Shiloh Industries (SHLO) 10-K 13 Jan 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jan. 12, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
DEI [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SHILOH INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	904979
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Oct-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,220,284
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$165,925,636

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$12,014	$398
Investment in marketable securities	1,045	0
Accounts receivable, net	171,242	116,837
Related-party accounts receivable	533	673
Prepaid income taxes	2,142	0
Inventories, net	91,303	42,924
Deferred income taxes	3,496	2,829
Prepaid expenses	11,987	3,095
Other assets	0	23
Total current assets	293,762	166,779
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	274,828	197,874
Goodwill	30,887	6,768
Intangible assets, net	21,998	17,605
Deferred income taxes	2,605	0
Other assets	5,445	2,927
Total assets	629,525	391,953
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current debt	1,918	882
Accounts payable	146,478	87,977
Other accrued expenses	41,336	26,416
Accrued income taxes	0	1,666
Total current liabilities	189,732	116,941
Long-term debt	268,102	119,384
Long-term benefit liabilities	19,951	21,287
Deferred income taxes	2,739	969
Interest rate swap agreement	2,510	0
Other liabilities	1,972	2,223
Total liabilities	485,006	260,804
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	0	0
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 17,214,284 and 17,031,316 shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	172	170
Paid-in capital	68,035	66,312
Retained earnings	113,193	90,749
Accumulated other comprehensive loss: Pension related liability, net	-36,881	-26,082
Total stockholders’ equity	144,519	131,149
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$629,525	$391,953

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets - Parentheticals (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$601	$341
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	17,214,284	17,031,316
Common stock, shares outstanding	17,214,284	17,031,316
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

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
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue, Net	$878,744	$700,186
Cost of sales	799,143	633,034
Gross profit	79,601	67,152
Selling, general and administrative expenses	50,207	31,181
Amortization of intangible assets	2,255	1,349
Asset impairment (recovery)	-4,026	18
Operating income	31,165	34,604
Interest expense	4,503	2,600
Interest income	-25	-32
Gain on bargain purchase	0	-228
Other (expense), net	-504	89
Income before income taxes	27,191	32,175
Provision for income taxes	4,747	10,605
Net income	$22,444	$21,570
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$1.31	$1.27
Basic weighted average number of common shares	17,145	16,982
Diluted earnings per share	$1.30	$1.27
Diluted weighted average number of common shares	17,215	17,030

Consolidated_Statement_of_Othe

Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$22,444	$21,570
Recognized gain	967	5,684
Actuarial net gain	1,352	1,441
Asset net (loss) gain	-4,391	1,102
Income taxes	783	-2,998
Total defined benefit pension plans & other post retirement benefits, net of tax	-1,289	5,229
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	518	0
Income taxes on marketable securities	-53	0
Reclassification adjustments for gain on marketable securities included in net income	-365	0
Total marketable securities, net of tax	100	0
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap agreements	-2,510	0
Income taxes on interest rate swap agreements	952	0
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax	-1,558	0
Foreign currency translation loss	-8,052	0
Income taxes on foreign currency translation	0	0
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation, net of tax	-8,052	0
Comprehensive income, net	$11,645	$26,799

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$22,444	$21,570
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	27,893	20,878
Amortization of deferred financing costs	807	338
Asset recovery	-4,026	18
Bargain purchase gain	0	-228
Deferred income taxes	843	589
Stock-based compensation expense	579	738
Gain on sale of assets	-806	-1
Gain on sale of marketable securities	-365	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-10,444	-28,098
Inventories	-6,150	7,162
Prepaids and other assets	403	110
Payables and other liabilities	3,327	12,802
Accrued income taxes	-4,922	2,935
Net cash provided by operating activities	29,583	38,813
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	-40,158	-27,441
Investment in marketable securities	-2,000	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-124,544	-104,470
Proceeds from sale of assets	5,762	518
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities	967	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-159,973	-131,393
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of dividends	0	-4,246
Payment of capital leases	-382	0
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	182,500	123,250
Repayments of long-term borrowings	-39,877	-24,539
Payment of deferred financing costs	-776	-1,963
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,061	302
Net cash provided by financing activities	142,526	92,804
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	-520	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	11,616	224
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	398	174
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	12,014	398
Cash paid for interest	3,862	2,237
Cash paid for income taxes	7,995	7,111
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred	$7,639	$0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Stockholders' Equity at Oct. 31, 2012	$107,403	$169	$65,120	$73,425	($31,311)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	21,570	0	0	21,570	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	5,229	0	0	0	5,229
Payment of Dividends	-4,246	0	0	-4,246	0
Exercise of stock options	302	1	301	0	0
Stock-based compensation cost	738	0	738	0	0
Tax benefit on stock options	153	0	153	0	0
Stockholders' Equity at Oct. 31, 2013	131,149	170	66,312	90,749	-26,082
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	22,444	0	0	22,444	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-10,799	0	0	0	-10,799
Exercise of stock options	1,061	2	1,059	0	0
Stock-based compensation cost	579	0	579	0	0
Tax benefit on stock options	85	0	85	0	0
Stockholders' Equity at Oct. 31, 2014	$144,519	$172	$68,035	$113,193	($36,881)

