]
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment gross	$27,715	$26,838

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2013	$939,211
Acquisitions	124,391
Currency effect	-11,065
Balance at October 31, 2014	1,052,537
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2013	407,269
Currency effect	-10,223
Balance at October 31, 2014	397,046
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2013	507,884
Acquisitions	124,391
Currency effect	-842
Balance at October 31, 2014	631,433
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2013		24,058
Balance at October 31, 2014	$24,058	$24,058

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$232,789	$232,789
Intangible assets, amortization expense	25,308	22,672
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	229,173	229,173
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$3,616	$3,616

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$381,262	$336,133
Accumulated Amortization	89,952	67,060
Net Book Value	291,310	269,073
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	200,028	171,489
Accumulated Amortization	41,910	28,872
Net Book Value	158,118	142,617
Patent/Technology Costs [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	93,799	85,414
Accumulated Amortization	27,030	21,145
Net Book Value	66,769	64,269
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	77,846	67,865
Accumulated Amortization	12,173	7,856
Net Book Value	65,673	60,009
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	8,220	9,965
Accumulated Amortization	7,600	8,091
Net Book Value	620	1,874
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	1,369	1,400
Accumulated Amortization	1,239	1,096
Net Book Value	$130	$304

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated Amortization Expense, 2015	$27,754
Estimated Amortization Expense, 2016	27,075
Estimated Amortization Expense, 2017	26,653
Estimated Amortization Expense, 2018	26,366
Estimated Amortization Expense, 2019	$26,359

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P2

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expenses on retirement plan	$14,423	$12,955	$10,827
Defined contribution plan vesting period	3 years
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of target rate in return seeking assets	45.00%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of target rate in return seeking assets	55.00%
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlement loss	632		682
Change in projected benefit obligation	28,554
Percentage of World wide pension assets	88.00%
Investments in common shares	0	0
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of World wide pension assets	12.00%
Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contribution in next fiscal year	26,000
Components of Net Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contribution in next fiscal year	2,100
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Change in projected benefit obligation	$4,878

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P3

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Reconciliation of the Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Accrued Benefit Cost and the Amount Recognized in Financial Statements for Pension Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$61,004	$71,228
Service cost	1,037	1,145	1,183
Interest cost	3,062	2,598	2,759
Participant contributions	431	600
Actuarial (gain) loss	6,015	-11,619
Benefits paid	-2,070	-2,948
Benefit obligation at end of year	69,479	61,004	71,228
Change in plan assets:
Beginning balance	0	0
Company contributions	1,639	2,348
Participant contributions	431	600
Benefits paid	-2,070	-2,948
Ending balance	0	0	0
Funded status at end of year	-69,479	-61,004
Amounts recognized in financial statements:
Accrued benefit liability	-2,069	-1,974
Long-term pension and retirement obligations	-67,410	-59,030
Total amount recognized in financial statements	-69,479	-61,004
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	22,434	17,854
Prior service cost (credit)	-1,012	-1,461
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	21,422	16,393	29,651
Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	1,187	1,139
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-438	-449
Total	749	690
Postretirement Benefit Plans, International [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	768	851
Service cost	28	35	28
Interest cost	38	38	41
Foreign currency exchange rate change	-63	-34
Actuarial (gain) loss	130	-118
Benefits paid	-4	-4
Benefit obligation at end of year	897	768	851
Change in plan assets:
Beginning balance	0	0
Company contributions	4	4
Benefits paid	-4	-4
Ending balance	0	0	0
Funded status at end of year	-897	-768
Amounts recognized in financial statements:
Accrued benefit liability	-7	-4
Long-term pension and retirement obligations	-890	-764
Total amount recognized in financial statements	-897	-768
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	-86	-243
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	-86	-243	-138
Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		-14
Total		-14
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	299,716	326,792
Service cost	8,071	8,896	7,488
Interest cost	13,921	12,314	12,137
Plan amendments	186	1,667
Actuarial (gain) loss	34,610	-40,996
Benefits paid	-11,025	-8,957
Benefit obligation at end of year	345,479	299,716	326,792
Change in plan assets:
Beginning balance	243,506	214,128
Actual return on plan assets	25,535	20,951
Company contributions	19,896	17,384
Benefits paid	-11,025	-8,957
Ending balance	277,912	243,506	214,128
Funded status at end of year	-67,567	-56,210
Amounts recognized in financial statements:
Accrued benefit liability	-709	-938
Long-term pension and retirement obligations	-66,858	-55,272
Total amount recognized in financial statements	-67,567	-56,210
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	111,337	93,537
Prior service cost (credit)	-47	4
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	111,290	93,541	152,732
Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	8,694	8,260
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	121	237
Total	8,815	8,497
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	85,543	83,433
Service cost	2,597	2,098	1,504
Interest cost	3,185	2,872	3,002
Participant contributions	137	132
Plan amendments	-419
Foreign currency exchange rate change	-5,343	-279
Actuarial (gain) loss	13,293	-54
Benefits paid	-2,162	-2,659
Benefit obligation at end of year	96,831	85,543	83,433
Change in plan assets:
Beginning balance	37,078	34,217
Actual return on plan assets	1,627	2,102
Company contributions	4,009	3,501
Participant contributions	137	132
Foreign currency exchange rate change	-1,071	-215
Benefits paid	-2,162	-2,659
Ending balance	39,618	37,078	34,217
Funded status at end of year	-57,213	-48,465
Amounts recognized in financial statements:
Noncurrent asset	17	22
Accrued benefit liability	-6	-5
Long-term pension and retirement obligations	-57,224	-48,482
Total amount recognized in financial statements	-57,213	-48,465
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	34,683	24,392
Prior service cost (credit)	-995	-798
Accumulated other comprehensive (gain) loss	33,688	23,594	25,230
Amounts expected to be recognized during next fiscal year:
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	2,459	1,531
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-97	-82
Total	$2,362	$1,449

