Nordson (NDSN) 10-Q 4 Jun 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	30-Apr-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	NDSN
Entity Registrant Name	NORDSON CORP
Entity Central Index Key	72331
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	60,832,553

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$400,727	$417,461	$779,735	$776,881
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	178,837	181,909	349,124	346,547
Selling and administrative expenses	145,476	142,718	291,379	283,641
Total operating costs and expenses	324,313	324,627	640,503	630,188
Operating profit	76,414	92,834	139,232	146,693
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	-4,313	-3,532	-8,402	-7,107
Interest and investment income	151	217	237	329
Other - net	-687	-406	-789	-615
Total other income (expense)	-4,849	-3,721	-8,954	-7,393
Income before income taxes	71,565	89,113	130,278	139,300
Income taxes	22,351	27,179	38,179	42,486
Net income	$49,214	$61,934	$92,099	$96,814
Average common shares	61,116	63,964	61,569	64,095
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and deferred stock-based compensation	522	593	525	616
Average common shares and common share equivalents	61,638	64,557	62,094	64,711
Basic earnings per share	$0.81	$0.97	$1.50	$1.51
Diluted earnings per share	$0.80	$0.96	$1.48	$1.50
Dividends declared per share	$0.22	$0.18	$0.44	$0.36

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$49,214	$61,934	$92,099	$96,814
Components of other comprehensive income (loss):
Translation adjustments	-306	6,862	-30,561	1,252
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses, net of tax	2,123	1,645	4,287	3,458
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,817	8,507	-26,274	4,710
Total comprehensive income	$51,031	$70,441	$65,825	$101,524

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$51,454	$42,314
Receivables - net	316,091	365,844
Inventories - net	239,406	210,871
Deferred income taxes	29,297	29,926
Prepaid expenses	25,895	23,728
Total current assets	662,143	672,683
Property, plant and equipment - net	241,667	224,439
Goodwill	1,039,327	1,052,537
Intangible assets - net	270,937	291,310
Deferred income taxes	4,040	6,559
Other assets	32,123	32,602
Total assets	2,250,237	2,280,130
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	57,747	106,181
Accounts payable	65,975	68,500
Income taxes payable	19,326	16,586
Accrued liabilities	104,775	137,001
Customer advanced payments	33,524	25,578
Current maturities of long-term debt	10,744	10,751
Deferred income taxes	4,898	1,163
Current obligations under capital leases	1,285	5,108
Total current liabilities	298,274	370,868
Long-term debt	819,203	682,868
Deferred income taxes	87,669	87,092
Pension obligations	115,314	124,082
Postretirement obligations	69,585	68,300
Other long-term liabilities	41,962	42,123
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares	12,253	12,253
Capital in excess of stated value	339,473	328,605
Retained earnings	1,625,950	1,560,966
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-129,473	-103,199
Common shares in treasury, at cost	-1,029,973	-893,828
Total shareholders' equity	818,230	904,797
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$2,250,237	$2,280,130

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$92,099	$96,814
Depreciation and amortization	32,222	29,231
Non-cash stock compensation	8,590	9,714
Deferred income taxes	2,425	356
Other non-cash expense	231	72
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	5	162
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	-1,814	-1,795
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	-16,322	-32,365
Net cash provided by operating activities	117,436	102,189
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-36,183	-16,494
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	421	99
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-371
Net cash used in investing activities	-36,133	-16,395
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	57,961	6,675
Repayment of short-term borrowings	-106,291	-1,675
Proceeds from long-term debt	310,055	37,723
Repayment of long-term debt	-166,531	-41,820
Repayment of capital lease obligations	-3,150	-3,086
Issuance of common shares	3,174	3,499
Purchase of treasury shares	-138,855	-58,068
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	1,814	1,795
Dividends paid	-27,116	-23,104
Net cash used in financing activities	-68,939	-78,061
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-3,224	-376
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	9,140	7,357
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	42,314	42,375
End of quarter	$51,454	$49,732

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	1	Significant accounting policies
	Basis of presentation.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2014.
	Basis of consolidation.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries.  Investments in affiliates and joint ventures in which our ownership is 50% or less or in which we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.  Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
	Revenue recognition.  Most of our revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.
	A relative selling price hierarchy exists for determining the selling price of deliverables in multiple deliverable arrangements.  Vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) is used, if available.  Third-party evidence (TPE) is used if VSOE is not available, and best estimated selling price is used if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.  Our multiple deliverable arrangements include installation, installation supervision, training, and spare parts, which tend to be completed in a short period of time, at an insignificant cost, and utilizing skills not unique to us, and, therefore, are typically regarded as inconsequential or perfunctory.  Revenue for undelivered items is deferred and included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet.  Revenues deferred in 2015 and 2014 were not material.
	Earnings per share.  Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year, while diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding.  Common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options computed using the treasury stock method, as well as restricted shares and deferred stock-based compensation.  Options whose exercise price is higher than the average market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive. Options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ending April 30, 2015 were 312 and 313, respectively.  Options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ending April 30, 2014 were 276 and 138, respectively.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	2	Recently issued accounting standards
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (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 a possible one-year deferral as a result of a current proposal by the FASB. 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.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued a new standard regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs.  Under this standard, a company is required to present unamortized debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, rather than as a separate asset. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this new standard.  It will be effective for us beginning in 2017. We do not expect this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	3	Inventories
	At April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, inventories consisted of the following:
			30-Apr-15			31-Oct-14
	Raw materials and component parts		$	96,901		$	86,573
	Work-in-process			37,638			27,994
	Finished goods			140,058			130,544
				274,597			245,111
	Obsolescence and other reserves			(27,639	)		(26,744	)
	LIFO reserve			(7,552	)		(7,496	)
			$	239,406		$	210,871