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	General
	The Company is a leading global supplier of lightweighting and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) solutions to the automotive, commercial vehicle and other industrial markets. The Company offers one of the broadest portfolios of lightweighting solutions in the automotive, commercial vehicle and industrial industries, capable of delivering solutions in steel, steel alloys, aluminum and magnesium. Shiloh delivers these solutions through design, engineering and manufacturing of first operation blanks, engineered welded blanks, complex stampings, modular assemblies and highly engineered aluminum and magnesium die casting and machined components serving the automotive, commercial vehicle and other industrial markets of original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and, as a Tier II supplier, to Tier I automotive part manufacturers who in turn supply OEMs. Additionally, the Company provides a variety of intermediate steel processing services, such as oiling, leveling, cutting-to-length, multi-blanking, slitting, edge trimming of hot and cold-rolled steel coils and inventory control services for automotive and steel industry customers. The Company has twenty-eight wholly-owned subsidiaries at locations in Asia, Europe and North America.
	MTD Holdings Inc (the parent of MTD Products Inc) and the MTD Products Inc Master Employee Benefit Trust, a trust fund established and sponsored by MTD Products are owners of approximately 49.8% of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock, making MTD a related party of the Company.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Shiloh Industries, Inc. and all wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue from the sales of products when there is evidence of a sales agreement, the delivery of goods has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability of revenue is reasonably assured. The Company records revenues upon shipment of product to customers and transfer of title under standard commercial terms. Price adjustments, including those arising from resolution of quality issues, price and quantity discrepancies, surcharges for fuel and/or steel and other commercial issues, are recognized in the period when management believes that such amounts become probable, based on management’s estimates.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on several factors. In circumstances when the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. Additionally, a general allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical write-offs and the current financial condition of customers. The financial condition of the Company’s customers is dependent on, among other things, the general economic environment, which may substantially change. This variability may affect the recoverability of amounts due to the Company from its customers.
	The Company carefully assesses its risk with each of its customers and considers compliance with terms and conditions, aging of the customer accounts, intelligence learned through contact with customer representatives and its right of offset of net account receivable / account payable position with customers, if applicable, in establishing the allowance.
	Shipping and Handling Costs
	The Company classifies all amounts billed to a customer in a sales transaction related to shipping and handling as revenue and the costs incurred by the Company for shipping and handling are classified as costs of sales.
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, using the first-in first-out ("FIFO") method.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or at fair market value for plant, property and equipment acquired through acquisitions. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and renewals are charged to expense as incurred, while major improvements are capitalized. The cost of these improvements is depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Useful lives range from three to twelve years for furniture and fixtures and machinery and equipment, or if the assets are dedicated to a customer program, over the estimated life of that program, ten to twenty years for land improvements and twenty to forty years for buildings and their related improvements. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on the disposition is included in the earnings for the current period.
	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company accrues the cost of U.S. defined benefit pension plans, which was frozen in 2004, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 715 "Compensation - Retirement Benefits." The plans are funded based on the requirements and limitations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Approximately 70% of employees of the Company also participate in discretionary profit sharing plans administered by the Company. The Company also provides postretirement benefits to approximately 16 former employees.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company records compensation expense for the fair value of nonvested stock option awards and restricted stock awards over the remaining vesting period. The Company has elected to use the simplified method to calculate the expected term of the stock options outstanding at five to six years and has utilized historical weighted average volatility. The Company determines the volatility and risk-free rate assumptions used in computing the fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, in consultation with an outside third party. The expected term for the restricted stock award is between six months to four years.
	Income Taxes
	The Company utilizes the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Income tax expense includes U.S. and foreign income taxes minus tax credits and other incentives that will reduce tax expense in the year they are claimed. Deferred taxes are recognized at currently enacted tax rates for temporary differences between the financial accounting and income tax basis of assets and liabilities and operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company assesses both positive and negative evidence when measuring the need for a valuation allowance. Evidence typically assessed includes the operating results for the most recent three-year period and, to a lesser extent because of inherent uncertainty, the expectations of future profitability, available tax planning strategies, the time period over which the temporary differences will reverse and taxable income in prior carryback years if carryback is permitted under the tax law. The calculation of the Company's tax liabilities also involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations. The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on the Company's estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be required. The Company reports interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions as income taxes.
	Impairment of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets
	The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets and the related estimated remaining lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Events or changes in circumstances that could cause an impairment include significant underperformance relative to the historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of the use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business or significant negative industry or economic trends. The Company records an impairment or change in useful life whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed.
	Goodwill. Goodwill, which represents the excess cost over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired, was approximately $30,887 as of October 31, 2014, or 4.9% of our total assets and $6,768 as of October 31, 2013 or 1.7% of our total assets.
	In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, we assess goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. Such assessment can be done on a qualitative or quantitative basis. To qualitatively assess the likelihood of goodwill being impaired, we consider the following factors at the reporting unit level: the excess of fair value over carrying value as of the last impairment test, the length of time since the last fair value measurement, the carrying value, market and industry metrics, actual performance compared to forecasted performance, and our current outlook on the business. If the qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, we perform quantitative impairment testing at the reporting unit level.
	To quantitatively test goodwill for impairment, we estimate the fair value of a reporting unit and compare the fair value to the carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, then a possible impairment of goodwill may exist and further evaluation is required. Fair values are based on the cash flow projected in the reporting units' strategic plans and long-range planning forecasts, discounted at a risk-adjusted rate of return. Revenue growth rates included in the plans are generally based on industry specific data and known awarded business. The projected profit margin assumptions included in the plans are based on current cost structure and anticipated productivity improvements. If different assumptions were used in the plans, the related cash flows used in measuring fair value could be different and impairment of goodwill might be required to be recorded.
	Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income is defined as net income (loss) and changes in stockholders' equity from non-owner sources which, for the Company in the periods presented, consists of foreign currency transactions, interest rate swaps, marketable securities and pension related liability adjustments.
	Statement of Cash Flows Information
	Cash and cash equivalents include checking accounts and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. A substantial majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalent bank balances exceed federally insured limits at October 31, 2014. Cash in foreign subsidiaries totaled $11,921 at October 31, 2014.
	Concentration of Risk
	The Company sells products to customers primarily in the automotive, commercial vehicle and industrial markets. Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, are primarily accounts receivable. The Company performs on-going credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition. The allowance for non-collection of accounts receivable is based on the expected collectability of all accounts receivable. Losses have historically been within management's expectations. The Company does not have financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. Refer to Note 18-Business Segment Information for discussion of concentration of revenues.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and payables approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. The carrying value of the Company's debt and derivative instruments are considered to approximate the fair value of these instruments based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities.
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage volatility of underlying exposures. The Company recognizes all of its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated, and is effective, as a hedge and further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, a company must designate the instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. Gains and losses related to a hedge are either recognized in income immediately to offset the gain or loss on the hedged item or are deferred and reported as a component of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. The change in fair value of the ineffective portion of a hedging instrument, determined using the hypothetical derivative method, is recognized in earnings immediately. The gain or loss related to financial instruments that are not designated as hedges are recognized immediately in earnings. Cash flows related to hedging activities are included in the operating section of the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company’s objective for holding derivatives is to minimize risk using the most effective and cost-efficient methods available.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	Two of the Company's Mexican subsidiaries (Shiloh De Mexico S.A. DE C.V. and Shiloh International, S.A. DE C.V.), Netherlands holding company, Swedish holding company and U.S. subsidiaries' functional currency is the U.S. dollar and for all other entities their functional currency is their respective local currency including the Polish Zloty, Mexican Peso and Swedish Krona. The translation from the applicable foreign currency to U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of Comprehensive Income (Loss) . Such adjustments will affect net income only upon sale or liquidation of the underlying foreign investments, which is not contemplated at this time. Exchange gains and losses from transactions in a currency other than the local currency of the entity involved, and translation adjustments in countries with highly inflationary economies, are included in net income.
	Guarantees
	The Company has certain indemnification clauses within its credit facility and certain lease agreements that are considered to be guarantees within the scope of FASB ASC Topic 460, "Guarantees." The Company does not consider these guarantees to be probable, and the Company cannot estimate their maximum exposure. Additionally, the Company's exposure to warranty-related obligations is not material.
	Accounting Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates based upon current available information. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Prior Year Reclassification and Other Changes
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
	Effective November 1, 2013, the Company changed its accounting for certain plant location labor expenses as inventoriable costs as opposed to selling, general and administrative expense, the results of which were considered immaterial.
	Other New Accounting Standards
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No 2014-15, "Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern," which the intent is to define the Company's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. This ASU will be effective for the Company November 1, 2017. The Company will prospectively apply the guidance to applicable transactions.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which clarifies existing accounting literature relating to how and when a company recognizes revenue. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize 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 and services. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company November 1, 2017. The Company is in the process of determining what impact, if any, the adoption of this ASU will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant, and Equipment — Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity,'' which revises what qualifies as a discontinued operation, changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. This ASU will be effective for the Company for applicable transactions occurring after October 1, 2015. The Company will prospectively apply the guidance to applicable transactions.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carry-forward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carry-forward Exists," which defines the presentation requirements of an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements. The new guidance is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2014. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, "Foreign Currency Matters", which provides guidance on a parent’s accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment upon de-recognition of a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. This new guidance requires that the parent release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. The new guidance will be effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions
	Radar Industries, Inc.
	On September 30, 2014, the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, consummated the transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 30, 2014 (the "Radar Agreement"), with Radar Industries, Inc., and Radar Mexican Investments, LLC who produce engineered metal stampings and machined parts for the motor vehicle industry.
	The Company acquired Radar in order to further its investment in stamping technologies and expand the diversity of its customer base, product offering and geographic footprint. Radar's results of operations are reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of income from the acquisition date.
	The aggregate fair value of consideration transferred in connection with the Purchase Agreement was $57,874 ($57,799 net of cash acquired) in cash on the date of acquisition. Of this amount, $6,500 in cash was placed into escrow, and will serve as security for any indemnification claims made by the Company under the Radar Agreement.
	The acquisition of Radar Industries Inc. has been accounted for using the acquisition method in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair values of identifiable intangible assets were based on valuations using the income approach and estimates provided by management. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and assumed liabilities was recorded as goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price is based upon a valuation of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The preliminary purchase price allocation was as follows:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	75
	Accounts receivable		14,374
	Inventory		15,630
	Prepaid assets and other		95
	Property, plant and equipment		26,612
	Goodwill		13,753
	Intangible assets		5,620
	Accounts payable and other		(18,285		)
	Net assets acquired		$	57,874
	The purchase price allocation is provisional, pending completion of the valuation of acquired assets property, plant and equipment and inventories. The Company is utilizing a third party to assist in the fair value determination of certain components of the purchase price allocation, namely inventory, property, plant and equipment intangible assets and goodwill. The final valuation may change the allocation of the purchase price, which could affect the fair values assigned to the assets.
	The Company believes the amount of goodwill resulting from the purchase price allocation is attributable to the workforce of the acquired business (which is not eligible for separate recognition as an identifiable intangible asset) and the synergies expected after the Company's acquisition of Radar. All of the goodwill was allocated to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The total amount of goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes is $31,136 and is estimated to be deductible over approximately 15 years.
	Of the $5,620 of acquired intangible assets, $3,320 was assigned to customers that have a useful life of approximately 14 years, and $2,300 was assigned to developed technologies with an estimated useful life of approximately 10 years. The Company utilized a third party to assist in assigning a fair value to acquired assets. The total amount of identifiable intangible assets expected to be deductible for tax purposes is $5,620 and is estimated to be deductible over approximately 15 years.
	The amounts of revenue and net income of Radar included in the Company's consolidated statements of income from the acquisition date to the period ending October 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Radar Results of Operations	From October 1, 2014 - October 31, 2014
	Revenue	$17,319
	Net Income	$1,089
	Finnveden Metal Structures
	On June 30, 2014, Shiloh Holdings Sweden AB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into and consummated the transactions contemplated by the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement dated May 21, 2014 with FinnvedenBulten AB and Finnveden AB ("Finnveden"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FinnvedenBulten AB, a producer of aluminum and steel stampings and magnesium die cast and machined parts for the motor vehicle industry.
	The Company acquired Finnveden in order to expand its stamping capabilities while adding magnesium die casting to its product line, a key growth segment, and technology being used to address the lightweighting needs of automakers. Additionally, the Company adds strategic European locations in Sweden and Poland while diversifying its customer base. Finnveden's results of operations are reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of income from the acquisition date.
	The aggregate fair value of consideration transferred in connection with the FMS Agreement was $72,618, ($66,396 net of cash acquired), in cash on the date of acquisition.
	The acquisition of Finnveden has been accounted for using the acquisition method in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair values of identifiable intangible assets were based on valuations using the income approach and estimates provided by management. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and assumed liabilities were recorded as goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price is based upon a valuation of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The preliminary purchase price allocation was as follows:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	6,222
	Accounts receivable		29,744
	Inventory		26,858
	Prepaid expenses		3,681
	Property, plant and equipment		35,408
	Goodwill		7,804
	Intangible assets		1,136
	Other non-current assets		3,830
	Accounts payable and other		(36,416		)
	Long term liabilities		(5,649		)
	Net assets acquired		$	72,618
	The purchase price allocation is provisional, pending completion of the valuation of acquired intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and inventories. The Company is utilizing a third party to assist in the fair value determination of certain components of the purchase price allocation, namely inventory, property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The final valuation may change the allocation of the purchase price, which could affect the fair values assigned to the assets.
	The Company believes the amount of goodwill resulting from the purchase price allocation is attributable to the workforce of the acquired business (which is not eligible for separate recognition as an identifiable intangible asset) and the expected synergies expected after the Company's acquisition of Finnveden. All of the goodwill was allocated to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company does not expect that the amount of goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes under current Polish or Swedish tax law.
	The $1,136 of acquired intangible assets was assigned to customers that have a useful life of approximately 10 years. The fair value assigned to identifiable intangible assets acquired have been determined primarily by using the income approach, which discounts expected future cash flows to present value using estimates and assumptions determined by management. The Company is utilizing a third party to assist in assigning a fair value to acquired intangible assets. The Company does not expect that the total amount of identifiable intangible assets will be deductible for tax purposes under current Polish or Swedish tax law.
	The amounts of revenue and net income of Finnveden included in the Company's consolidated statements of income from the acquisition date to the period ending October 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Finnveden Results of Operations	From July 1, 2014 - October 31, 2014
	Revenue	$49,060
	Net loss	($1,020)
	Albany-Chicago Company LLC
	On December 28, 2012, the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into and consummated the transactions contemplated by a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated December 28, 2012 (the "Albany-Chicago Agreement"), among the subsidiary and all of the equity owners of Albany-Chicago Company LLC ("Pleasant Prairie"), a producer of aluminum die cast and machined parts for the motor vehicle industry.
	The Company acquired Pleasant Prairie in order to further its investment in light weighting technologies and expand the diversity of its customer base, product offering and geographic footprint. Pleasant Prairie's results of operations are reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of income from the acquisition date.
	The aggregate fair value of consideration transferred in connection with the Albany-Chicago Agreement was $56,390, including $56,792 ($56,337 net of cash acquired) paid in cash on the date of acquisition. Of this amount, $3,000 in cash was placed into escrow, and served as security for any indemnification claims made by the Company under the Albany-Chicago Agreement. Subsequent to the acquisition date, $381 of working capital adjustments were paid during the second quarter of 2013 to the seller, a reduction in purchase price of $850 as a result of a settlement agreement on asset valuation for tax purposes occurred during the third quarter of 2013, which was taken out of the escrow balance and a working capital adjustment of $67 paid to the seller during the third quarter of 2013. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, certain settlements occurred resulting in $1,000 in escrow funds being returned to the Company for settlement of excess tooling expenses and was included in the Company's operating results and $200 in escrow funds being released to the seller for volumes on certain programs exceeding agreed levels. The final escrow distribution to the seller of $950 occurred in the third quarter of 2014.
	The acquisition of Pleasant Prairie has been accounted for using the acquisition method in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair values of identifiable intangible assets were based on valuations using the income approach and estimates provided by management. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and assumed liabilities was recorded as goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price was based upon a valuation of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The final purchase price allocation was as follows:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	455
	Accounts receivable		9,195
	Inventory		2,711
	Prepaid assets and other		1,851
	Property, plant and equipment		26,100
	Goodwill		5,492
	Intangible assets		16,056
	Other non-current assets		67
	Accounts payable and other		(5,537		)
	Net assets acquired		$	56,390
	The Company utilized a third party to assist with the fair value determination of certain components of the purchase price allocation, namely property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.
	The Company believes the amount of goodwill resulting from the purchase price allocation is attributable to the workforce of the acquired business (which is not eligible for separate recognition as an identifiable intangible asset) and the synergies expected after the Company's acquisition of Pleasant Prairie. All of the goodwill was allocated to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The total amount of goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes is $14,291 and is estimated to be deductible over approximately 15 years.
	Of the $16,056 of acquired intangible assets, $13,462 was assigned to customers that have a useful life of approximately 13 years , $1,850 was assigned to trade names with an estimated useful life of approximately 15 years , and $744 was assigned to non-competition agreements with an estimated useful life of approximately 2 years. The fair values assigned to identifiable intangible assets acquired has been determined primarily by using the income approach, which discounts expected future cash flows to present value using estimates and assumptions determined by management. The Company utilized a third party to assist in assigning a fair value to acquired intangible assets. The total amount of identifiable intangible assets expected to be deductible for tax purposes is $16,056 and is estimated to be deductible over approximately 15 years.
	Contech Castings, LLC
On June 11, 2013, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Contech Agreement"), with Contech Castings, LLC ("Contech") and its subsidiary Contech Casting Real Estate Holdings, LLC ("Contech Real Estate" and together with Contech, "Contech Sellers"). Contech was engaged in the business of die casting and machining motor vehicle parts and further producing engineered high pressure aluminum die cast and machined parts for the motor vehicle industry, and Contech Real Estate owned the real property used by Contech in its business. The acquisition closed on August 2, 2013. Under the terms of the Contech Agreement, the Company acquired the assets of the business located at the purchased facilities and assumed certain specified liabilities from the Contech Sellers for $42,536, which consisted of $42,187 in cash on the date of the acquisition after adjustments in working capital, certain assumed liabilities and amounts of capital expenditures. Of this amount, $3,825 in cash was placed into escrow, and served as security for any indemnification claims made by the Company under the Contech Agreement. Subsequent to the acquisition date, $349 of settlements were paid to the sellers net of certain closing costs refunded to the Company during the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and resulted in an an adjustment to goodwill. During the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company entered into an escrow settlement agreement with the Contech Sellers where $720 of the escrow amount would be released to the Company to satisfy certain claims and were included in the Company's operating results and $2,280 would be released to the sellers. Escrow funds of $387 were released to the seller to satisfy certain seller tax liabilities throughout fiscal 2014 leaving a remaining escrow balance of $438 at the end of fiscal 2014.
The Company acquired Contech's businesses in order to further its investment in light weighting technologies, expand its capabilities in aluminum die casting machining and expand the diversity of our customer base, product offering and geographic footprint. Contech's results of operations are reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of income from the acquisition date.
The acquisition of Contech has been accounted for using the acquisition method in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair values of identifiable intangible assets were based on valuations using the income approach and estimates provided by management. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and assumed liabilities was recorded as goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price is based upon a valuation of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The final purchase price allocation was as follows:
Accounts receivable		$	2,126
Inventory		1,529
Prepaid assets and other		170
Property, plant and equipment		36,976
Goodwill		4,605
Intangible Assets		2,898
Accounts payable and other		(5,768		)
Net assets acquired		$	42,536
The Company utilized a third party to assist in the fair value determination of certain components of the purchase price allocation, namely property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. As a result of the valuation completed during the quarter ended April 30, 2014, the assigned value to property, plant and equipment was revised to $36,976, which was a reduction of $2,981 from the previous estimate, and resulted in an increase to goodwill and a decrease to property, plant and equipment by the corresponding amount.
The Company believes the amount of goodwill resulting from the purchase price allocation is attributable to the workforce of the acquired business (which is not eligible for separate recognition as an identifiable intangible asset) and the synergies expected after the Company's acquisition of Contech. The total amount of goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes is $4,605 and is estimated to be deductible over approximately 15 years.
Of the $2,898 of acquired intangible assets, $25 was assigned to trade names with an estimated useful life of approximately 3 months, $166 was assigned to trademarks with an estimated useful life of approximately 10 years, and $2,707 was assigned to developed technologies with an estimated useful life of 5 years. The Company utilized a third party to assist in assigning a fair value to acquired intangible assets. The total amount of identifiable intangible assets expected to be deductible for tax purposes is $2,898 and is estimated to be deductible over approximately 15 years.
Acquisition Related Costs
In fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, the Company expensed approximately $3,450 and $1,300 respectively of acquisition related costs.
Pro Forma Consolidated Results (unaudited)
The following unaudited supplemental pro forma information presents the financial results for the year ended October 31, 2014 as if the acquisition of Finnveden, Pleasant Prairie and Radar had occurred on November 1, 2013, and for the year ended October 31, 2013 as if the acquisitions had occurred on November 1, 2012. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies, costs or other effects of the integration of Finnveden, Pleasant Prairie or Radar. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the combined Company. In addition, the pro forma information includes amortization expense related to intangible assets acquired of $505 and $836 for the years ended October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively. Pro forma information related to the Contech acquisitions are not included in the table below as their financial results were not considered to be significant to the Company's operating results for the periods presented.
		(Unaudited)
Pro forma consolidated results		Years Ended October 31,
(in thousands, except for per share data):		2014			2013
Revenue		$	1,137,126		$	997,574
Net income		$	24,811		$	27,821
Basic earnings per share		$	1.45		$	1.64
Diluted earnings per share		$	1.44		$	1.63