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P4

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Gain) Loss (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$93,541	$152,732
Net (gain) loss arising during the year	26,372	-46,707
Prior service cost (credit) arising during the year	186	1,668
Net gain (loss) recognized during the year	-7,940	-13,995
Prior service (cost) credit recognized during the year	-237	-157
Settlement loss	-632
Balance at end of year	111,290	93,541
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	23,594	25,230
Net (gain) loss arising during the year	13,438	-642
Prior service cost (credit) arising during the year	-419
Net gain (loss) recognized during the year	-1,233	-1,406
Prior service (cost) credit recognized during the year	101	81
Exchange rate effect during the year	-1,793	331
Balance at end of year	33,688	23,594
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	16,393	29,651
Net (gain) loss arising during the year	6,015	-11,619
Net gain (loss) recognized during the year	-1,435	-2,112
Prior service (cost) credit recognized during the year	449	473
Balance at end of year	21,422	16,393
Postretirement Benefit Plans, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	-243	-138
Net (gain) loss arising during the year	130	-117
Net gain (loss) recognized during the year	13	4
Exchange rate effect during the year	14	8
Balance at end of year	($86)	($243)

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P5

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Accumulated Benefit Obligation (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
For all plans:
Accumulated benefit obligation	$336,464	$291,310
For plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	345,479	299,716
Accumulated benefit obligation	336,464	291,310
Fair value of plan assets	277,912	243,506
Pension Plan, International [Member]
For all plans:
Accumulated benefit obligation	75,305	67,647
For plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	87,128	71,788
Accumulated benefit obligation	73,135	59,589
Fair value of plan assets	$37,415	$29,000

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P6

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$8,071	$8,896	$7,488
Interest cost	13,921	12,314	12,137
Expected return on plan assets	-17,297	-15,241	-14,901
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	237	157	342
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	7,940	13,995	11,672
Settlement loss	632		682
Total benefit cost	13,504	20,121	17,420
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2,597	2,098	1,504
Interest cost	3,185	2,872	3,002
Expected return on plan assets	-1,772	-1,512	-1,547
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-101	-81	-97
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	1,233	1,406	564
Total benefit cost	$5,142	$4,783	$3,426

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P7

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Weighted Average Assumptions Representing the Rates Used to Develop the Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation and the Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at October 31:
Discount rate	4.29%	4.75%	3.85%
Rate of compensation increase	3.49%	3.30%	3.30%
Assumption used to determine net benefit costs for the years ended October 31:
Discount rate	4.75%	3.85%	4.46%
Expected return on plan assets	7.24%	7.24%	7.75%
Rate of compensation increase	3.30%	3.30%	3.20%
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at October 31:
Discount rate	2.94%	3.72%	3.52%
Rate of compensation increase	3.19%	3.18%	3.13%
Assumption used to determine net benefit costs for the years ended October 31:
Discount rate	3.72%	3.52%	4.43%
Expected return on plan assets	4.60%	4.43%	4.85%
Rate of compensation increase	3.18%	3.13%	3.16%
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at October 31:
Discount rate	4.40%	4.80%	3.85%
Health care cost trend rate	3.93%	4.12%	4.90%
Rate to which health care cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)	3.41%	3.47%	3.60%
Year the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2024	2021	2017
Assumption used to determine net benefit costs for the years ended October 31:
Discount rate	4.80%	3.85%	4.50%
Postretirement Benefit Plans, International [Member]
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at October 31:
Discount rate	4.25%	4.95%	4.40%
Health care cost trend rate	6.48%	6.65%	6.83%
Rate to which health care cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Year the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2031	2031	2031
Assumption used to determine net benefit costs for the years ended October 31:
Discount rate	4.95%	4.40%	5.85%