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	4	Goodwill and other intangible assets
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended April 30, 2015 by operating segment are as follows:
			Adhesive Dispensing			Advanced Technology			Industrial Coating		Total
			Systems			Systems			Systems
	Balance at October 31, 2014		$	397,046		$	631,433		$	24,058	$	1,052,537
	Adjustment						371					371
	Currency effect			(12,437	)		(1,144	)		—		(13,581	)
	Balance at April 30, 2015		$	384,609		$	630,660		$	24,058	$	1,039,327
	Accumulated impairment losses, which were recorded in 2009, were $232,789 at April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014.  Of these losses, $229,173 related to the Advanced Technology Systems segment, and $3,616 related to the Industrial Coating Systems segment.
	Information regarding our intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:
			30-Apr-15
			Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	Customer relationships		$	194,102		$	48,552		$	145,550
	Patent/technology costs			91,520			29,485			62,035
	Trade name			77,392			14,471			62,921
	Non-compete agreements			7,993			7,614			379
	Other			1,366			1,314			52
	Total		$	372,373		$	101,436		$	270,937
			31-Oct-14
			Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	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
	Non-compete agreements			8,220			7,600			620
	Other			1,369			1,239			130
	Total		$	381,262		$	89,952		$	291,310
	Amortization expense for the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $6,976 and $6,310, respectively. Amortization expense for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $13,867 and $12,640, respectively.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	5	Pension and other postretirement plans
	The components of net periodic pension cost for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 were:
			U.S.						International
	Three Months Ended		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost		$	3,031		$	1,874		$	692		$	714
	Interest cost			3,841			3,545			627			817
	Expected return on plan assets			(4,578	)		(4,487	)		(395	)		(448	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			30			59			(22	)		(20	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			2,633			1,784			485			399
	Total benefit cost		$	4,957		$	2,775		$	1,387		$	1,462
			U.S.						International
	Six Months Ended		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost		$	5,431		$	4,036		$	1,433		$	1,412
	Interest cost			7,523			6,960			1,299			1,608
	Expected return on plan assets			(9,158	)		(8,648	)		(812	)		(880	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			60			118			(46	)		(39	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			4,886			3,970			1,309			787
	Settlement loss			—			—			1,275			—
	Total benefit cost		$	8,742		$	6,436		$	4,458		$	2,888
	The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 were:
			U.S.						International
	Three Months Ended		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost		$	175		$	265		$	7		$	7
	Interest cost			735			802			9			9
	Amortization of prior service credit			(109	)		(112	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			280			419			—			(3	)
	Total benefit cost		$	1,081		$	1,374		$	16		$	13
			U.S.						International
	Six Months Ended		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost		$	450		$	518		$	15		$	14
	Interest cost			1,488			1,531			18			19
	Amortization of prior service credit			(219	)		(224	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			577			717			—			(7	)
	Total benefit cost		$	2,296		$	2,542		$	33		$	26

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	6	Income taxes
	We record our interim provision for income taxes based on our estimated annual effective tax rate, as well as certain items discrete to the current period. The effective tax rates for the three and six month periods ended April 30, 2015 were 31.2% and 29.3%, respectively.  The effective tax rate for both the three and six month periods ended April 30, 2014 was 30.5%.
	On December 19, 2014, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was enacted which retroactively reinstated the Federal Research and Development Tax Credit (Federal R&D Tax Credit) from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 and extended certain other tax provisions. As a result, our income tax provision for the six months ended April 30, 2015 included a discrete tax benefit of $1,686 primarily related to 2014.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	7	Accumulated other comprehensive loss
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, including adjustments for items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income, are shown below.
			Cumulative			Pension and			Accumulated
			translation			postretirement benefit			other comprehensive
			adjustments			plan adjustments			loss
	Balance at October 31, 2014		$	2,727		$	(105,926	)	$	(103,199	)
	Pension and postretirement plan changes, net of			—			4,287			4,287
	tax of $(2,280)
	Current period charge			(30,561	)		—			(30,561	)
	Balance at April 30, 2015		$	(27,834	)	$	(101,639	)	$	(129,473	)