Asset_Impairment_and_Restructu

Asset Impairment and Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Asset Impairment and Restructuring Charges	—Asset Impairment and Restructuring Charges
	Asset recoveries of $4,026 were recorded during fiscal 2014 for cash received upon sales of assets from the Company's former Mansfield Blanking facility, which was impaired in fiscal 2010.
	Impairment charges, net of $18 were recorded during fiscal 2013. Asset recoveries of $96 were recorded during fiscal 2013 for cash received upon sales of assets from the Company's Mansfield Blanking facility, which was impaired in fiscal 2010.
	Impairment recoveries of $369 were recorded during fiscal 2013 for cash received upon sales of assets from the Company's Liverpool Stamping facility, which was impaired in fiscal 2009.
	During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded an asset impairment charge of $483 to reduce the real property of the Company's Anniston facility to a fair value based on an independent assessment that considered recent sales of similar properties, changes in market conditions and an income based valuation approach.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable [Text Block]	—Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable are expected to be collected within one year and are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts in the amount of $601 and $341 at October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company recognized net bad debt expense of $153 and $98 during fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively, in the consolidated statements of income.
	The Company continually monitors its exposure with its customers and additional consideration is given to individual accounts in light of the market conditions in the automotive industry.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories [Text Block]	Inventories
	Inventories consist of the following:
		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	36,417	$	16,827
	Work-in-process	12,044		7,742
	Finished goods	13,382		9,573
	Total material	61,843		34,142
	Tooling	29,460		8,782
	Total inventories	$	91,303	$	42,924
	Total cost of inventory is net of reserves to reduce certain inventory from cost to net realizable value. Such reserves aggregated $3,985 and $853 at October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase of $3,132 is due to the significant balances in the reserve account from the acquisitions, needed to adjust inventories for such acquisitions to fair value.
	The increase in production inventory of $27,701 is the result of increased sales volumes and acquisitions, net of improvements in our supply chain logistics.
	Customer reimbursed tooling inventories totaling $29,460 as of October 31, 2014 increased $20,678 from October 31, 2013, for tooling related to new program awards that go into production over the next two years. Of the increase in tooling, $7,168 is from the Finneveden acquisition.

Other_Assets

Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Assets [Text Block]	—Other Assets
				October 31,
				2014		2013
	Other assets consist of the following:
		Deferred financing costs, net		$	2,280	$	2,311
		Tooling for customers		2,642		—
		Other		523		616
			Total	$	5,445	$	2,927
	Deferred financing costs are amortized over the term of the debt. During fiscal 2014 and 2013, amortization of these costs amounted to $807 and $338, respectively. Accumulated amortization was $3,274 and $2,467 as of October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. During 2014, the Company entered into two amendments to the Credit Agreement and capitalized $776 of the costs.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
		October 31,
		2014			2013
	Land and improvements	$	11,452		$	11,050
	Buildings and improvements	117,776			109,977
	Machinery and equipment	455,482			411,847
	Furniture and fixtures	11,161			11,568
	Construction in progress	52,345			28,982
	Total, at cost	648,216			573,424
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	373,388			375,550
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$274,828			$197,874
	Depreciation expense was $25,638 and $20,878 in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	During the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, interest capitalized as part of property, plant and equipment was $272 and $112, respectively. The Company had unpaid capital expenditures included in accounts payable of approximately $5,415 and $1,978 at October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and consequently such amounts are excluded from capital expenditures in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years 2014 and 2013. The Company has commitments for capital expenditures of $21,000 at October 31, 2014 that will be incurred in 2015.
	Capital Leases:
		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Leased Property:
	Machinery and equipment	$7,639		$	—
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	367		$	—
	Leased property, net	$7,272		$	—
	Future minimum rental payments to be made under capital leases at October 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Twelve Months Ending October 31,
	2015	$1,096
	2016	1,096
	2017	1,096
	2018	1,096
	2019	814
	Thereafter	2,660
		7,858
	Less amount representing interest ranging from 3.05% to 3.77%	891
	Total obligations under capital leases	$6,967

Financing_Arrangements

Financing Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Financing Arrangements	—Financing Arrangements
	Debt consists of the following:
		October 31,
		2014			2013
	Credit Agreement —interest at 2.15% and 1.95% at October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	$	260,500		$	117,400
	Equipment security note	1,985			2,461
	Capital lease obligations	6,967			—
	Insurance broker financing agreement	568			405
	Total debt	270,020			120,266
	Less: Current debt	1,918			882
	Total long-term debt	$	268,102		$	119,384
	The weighted average interest rate of all debt was 2.08% and 2.06% for fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The Company and its subsidiaries are party to a Credit Agreement, dated October 25, 2013, as amended (the "Credit Agreement") with Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Syndication Agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers, The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Compass Bank and Citizens Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and the other lender parties thereto.
	On September 29, 2014, the Company executed an amendment to the Credit Agreement that extends the commitment period to September 29, 2019 and increases the Company's revolving line of credit to $360,000 which is comprised of two aggregate revolving commitments. Aggregate Revolving A commitments amount to $235,000 and aggregate Revolving B commitments amount to $125,000, subject to the Company's pro forma compliance with financial covenants, the administrative agent's approval and the Company obtaining commitments for such increase. Additionally, this amendment increased the permitted leverage ratio from 3.25 to 3.5 in certain circumstances for a limited period of time following a material acquisition.
	Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company's option, at LIBOR or the base (or "prime") rate established from time to time by the administrative agent, in each case plus an applicable margin. The Third Amendment provides for an interest rate margin on LIBOR loans of 2.0% and a 1.0% on base rate loans through January 31, 2015. Thereafter, the interest rate margin on LIBOR loans will be 1.5% to 2.5% and on base rate loans will be 0.25% to 1.5%, depending on the Company's leverage ratio.
	The Credit Agreement contains customary restrictive and financial covenants, including covenants regarding the Company’s outstanding indebtedness and maximum leverage and interest coverage ratios. The Credit Agreement also contains standard provisions relating to conditions of borrowing. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including the non-payment of obligations by the Company and the bankruptcy of the Company. If an event of default occurs, all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated and become immediately due and payable. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants as of October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013.
	After considering letters of credit of $2,980 that the Company has issued, available funds under the Credit Agreement were $96,520 at October 31, 2014.
	Borrowings under the Agreement are collateralized by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the tangible and intangible property of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the stock of foreign subsidiaries.
	Other Debt:
	In July 2014, the Company entered into a finance agreement with an insurance broker for various insurance policies that bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.87% and requires monthly payments of $95 through April 2015. As of October 31, 2014, $568 remained outstanding under this agreement and was classified as current debt in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	On September 2, 2013, the Company entered into an equipment security note that bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.47% and requires monthly payments of $44 through September 2018. As of October 31, 2014, $1,985 remained outstanding under this agreement and $489 was classified as current debt and $1,496 was classified as long term debt in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company maintains capital leases for equipment used in our manufacturing facilities with lease terms expiring between 2018 and 2020. As of October 31, 2014, the present value of minimum lease payments under our capital leases amounted to $6,967.
	Derivatives:
	On February 25, 2014, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with an aggregate notional amount of $75,000 designated as a cash flow hedge of a portion of the Company's Credit Agreement to manage interest rate exposure on the Company’s floating rate LIBOR based debt.   The interest rate swap is an agreement to exchange payment streams based on the notional principal amount. This agreement fixes the Company’s future interest payments at 2.74% plus the applicable rate (defined above), on an amount of the Company’s debt principal equal to the then-outstanding swap notional amount. The forward interest rate swap commences on March 1, 2015 with an initial $25,000 base notional amount with $25,000 increases to the base notional amount on September 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016, respectively.   The base notional amount plus each incremental addition to the base notional amount have a five year maturity of February 29, 2020, August 31, 2020 and February 28, 2021, respectively. On the date the interest swap was entered into, the Company designated the interest rate swap as a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be paid relative to its variable rate monies borrowed.   Any ineffectiveness in the hedging relationship is recognized immediately into earnings. On October 31, 2014, the Company determined the mark-to-market adjustment for the interest rate swap to be a loss of $1,558, net of tax, which is reflected in other comprehensive income. The first base notional amount is set to commence on March 1, 2015 at which time the Company will recognize a gain or loss on the interest rate swap. At this time, the Company does not believe the amount will have a material impact.
	Scheduled repayments under the terms of the Credit Agreement plus repayments of other debt are listed below:
	Twelve Months Ending October 31,		Credit Agreement			Equipment Security Note		Capital Lease Obligations		Other Debt		Total
	2015		$	—		$	489	$	861	$	568	$	1,918
	2016		—			501		906		—		1,407
	2017		—			513		942		—		1,455
	2018		—			482		980		—		1,462
	2019		260,500			—		684		—		261,184
	Thereafter		—			—		2,594		—		2,594
	Total		$	260,500		$	1,985	$	6,967	$	568	$	270,020

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Text Block]	Intangible Assets
	Goodwill:
	During 2014, the Company recognized $24,887 of goodwill related to the acquisitions of Radar Industries Inc., and Finnveden Metal Structures and includes adjustments of $3,330 related to Contech Castings LLC acquisition.
	During 2013, the Company recognized $6,768 of goodwill related to the acquisitions of Albany-Chicago Company LLC and Contech Castings LLC.
	In accordance with the Goodwill Topic of the ASC, goodwill is tested for impairment annually, and interim impairment tests are performed whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate an impairment has more likely than not occurred. September 30 has been established for the annual impairment review. At the time of impairment testing, values are estimated for goodwill, incorporating discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. An optional qualitative assessment may alleviate the need to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test when impairment is unlikely. The Company used the qualitative assessment in 2013.
	The annual impairment review performed as of September 30, 2014 did not result in any goodwill impairment.
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
	Balance October 31, 2012			$	—
		Acquisitions		6,768
		Divestitures		—
		Foreign currency translation and other		—
	Balance October 31, 2013			6,768
		Acquisitions, including adjustments on prior year acquisitions		24,887
		Divestitures		—
		Foreign currency translation and other		(768		)
	Balance October 31, 2014			$	30,887
	Intangibles:
	Intangible assets acquired with the acquisitions described in Note 2 consist of the following:
			Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Non-Compete			Trade Name			Trademark			Total
	Balance October 31, 2012		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
		Acquisitions	13,462			2,707			744			1,875			166			18,954
		Amortization expense	(771		)	(136		)	(310		)	(128		)	(4		)	(1,349		)
		Foreign currency translation and other	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Balance October 31, 2013		12,691			2,571			434			1,747			162			17,605
		Acquisitions	4,456			2,300			—			—			—			6,756
		Amortization expense	(1,183		)	(560		)	(372		)	(123		)	(17		)	(2,255		)
		Foreign currency translation and other	(108		)	—			—			—			—			(108		)
	Balance October 31, 2014		$	15,856		$	4,311		$	62		$	1,624		$	145		$	21,998
	The following table reflects intangible assets and related accumulated amortization:
			October 31, 2014
			Useful Life		Cost				Accumulated Amortization				Foreign Currency Adjustment				Net
		Trade Name (Albany-Chicago)	15 years		$	1,850			$	(226	)		$	—			$	1,624
		Non-compete (Albany-Chicago)	2 years		744				(682		)		—				62
		Customer Relationships (Albany-Chicago)	13 years		13,462				(1,898		)		—				11,564
		Trade Name (Contech)	0.25 years		25				(25		)		—				—
		Trademark (Contech)	10 years		166				(21		)		—				145
		Developed Technology (Contech)	5 years		2,707				(677		)		—				2,030
		Customer Relationships (FMS)	10 years		1,136				(36		)		(108		)		992
		Customer Relationships (Radar)	14 years		3,320				(20		)		—				3,300
		EPTC Technology (Radar)	10 years		2,300				(19		)		—				2,281
		Total intangible assets			$	25,710			$	(3,604	)		(108		)		$	21,998
			October 31, 2013
			Useful Life		Cost				Accumulated Amortization				Net
		Trade Name (Albany-Chicago)	15 years		$	1,850			$	(103	)		$	1,747
		Non-compete (Albany-Chicago)	2 years		744				(310		)		434
		Customer Relationships (Albany-Chicago)	13 years		13,462				(771		)		12,691
		Trade Name (Contech)	0.25 years		25				(25		)		—
		Trademark (Contech)	10 years		166				(4		)		162
		Developed Technology (Contech)	5 years		2,707				(136		)		2,571
		Total intangible assets			18,954				(1,349		)		17,605
	Total amortization expense for the years ending October 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2,255 and $1,349, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the following fiscal years ending is estimated to be as follows:
	2015		$	2,349
	2016		2,287
	2017		2,287
	2018		2,151
	2019		1,745
	Thereafter		11,179
			$	21,998