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P8

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - The Effect of a One Percent Change in the Discount Rate, Expected Return on Assets and Compensation Increase (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on discount rate to service and interest cost	($4,527)
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on discount rate to pension obligation	-44,353
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on expected return on assets to service and interest cost	-2,582
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on compensation rate to service and interest cost	4,257
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on compensation rate to pension obligation	21,915
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on discount rate to service and interest cost	5,514
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on discount rate to pension obligation	55,900
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on expected return on assets to service and interest cost	2,582
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on compensation rate to service and interest cost	-2,490
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on compensation rate to pension obligation	-12,788
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on discount rate to service and interest cost	-1,235
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on discount rate to pension obligation	-15,756
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on expected return on assets to service and interest cost	-375
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on compensation rate to service and interest cost	934
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point increase on compensation rate to pension obligation	7,729
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on discount rate to service and interest cost	1,561
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on discount rate to pension obligation	19,996
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on expected return on assets to service and interest cost	375
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on compensation rate to service and interest cost	-1,088
Defined benefit plan effect of 1% point decrease on compensation rate to pension obligation	($6,999)

Retirement_Pension_and_Other_P9

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Allocation of Pension Plan Assets (Detail)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Allocation of pension plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Allocation of pension plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	23.00%	27.00%
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Allocation of pension plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	29.00%	29.00%
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Pooled Investment Funds [Member]
Allocation of pension plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	47.00%	43.00%
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Other [Member]
Allocation of pension plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	1.00%	1.00%
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Allocation of pension plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member]
Allocation of pension plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	58.00%	60.00%
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Pooled Investment Funds [Member]
Allocation of pension plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	42.00%	39.00%
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Other [Member]
Allocation of pension plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		1.00%

Recovered_Sheet1

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$277,912	$243,506	$214,128
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	73,764	78,675
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	187,653	149,873
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	16,495	14,958
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,617	2,811
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Cash [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,617	2,811
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,820	2,783
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,820	2,783
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Basic Materials [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,224	3,834
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Basic Materials [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,224	3,834
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Consumer Goods [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5,114	4,958
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Consumer Goods [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5,114	4,958
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Financial [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8,036	7,825
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Financial [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8,036	7,825
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Healthcare [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,372	4,109
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Healthcare [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,372	4,109
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Industrial Goods [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,527	3,255
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Industrial Goods [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,527	3,255
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Technology [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,226	4,159
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Technology [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,226	4,159
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Utilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,084	988
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Equity Securities Utilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,084	988
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	31,255	32,617
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	31,255	32,617
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Fixed Income Securities US Government [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	26,447	26,892
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Fixed Income Securities US Government [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	7,877	10,715
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Fixed Income Securities US Government [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	18,570	16,177
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Fixed Income Securities Corporate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	50,720	43,367
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Fixed Income Securities Corporate [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	50,720	43,367
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Fixed Income Securities Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,486	1,356
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Fixed Income Securities Other [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,486	1,356
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Other Types of Investments Real Estate Collective Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	16,495	14,958
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Other Types of Investments Real Estate Collective Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	16,495	14,958
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Other Types of Investments Pooled Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	115,877	88,973
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Other Types of Investments Pooled Investment Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	115,877	88,973
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Other Types of Investments Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	612	621
Pension Plan, United States [Member] | Other Types of Investments Other [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	612	621
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	39,618	37,078	34,217
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8	321
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	16,436	14,664
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	23,174	22,093
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8	321
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Cash [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8	321
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Other Types of Investments Insurance Contracts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	23,174	22,093
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Other Types of Investments Insurance Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	23,174	22,093
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Other Types of Investments Pooled Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	16,436	14,664
Pension Plan, International [Member] | Other Types of Investments Pooled Investment Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$16,436	$14,664