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	8	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 shares, performance shares, stock purchase rights, stock equivalent units, cash awards and other stock or performance-based incentives. A maximum of 2,900 common shares is available for grant under the Plan.
	Stock Options
	Nonqualified or incentive stock options may be granted to our employees and directors.  Generally, options granted to employees may be exercised beginning one year from the date of grant at a rate not exceeding 25 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 during and after November 2012, in the event of termination of employment due to early retirement or normal retirement at age 65, options granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and vesting continues post retirement for all other unvested options granted.  In the event of disability or death, all unvested stock options fully vest.  Termination for any other reason results in forfeiture of unvested options and vested options in certain circumstances.  The amortized cost of options is accelerated if the retirement eligibility date occurs before the normal vesting date.  Option exercises are satisfied through the issuance of treasury shares on a first-in, first-out basis.  We recognized compensation expense related to stock options of $2,103 and $2,178 in the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Corresponding amounts for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 were $4,571 and $5,844, respectively.
	The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the six months ended April 30, 2015:
			Number of			Weighted-Average		Aggregate		Weighted
			Options			Exercise Price Per		Intrinsic Value		Average
						Share				Remaining
										Term
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014			1,686		$	42.77
	Granted			315		$	79.66
	Exercised			(125	)	$	28.21
	Forfeited or expired			(12	)	$	63.77
	Outstanding at April 30, 2015			1,864		$	49.85	$	55,540	6.4 years
	Vested or expected to vest at April 30, 2015			1,842		$	49.54	$	55,467	6.3 years
	Exercisable at April 30, 2015			1,125		$	36.8	$	48,216	5.0 years
	As of April 30, 2015, there was $9,556 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options.  That cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.4 years.
	The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
	Three months ended		30-Apr-15			30-Apr-14
	Expected volatility		31.6%-39.5%			40.1%-44.7%
	Expected dividend yield			1.10%		0.98%-1.03%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.70%-1.85%			1.51%-1.79%
	Expected life of the option (in years)		5.4-6.1			5.4-6.1
	The weighted-average expected volatility used to value the 2015 and 2014 options was 34.3%, and 44.5%, respectively.
	Historical information was the primary basis for the selection of the expected volatility, expected dividend yield and the expected lives of the options.  The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon yields of U.S. Treasury issues with a term equal to the expected life of the option being valued.
	The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $24.63 and $27.92, respectively.
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $5,082 and $2,307, respectively.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $6,179 and $5,961, respectively.
	Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $3,174 and $3,499, respectively.  The tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $1,814 and $1,795, respectively.
	Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units
	We may grant restricted shares and/or restricted share units to our employees and directors.  These shares or units may not be transferred for a designated period of time (generally one to three years) defined at the date of grant.
	For employee recipients, in the event of termination of employment due to early retirement, restricted shares granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and other restricted shares vest on a pro-rata basis.  In the event of termination of employment due to retirement at normal retirement age, restricted shares granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and, for other restricted shares, the restriction period will terminate and the shares will vest and be transferable. Restrictions lapse in the event of a recipient’s disability or death.  Termination for any other reason prior to the lapse of any restrictions results in forfeiture of the shares.
	For non-employee directors, all restrictions lapse in the event of disability or death of the non-employee director.  Termination of service as a director for any other reason within one year of date of grant results in a pro-rata vesting of shares or units.
	As shares or units are issued, deferred stock-based compensation equivalent to the fair market value on the date of grant is expensed over the vesting period.  Tax benefits arising from the lapse of restrictions are recognized when realized and credited to capital in excess of stated value.
	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted shares during the six months ended April 30, 2015:
			Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
						Grant Date Fair
						Value
	Restricted shares at October 31, 2014			71		$	63.53
	Granted			21		$	79.53
	Forfeited			(2	)	$	66.86
	Vested			(34	)	$	57.23
	Restricted shares at April 30, 2015			56		$	73.35
	As of April 30, 2015, there was $2,857 of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted shares.  The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.  The amount charged to expense related to restricted shares during the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $464 and $424, respectively. These amounts included common share dividends for the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 of $12. For the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, the amounts charged to expense related to restricted shares were $936 and $895, respectively.  These amounts included common share dividends for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 of $25.
	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted share units during the six months ended April 30, 2015:
			Number of Units			Weighted-Average
						Grant Date Fair
						Value
	Restricted share units at October 31, 2014			5		$	61.59
	Granted			13		$	76.19
	Vested			(5	)	$	61.59
	Restricted share units at April 30, 2015			13		$	76.19
	As of April 30, 2015, there was $480 of remaining expense to be recognized related to outstanding restricted share units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.5 years.  The amount charged to expense related to restricted share units during the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $243 and $223, respectively.  For the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, the amounts were $486 and $445, 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 the six months ended April 30, 2015:
			Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
						Grant Date Fair
						Value
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014			110		$	29.74
	Restricted share units vested			5		$	61.59
	Dividend equivalents			1		$	74.21
	Distributions			(15	)	$	21.35
	Outstanding at April 30, 2015			101		$	32.91
	The amount charged to expense related to director deferred compensation for the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $22 and $25, respectively. For the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, the corresponding amounts were $47 and $52, 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 objectives are exceeded.
The amount of compensation expense is based upon current performance projections for each three-year period and the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered.  The calculations are also based upon the grant date fair value determined using the closing market price of our common shares at the grant date, reduced by the implied value of dividends not to be paid.  This value was $76.48 per share for 2015, $69.25 per share for 2014 and $59.59 per share for 2013.  During the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, $1,242 and $1,303, respectively, was charged to expense. For the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, the corresponding amounts were $2,491 and $2,445, respectively.  The cumulative amount recorded in shareholders’ equity at April 30, 2015 was $6,593.
Deferred Compensation
Our executive officers and other highly compensated employees may elect to defer up to 100% of their base pay and cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90% 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 for the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was $45 and $32, respectively. For the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, the corresponding amounts were $84 and $58, respectively.

Warranties

Warranties	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Warranties	9	Warranties
	We offer warranties to our customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement.  A typical warranty program requires that we repair or replace defective products within a specified time period (generally one year) from the date of delivery or first use.  We record an estimate for future warranty-related costs based on actual historical return rates.  Based on analysis of return rates and other factors, the adequacy of our warranty provisions are adjusted as necessary.  The liability for warranty costs is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014:
			30-Apr-15			30-Apr-14
	Beginning balance		$	9,918		$	9,409
	Accruals for warranties			6,720			4,087
	Warranty payments			(5,556	)		(3,993	)
	Currency effect			(339	)		63
	Ending balance		$	10,743		$	9,566