Operating_Leases

Operating Leases	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Operating Leases [Abstract]
Operating Leases [Text Block]	Operating Leases
	The Company leases buildings, material handling, manufacturing and office equipment under operating leases with terms that range from one to fifteen years at inception. The leases do not include step rent provisions, escalation clauses, capital improvement funding or other lease concessions that qualify the leases as a contingent rental. Also, the leases do not include a variable related to a published index. The Company's operating leases are charged to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.
	The longest lease term of the Company's current leases extends to May 2029. Rent expense under operating leases for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 was $4,613 and $2,203, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows at October 31, 2014:
	2015	$8,443
	2016	6,986
	2017	6,216
	2018	4,980
	2019	4,755
	Thereafter	$5,301
	Total commitments under non-cancelable operating leases	$36,681

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company maintains pension plans, which are frozen, covering its eligible employees. The Company also provides an unfunded postretirement health care benefit plan for approximately 16 retirees and their dependents. The measurement date for the Company's employee benefit plans coincides with its fiscal year end, October 31.
	Obligations and Funded Status U.S. Plans At October 31
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	(85,128	)		$	(88,665	)		$	(894	)		$	(940	)
	Interest cost	(3,749		)		(3,260		)		(38		)		(34		)
	Settlements	—				2,271				—				—
	Actuarial gain (loss)	(4,388		)		835				277				45
	Benefits paid	4,675				3,691				16				35
	Benefit obligation at end of year	(88,590		)		(85,128		)		(639		)		(894		)
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	60,956				53,230				—				—
	Actual return on plan assets	5,206				8,542				—				—
	Employer contributions	4,374				5,146				16				35
	Settlement	—				(2,271		)		—				—
	Benefits paid	(4,675		)		(3,691		)		(16		)		(35		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	65,861				60,956				—				—
	Funded status, benefit obligations in excess of plan assets	$	(22,729	)		$	(24,172	)		$	(639	)		$	(894	)
	The above amounts are recorded in the liabilities section of the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Other accrued expenses	$	(3,910	)		$	(3,650	)		$	(62	)		$	(99	)
	Long-term benefit liabilities	(18,819		)		(20,522		)		(577		)		(795		)
	Total	$	(22,729	)		$	(24,172	)		$	(639	)		$	(894	)
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost U.S. Plans
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Interest cost	$	3,749			$	3,260			$	38			$	34
	Expected return on plan assets	(4,281		)		(3,735		)		—				—
	Settlement	—				1,102				—				—
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,074				1,392				41				48
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	542			$	2,019			$	79			$	82
	As part of a strategy to remove liability risk and reduce payments to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Company elected to allow lump sum distributions from the defined benefit pension plans, of which approximately 200 former employees elected and received distributions during fiscal 2013, removing $2,271 in liability from the plan. The FASB requires a special accounting charge for settling pension obligations in this manner. During fiscal year 2013, the Company incurred $1,102 in expense for this settlement charge.
	The Company expects to recognize in the consolidated statements of income the following amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income in fiscal 2015.
		Pension Benefits		Other Post Retirement Benefits
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	$1,186		$28
	The Company has recognized the following cumulative pre-tax actuarial losses, prior service costs and transition obligations in accumulated other comprehensive income:
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Net actuarial loss	$	43,669			$	41,280			$	361			$	679
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	43,669			$	41,280			$	361			$	679
	Additional Information on U.S. Plans
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Increase (decrease) in minimum liability included in other comprehensive income	$	(2,390	)		$	8,135			$	318			$	93
	Assumptions U.S. Plans
	Weighted-average assumptions used		Pension Benefits						Other Post Retirement Benefits
	to determine benefit obligations at October 31		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Discount rate		4	%		4.5	%		4	%		4.5	%
			Pension Benefits						Other Post Retirement Benefits
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net		2014			2013			2014			2013
	periodic benefit costs for years ended October 31
	Discount rate		4.5	%		3.75	%		4.5	%		3.75	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		7.5	%		7.5	%		—			—
	These assumptions are used to develop the projected obligation at fiscal year end and to develop net periodic benefit cost for the subsequent fiscal year. Therefore, for fiscal 2014, the assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs were established at October 31, 2013, while the assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations were established at October 31, 2014
	The Company uses the Principal Pension Discount Yield Curve ("Principal Curve") for the U.S. Plans as the basis for determining the discount rate for reporting pension and retiree medical liabilities. The Principal Curve has several advantages to other methods, including: transparency of construction, lower statistical errors, and continuous forward rates for all years. At October 31, 2014 the discount rate from the use of the Principal Curve was 4.00%, a decrease of 0.50% from a year ago that resulted in an increase of the benefit obligation of approximately $6,076.
	The Company determines the annual rate of return on the U.S. Plan pension assets by first analyzing the composition of its asset portfolio. Historical rates of return are applied to the portfolio. The Company's outside investment advisors and actuaries review the computed rate of return. Industry comparables and other outside guidance are also considered in the annual selection of the expected rates of return on pension assets. The long-term expected rate of return on plan assets takes into account years with exceptional gains and years with exceptional losses.
		October 31,
	Assumed health care trend rates	2014		2013
	Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	7.00%		7.00%
	Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	6.50%		6.50%
	Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2015		2015
Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the healthcare plan. The Company's trend rate was based on reduced health care claims experienced by a small and declining retiree population. A one-percentage point change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects at October 31, 2014:
	One-Percentage		One-Percentage
	Point Increase		Point Decrease
Effect on total of service and interest cost components	$5		($6)
Effect on post retirement obligation	$59		($51)
Plan Assets U.S. Plan Assets
The Company has established a targeted asset allocation percentage by asset category and rebalances the assets of each plan when pension contributions are funded. The Company's pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at October 31, 2014 and 2013, by asset category and comparison to the target allocation percentage are as follows:
	Target	Plan Assets at October 31,
	Allocation
	Percentage	2014		2013
Asset Category
Equity securities	0-70%	59%		60%
Debt securities	0-70%	35%		34%
Real estate	0-10%	6%		6%
Total		100%		100%
The Company's investment policy for assets of the plans is to obtain a reasonable long-term return consistent with the level of risk assumed. The Company also seeks to control the cost of funding the plans within prudent levels of risk through the investment of plan assets and the Company seeks to provide diversification of assets in an effort to avoid the risk of large losses and to maximize the return to the plans consistent with market and economic risk.
Non-U.S. Plans
The insurance contracts guarantee a minimum rate of return. The Company has no input into the investment strategy of the assets underlying the contracts, but they are typically heavily invested in active bond markets and are highly regulated by local law.
Fair Value
The plans' investments are reported at fair value. Purchases and sale of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("FASB ASC 820"), clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based upon assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the plans have the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect the plans' own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
An asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of the following three valuation techniques noted in FASB ASC 820:
•	Market approach: Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
•	Cost approach: Amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).
•	Income approach: Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based upon market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
The following descriptions of the valuation methods and assumptions used by the plans to estimate the fair values of investments apply to investments held directly by the plans.
Mutual funds: The fair values of mutual fund investments are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (level 1 inputs).
Pooled separate accounts: The fair values of participation units held in pooled separate accounts are based on their net asset values, as reported by the managers of the pooled separate accounts as supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions occurring as of or close to the financial statement date (level 2 inputs). With the exception of the Principal U.S. Property Separate Account, a fund sponsored by Principal Financial Group, investment and actuarial advisors of the Company, each of the pooled separate accounts invests in multiple securities. With the exception of the Principal U.S. Property Separate Account, each pooled separate account provides for daily redemptions by the plans with no advance notice requirements, and has redemption prices that are determined by the fund's net asset value per unit. Due to illiquidity of the underlying assets of the Principal U.S. Property Separate Account, which is an open-end, commingled real estate account and a separate account of Principal Life Insurance Company (Principal), Principal has imposed a withdrawal limitation that delays the payment of withdrawal requests and provides for payment of such requests on a pro rata basis as cash becomes available for distribution, as determined by Principal.
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
Investments totaling $65,861 at October 31, 2014 and $60,956 at October 31, 2013 measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
				Fair Value Measurements								Fair Value Measurements
				at October 31, 2014 Using								at October 31, 2013 Using
				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
U.S. Plans																		Valuation Technique
Investments
	Equity
		Large U.S. Equity		$	10,012			$	13,368			$	9,289			$	12,344	Market
		Small/Mid U.S. Equity		6,079				2,670				5,488				2,437		Market
		International Equity		6,611				—				7,316				—		Market
	Fixed Income
		Government		—				284				—				278		Market
		Corporate		16,162				6,788				13,933				6,270		Cost
	Real Estate (Primarily Commercial)			—				3,887				—				3,600		Market
Total Investments				$	38,864			$	26,997			$	36,026			$	24,929
Non-U.S. Plans
	Insurance Contracts			$	510			$	—			$	—			$	—	Cost
Cash Flows
Contributions
The Company expects to contribute $4,470 to its U.S. pension plans in fiscal 2015, compared to $4,374 funded in fiscal 2014.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid by the plans:
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
2015		$	3,910					$	62
2016		3,750						66
2017		4,120						52
2018		3,920						45
2019		4,500						46
2020-2024		24,440						193
Non-U.S. Plans
For the Company's Swedish operations, the majority of the pension obligations are covered by insurance policies with insurance companies. Pension commitments in the Company's Polish operations are approximately $510 at the end of fiscal 2014. The liability of these comprise the present value of future obligations and is calculated on actuarial basis.
Defined Contribution Plans
In addition to the defined benefit plans described above, the Company maintains a number of defined contribution plans for its United States locations. Under the terms of the plans, eligible employees may contribute a selected percentage of their base pay. The Company matches a percentage of the employees' contributions up to a stated percentage, subject to statutory limitations. The Company recorded an expense related to the matching program of $3,230 during fiscal 2014, compared to an expense of $2,195 during fiscal 2013.

Fair_Value_of_Other_Financial_

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Other Fair Value Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Other Fair Value Financial Instruments	Other Fair Value Financial Instruments
	The methods used by the Company may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
	Assets and liabilities remeasured and disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis at October 31, 2014 and 2013 are set forth in the table below:
		Asset (Liability)			Level 2			Valuation Technique
	October 31, 2013:
	Interest Rate Swap Contracts	—			—			Income Approach
	October 31, 2014:
	Interest Rate Swap Contracts	$	(2,510	)	$	(2,510	)	Income Approach
	The Company calculates the fair value of its interest rate swap contracts, using quoted interest rate curves, to calculate forward values, and then discounts the forward values.
	The discount rates for all derivative contracts are based on quoted swap interest rates or bank deposit rates. For contracts which, when aggregated by counterparty, are in a liability position, the rates are adjusted by the credit spread that market participants would apply if buying these contracts from the Company’s counterparties.
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at October 31, 2014 and 2013 are set forth in the table below:
		Asset			Level 3			Valuation Technique
	October 31, 2013:
	Goodwill	$	6,768		$	6,768		Income Approach
	Intangible Assets	18,954			18,954			Income Approach
	October 31, 2014:
	Goodwill	24,887			24,887			Income Approach
	Intangible Assets	$	6,756		$	6,756		Income Approach

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	—Earnings Per Share (amounts in thousands except number of shares and per share data)
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. In addition, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options outstanding under the Amended and Restated 1993 Key Employee Stock Incentive Program are included in the diluted earnings per share calculation to the extent they are dilutive. For the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 117,000 and 225,000 stock awards, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for net income per share:
		Years Ended October 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income available to common stockholders	$	22,444	$	21,570
	Basic weighted average shares	17,145		16,982
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	70		48
	Diluted weighted average shares	17,215		17,030
	Basic earnings per share	$	1.31	$	1.27
	Diluted earnings per share	$	1.3	$	1.27