Recovered_Sheet2

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Changes in Level 3 plan assets (Detail) (Level 3 [Member], Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$37,051	$32,156
Assets held, end of year	2,438	2,995
Assets sold during the period	25	13
Purchases	2,816	4,242
Sales	-1,684	-2,228
Foreign currency translation	-977	-127
Ending balance	39,669	37,051
Other Types of Investments Real Estate Collective Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	14,958	13,110
Assets held, end of year	1,667	1,970
Assets sold during the period	25	13
Sales	-155	-135
Ending balance	16,495	14,958
Other Types of Investments Insurance Contracts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	22,093	19,046
Assets held, end of year	771	1,025
Purchases	2,816	4,242
Sales	-1,529	-2,093
Foreign currency translation	-977	-127
Ending balance	$23,174	$22,093

Recovered_Sheet3

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Retiree Pension Benefit Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
2015	$10,922
2016	11,637
2017	12,721
2018	13,661
2019	14,853
2020-2024	92,418
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
2015	4,833
2016	2,300
2017	2,166
2018	2,984
2019	5,014
2020-2024	17,392
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
2015	2,069
2016	2,242
2017	2,420
2018	2,614
2019	2,743
2020-2024	16,609
Postretirement Benefit Plans, International [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
2015	7
2016	8
2017	9
2018	12
2019	13
2020-2024	$107

Recovered_Sheet4

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Net Postretirement Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$1,037	$1,145	$1,183
Interest cost	3,062	2,598	2,759
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-449	-473	-584
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	1,435	2,112	1,789
Total benefit cost	5,085	5,382	5,147
Postretirement Benefit Plans, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	28	35	28
Interest cost	38	38	41
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	-13	-4	-14
Total benefit cost	$53	$69	$55

Recovered_Sheet5

Retirement, Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Defined Benefit Plan Effect of One Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates and Discount Rate (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Effect on total service and interest cost components increase in 2014	($770)
Effect on postretirement obligation increase as of October 31, 2014	-9,992
Effect on total service and interest cost components increase in 2014	589
Effect on postretirement obligation increase as of October 31, 2014	11,302
Effect on total service and interest cost components decrease in 2014	938
Effect on postretirement obligation decrease as of October 31, 2014	12,790
Effect on total service and interest cost components decrease in 2014	-479
Effect on postretirement obligation decrease as of October 31, 2014	-9,001
Postretirement Benefit Plans, International [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Effect on total service and interest cost components increase in 2014	-7
Effect on postretirement obligation increase as of October 31, 2014	-173
Effect on total service and interest cost components increase in 2014	14
Effect on postretirement obligation increase as of October 31, 2014	174
Effect on total service and interest cost components decrease in 2014	6
Effect on postretirement obligation decrease as of October 31, 2014	229
Effect on total service and interest cost components decrease in 2014	-14
Effect on postretirement obligation decrease as of October 31, 2014	($208)

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Expens

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Current:
U.S. federal	$52,985	$45,004	$51,458
State and local	1,900	2,351	1,378
Foreign	47,366	36,829	38,760
Total current	102,251	84,184	91,596
Deferred:
U.S. federal	8,695	8,361	7,204
State and local	-1,635	-991	782
Foreign	-3,571	-2,248	1,842
Total deferred	3,489	5,122	9,828
Total income tax expense	$105,740	$89,306	$101,424

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Income Tax [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes of domestic operations		$184,894	$164,702	$177,035
Unrecognized tax benefits	900	310	1,070	480
Additional tax benefit relating to retroactive reinstatement of research credit	1,700		1,700
Income tax expense benefit related to the utilization of loss carryforwards				2,717
Earnings before income taxes of international operations		167,619	146,421	149,218
Undistributed earnings aggregated		622,914	510,842
Total unrecognized tax benefits		5,812	5,717	3,140	2,576
Total unrecognized tax benefits impact the effective tax rate		5,175	5,178
Accrued interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits		2,025	1,085
Tax credit carryforwards		4,161
Tax credit carryforwards which will expire in 2014 through 2017		161
Indefinite tax credit carryforward amount		4,000
Operating loss carryforwards		70,084
Indefinite carryforward period		13,007
Net change in the valuation allowance		2,009	617
Valuation allowance relates to tax credits and loss carryforwards		7,672
Foreign [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits			900
Operating loss carryforwards		13,213
Federal [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards		19,535
State [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards		$50,343

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Comp

Income Taxes - Income Taxes Computed at the U.S. Statutory Rate and Income Tax (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Domestic Production Deduction	-1.74%	-1.71%	-1.82%
Foreign tax rate variances, net of foreign tax credits	-3.42%	-3.39%	-2.31%
State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	0.05%	0.28%	0.43%
Amounts related to prior years	-0.24%	-1.00%	-0.31%
Other - net	0.35%	-0.48%	0.10%
Effective tax rate	30.00%	28.70%	31.09%