Operating_Segments

Operating Segments	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments	10	Operating segments
	We conduct business across three primary business segments:  Adhesive Dispensing Systems, Advanced Technology Systems, and Industrial Coating Systems.  The composition of segments and measure of segment profitability is consistent with that used by our chief operating decision maker.  The primary measure used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing performance is operating profit, which equals sales less cost of sales and certain operating expenses.  Items below the operating profit line of the Consolidated Statement of Income (interest and investment income, interest expense and other income/expense) are excluded from the measure of segment profitability reviewed by our chief operating decision maker and are not presented by operating segment.  The accounting policies of the segments are generally the same as those described in Note 1, Significant Accounting Policies, of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2014.
	The following table presents information about our reportable segments:
			Adhesive Dispensing Systems				Advanced Technology Systems				Industrial Coating Systems			Corporate			Total
	Three months ended
	30-Apr-15
	Net external sales		$	203,273			$	129,482			$	67,972		$	—		$	400,727
	Operating profit (loss)			50,780				24,770				11,514			(10,650	)		76,414
	Three months ended
	30-Apr-14
	Net external sales		$	231,954			$	127,628			$	57,879		$	—		$	417,461
	Operating profit (loss)			62,699		(a)		30,842		(b)		9,335			(10,042	)		92,834
	Six months ended
	30-Apr-15
	Net external sales		$	397,486			$	261,700			$	120,549		$	—		$	779,735
	Operating profit (loss)			94,109				51,588				15,278			(21,743	)		139,232
	Six months ended
	30-Apr-14
	Net external sales		$	441,425			$	225,169			$	110,287		$	—		$	776,881
	Operating profit (loss)			110,619		(a)		41,220		(b)		14,291			(19,437	)		146,693
	(a)	Includes $699 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and six months ended April 30, 2014.
	(b)	Includes $579 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and six months ended April 30, 2014.
	A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
			Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
			30-Apr-15				30-Apr-14				30-Apr-15			30-Apr-14
	Total profit for reportable segments		$	76,414			$	92,834			$	139,232		$	146,693
	Interest expense			(4,313	)			(3,532	)			(8,402	)		(7,107	)
	Interest and investment income			151				217				237			329
	Other-net			(687	)			(406	)			(789	)		(615	)
	Income before income taxes		$	71,565			$	89,113			$	130,278		$	139,300
	We have significant sales in the following geographic regions:
			Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
			30-Apr-15				30-Apr-14				30-Apr-15			30-Apr-14
	United States		$	140,030			$	125,693			$	262,854		$	241,199
	Americas			31,028				31,144				59,296			58,409
	Europe			105,097				122,058				213,663			238,533
	Japan			28,499				28,889				50,032			55,134
	Asia Pacific			96,073				109,677				193,890			183,606
	Total net external sales		$	400,727			$	417,461			$	779,735		$	776,881

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	11	Fair value measurements
	The inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value are classified into the following categories:
	Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	The following table presents the classification of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at April 30, 2015:
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts (a)			5,506		—		5,506		—
	Total assets at fair value		$	5,506	$	—	$	5,506	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plans (b)		$	9,945	$	9,945	$	—	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts (a)			2,493		—		2,493		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	12,438	$	9,945	$	2,493	$	—
	(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 currency forward contracts are valued using market exchange rates.  Foreign currency forward 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 award and for executive officers, up to 90 percent of their long-term performance share incentive award, into various non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Deferrals can be allocated to various market performance measurement funds.  Changes in the value of compensation deferred under these plans are recognized each period based on the fair value of the underlying measurement funds.

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	12	Financial instruments
	We operate internationally and enter into intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies.  Consequently, we are subject to market risk arising from exchange rate movements between the dates foreign currencies are recorded and the dates they are settled.  We regularly use foreign currency forward contracts to reduce our risks related to most of these transactions.  These contracts usually have maturities of 90 days or less and generally require us to exchange foreign currencies for U.S. dollars at maturity, at rates stated in the contracts.  These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	Gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in “Other – net” on the Consolidated Statement of Income together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position.  For the three months ended April 30, 2015, we recognized gains of $1,114 on foreign currency forward contracts and losses of $1,669 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions.  For the three months ended April 2014, we recognized gains of $1,100 on foreign currency forward contracts and losses of $1,332 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, we recognized gains of $1,503 on foreign currency forward contracts and losses of $2,065 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions.  For the six months ended April 30, 2014, we recognized losses of $2,329 on foreign currency forward contracts and gains of $2,181 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions.
	The following table summarizes, by currency, the foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at April 30, 2015:
			Sell				Buy
			Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value
	Euro		$	372,491	$	378,572	$	370,074	$	378,887
	British pound			124,115		127,047		106,410		108,506
	Japanese yen			32,306		32,271		20,685		20,685
	Australian dollar			463		475		7,487		7,658
	Hong Kong dollar			56,255		56,296		116,757		116,852
	Singapore dollar			365		378		10,493		10,761
	Others			5,356		5,480		30,583		31,290
	Total		$	591,351	$	600,519	$	662,489	$	674,639
	The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at April 30, 2015, other than receivables and accounts payable, are shown in the table below. The carrying values of receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
			Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	51,454	$	51,454
	Notes payable			57,747		57,747
	Long-term debt, including current maturities			829,947		826,304
	Foreign currency forward contracts (net)			3,013		3,013
	We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of financial instruments:
	·	Cash, cash equivalents and notes payable are valued at their carrying amounts due to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments.
	·	Long-term debt is valued by discounting future cash flows at currently available rates for borrowing arrangements with similar terms and conditions, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.
	·	Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using observable market based inputs, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