Stock_Options_and_Incentive_Co

Stock Options and Incentive Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Options and Incentive Compensation	—Stock Options and Incentive Compensation (amounts in thousands except number of shares and per share data)
	For the Company, FASB ASC Topic 718 "Compensation – Stock Compensation" affects the stock options that have been granted and requires the Company to expense share-based payment ("SBP") awards with compensation cost for SBP transactions measured at fair value. The Company has elected to use the simplified method of calculating the expected term of the stock options and historical volatility to compute fair value under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. zero coupon Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant. Forfeitures have been estimated based upon the Company’s historical experience.
	1993 Key Employee Stock Incentive Plan
	The Company maintains the Amended and Restated 1993 Key Employee Stock Incentive Program (the "Incentive Plan"), which authorizes grants to officers and other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries of (i) stock options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options, (ii) nonqualified stock options and (iii) restricted stock awards. An aggregate of 2,700,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment upon occurrence of certain events to prevent dilution or expansion of the rights of participants that might otherwise result from the occurrence of such events, has been reserved for issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plan. An individual’s award of stock options is limited to 500,000 shares in a five-year period.
	Non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options and restricted stock awards have been granted to date and all options have been granted at the market price at the date of grant. Options expire over a period not to exceed ten years from the date of grant and vest ratably over a three year period. The vesting period of the restricted stock awards range between six months and four years. Incentive stock options were not granted in fiscal 2013 or 2014. During fiscal 2014, 89,500 shares of restricted stock were granted to several employees as incentives for future performance. The market value of the Company's stock on the date of the restricted stock awards ranged between $14.97 and $20.64. At October 31, 2014, 116,822 restricted stock awards were outstanding.
	A summary of option activity under the Incentive Plan is as follows:
					Number of Shares Under Option			Weighted Average Option Price
		Outstanding at	November 1, 2012		362,085			$9.99
			Granted		—			—
			Exercised		(47,804	)		$6.28
			Canceled		(78,147	)		$12.45
		Outstanding at	October 31, 2013		236,134			$9.93
			Granted		—			$0.00
			Exercised		(100,468	)		$10.55
			Canceled		(12,333	)		$7.19
		Outstanding at	October 31, 2014		123,333			$9.69
	There were 111,833 options exercisable as of October 31, 2014 with a weighted average exercise price of $9.86. Cash received from the exercise of options for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014 was $1,061 and $302 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013. At October 31, 2014, the options outstanding had an intrinsic value of $906 and options exercisable had an intrinsic value of $803. Options that have an exercise price greater than the market price on October 31, 2014 were excluded from the intrinsic value computation. The intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $652 and $485, respectively.
	The following table provides additional information regarding options outstanding as of October 31, 2014:
		Exercise Prices		Options Outstanding			Exercise Price of Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable		Options Exercisable	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
		$13.06		6,000			$13.06		6,000	0.99
		$14.74		16,000			$14.74		16,000	2.54
		$2.11		9,000			$2.11		9,000	4.12
		$5.30		25,333			$5.30		25,333	4.78
		$12.04		47,000			$12.04		47,000	6.11
		$8.10		20,000			$8.10		8,500	7.15
		Totals		123,333					111,833
	There were 8,500 options not exercisable as of October 31, 2014 with a weighted average exercise price of $8.10. No options were granted during the year ended October 31, 2014.
	A summary of non-vested options as of and for the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		Non-vested Options			Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
		Non-vested at	1-Nov-12		136,500			$10.46
			Granted		—			$0.00
			Vested		(58,828	)		$10.84
			Forfeited		(21,001	)		$10.32
		Non-vested at	October 31, 2013		56,671			$10.12
			Granted		—			$0.00
			Vested		(42,838	)		$8.10
			Forfeited		(5,333	)		$8.10
		Non-vested at	31-Oct-14		8,500			$8.10
	For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded compensation expense related to the stock options currently vesting, effectively reducing pretax income by $150 and $456, respectively. The impact on earnings per share for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014 was a reduction of $0.01 per share basic and diluted and a reduction of $0.02 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013. The total compensation cost related to nonvested awards not yet recognized as of October 31, 2014 and 2013 was $15 and $620, respectively, which will be recognized over the next three fiscal years. The total compensation cost related to the restricted stock currently vesting was $429. As of October 31, 2014 there was approximately $1,520 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock options and incentive compensation awards.
		Incentive Bonus Plans
	The Company maintains a Management Incentive Plan ("MIP") to provide the Chief Executive Officer and certain eligible employees ("participants") incentives for superior performance. The MIP is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and entitles the participants to be paid a cash bonus based upon varying percentages of their respective salaries, the level of achievement of the corporate goals established by the Compensation Committee and specific individual goals as established by the Chief Executive Officer (for employees other than the CEO). For fiscal years 2014 and 2013, the Compensation Committee established goals for corporate office personnel based on the Company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") and return on invested capital ("ROIC"). For the remaining participants, 50% of the incentive depends upon meeting the operating targets and metrics of the participant's operating unit and 50% is based upon attaining the corporate goals for the Company's performance. For fiscal 2014, participants in the MIP are entitled to receive an aggregate of $3,360 under the MIP. For fiscal 2013, participants in the MIP received an aggregate bonus of $3,293 under the MIP, which was paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes[Text Block]	Income Taxes
	Income (loss) before income taxes consists of the following:
			Years Ended October 31,
			2014				2013
	Domestic		$	28,200			$	30,814
	Foreign		(1,009		)		1,361
	Total		$	27,191			$	32,175
	The components of the provision for income taxes from continuing operations were as follows:
				Years Ended October 31,
				2014				2013
	Current:
		Federal		$	3,684			$	8,427
		State and local		210				1,338
		Foreign		74				261
	Total current			3,968				10,026
	Deferred:
		Federal		3,069				427
		State and local		58				152
		Foreign		(2,348		)		—
	Total deferred			779				579
		Provision		$	4,747			$	10,605
	Temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities were comprised of the following:
			Years Ended October 31,
			2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
		Accrued compensation and benefits	$	1,524			$	1,255
		Inventory	886				662
		State depreciation adjustments and loss carryforwards	1,739				1,266
		Pension obligations and post retirement benefits	7,766				8,255
		Foreign net operating loss	2,626				1,153
		Tax credits in foreign countries	—				573
		Other accruals, reserves and tax credits	3,032				2,806
		Goodwill and intangible amortization	9,414				3,304
		Foreign currency translation	24				—
		Interest rate swap	952				—
	Total deferred tax assets		27,963				19,274
	Less: Valuation allowance		-3,630				-4,014
	Total deferred tax assets		24,333				15,260
	Deferred tax liabilities:
		Fixed assets	-20,193				-12,828
		Prepaid expenses and other	-778				-572
	Net deferred tax asset		$	3,362			$	1,860
	Change in net deferred tax asset:
		Provision for deferred taxes	$	(779	)		$	(579	)
	Purchase accounting adjustments		663				—
	Unrecognized tax benefit adjustments		(64		)		(10		)
	Components of other comprehensive income:
		Pension and post retirement benefits	783				(2,998		)
		Velocys investment	(53		)		—
		Interest rate swap	952				—
		Total change in net deferred tax asset	$	1,502			$	(3,587	)
	As required by FASB ASC Topic 740, the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.
	Activities and balances of unrecognized tax benefits for 2014 and 2013 are summarized below:
		Years Ended October 31,
		2014				2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	1,183			$	1,247
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	35				54
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year	(5		)		—
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(3		)		(61		)
	Reductions as result of lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(142		)		(57		)
	Balance at end of year	$	1,068			$	1,183
	The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective rate was $700 at October 31, 2014 and $777 at October 31, 2013. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of income tax expense. The Company recognized $136 of benefit in 2014 and $21 of expense in 2013 for interest and penalties. The Company had accrued $893 at October 31, 2014 and $1,029 at October 31, 2013, for the payment of interest and penalties.
	The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years ending prior to October 31, 2011 and no longer subject to non-U.S. income tax examinations for calendar years ending prior to December 31, 2009. The Company does not anticipate that within the next 12 months the total unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change due to the settlement of examinations and the expiration of statute of limitations.
	In September 2013 and August 2014, the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations governing the income tax treatment of acquisitions, dispositions, and repairs of tangible property. Taxpayers are required to follow the new regulations in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Management is currently assessing the impact of the regulations and does not expect they will have a material impact on the Company's financial statements. The Tax Increase Prevention Act was passed into legislation on December 19, 2014. This Legislation extended the alternative fuel tax credit and the research and development tax credit for one year. Shiloh estimates this will have a favorable impact of $1,100 in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.
A valuation allowance of $3,630 remains as of October 31, 2014 for deferred tax assets whose realization remains uncertain at this time. The comparable amount of the valuation allowance at October 31, 2013 was $4,014. The net decrease in the valuation allowance of $384 relates to an opening balance sheet increase of $1,577 resulting from the Finnveden acquisition offset by a translation decrease of $152 primarily related to Swedish operating loss carry forwards, an increase of $428 related to state operating loss carry forwards, an increase of $544 related to Swedish operating loss carry forwards during the current period, a decrease of $573 for Mexican flat tax credits because legislation was enacted which eliminated the flat tax as of December 31, 2013, a decrease of $2,171 related to Mexican deferred tax assets and a decrease of $37 for the future utilization of foreign tax credits in the United States.
The Company assesses both negative and positive evidence when measuring the need for a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance has been established by the Company due to the uncertainty of realizing certain loss carry forwards, other deferred tax assets and foreign tax credits in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. The Company believes the remaining deferred tax assets will be realizable based on projected book income, the reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and available tax planning strategies that would be implemented and generate ordinary income in the United States or foreign jurisdictions to recognize the deferred tax assets. The Company intends to maintain the valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets until such time that sufficient positive evidence exists to support realization of the deferred tax assets. In the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:
	Years Ended October 31,
	2014			2013
Federal income tax at statutory rate	35	%		35	%
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	0.7			3.5
Valuation allowance change	(6.6	)		(1.7	)
Domestic tax credits	(0.8	)		(0.8	)
Domestic production activities deduction	(2.8	)		(2.9	)
Foreign operations	(1.8	)		0.9
Stock option expense	—			0.2
Adjustment of uncertain tax positions	(0.7	)		(0.1	)
Revisions to prior period research and development tax credit calculations	(9.1	)		—
Revisions to prior period estimated income tax calculations	(0.3	)		(1.4	)
Change in legislation - Mexico	2.1			—
Other	1.8			0.3
Effective income tax rate	17.5	%		33	%
At October 31, 2014, the Company had Swedish foreign operating loss carryforward benefits of approximately $1,970 with a valuation allowance to the extent of their net deferred tax assets, which can be carried forward indefinitely. In addition, the Company had Mexican operating loss carry forward benefits of approximately $573 as of October 31, 2014, which will expire in 2018 or 2019. At October 31, 2013, the Company had Mexican operating loss carryforward benefits of approximately $1,153 with a valuation allowance to the extent of their net deferred tax assets. The Company has various state and local net operating loss and tax credit carryforward benefits of $1,413 and $985 with a full valuation allowance, which will expire between 2015 and 2034.
The Company paid income taxes, net of refunds, of $7,995 and $7,111 in 2014 and 2013, respectively. U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries because it is expected such earnings will be permanently reinvested in the operations of such subsidiaries or pay down European debt. It is not practical to determine the amount of income tax liability that would result had such earnings been repatriated. As of October 31, 2014, there was $1,441 of undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following table provides additional details of the amounts recognized into net earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
			Pension and Post Retirement Plan Liability			Marketable Securities Adjustment		Interest Rate Swap Adjustment		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Balance at October 31, 2013		(26,082	)		—		—		—		(26,082	)
		Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,289	)		465		(1,558	)	(8,052	)	(10,434	)
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			(365	)	—		—		(365	)
		Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,289	)		100		(1,558	)	(8,052	)	(10,799	)
	Balance at October 31, 2014		(27,371	)		100		(1,558	)	(8,052	)	(36,881	)
	The following table reflects the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income related to the Company for October 31, 2014:
	Details about accumulated other comprehensive income components - 2014		Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)				Affected line item in the Consolidated Statement of Income
	Amortization of Pension and Post-Retirement Plan
		Interest costs	$	(3,787	)		-1
		Return on plan assets	4,281				-1
		Net actuarial loss	(1,115		)		-1
			(621		)		Total before taxes
			235				Income tax benefit
			$	(386	)		Net of taxes
	Realized gain on sale of marketable securities (2)		$	365			Total before taxes
			(128		)		Income tax expense
			$	237			Net of taxes
	(1) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 11- Employee Benefit Plans for further information.
	(2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of the gain on sale of marketable securities. See Note 17 - Related Party Transactions.