Income_Taxes_Unrecognized_Tax_

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$3,140	$5,717	$3,140	$2,576
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		196	703	148
Additions for tax positions of prior years		319	3,261	896
Reductions for tax positions of prior years			-317
Settlements		-110
Lapse of statute of limitations	-900	-310	-1,070	-480
Balance at end of year		$5,812	$5,717	$3,140

Income_Taxes_Significant_Compo

Income Taxes - Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits	$79,669	$66,148
Other accruals not currently deductible for taxes	17,379	16,984
Tax credit and loss carryforwards	16,531	13,077
Inventory adjustments	5,276	4,998
Translation of foreign currency accounts	154	384
Total deferred tax assets	119,009	101,591
Valuation allowance	-7,672	-5,663
Total deferred tax assets	111,337	95,928
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	163,107	146,500
Other - net		51
Total deferred tax liabilities	163,107	146,551
Net deferred tax liabilities	($51,770)	($50,623)

Notes_Payable_Bank_Lines_of_Cr

Notes Payable - Bank Lines of Credit and Notes (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Maximum borrowings under bank lines of credit	$148,619,000	$83,191,000
Outstanding notes payable	106,181,000	3,604,000
Weighted-average interest rate on notes payable	1.00%	2.00%
Unused bank lines of credit	42,438,000	79,587,000
Domestic Bank Debt [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Maximum borrowings under bank lines of credit	100,000,000
Outstanding notes payable	100,000,000
Foreign Bank Debt [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Maximum borrowings under bank lines of credit	48,619,000	83,191,000
Outstanding notes payable	$6,181,000	$3,604,000

Notes_Payable_Additional_Infor

Notes Payable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Maximum borrowings under bank lines of credit	$148,619,000	$83,191,000
Domestic Bank Debt [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Maximum borrowings under bank lines of credit	100,000,000
Domestic Bank Debt [Member] | PNC Bank [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Domestic bank agreement days	364 days
Maximum borrowings under bank lines of credit	100,000,000
Maximum amount borrowed under bank lines of credit	$100,000,000

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_De

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Revolving credit agreement, due 2017	$375,242	$254,000
Senior notes, due 2017-2025	200,000	200,000
Euro loan, due 2016	63,244	129,058
Private shelf facility, due 2012-2020	53,333	63,889
Development loans, due 2011-2026	1,586	1,702
Other	214	341
Long-term Debt	693,619	648,990
Less current maturities	10,751	10,832
Long-term maturities	682,868	638,158
Long-term Debt	$693,619	$648,990

Longterm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$148,619,000	$83,191,000
Annual maturity of long term debt, 2015	10,751,000
Annual maturity of long term debt, 2016	74,041,000
Annual maturity of long term debt, 2017	413,343,000
Annual maturity of long term debt, 2018	26,587,000
Annual maturity of long term debt, 2019	21,591,000
Private Shelf Facility, Due 2012-2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average life of notes	8 years 9 months 11 days
Weighted average interest for borrowings	2.93%
Value of agreement with New York Life Investment Management LLC	150,000,000
Fixed interest rate	2.21%
Period of agreement	3 years
Maximum life of borrowings	12 years
Average life of borrowings	10 years
Increase in facility amount		175,000,000
Loans Payable with State of Ohio [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	3.00%
Duration of repayment	15 years
Cuyahoga County [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	3.50%
Duration of repayment	15 years
Revolving Credit Agreement for 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$500,000,000
Weighted average interest for borrowings	1.08%
Revolving credit facility expiration	2016-12
Euro Bank Accounts [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extension of loan duration	1 year
Extension of loan with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ	Extended by one year at the end of the third and fourth anniversaries
Interest rate based on LIBOR rate	0.95%

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Leases [Abstract]
Rent expense for all operating leases	$15,135	$14,835	$13,822

Leases_Assets_Held_Under_Capit

Leases - Assets Held Under Capitalized Leases and Included in Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]
Transportation equipment	$15,524	$16,261
Other	12,191	10,577
Total capitalized leases	27,715	26,838
Accumulated amortization	-11,139	-10,805
Net capitalized leases	$16,576	$16,033

Leases_Future_Minimum_Lease_Pa

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-cancelable Capitalized and Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]
2015	$6,866
2016	4,957
2017	2,340
2018	993
2019	635
Later years	6,476
Total minimum lease payments	22,267
Less amount representing executory costs	1,993
Net minimum lease payments	20,274
Less amount representing interest	4,148
Present value of net minimum lease payments	16,126
Less current portion	5,108	5,521
Long-term obligations at October 31, 2014	11,018	10,112
Present value of net minimum lease payments	16,126
2015	12,189
2016	7,192
2017	5,808
2018	4,179
2019	3,773
Later years	10,410
Total minimum lease payments	$43,551