Contingencies

Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	13	Contingencies
	We are involved in pending or potential litigation regarding environmental, product liability, patent, contract, employee and other matters arising from the normal course of business.  Including the environmental matter discussed below, it is our opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that resolutions of these matters are not expected to result in a material effect on our financial condition, quarterly or annual operating results or cash flows.
	We have voluntarily agreed with the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin and other Potentially Responsible Parties to share costs associated with the remediation of the City of New Richmond municipal landfill (the “Site”) and the construction of a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site.  At April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $565 and $615, respectively. The liability for environmental remediation represents management’s best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable undiscounted costs related to known remediation obligations.  The accuracy of our estimate of environmental liability is affected by several uncertainties such as additional requirements that may be identified in connection with remedial activities, the complexity and evolution of environmental laws and regulations, and the identification of presently unknown remediation requirements. Consequently, our liability could be greater than our current estimate.  However, we do not expect that the costs associated with remediation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of presentation.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2014.
Basis of Consolidation	Basis of consolidation.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries.  Investments in affiliates and joint ventures in which our ownership is 50% or less or in which we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.  Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue recognition.  Most of our revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.
	A relative selling price hierarchy exists for determining the selling price of deliverables in multiple deliverable arrangements.  Vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) is used, if available.  Third-party evidence (TPE) is used if VSOE is not available, and best estimated selling price is used if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.  Our multiple deliverable arrangements include installation, installation supervision, training, and spare parts, which tend to be completed in a short period of time, at an insignificant cost, and utilizing skills not unique to us, and, therefore, are typically regarded as inconsequential or perfunctory.  Revenue for undelivered items is deferred and included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet.  Revenues deferred in 2015 and 2014 were not material.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings per share.  Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year, while diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding.  Common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options computed using the treasury stock method, as well as restricted shares and deferred stock-based compensation.  Options whose exercise price is higher than the average market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive. Options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ending April 30, 2015 were 312 and 313, respectively.  Options excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ending April 30, 2014 were 276 and 138, respectively.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories	At April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, inventories consisted of the following:
		30-Apr-15			31-Oct-14
	Raw materials and component parts	$	96,901		$	86,573
	Work-in-process		37,638			27,994
	Finished goods		140,058			130,544
			274,597			245,111
	Obsolescence and other reserves		(27,639	)		(26,744	)
	LIFO reserve		(7,552	)		(7,496	)
		$	239,406		$	210,871

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended April 30, 2015 by operating segment are as follows:
		Adhesive Dispensing			Advanced Technology			Industrial Coating		Total
		Systems			Systems			Systems
	Balance at October 31, 2014	$	397,046		$	631,433		$	24,058	$	1,052,537
	Adjustment					371					371
	Currency effect		(12,437	)		(1,144	)		—		(13,581	)
	Balance at April 30, 2015	$	384,609		$	630,660		$	24,058	$	1,039,327
Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	Information regarding our intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:
		30-Apr-15
		Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	Customer relationships	$	194,102		$	48,552		$	145,550
	Patent/technology costs		91,520			29,485			62,035
	Trade name		77,392			14,471			62,921
	Non-compete agreements		7,993			7,614			379
	Other		1,366			1,314			52
	Total	$	372,373		$	101,436		$	270,937
		31-Oct-14
		Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	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
	Non-compete agreements		8,220			7,600			620
	Other		1,369			1,239			130
	Total	$	381,262		$	89,952		$	291,310

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Pension Cost [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost	The components of net periodic pension cost for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 were:
		U.S.						International
	Three Months Ended	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	3,031		$	1,874		$	692		$	714
	Interest cost		3,841			3,545			627			817
	Expected return on plan assets		(4,578	)		(4,487	)		(395	)		(448	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		30			59			(22	)		(20	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		2,633			1,784			485			399
	Total benefit cost	$	4,957		$	2,775		$	1,387		$	1,462
		U.S.						International
	Six Months Ended	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	5,431		$	4,036		$	1,433		$	1,412
	Interest cost		7,523			6,960			1,299			1,608
	Expected return on plan assets		(9,158	)		(8,648	)		(812	)		(880	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		60			118			(46	)		(39	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		4,886			3,970			1,309			787
	Settlement loss		—			—			1,275			—
	Total benefit cost	$	8,742		$	6,436		$	4,458		$	2,888
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost	The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 were:
		U.S.						International
	Three Months Ended	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	175		$	265		$	7		$	7
	Interest cost		735			802			9			9
	Amortization of prior service credit		(109	)		(112	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		280			419			—			(3	)
	Total benefit cost	$	1,081		$	1,374		$	16		$	13
		U.S.						International
	Six Months Ended	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	450		$	518		$	15		$	14
	Interest cost		1,488			1,531			18			19
	Amortization of prior service credit		(219	)		(224	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		577			717			—			(7	)
	Total benefit cost	$	2,296		$	2,542		$	33		$	26

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, including adjustments for items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income, are shown below.
		Cumulative			Pension and			Accumulated
		translation			postretirement benefit			other comprehensive
		adjustments			plan adjustments			loss
	Balance at October 31, 2014	$	2,727		$	(105,926	)	$	(103,199	)
	Pension and postretirement plan changes, net of		—			4,287			4,287
	tax of $(2,280)
	Current period charge		(30,561	)		—			(30,561	)
	Balance at April 30, 2015	$	(27,834	)	$	(101,639	)	$	(129,473	)