Related_Party_Transaction

Related Party Transaction	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions [Text Block]	—Related Party Transactions
	The Company had sales to MTD Products Inc and its affiliates of $6,756 and $7,645 for fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. At October 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had receivable balances of $533 and $673, respectively, due from MTD Products Inc and its affiliates, and no amounts were due to MTD Products Inc, at those dates.
	On March 11, 2014, the Company entered into a supplier agreement with Velocys (LSE:VLS). As part of the agreement, the Company invested $2,000, which is comprised of Velocys stock with a market value of $1,527 on the date of acquisition and a market allowance paid of $473 that is being amortized over the remaining life of the related supplier agreement. During the third quarter of 2014, the Company sold a portion of the Velocys stock and realized a gain of $365. The carrying value of the remaining shares at October 31, 2014 was $892. The Company re-measures available-for-sale securities at fair value and records the unrealized gain or loss in other comprehensive income until realized. A cumulative mark-to-market favorable adjustment of $100, net of tax, was recorded as a gain to other comprehensive income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information [Text Block]	Business Segment Information
	The Company conducts its business and reports its information as one operating segment-Automotive Products. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company has been identified as the chief operating decision maker because he has final authority over performance assessment and resource allocation decisions. In determining that one operating segment is appropriate, the Company considered the nature of the business activities, the existence of managers responsible for the operating activities and information presented to the Board of Directors for its consideration and advice. Furthermore, the Company is a leading global supplier of lightweighting and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) solutions to the automotive, commercial vehicle and industrial markets. The Company offers one of the broadest portfolios of lightweighting solutions to the automotive, commercial vehicle and industrial markets, capable of delivering solutions in aluminum, magnesium, steel and steel alloys. Shiloh delivers these solutions through the design and manufacturing of its BlankLight,™ CastLight™ and StampLight™ brands. Shiloh delivers solutions in body, chassis and powertrain systems to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and several "Tier 1" suppliers to the OEM's.
	Revenues of foreign geographic regions are attributed to external customers based upon the location of the entity recording the sale. These foreign revenues represent 10.8% and 5.9% of total revenues for fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. Long-lived assets consist primarily of net property, plant and equipment.
		Revenues					Long-Lived Assets				Foreign Currency (Gain) Loss
		2014			2013		2014		2013		2014			2013
	Europe	$	49,060		$	—	$	44,151	$	—	$	109		$	—
	Mexico	45,902			41,524		24,611		16,403		(111		)	(141		)
	United States	$	783,782		$	658,662	$	267,001	$	208,771
	Total company	$	878,744		$	700,186	$	335,763	$	225,174
	The foreign currency gain or loss is included as a component of other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income.
	The following details customers that accounted for more than 10% of the Company's revenues in fiscal 2014 and 2013 .
		Revenues
	Customer	2014		2013
	Chrysler	13.90%		15.60%
	General Motors	16.40%		20.90%

Quarterly_Results

Quarterly Results	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Results of Operations [Text Block]	Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
	(amounts in thousands except per share data)
	For the Year Ended October 31, 2014	First Quarter	Second Quarter	Third Quarter	Fourth Quarter
	Revenues	$183,539	$208,972	$216,389	$269,844
	Gross profit	17,846	21,001	22,100	18,654
	Operating income	8,021	12,699	9,726	719
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	2,181	3,620	335	(1,389	)
	Net income	$4,939	$8,129	$8,349	$1,027
	Net income per share basic	$0.29	$0.48	$0.49	$0.06
	Net income per share diluted	$0.29	$0.47	$0.49	$0.06
	Weighted average number of shares:
	Basic	17,113	17,081	17,118	17,180
	Diluted	17,208	17,158	17,175	17,229
	For the Year Ended October 31, 2013	First Quarter	Second Quarter	Third Quarter	Fourth Quarter
	Revenues	$145,383	$182,146	$166,059	$206,598
	Gross profit	10,738	19,336	16,374	22,086
	Operating income	4,131	11,508	8,187	10,778
	Provision for income taxes	1,101	3,686	2,213	3,605
	Net income	$2,583	$7,249	$5,282	$6,456
	Net income per share basic	$0.15	$0.43	$0.31	$0.38
	Net income per share diluted	$0.15	$0.43	$0.31	$0.38
	Weighted average number of shares:
	Basic	16,988	16,998	17,007	16,999
	Diluted	17,040	17,043	17,051	17,052

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is a party to several lawsuits and claims arising in the normal course of its business with customers, vendors, employees and other third parties. In the opinion of management, the Company's liability or recovery, if any, under pending litigation and claims would not materially affect its financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Radar Industries [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation	The preliminary purchase price allocation was as follows:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	75
	Accounts receivable		14,374
	Inventory		15,630
	Prepaid assets and other		95
	Property, plant and equipment		26,612
	Goodwill		13,753
	Intangible assets		5,620
	Accounts payable and other		(18,285		)
	Net assets acquired		$	57,874
Pro Forma Consoldiated Information
	Radar Results of Operations	From October 1, 2014 - October 31, 2014
	Revenue	$17,319
	Net Income	$1,089
Finnveden [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation	The preliminary purchase price allocation was as follows:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	6,222
	Accounts receivable		29,744
	Inventory		26,858
	Prepaid expenses		3,681
	Property, plant and equipment		35,408
	Goodwill		7,804
	Intangible assets		1,136
	Other non-current assets		3,830
	Accounts payable and other		(36,416		)
	Long term liabilities		(5,649		)
	Net assets acquired		$	72,618
Pro Forma Consoldiated Information	The amounts of revenue and net income of Finnveden included in the Company's consolidated statements of income from the acquisition date to the period ending October 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Finnveden Results of Operations	From July 1, 2014 - October 31, 2014
	Revenue	$49,060
	Net loss	($1,020)
Pleasant Prairie [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase Price Allocation Based On Valuation	The final purchase price allocation was as follows:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	455
	Accounts receivable		9,195
	Inventory		2,711
	Prepaid assets and other		1,851
	Property, plant and equipment		26,100
	Goodwill		5,492
	Intangible assets		16,056
	Other non-current assets		67
	Accounts payable and other		(5,537		)
	Net assets acquired		$	56,390
Contech [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase Price Allocation Based On Valuation	The final purchase price allocation was as follows:
	Accounts receivable		$	2,126
	Inventory		1,529
	Prepaid assets and other		170
	Property, plant and equipment		36,976
	Goodwill		4,605
	Intangible Assets		2,898
	Accounts payable and other		(5,768		)
	Net assets acquired		$	42,536
Radar, Finnveden and Pleasant Prairie [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro Forma Consoldiated Information	Pro forma information related to the Contech acquisitions are not included in the table below as their financial results were not considered to be significant to the Company's operating results for the periods presented.
			(Unaudited)
	Pro forma consolidated results		Years Ended October 31,
	(in thousands, except for per share data):		2014			2013
	Revenue		$	1,137,126		$	997,574
	Net income		$	24,811		$	27,821
	Basic earnings per share		$	1.45		$	1.64
	Diluted earnings per share		$	1.44		$	1.63

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	Inventories
	Inventories consist of the following:
		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	36,417	$	16,827
	Work-in-process	12,044		7,742
	Finished goods	13,382		9,573
	Total material	61,843		34,142
	Tooling	29,460		8,782
	Total inventories	$	91,303	$	42,924

Other_Assets_Other_Assets_Tabl

Other Assets Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block]
				October 31,
				2014		2013
	Other assets consist of the following:
		Deferred financing costs, net		$	2,280	$	2,311
		Tooling for customers		2,642		—
		Other		523		616
			Total	$	5,445	$	2,927

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
		October 31,
		2014			2013
	Land and improvements	$	11,452		$	11,050
	Buildings and improvements	117,776			109,977
	Machinery and equipment	455,482			411,847
	Furniture and fixtures	11,161			11,568
	Construction in progress	52,345			28,982
	Total, at cost	648,216			573,424
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	373,388			375,550
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$274,828			$197,874
Schedule of Capital Leased Assets [Table Text Block]	Capital Leases:
		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Leased Property:
	Machinery and equipment	$7,639		$	—
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	367		$	—
	Leased property, net	$7,272		$	—
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]	Future minimum rental payments to be made under capital leases at October 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Twelve Months Ending October 31,
	2015	$1,096
	2016	1,096
	2017	1,096
	2018	1,096
	2019	814
	Thereafter	2,660
		7,858
	Less amount representing interest ranging from 3.05% to 3.77%	891
	Total obligations under capital leases	$6,967

Financing_Arrangements_Tables

Financing Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Debt consists of the following:
		October 31,
		2014			2013
	Credit Agreement —interest at 2.15% and 1.95% at October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	$	260,500		$	117,400
	Equipment security note	1,985			2,461
	Capital lease obligations	6,967			—
	Insurance broker financing agreement	568			405
	Total debt	270,020			120,266
	Less: Current debt	1,918			882
	Total long-term debt	$	268,102		$	119,384
Schedule of Maturities of Debt
	Twelve Months Ending October 31,		Credit Agreement			Equipment Security Note		Capital Lease Obligations		Other Debt		Total
	2015		$	—		$	489	$	861	$	568	$	1,918
	2016		—			501		906		—		1,407
	2017		—			513		942		—		1,455
	2018		—			482		980		—		1,462
	2019		260,500			—		684		—		261,184
	Thereafter		—			—		2,594		—		2,594
	Total		$	260,500		$	1,985	$	6,967	$	568	$	270,020

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets(Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
	Balance October 31, 2012			$	—
		Acquisitions		6,768
		Divestitures		—
		Foreign currency translation and other		—
	Balance October 31, 2013			6,768
		Acquisitions, including adjustments on prior year acquisitions		24,887
		Divestitures		—
		Foreign currency translation and other		(768		)
	Balance October 31, 2014			$	30,887
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	Intangible assets acquired with the acquisitions described in Note 2 consist of the following:
			Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Non-Compete			Trade Name			Trademark			Total
	Balance October 31, 2012		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
		Acquisitions	13,462			2,707			744			1,875			166			18,954
		Amortization expense	(771		)	(136		)	(310		)	(128		)	(4		)	(1,349		)
		Foreign currency translation and other	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Balance October 31, 2013		12,691			2,571			434			1,747			162			17,605
		Acquisitions	4,456			2,300			—			—			—			6,756
		Amortization expense	(1,183		)	(560		)	(372		)	(123		)	(17		)	(2,255		)
		Foreign currency translation and other	(108		)	—			—			—			—			(108		)
	Balance October 31, 2014		$	15,856		$	4,311		$	62		$	1,624		$	145		$	21,998
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects intangible assets and related accumulated amortization:
			October 31, 2014
			Useful Life		Cost				Accumulated Amortization				Foreign Currency Adjustment				Net
		Trade Name (Albany-Chicago)	15 years		$	1,850			$	(226	)		$	—			$	1,624
		Non-compete (Albany-Chicago)	2 years		744				(682		)		—				62
		Customer Relationships (Albany-Chicago)	13 years		13,462				(1,898		)		—				11,564
		Trade Name (Contech)	0.25 years		25				(25		)		—				—
		Trademark (Contech)	10 years		166				(21		)		—				145
		Developed Technology (Contech)	5 years		2,707				(677		)		—				2,030
		Customer Relationships (FMS)	10 years		1,136				(36		)		(108		)		992
		Customer Relationships (Radar)	14 years		3,320				(20		)		—				3,300
		EPTC Technology (Radar)	10 years		2,300				(19		)		—				2,281
		Total intangible assets			$	25,710			$	(3,604	)		(108		)		$	21,998
			October 31, 2013
			Useful Life		Cost				Accumulated Amortization				Net
		Trade Name (Albany-Chicago)	15 years		$	1,850			$	(103	)		$	1,747
		Non-compete (Albany-Chicago)	2 years		744				(310		)		434
		Customer Relationships (Albany-Chicago)	13 years		13,462				(771		)		12,691
		Trade Name (Contech)	0.25 years		25				(25		)		—
		Trademark (Contech)	10 years		166				(4		)		162
		Developed Technology (Contech)	5 years		2,707				(136		)		2,571
		Total intangible assets			18,954				(1,349		)		17,605
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	Total amortization expense for the years ending October 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2,255 and $1,349, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the following fiscal years ending is estimated to be as follows:
	2015		$	2,349
	2016		2,287
	2017		2,287
	2018		2,151
	2019		1,745
	Thereafter		11,179
			$	21,998

Operating_Leases_Operating_Lea

Operating Leases Operating Leases(Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Operating Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Future minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows at October 31, 2014:
	2015	$8,443
	2016	6,986
	2017	6,216
	2018	4,980
	2019	4,755
	Thereafter	$5,301
	Total commitments under non-cancelable operating leases	$36,681