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts	$9,934
Total assets at fair value	9,934
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	8,884
Foreign currency forward contracts	8,424
Total liabilities at fair value	17,308
Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	8,884
Total liabilities at fair value	8,884
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts	9,934
Total assets at fair value	9,934
Liabilities:
Foreign currency forward contracts	8,424
Total liabilities at fair value	$8,424

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu1

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 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 $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Offsetting [Abstract]
Maturity of foreign currency forward contracts	90 days
Gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts	($826)	$1,437	$294
Gains(Loss) in fair value of balance sheet positions denominated in foreign currencies	348	-3,651	-1,310
Gain on Derivative Used in Net Investment Hedge, Net of Tax	$318	$699

Financial_Instruments_Outstand

Financial Instruments - Outstanding Currency, Forward Exchange Contracts (Detail) (Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member], USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	$587,456	$232,609
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	567,874	232,227
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	669,021	254,160
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	651,045	256,133
Euro [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	424,624	194,531
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	407,422	194,187
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	344,461	131,198
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	330,957	131,825
Pound Sterling [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	86,654	17,854
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	85,632	17,856
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	141,638	29,441
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	140,065	29,950
Japanese Yen [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	21,057	11,426
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	19,780	11,404
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	17,477	8,686
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	16,498	8,672
Australian Dollar [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	216	894
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	220	899
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	9,012	8,653
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	8,618	8,986
Hong Kong Dollar [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	52,278	1,935
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	52,247	1,935
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	117,040	42,140
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	116,978	42,132
Singapore Dollar [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts		201
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts		201
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	10,984	9,815
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	10,693	10,065
Others [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	2,627	5,768
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	2,573	5,745
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	28,409	24,227
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	$27,236	$24,503

Financial_Instruments_Carrying

Financial Instruments - Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments, Other than Receivables and Accounts Payable (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Carrying Amounts And Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	$42,314	$42,375	$41,239	$37,408
Notes payable, Carrying Amount	106,181	3,604
Long-term debt (including current portion), Carrying Amount	693,619	648,990
Foreign currency forward contracts (net)	1,510	2,313
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	42,314	42,375
Notes payable, Fair Value	106,181	3,604
Long-term debt (including current portion), Fair Value	696,140	636,904
Foreign currency forward contracts (net)	$1,510	$2,313

Capital_Shares_Additional_Info

Capital Shares - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Equity [Line Items]
Convertible preferred shares, authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Convertible preferred shares, No par value
Common shares, authorized	160,000,000	160,000,000
Common shares, No par value
Common shares, issued	98,023,000	98,023,000
Common Shares Outstanding	62,435,000	64,218,000
Preferred Class A [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Convertible preferred shares, authorized	10,000,000
Convertible preferred shares, No par value
Convertible preference shares outstanding	0	0	0

Capital_Shares_Capital_Shares_

Capital Shares - Capital Shares (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]
Number of Shares	2,224	459	1,831
Total Amount	$163,584	$30,443	$86,022
Average per Share	$73.55	$66.29	$46.98

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of common shares available for grant	2,900,000
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	$7,013,000	$6,018,000	$4,934,000
Periods of performance considered for calculating compensation expense	3 years
Percentage of base pay and annual incentive compensation deferred	100.00%
Percentage of long term incentive compensation plan deferred	90.00%
Number of common shares reserved for future issuance	2,430,000
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares and restricted share units, Transfer of shares designated period	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares and restricted share units, Transfer of shares designated period	3 years
Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense related to director deferred compensation	101,000	183,000	265,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum rate of stock option, description	Not exceeding 25 percent per year
Maximum rate of stock option	25.00%
Option expiring period	10 years
Options exercisable beginning period	1 year
Compensation expense recognized	10,251,000	4,906,000	3,789,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	6,741,000
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%	46.20%
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted	$27.92	$24.12	$17.03
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	17,223,000	12,892,000	13,329,000
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	7,013,000	6,018,000	4,934,000
Tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises of stock options	6,385,000	5,531,000	4,792,000
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]
Expense related to nonvested common shares	890,000	598,000	370,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	0
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	4,304,000	3,588,000	4,235,000
Cumulative amount recorded in shareholders' equity related to Long-Term Incentive Plan	7,570,000	8,083,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	2,074,000
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares	1 year 8 months 12 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	1,784,000	2,464,000	1,724,000
Common share dividends amount included in compensation cost	52,000	57,000	53,000
Employee Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common share dividends amount included in compensation cost	$129,000	$79,000	$35,000
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 $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 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	-314
Number of Options, Forfeited or expired	-26
Number of Options, Outstanding, Ending balance	1,686
Number of Options, Vested or expected to vest	1,673
Number of Options, Exercisable	955
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	$22.35
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited or expired	$51.57
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Ending balance	$42.77
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Vested or expected to vest	$42.58
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$30.86
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$56,957
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested or expected to vest	56,841
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$43,626
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Outstanding	6 years
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Vested or expected to vest	6 years
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Exercisable	4 years 7 months 6 days