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Summarized Activity Related to Stock Options	The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the six months ended April 30, 2015:
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Aggregate		Weighted
		Options			Exercise Price Per		Intrinsic Value		Average
					Share				Remaining
									Term
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014		1,686		$	42.77
	Granted		315		$	79.66
	Exercised		(125	)	$	28.21
	Forfeited or expired		(12	)	$	63.77
	Outstanding at April 30, 2015		1,864		$	49.85	$	55,540	6.4 years
	Vested or expected to vest at April 30, 2015		1,842		$	49.54	$	55,467	6.3 years
	Exercisable at April 30, 2015		1,125		$	36.8	$	48,216	5.0 years
Fair Value Assumptions of Stock Options	The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
	Three months ended	30-Apr-15			30-Apr-14
	Expected volatility	31.6%-39.5%			40.1%-44.7%
	Expected dividend yield		1.10%		0.98%-1.03%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.70%-1.85%			1.51%-1.79%
	Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4-6.1			5.4-6.1
Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted shares during the six months ended April 30, 2015:
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted shares at October 31, 2014		71		$	63.53
	Granted		21		$	79.53
	Forfeited		(2	)	$	66.86
	Vested		(34	)	$	57.23
	Restricted shares at April 30, 2015		56		$	73.35
Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted share units during the six months ended April 30, 2015:
		Number of Units			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted share units at October 31, 2014		5		$	61.59
	Granted		13		$	76.19
	Vested		(5	)	$	61.59
	Restricted share units at April 30, 2015		13		$	76.19
Summarized Activity Related to Director Deferred Compensation Shares	The following table summarizes activity related to director deferred compensation share equivalent units during the six months ended April 30, 2015:
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014		110		$	29.74
	Restricted share units vested		5		$	61.59
	Dividend equivalents		1		$	74.21
	Distributions		(15	)	$	21.35
	Outstanding at April 30, 2015		101		$	32.91

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Product Warranty Liability	Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014:
		30-Apr-15			30-Apr-14
	Beginning balance	$	9,918		$	9,409
	Accruals for warranties		6,720			4,087
	Warranty payments		(5,556	)		(3,993	)
	Currency effect		(339	)		63
	Ending balance	$	10,743		$	9,566

Operating_Segments_Tables

Operating Segments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segments	The following table presents information about our reportable segments:
			Adhesive Dispensing Systems				Advanced Technology Systems				Industrial Coating Systems			Corporate			Total
	Three months ended
	30-Apr-15
	Net external sales		$	203,273			$	129,482			$	67,972		$	—		$	400,727
	Operating profit (loss)			50,780				24,770				11,514			(10,650	)		76,414
	Three months ended
	30-Apr-14
	Net external sales		$	231,954			$	127,628			$	57,879		$	—		$	417,461
	Operating profit (loss)			62,699		(a)		30,842		(b)		9,335			(10,042	)		92,834
	Six months ended
	30-Apr-15
	Net external sales		$	397,486			$	261,700			$	120,549		$	—		$	779,735
	Operating profit (loss)			94,109				51,588				15,278			(21,743	)		139,232
	Six months ended
	30-Apr-14
	Net external sales		$	441,425			$	225,169			$	110,287		$	—		$	776,881
	Operating profit (loss)			110,619		(a)		41,220		(b)		14,291			(19,437	)		146,693
	(a)	Includes $699 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and six months ended April 30, 2014.
	(b)	Includes $579 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and six months ended April 30, 2014.
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:
			Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
			30-Apr-15				30-Apr-14				30-Apr-15			30-Apr-14
	Total profit for reportable segments		$	76,414			$	92,834			$	139,232		$	146,693
	Interest expense			(4,313	)			(3,532	)			(8,402	)		(7,107	)
	Interest and investment income			151				217				237			329
	Other-net			(687	)			(406	)			(789	)		(615	)
	Income before income taxes		$	71,565			$	89,113			$	130,278		$	139,300
Sales and Long-lived Asset Information by Geographic Regions
	We have significant sales in the following geographic regions:
			Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
			30-Apr-15				30-Apr-14				30-Apr-15			30-Apr-14
	United States		$	140,030			$	125,693			$	262,854		$	241,199
	Americas			31,028				31,144				59,296			58,409
	Europe			105,097				122,058				213,663			238,533
	Japan			28,499				28,889				50,032			55,134
	Asia Pacific			96,073				109,677				193,890			183,606
	Total net external sales		$	400,727			$	417,461			$	779,735		$	776,881

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
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 April 30, 2015:
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts (a)			5,506		—		5,506		—
	Total assets at fair value		$	5,506	$	—	$	5,506	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plans (b)		$	9,945	$	9,945	$	—	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts (a)			2,493		—		2,493		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	12,438	$	9,945	$	2,493	$	—
	(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 currency forward contracts are valued using market exchange rates.  Foreign currency forward 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 award and for executive officers, up to 90 percent of their long-term performance share incentive award, 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)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]
Outstanding Currency, Forward Exchange Contracts	The following table summarizes, by currency, the foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at April 30, 2015:
		Sell				Buy
		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value
	Euro	$	372,491	$	378,572	$	370,074	$	378,887
	British pound		124,115		127,047		106,410		108,506
	Japanese yen		32,306		32,271		20,685		20,685
	Australian dollar		463		475		7,487		7,658
	Hong Kong dollar		56,255		56,296		116,757		116,852
	Singapore dollar		365		378		10,493		10,761
	Others		5,356		5,480		30,583		31,290
	Total	$	591,351	$	600,519	$	662,489	$	674,639
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.
		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	51,454	$	51,454
	Notes payable		57,747		57,747
	Long-term debt, including current maturities		829,947		826,304
	Foreign currency forward contracts (net)		3,013		3,013

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Stock Options [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Options for common shares excluded from computation of diluted earning per share	312	276	313	138
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in affiliates and joint ventures	50.00%		50.00%

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and component parts	$96,901	$86,573
Work-in-process	37,638	27,994
Finished goods	140,058	130,544
Inventories - gross	274,597	245,111
Obsolescence and other reserves	-27,639	-26,744
LIFO reserve	-7,552	-7,496
Inventories - net	$239,406	$210,871