Employee_Benefit_Plan_Tables

Employee Benefit Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Obligations and Funded Status	Obligations and Funded Status U.S. Plans At October 31
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	(85,128	)		$	(88,665	)		$	(894	)		$	(940	)
	Interest cost	(3,749		)		(3,260		)		(38		)		(34		)
	Settlements	—				2,271				—				—
	Actuarial gain (loss)	(4,388		)		835				277				45
	Benefits paid	4,675				3,691				16				35
	Benefit obligation at end of year	(88,590		)		(85,128		)		(639		)		(894		)
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	60,956				53,230				—				—
	Actual return on plan assets	5,206				8,542				—				—
	Employer contributions	4,374				5,146				16				35
	Settlement	—				(2,271		)		—				—
	Benefits paid	(4,675		)		(3,691		)		(16		)		(35		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	65,861				60,956				—				—
	Funded status, benefit obligations in excess of plan assets	$	(22,729	)		$	(24,172	)		$	(639	)		$	(894	)
Amounts Recorded in the Liability Section of the Consolidated Balance Sheet	The above amounts are recorded in the liabilities section of the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Other accrued expenses	$	(3,910	)		$	(3,650	)		$	(62	)		$	(99	)
	Long-term benefit liabilities	(18,819		)		(20,522		)		(577		)		(795		)
	Total	$	(22,729	)		$	(24,172	)		$	(639	)		$	(894	)
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost U.S. Plans
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Interest cost	$	3,749			$	3,260			$	38			$	34
	Expected return on plan assets	(4,281		)		(3,735		)		—				—
	Settlement	—				1,102				—				—
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,074				1,392				41				48
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	542			$	2,019			$	79			$	82
Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss	The Company expects to recognize in the consolidated statements of income the following amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income in fiscal 2015.
		Pension Benefits		Other Post Retirement Benefits
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	$1,186		$28
Net Actuarial Loss in Other Comprehensive Income	The Company has recognized the following cumulative pre-tax actuarial losses, prior service costs and transition obligations in accumulated other comprehensive income:
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Net actuarial loss	$	43,669			$	41,280			$	361			$	679
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	43,669			$	41,280			$	361			$	679
Minimum Liability Included in Other Comprehensive Income	Additional Information on U.S. Plans
		Pension Benefits								Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Increase (decrease) in minimum liability included in other comprehensive income	$	(2,390	)		$	8,135			$	318			$	93
	The following table provides additional details of the amounts recognized into net earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
				Pension and Post Retirement Plan Liability			Marketable Securities Adjustment			Interest Rate Swap Adjustment			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Balance at October 31, 2013			(26,082	)		—			—			—			(26,082	)
		Other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,289	)		465			(1,558	)		(8,052	)		(10,434	)
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(365	)		—			—			(365	)
		Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,289	)		100			(1,558	)		(8,052	)		(10,799	)
	Balance at October 31, 2014			(27,371	)		100			(1,558	)		(8,052	)		(36,881	)
Assumptions	Assumptions U.S. Plans
	Weighted-average assumptions used		Pension Benefits						Other Post Retirement Benefits
	to determine benefit obligations at October 31		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Discount rate		4	%		4.5	%		4	%		4.5	%
			Pension Benefits						Other Post Retirement Benefits
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net		2014			2013			2014			2013
	periodic benefit costs for years ended October 31
	Discount rate		4.5	%		3.75	%		4.5	%		3.75	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		7.5	%		7.5	%		—			—
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
		October 31,
	Assumed health care trend rates	2014		2013
	Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	7.00%		7.00%
	Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	6.50%		6.50%
	Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2015		2015
Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates	A one-percentage point change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects at October 31, 2014:
		One-Percentage		One-Percentage
		Point Increase		Point Decrease
	Effect on total of service and interest cost components	$5		($6)
	Effect on post retirement obligation	$59		($51)
Allocation of Plan Assets	The Company's pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at October 31, 2014 and 2013, by asset category and comparison to the target allocation percentage are as follows:
		Target	Plan Assets at October 31,
		Allocation
		Percentage	2014		2013
	Asset Category
	Equity securities	0-70%	59%		60%
	Debt securities	0-70%	35%		34%
	Real estate	0-10%	6%		6%
	Total		100%		100%
Investments Measured At Fair Value	Investments totaling $65,861 at October 31, 2014 and $60,956 at October 31, 2013 measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
					Fair Value Measurements								Fair Value Measurements
					at October 31, 2014 Using								at October 31, 2013 Using
					Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	U.S. Plans																		Valuation Technique
	Investments
		Equity
			Large U.S. Equity		$	10,012			$	13,368			$	9,289			$	12,344	Market
			Small/Mid U.S. Equity		6,079				2,670				5,488				2,437		Market
			International Equity		6,611				—				7,316				—		Market
		Fixed Income
			Government		—				284				—				278		Market
			Corporate		16,162				6,788				13,933				6,270		Cost
		Real Estate (Primarily Commercial)			—				3,887				—				3,600		Market
	Total Investments				$	38,864			$	26,997			$	36,026			$	24,929
	Non-U.S. Plans
		Insurance Contracts			$	510			$	—			$	—			$	—	Cost
Estimated Future Benefit Payments	Estimated Future Benefit Payments
	The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid by the plans:
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2015		$	3,910					$	62
	2016		3,750						66
	2017		4,120						52
	2018		3,920						45
	2019		4,500						46
	2020-2024		24,440						193

Fair_Value_of_Other_Financial_1

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Other Fair Value Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis	Assets and liabilities remeasured and disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis at October 31, 2014 and 2013 are set forth in the table below:
		Asset (Liability)			Level 2			Valuation Technique
	October 31, 2013:
	Interest Rate Swap Contracts	—			—			Income Approach
	October 31, 2014:
	Interest Rate Swap Contracts	$	(2,510	)	$	(2,510	)	Income Approach
Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-recurring Basis	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at October 31, 2014 and 2013 are set forth in the table below:
		Asset			Level 3			Valuation Technique
	October 31, 2013:
	Goodwill	$	6,768		$	6,768		Income Approach
	Intangible Assets	18,954			18,954			Income Approach
	October 31, 2014:
	Goodwill	24,887			24,887			Income Approach
	Intangible Assets	$	6,756		$	6,756		Income Approach

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for net income per share:
		Years Ended October 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income available to common stockholders	$	22,444	$	21,570
	Basic weighted average shares	17,145		16,982
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	70		48
	Diluted weighted average shares	17,215		17,030
	Basic earnings per share	$	1.31	$	1.27
	Diluted earnings per share	$	1.3	$	1.27

Stock_Options_and_Incentive_Co1

Stock Options and Incentive Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]
					Number of Shares Under Option			Weighted Average Option Price
		Outstanding at	November 1, 2012		362,085			$9.99
			Granted		—			—
			Exercised		(47,804	)		$6.28
			Canceled		(78,147	)		$12.45
		Outstanding at	October 31, 2013		236,134			$9.93
			Granted		—			$0.00
			Exercised		(100,468	)		$10.55
			Canceled		(12,333	)		$7.19
		Outstanding at	October 31, 2014		123,333			$9.69
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block]	The following table provides additional information regarding options outstanding as of October 31, 2014:
		Exercise Prices		Options Outstanding			Exercise Price of Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable		Options Exercisable	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
		$13.06		6,000			$13.06		6,000	0.99
		$14.74		16,000			$14.74		16,000	2.54
		$2.11		9,000			$2.11		9,000	4.12
		$5.30		25,333			$5.30		25,333	4.78
		$12.04		47,000			$12.04		47,000	6.11
		$8.10		20,000			$8.10		8,500	7.15
		Totals		123,333					111,833
Share-based Compensation, Performance Shares Award Unvested Activity [Table Text Block]	A summary of non-vested options as of and for the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		Non-vested Options			Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
		Non-vested at	1-Nov-12		136,500			$10.46
			Granted		—			$0.00
			Vested		(58,828	)		$10.84
			Forfeited		(21,001	)		$10.32
		Non-vested at	October 31, 2013		56,671			$10.12
			Granted		—			$0.00
			Vested		(42,838	)		$8.10
			Forfeited		(5,333	)		$8.10
		Non-vested at	31-Oct-14		8,500			$8.10

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	Income (loss) before income taxes consists of the following:
			Years Ended October 31,
			2014				2013
	Domestic		$	28,200			$	30,814
	Foreign		(1,009		)		1,361
	Total		$	27,191			$	32,175
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	The components of the provision for income taxes from continuing operations were as follows:
				Years Ended October 31,
				2014				2013
	Current:
		Federal		$	3,684			$	8,427
		State and local		210				1,338
		Foreign		74				261
	Total current			3,968				10,026
	Deferred:
		Federal		3,069				427
		State and local		58				152
		Foreign		(2,348		)		—
	Total deferred			779				579
		Provision		$	4,747			$	10,605
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	Temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities were comprised of the following:
			Years Ended October 31,
			2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
		Accrued compensation and benefits	$	1,524			$	1,255
		Inventory	886				662
		State depreciation adjustments and loss carryforwards	1,739				1,266
		Pension obligations and post retirement benefits	7,766				8,255
		Foreign net operating loss	2,626				1,153
		Tax credits in foreign countries	—				573
		Other accruals, reserves and tax credits	3,032				2,806
		Goodwill and intangible amortization	9,414				3,304
		Foreign currency translation	24				—
		Interest rate swap	952				—
	Total deferred tax assets		27,963				19,274
	Less: Valuation allowance		-3,630				-4,014
	Total deferred tax assets		24,333				15,260
	Deferred tax liabilities:
		Fixed assets	-20,193				-12,828
		Prepaid expenses and other	-778				-572
	Net deferred tax asset		$	3,362			$	1,860
	Change in net deferred tax asset:
		Provision for deferred taxes	$	(779	)		$	(579	)
	Purchase accounting adjustments		663				—
	Unrecognized tax benefit adjustments		(64		)		(10		)
	Components of other comprehensive income:
		Pension and post retirement benefits	783				(2,998		)
		Velocys investment	(53		)		—
		Interest rate swap	952				—
		Total change in net deferred tax asset	$	1,502			$	(3,587	)
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	Activities and balances of unrecognized tax benefits for 2014 and 2013 are summarized below:
		Years Ended October 31,
		2014				2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	1,183			$	1,247
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	35				54
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year	(5		)		—
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(3		)		(61		)
	Reductions as result of lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(142		)		(57		)
	Balance at end of year	$	1,068			$	1,183
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
		Years Ended October 31,
		2014			2013
	Federal income tax at statutory rate	35	%		35	%
	State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	0.7			3.5
	Valuation allowance change	(6.6	)		(1.7	)
	Domestic tax credits	(0.8	)		(0.8	)
	Domestic production activities deduction	(2.8	)		(2.9	)
	Foreign operations	(1.8	)		0.9
	Stock option expense	—			0.2
	Adjustment of uncertain tax positions	(0.7	)		(0.1	)
	Revisions to prior period research and development tax credit calculations	(9.1	)		—
	Revisions to prior period estimated income tax calculations	(0.3	)		(1.4	)
	Change in legislation - Mexico	2.1			—
	Other	1.8			0.3
	Effective income tax rate	17.5	%		33	%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Amounts Recognized Into Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Additional Information on U.S. Plans
		Pension Benefits							Other Post Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013			2014			2013
	Increase (decrease) in minimum liability included in other comprehensive income	$	(2,390	)		$	8,135		$	318		$	93
	The following table provides additional details of the amounts recognized into net earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
				Pension and Post Retirement Plan Liability			Marketable Securities Adjustment		Interest Rate Swap Adjustment		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Balance at October 31, 2013			(26,082	)		—		—		—			(26,082	)
		Other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,289	)		465		(1,558	)	(8,052	)		(10,434	)
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(365	)	—		—			(365	)
		Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,289	)		100		(1,558	)	(8,052	)		(10,799	)
	Balance at October 31, 2014			(27,371	)		100		(1,558	)	(8,052	)		(36,881	)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The following table reflects the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income related to the Company for October 31, 2014:
	Details about accumulated other comprehensive income components - 2014			Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)				Affected line item in the Consolidated Statement of Income
	Amortization of Pension and Post-Retirement Plan
		Interest costs		$	(3,787	)		-1
		Return on plan assets		4,281				-1
		Net actuarial loss		(1,115		)		-1
				(621		)		Total before taxes
				235				Income tax benefit
				$	(386	)		Net of taxes
	Realized gain on sale of marketable securities (2)			$	365			Total before taxes
				(128		)		Income tax expense
				$	237			Net of taxes

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
		Revenues					Long-Lived Assets				Foreign Currency (Gain) Loss
		2014			2013		2014		2013		2014			2013
	Europe	$	49,060		$	—	$	44,151	$	—	$	109		$	—
	Mexico	45,902			41,524		24,611		16,403		(111		)	(141		)
	United States	$	783,782		$	658,662	$	267,001	$	208,771
	Total company	$	878,744		$	700,186	$	335,763	$	225,174
Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments [Table Text Block]
		Revenues
	Customer	2014		2013
	Chrysler	13.90%		15.60%
	General Motors	16.40%		20.90%

Quarterly_Results_Quarterly_Re

Quarterly Results Quarterly Results(Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014						Oct. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Info Current Yr[Table Text Block]
	For the Year Ended October 31, 2014	First Quarter	Second Quarter	Third Quarter	Fourth Quarter		For the Year Ended October 31, 2013	First Quarter	Second Quarter	Third Quarter	Fourth Quarter
	Revenues	$183,539	$208,972	$216,389	$269,844		Revenues	$145,383	$182,146	$166,059	$206,598
	Gross profit	17,846	21,001	22,100	18,654		Gross profit	10,738	19,336	16,374	22,086
	Operating income	8,021	12,699	9,726	719		Operating income	4,131	11,508	8,187	10,778
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	2,181	3,620	335	(1,389	)	Provision for income taxes	1,101	3,686	2,213	3,605
	Net income	$4,939	$8,129	$8,349	$1,027		Net income	$2,583	$7,249	$5,282	$6,456
	Net income per share basic	$0.29	$0.48	$0.49	$0.06		Net income per share basic	$0.15	$0.43	$0.31	$0.38
	Net income per share diluted	$0.29	$0.47	$0.49	$0.06		Net income per share diluted	$0.15	$0.43	$0.31	$0.38
	Weighted average number of shares:						Weighted average number of shares:
	Basic	17,113	17,081	17,118	17,180		Basic	16,988	16,998	17,007	16,999
	Diluted	17,208	17,158	17,175	17,229		Diluted	17,040	17,043	17,051	17,052