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Information on Currently Outstanding Options (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014
Price Range 14 to 28 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number outstanding	610
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, in years	3 years 6 months
Weighted-average exercise price	$22.54
Number exercisable	578
Weighted-average exercise price	$22.28
Price Range 29 to 44 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number outstanding	543
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, in years	6 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted-average exercise price	$41.90
Number exercisable	318
Weighted-average exercise price	$40.71
Price Range 45 to 73 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number outstanding	533
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, in years	8 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted-average exercise price	$66.78
Number exercisable	59
Weighted-average exercise price	$61.62

StockBased_Compensation_Summar2

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Information on Currently Outstanding Options (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Price Range 14 to 28 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower range limit	$14
Exercise price range, Upper range limit	$28
Price Range 29 to 44 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower range limit	$29
Exercise price range, Upper range limit	$44
Price Range 45 to 73 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, Lower range limit	$45
Exercise price range, Upper range limit	$73

StockBased_Compensation_Fair_V

Stock-Based Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions of Stock Options (Detail) (Stock Options [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility, Minimum	40.10%	45.30%	45.40%
Expected volatility, Maximum	44.70%	46.90%	46.90%
Expected dividend yield			1.20%
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	1.51%	0.75%	1.03%
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	1.79%	0.90%	1.23%
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	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	6 years 1 month 6 days

StockBased_Compensation_Summar3

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Restricted Share Units, Beginning balance	82
Number of Restricted Shares, Granted	28
Number of Restricted Shares, Vested	-39
Number of Restricted Share Units, Ending balance	71
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Share Units, Beginning balance	$52.67
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$73.56
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$48.13
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Share Units, Ending balance	$63.53

StockBased_Compensation_Summar4

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (Restricted Stock Unit [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Restricted Share Units, Beginning balance	12
Number of Restricted Share Units, Granted	12
Number of Restricted Share Units, Vested	-19
Number of Restricted Share Units, Ending balance	5
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Share Units, Beginning balance	$51.79
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$71.82
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$62.07
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Share Units, Ending balance	$61.59

StockBased_Compensation_Summar5

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Director Deferred Compensation Shares (Detail) (Directors [Member], Deferred Compensation Share Equivalent Units [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 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	13
Number of Shares, Dividend equivalents	1
Number of Shares, Distributions	-52
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance	110
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Beginning balance	$23.22
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Restricted stock units vested	$57.43
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Dividend equivalents	$76.49
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Distributions	$19.20
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Ending balance	$29.74

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp2

Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	3
Major customers	No single customer accounted for 10 percent or more of sales in 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp3

Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data - Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	$468,590	$458,550	$417,461	$359,420	$410,818	$402,960	$382,100	$347,043	$1,704,021	$1,542,921	$1,409,578
Depreciation									34,446	31,766	24,469
Operating profit (loss)									367,105	323,849	335,480
Identifiable assets	2,280,130				2,053,179				2,280,130	2,053,179	1,829,515
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales									1,704,021	1,542,921	1,409,578
Depreciation									34,446	31,766	24,469
Operating profit (loss)									367,105	323,849	335,480
Identifiable assets	2,292,415				2,053,784				2,292,415	2,053,784	1,836,024
Expenditures for long-lived assets									43,574	47,219	30,959
Operating Segments [Member] | Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales									899,696	793,488	684,096
Depreciation									15,467	15,326	9,540
Operating profit (loss)									229,556	203,757	211,072
Identifiable assets	747,063				750,616				747,063	750,616	611,357
Expenditures for long-lived assets									15,886	20,498	14,612
Operating Segments [Member] | Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales									561,784	516,266	515,992
Depreciation									10,433	9,180	8,711
Operating profit (loss)									140,240	123,403	134,074
Identifiable assets	919,052				721,524				919,052	721,524	718,354
Expenditures for long-lived assets									15,163	10,080	6,871
Operating Segments [Member] | Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales									242,541	233,167	209,490
Depreciation									3,368	3,084	2,704
Operating profit (loss)									38,117	33,786	25,933
Identifiable assets	130,624				113,835				130,624	113,835	110,982
Expenditures for long-lived assets									4,057	6,239	4,602
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation									5,178	4,176	3,514
Operating profit (loss)									-40,808	-37,097	-35,599
Identifiable assets	495,676				467,809				495,676	467,809	395,331
Expenditures for long-lived assets									$8,468	$10,402	$4,874