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2014	$1,052,537
Adjustment	371
Currency effect	-13,581
Balance at April 30, 2015	1,039,327
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2014	397,046
Currency effect	-12,437
Balance at April 30, 2015	384,609
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2014	631,433
Adjustment	371
Currency effect	-1,144
Balance at April 30, 2015	630,660
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2014	24,058
Currency effect	0
Balance at April 30, 2015	$24,058

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$232,789		$232,789		$232,789
Intangible assets, amortization expense	6,976	6,310	13,867	12,640
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	229,173		229,173		229,173
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$3,616		$3,616		$3,616

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$372,373	$381,262
Accumulated Amortization	101,436	89,952
Net Book Value	270,937	291,310
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	194,102	200,028
Accumulated Amortization	48,552	41,910
Net Book Value	145,550	158,118
Patent/Technology Costs [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	91,520	93,799
Accumulated Amortization	29,485	27,030
Net Book Value	62,035	66,769
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	77,392	77,846
Accumulated Amortization	14,471	12,173
Net Book Value	62,921	65,673
Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	7,993	8,220
Accumulated Amortization	7,614	7,600
Net Book Value	379	620
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	1,366	1,369
Accumulated Amortization	1,314	1,239
Net Book Value	$52	$130

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$3,031	$1,874	$5,431	$4,036
Interest cost	3,841	3,545	7,523	6,960
Expected return on plan assets	-4,578	-4,487	-9,158	-8,648
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	30	59	60	118
Amortization of net actuarial loss	2,633	1,784	4,886	3,970
Total benefit cost	4,957	2,775	8,742	6,436
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	692	714	1,433	1,412
Interest cost	627	817	1,299	1,608
Expected return on plan assets	-395	-448	-812	-880
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-22	-20	-46	-39
Amortization of net actuarial loss	485	399	1,309	787
Settlement loss			1,275
Total benefit cost	$1,387	$1,462	$4,458	$2,888

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme3

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$175	$265	$450	$518
Interest cost	735	802	1,488	1,531
Amortization of prior service credit	-109	-112	-219	-224
Amortization of net actuarial loss	280	419	577	717
Total benefit cost	1,081	1,374	2,296	2,542
Postretirement Benefit Plans, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	7	7	15	14
Interest cost	9	9	18	19
Amortization of net actuarial loss		-3		-7
Total benefit cost	$16	$13	$33	$26

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rates	31.20%	30.50%	29.30%	30.50%
Additional tax benefit relating to retroactive reinstatement of research and development credit			$1,686

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning balance			($103,199)
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses, net of tax	2,123	1,645	4,287	3,458
Current period charge	-306	6,862	-30,561	1,252
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending balance	-129,473		-129,473
Cumulative Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning balance			2,727
Current period charge			-30,561
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending balance	-27,834		-27,834
Pension And Postretirement Benefit Plan Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning balance			-105,926
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses, net of tax			4,287
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending balance	($101,639)		($101,639)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Pension and postretirement plan changes, tax	$2,280

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of common shares available for grant	2,900		2,900
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%
Directors [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense related to director deferred compensation	$22	$25	$47	$52
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
Option expiring period			10 years
Compensation expense recognized	2,103	2,178	4,571	5,844
Options exercisable beginning period			1 year
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock option	9,556		9,556
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares			1 year 4 months 24 days
Weighted-average expected volatility used			34.30%	44.50%
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted			$24.63	$27.92
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	5,082	2,307	6,179	5,961
Cash received from the exercise of stock options			3,174	3,499
Tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises of stock options			1,814	1,795
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum rate of stock option			25.00%
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 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares			2 years
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
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock	2,857		2,857
Expense related to nonvested common shares	464	424	936	895
Common share dividends amount included in compensation cost	12	12	25	25
Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares			6 months
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock	480		480
Expense related to nonvested common shares	243	223	486	445
Performance Share Incentive Awards [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant date fair value			$76.48	$69.25	$59.59
Compensation expense charged	1,242	1,303	2,491	2,445
Cumulative amount recorded in shareholders' equity related to Long-Term Incentive Plan	6,593		6,593
Periods of performance considered for calculating compensation expense			3 years
Deferred Compensation [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common share dividends amount included in compensation cost	$45	$32	$84	$58
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%

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Stock Options (Detail) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Stock Options [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options, Outstanding, Beginning balance	1,686
Number of Options, Granted	315
Number of Options, Exercised	-125
Number of Options, Forfeited or expired	-12
Number of Options, Outstanding, Ending balance	1,864
Number of Options, Vested or expected to vest	1,842
Number of Options, Exercisable	1,125
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Beginning balance	$42.77
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	$79.66
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$28.21
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited or expired	$63.77
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Ending balance	$49.85
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Vested or expected to vest	$49.54
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$36.80
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$55,540
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested or expected to vest	55,467
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$48,216
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Outstanding	6 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Vested or expected to vest	6 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Exercisable	5 years

StockBased_Compensation_Fair_V

Stock-Based Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions of Stock Options (Detail) (Stock Options [Member])	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility, Minimum	31.60%	40.10%
Expected volatility, Maximum	39.50%	44.70%
Expected dividend yield	1.10%
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	1.70%	1.51%
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	1.85%	1.79%
Minimum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield		0.98%
Expected life of the option (in years)	5 years 4 months 24 days	5 years 4 months 24 days
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield		1.03%
Expected life of the option (in years)	6 years 1 month 6 days	6 years 1 month 6 days

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	71
Number of Restricted Shares, Granted	21
Number of Restricted Shares, Forfeited	-2
Number of Restricted Shares, Vested	-34
Number of Restricted Shares, Ending balance	56
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	$63.53
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$79.53
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$66.86
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$57.23
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Ending balance	$73.35

StockBased_Compensation_Summar2

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (Restricted Stock Unit [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	5
Number of Restricted Share Units, Granted	13
Number of Restricted Share Units, Vested	-5
Number of Restricted Shares, Ending balance	13
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	$61.59
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$76.19
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$61.59
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Ending balance	$76.19

StockBased_Compensation_Summar3

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Director Deferred Compensation Shares (Detail) (Directors [Member], Deferred Compensation Share Equivalent Units [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Directors [Member] | Deferred Compensation Share Equivalent Units [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Share Based Payments [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning balance	110
Number of Shares, Restricted share units vested	5
Number of Shares, Dividend equivalents	1
Number of Shares, Distributions	-15
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance	101
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Beginning balance	$29.74
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Restricted share units vested	$61.59
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Dividend equivalents	$74.21
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Distributions	$21.35
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Ending balance	$32.91

Warranties_Additional_Informat

Warranties - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Standard product warranty period	One year

Warranties_Reconciliation_of_P

Warranties - Reconciliation of Product Warranty Liability (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$9,918	$9,409
Accruals for warranties	6,720	4,087
Warranty payments	-5,556	-3,993
Currency effect	-339	63
Ending balance	$10,743	$9,566

Operating_Segments_Additional_

Operating Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	3

Operating_Segments_Reportable_

Operating Segments - Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014		Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	$400,727	$417,461		$779,735	$776,881
Operating profit (loss)	76,414	92,834		139,232	146,693
Operating Segments [Member] | Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	203,273	231,954		397,486	441,425
Operating profit (loss)	50,780	62,699	[1]	94,109	110,619	[1]
Operating Segments [Member] | Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	129,482	127,628		261,700	225,169
Operating profit (loss)	24,770	30,842	[2]	51,588	41,220	[2]
Operating Segments [Member] | Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	67,972	57,879		120,549	110,287
Operating profit (loss)	11,514	9,335		15,278	14,291
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	($10,650)	($10,042)		($21,743)	($19,437)
[1]	Includes $699 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and six months ended April 30, 2014.
[2]	Includes $579 of severance and restructuring costs in the three and six months ended April 30, 2014.

Operating_Segments_Reportable_1

Operating Segments - Reportable Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance and restructuring costs	$699	$699
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance and restructuring costs	$579	$579

Operating_Segments_Reconciliat

Operating Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Total profit for reportable segments	$76,414	$92,834	$139,232	$146,693
Interest expense	-4,313	-3,532	-8,402	-7,107
Interest and investment income	151	217	237	329
Other - net	-687	-406	-789	-615
Income before income taxes	$71,565	$89,113	$130,278	$139,300

Operating_Segments_Sales_Infor

Operating Segments - Sales Information by Geographic Regions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Net external sales
Net external sales	$400,727	$417,461	$779,735	$776,881
United States [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	140,030	125,693	262,854	241,199
Americas Excluding United States [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	31,028	31,144	59,296	58,409
Europe [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	105,097	122,058	213,663	238,533
Japan [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	28,499	28,889	50,032	55,134
Asia Pacific [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	$96,073	$109,677	$193,890	$183,606

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts	$5,506
Total assets at fair value	5,506
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	9,945
Foreign currency forward contracts	2,493
Total liabilities at fair value	12,438
Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	9,945
Total liabilities at fair value	9,945
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts	5,506
Total assets at fair value	5,506
Liabilities:
Foreign currency forward contracts	2,493
Total liabilities at fair value	$2,493

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu1

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Executive officers and other highly compensated employees salary and annual cash incentive compensation deferrals percentage, maximum	100.00%
Executive officers share-based long-term incentive compensation deferrals percentage, maximum	90.00%

Financial_Instruments_Addition

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Maturity of foreign currency forward contracts			90 days
Gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts	$1,114	$1,100	$1,503	($2,329)
Gains (losses) in fair value of balance sheet positions denominated in foreign currencies	($1,669)	($1,332)	($2,065)	$2,181

Financial_Instruments_Outstand

Financial Instruments - Outstanding Currency, Forward Exchange Contracts (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	$3,013
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Sell [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	591,351
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	600,519
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Buy [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	662,489
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	674,639
Euro [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Sell [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	372,491
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	378,572
Euro [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Buy [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	370,074
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	378,887
British Pound [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Sell [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	124,115
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	127,047
British Pound [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Buy [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	106,410
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	108,506
Japanese Yen [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Sell [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	32,306
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	32,271
Japanese Yen [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Buy [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	20,685
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	20,685
Australian Dollar [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Sell [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	463
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	475
Australian Dollar [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Buy [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	7,487
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	7,658
Hong Kong Dollar [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Sell [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	56,255
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	56,296
Hong Kong Dollar [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Buy [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	116,757
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	116,852
Singapore Dollar [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Sell [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	365
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	378
Singapore Dollar [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Buy [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	10,493
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	10,761
Others [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Sell [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	5,356
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	5,480
Others [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Buy [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative contracts	30,583
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative contracts	$31,290

Financial_Instruments_Carrying

Financial Instruments - Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments, Other than Receivables and Accounts Payable (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Carrying Amounts And Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	$51,454	$42,314	$49,732	$42,375
Notes payable, Carrying Amount	57,747	106,181
Long-term debt, including current maturities, Carrying Amount	829,947
Foreign currency forward contracts (net), Carrying Amount	3,013
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	51,454
Notes payable, Fair Value	57,747
Long-term debt, including current maturities, Fair Value	826,304
Foreign currency forward contracts (net), Fair Value	$3,013

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
Accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the site	$565	$615