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp4

Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data - Reportable Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance and restructuring costs	$1,731	$315
Cost of goods sold - restructuring and severance and restructuring costs			3,862
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance and restructuring costs	579	811
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance and restructuring costs	$241		$690

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp5

Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data - Sales and Long-lived Asset Information by Geographic Regions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Net external sales
Total net external sales	$468,590	$458,550	$417,461	$359,420	$410,818	$402,960	$382,100	$347,043	$1,704,021	$1,542,921	$1,409,578
Long-lived assets
Total long-lived assets	224,439				200,979				224,439	200,979	174,931
United States [Member]
Net external sales
Total net external sales									503,776	465,789	388,904
Long-lived assets
Total long-lived assets	159,946				136,551				159,946	136,551	127,486
Americas [Member]
Net external sales
Total net external sales									120,993	123,654	109,074
Long-lived assets
Total long-lived assets	2,451				4,154				2,451	4,154	3,180
Europe [Member]
Net external sales
Total net external sales									494,538	416,725	381,005
Long-lived assets
Total long-lived assets	21,039				22,576				21,039	22,576	14,896
Japan [Member]
Net external sales
Total net external sales									127,057	127,945	127,509
Long-lived assets
Total long-lived assets	5,967				4,384				5,967	4,384	3,431
Asia Pacific [Member]
Net external sales
Total net external sales									457,657	408,808	403,086
Long-lived assets
Total long-lived assets	$35,036				$33,314				$35,036	$33,314	$25,938

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp6

Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Total profit for reportable segments	$367,105	$323,849	$335,480
Interest expense	-15,035	-14,841	-11,153
Interest and investment income	581	421	463
Other-net	-138	1,694	1,463
Income before income taxes	$352,513	$311,123	$326,253

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp7

Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data - Summary of Reconciliation of Consolidated Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total consolidated assets	$2,280,130	$2,053,179	$1,829,515
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total consolidated assets	2,292,415	2,053,784	1,836,024
Customer Advance Payments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total consolidated assets	25,578	28,341	20,894
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total consolidated assets	($37,863)	($28,946)	($27,403)

Supplemental_Information_for_t2

Supplemental Information for the Statement of Cash Flows - Supplemental Information for the Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Cash operating activities:
Interest paid	$14,115	$16,037	$9,285
Income taxes paid	87,797	93,074	70,935
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations incurred	8,584	6,441	12,981
Capitalized lease obligations terminated	864	468	894
Shares acquired and issued through exercise of stock options		$148	$2,323

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales	$468,590	$458,550	$417,461	$359,420	$410,818	$402,960	$382,100	$347,043	$1,704,021	$1,542,921	$1,409,578
Gross margin	257,253	257,511	235,552	194,782	226,894	225,083	216,938	197,229
Net income	$72,080	$77,879	$61,934	$34,880	$59,777	$65,424	$54,605	$42,011	$246,773	$221,817	$224,829
Earnings per share:
Basic	$1.14	$1.23	$0.97	$0.54	$0.93	$1.02	$0.85	$0.65	$3.88	$3.45	$3.49
Diluted	$1.13	$1.21	$0.96	$0.54	$0.92	$1.01	$0.84	$0.65	$3.84	$3.42	$3.45

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud3

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Pre-tax severance and restructuring costs	$1,273	$1,278
Pre-tax gain on property insurance settlement.	1,005
Gain on sale of real estate, before tax			2,116
Unrecognized tax benefits				900	310	1,070	480
Income tax provision including discrete tax benefit				$1,700		$1,700

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 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

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$4,265	$3,776	$3,311
Assumed from Acquisitions	121	256	648
Charged to Expense	867	889	710
Deductions	551	698	801
Currency Effects	-215	42	-92
Balance at End of Year	4,487	4,265	3,776
Inventory Obsolescence and Other Reserves [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	26,579	20,505	16,050
Assumed from Acquisitions	1,045	3,969	2,071
Charged to Expense	6,706	5,075	6,033
Deductions	6,361	2,961	3,237
Currency Effects	-1,225	-9	-412
Balance at End of Year	$26,744	$26,579	$20,505