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
	Subsidiaries
	employee
	employees
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of Subsidiaries	28
Percent of employees participating in a discretionary profit sharing plan	70.00%
Number of employees receiving post-retirement benefits	16
Goodwill	$30,887	$6,768	$0
Goodwill as a percentage of total assets	4.90%	1.70%
Furniture & Fixtures, Machinery & Equip, Assets specificall for Customer Programs [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P3Y
Furniture & Fixtures, Machinery & Equip, Assets specificall for Customer Programs [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P12Y
Land Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P10Y
Land Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P20Y
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P20Y
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P40Y
MTD Holdings Inc. [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Common Stock, Percentage Owned by Related Party	49.80%

Acquisitions_Radar_Industries_

Acquisitions Radar Industries Inc. (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended		1 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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$25,710				$18,954				$25,710	$18,954	$25,710
Revenues	269,844	216,389	208,972	183,539	206,598	166,059	182,146	145,383
Net income	1,027	8,349	8,129	4,939	6,456	5,282	7,249	2,583	22,444	21,570
Radar Industries [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred											57,874
Consideration Transferred Net of Cash Acquired												57,799
Business Combinations, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Cash In Escrow												6,500
Cash and cash equivalents												75
Accounts receivable												14,374
Inventory												15,630
Prepaid assets and other												95
Property, plant and equipment												26,612
Intangible Assets												13,753
Goodwill												5,620
Accounts payable and other												-18,285
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred												57,874
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life									15 years
Business Combinations, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangibles Deductible for Tax Purposes												5,620
Revenues											17,319
Net income											1,089
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Radar Industries [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life									10 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	2,300								2,300		2,300
Goodwill [Member] | Radar Industries [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combinations,, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Goodwill Deductible for Tax Purposes												31,136
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life											15 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Radar Industries [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life									14 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$3,320								$3,320		$3,320

Acquisitions_Finnveden_Details

Acquisitions Finnveden (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended		4 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, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$269,844	$216,389	$208,972	$183,539	$206,598	$166,059	$182,146	$145,383
Net income	1,027	8,349	8,129	4,939	6,456	5,282	7,249	2,583	22,444	21,570
Finnveden [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred									72,618
Consideration Transferred Net of Cash Acquired												66,396
Cash and cash equivalents												6,222
Accounts receivable												29,744
Inventory												26,858
Prepaid expenses												3,681
Property, plant and equipment												35,408
Intangible Assets												7,804
Goodwill												1,136
Other non-current assets												3,830
Accounts payable and other												36,416
Long term liabilities												5,649
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred												72,618
Revenues											49,060
Net income											-1,020
Customer Relationships [Member] | Finnveden [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combinations, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangibles Deductible for Tax Purposes												$1,136
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life									10 years

Acquisitions_AlbanyChicago_Com

Acquisitions Albany-Chicago Company LLC (Details) (Pleasant Prairie [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended				7 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 30, 2013	Apr. 15, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred						$56,390
Cash Transferred				-56,390					-56,792
Consideration Transferred Net of Cash Acquired									56,337
Cash Placed In Escrow									3,000
Working Capital Adjustments			67	381
Reduction In Purchase Price					-850
Escrow Deposits Disbursements, Funds Returned to Seller		200
Escrow Deposit Disbursements, Funds Returned to Company	950	1,000
Cash and cash equivalents				455
Accounts receivable				9,195
Inventory				2,711
Prepaid assets and other				1,851
Property, plant and equipment				26,100
Intangible Assets				5,492
Goodwill				16,056
Other non-current assets				67
Accounts payable and other				5,537
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life							15 years
Business Combinations, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangibles Deductible for Tax Purposes									16,056
Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combinations,, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Goodwill Deductible for Tax Purposes									14,291
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life							15 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill									13,462
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life							13 years	13 years
Trade Name, Finite Intangible Asset [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill									1,850
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life							15 years	15 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill									$744
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life							2 years	2 years

Contech_Details

Contech (Details) (Contech [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 17, 2014	Aug. 02, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred					$42,536
Consideration Transferred Net of Cash						42,187
Cash Placed In Escrow						3,825
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Consideration Transferred	720
Accounts receivable					2,126
Inventory					1,529
Prepaid assets and other					170
Property, plant and equipment					36,976
Goodwill					4,605
Intangible Assets					2,898
Accounts payable and other					5,768
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Financial Assets		-2,981
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			15 years
Business Combinations, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangibles Deductible for Tax Purposes						2,898
Contech Sellers [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Consideration Transferred	2,280			349
Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combinations,, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Goodwill Deductible for Tax Purposes						4,605
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			15 years
Trade Name, Finite Intangible Asset [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill						25
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			0 years 3 months
Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill						166
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			10 years
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill						$2,707
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			5 years

Acquisitions_Acquisition_Relat

Acquisitions Acquisition Related Costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	$3,450	$1,300

Pro_Forma_Results_Details

Pro Forma Results (Details) (Radar, Finnveden and Pleasant Prairie [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Radar, Finnveden and Pleasant Prairie [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$505	$836
Revenue	1,137,126	997,574
Net income	$24,811	$27,821
Basic earnings per share	$1.45	$1.64
Diluted earnings per share	$1.44	$1.63

Asset_Impairment_and_Restructu1

Asset Impairment and Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Recovery of Impairment Charge		$4,026	($18)
Asset Impairment Charges, net	-18
Anniston [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges, net	-483
Mansfield Blanking Division [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Recovery of Impairment Charge			96	4,026
Liverpool Stamping Division [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Recovery of Impairment Charge			$369

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$601	$341
Bad debt expense	$153	$98

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Raw materials	$36,417	$16,827
Work in Process	12,044	7,742
Finished Goods	13,382	9,573
Total material	61,843	34,142
Tooling	29,460	8,782
Total inventories	91,303	42,924
Inventory Valuation Reserves	3,985	853
Inventory reserve, increase/decrease during period	3,132
Production Inventory, Increase (Decrease) During Period	27,701
Tooling Inventory, Increase (Decrease) During Period	20,678
Finnveden [Member]
Tooling	$7,168

Other_Assets_Other_AssetsDetai

Other Assets Other Assets(Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Deferred Costs and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred Financing Costs, Net	$2,280	$2,311
Tooling for customers	2,642	0
Other	523	616
Other Assets, Noncurrent	5,445	2,927
Amortization of deferred financing costs	807	338
Accumulated Amortization, Deferred Finance Costs	3,274	2,467
Interest Costs Capitalized	$776

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land and improvements	$11,452	$11,050
Buildings and improvements	117,776	109,977
Machinery and equipment	455,482	411,847
Furniture and fixtures	11,161	11,568
Construction in progress	52,345	28,982
Total, at cost	648,216	573,424
Accumulated depreciation	373,388	375,550
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	274,828	197,874
Depreciation	25,638
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	27,893	20,878
Interest Costs Capitalized	776
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	5,415	1,978
Capital Expenditures Committed but But Not Yet Paid Until Next Fiscal Year		21,000
capitalized interest
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Interest Costs Capitalized	$272	$112

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_C

Property, Plant and Equipment Capital Leased Assets Included in Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Machinery and equipment	$7,639	$0
Less: Accumulated depreciation	367	0
Leased property, net	$7,272	$0

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_F

Property, Plant and Equipment Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$1,096
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	1,096
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	1,096
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	1,096
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	814
Thereafter	2,660
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	7,858
Less amount representing interest ranging from 3.05% to 3.77%	891
Total obligations under capital leases	$6,967
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.05%
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.77%

Financing_Arrangements_Financi

Financing Arrangements Financing Balances at Period End (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$270,020	$120,266
Less: Current debt	1,918	882
Total long-term debt	268,102	119,384
Insurance Financing Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term Debt	568	405
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	2.15%	1.95%
Long-term Debt	260,500	117,400
Equipment Security Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	1,985	2,461
Total long-term debt	1,496
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$6,967	$0

Financing_Arrangements_Details

Financing Arrangements (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Sep. 29, 2014	Feb. 24, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	2.08%	2.06%
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant, Leverage Ratio, Minimum	3.25
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Leverage Ratio, Maximum	3.5
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount				$2,980
Collateral Agreement	65.00%
Equipment Security Note, Long-term Portion	-268,102	-119,384
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Present Value of Net Minimum Payments	6,967
Derivatives, Interest Rate Swap, Maturity	5 years
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	-1,558	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-10,799	5,229
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.05%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.77%
Lender Two [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Borrowing Capacity					360,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity				96,520
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Lender Two [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%
Base Rate [Member] | Lender Two [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
Aggregate Revolving A [Member] | Lender Two [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Borrowing Capacity					235,000
Aggregate Revolving B [Member] | Lender Two [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Borrowing Capacity					125,000
Equipment Security Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.47%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	44
Equipment security note	1,985	2,461
Equipment Security Note, Short-Term Portion	489
Equipment Security Note, Long-term Portion	-1,496
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equipment security note	6,967	0
Equipment Security Note, Short-Term Portion	861
Insurance Financing Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.87%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	95
Short-term Debt	568	405
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Lender Two [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount						75,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate						2.74%
Derivative, Incremental Amounts						$25,000
After January 31, 2015 [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Lender Two [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.50%
After January 31, 2015 [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Lender Two [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			2.50%
After January 31, 2015 [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Lender Two [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.25%
After January 31, 2015 [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Lender Two [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.50%

Financing_Arrangements_Maturit

Financing Arrangements Maturities of Debt (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2014 Total	$1,918
2015	1,407
2016	1,455
2017	1,462
2018	261,184
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	2,594
Total debt	270,020	120,266
Insurance Financing Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2014 - Short-term Debt	568
Short-term Debt	568	405
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2014 - Long-Term Debt	0
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	260,500
Long-term Debt	260,500	117,400
Equipment Security Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2014 - Long-Term Debt	489
2015	501
2016	513
2017	482
2018	0
Long-term Debt	1,985	2,461
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2014 - Long-Term Debt	861
2015	906
2016	942
2017	980
2018	684
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	2,594
Long-term Debt	6,967	0
Capital Lease Obligations	$6,967

Intangible_AssetsDetails

Intangible Assets(Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	$21,998	$17,605
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Translation Adjustments	-108	0
Amortization expense	2,255	1,349
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	25,710	18,954
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Translation Adjustments	-108
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-3,604	-1,349
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	17,605	0
Total amortization expense	-2,255	-1,349
2015	2,349
2016	2,287
2017	2,287
2018	2,151
2019	1,745
Thereafter	11,179
Future Amortization			21,998
Trade Name, Finite Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	1,624	1,747
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Translation Adjustments	0	0
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	0	1,875
Amortization expense	123	128
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	1,747	0
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	62	434
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Translation Adjustments	0	0
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	0	744
Amortization expense	372	310
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	434	0
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	15,856	12,691
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Translation Adjustments	-108	0
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	4,456	13,462
Amortization expense	1,183	771
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	12,691	0
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	145	162
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Translation Adjustments	0	0
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	0	166
Amortization expense	17	4
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	162	0
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	4,311	2,571
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Translation Adjustments	0	0
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	2,300	2,707
Amortization expense	560	136
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	2,571	0
Contech [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Contech [Member] | Trade Name, Finite Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	0 years 3 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	25	25
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-25	-25
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	0
Contech [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	145
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	10 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	166	166
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-21	-4
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	162
Contech [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	2,030
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	2,707	2,707
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-677	-136
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	2,571
Pleasant Prairie [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Pleasant Prairie [Member] | Trade Name, Finite Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	1,624	1,747
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years	15 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,850	1,850
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-226	-103
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	1,747
Pleasant Prairie [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	62	434
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	2 years	2 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	744	744
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-682	-310
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	434
Pleasant Prairie [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	11,564	12,691
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	13 years	13 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	13,462	13,462
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-1,898	-771
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, End of Period	12,691
Finnveden [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	992
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	10 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,136
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Translation Adjustments	-108
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-36
Radar Industries [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Radar Industries [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	3,300
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	14 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	3,320
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-20
Radar Industries [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Beginning of Period	2,281
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	10 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	2,300
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	($19)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill at beginning of period	$6,768	$0
Acquisitions	24,887
Foreign currency translation and other	0	0
Foreign currency translation and other	-768	0
Goodwill at end of period	$30,887	$6,768

Operating_Leases_Operting_Leas

Operating Leases Operting Leases(Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Operating Leases [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$4,613	$2,203

Operating_Leases_Schedule_of_F

Operating Leases Schedule of Future Minimum Rental (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$8,443
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	6,986
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	6,216
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	4,980
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	4,755
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	5,301
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$36,681

Recovered_Sheet1

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Matters (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of employees receiving post-retirement benefits	16
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at end of year		($6,076)
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	-85,128	-88,665
Interest cost	-3,749	-3,260
Settlement	0	2,271
Actuarial gain (loss)	-4,388	835
Benefits paid	-4,675	-3,691
Benefit obligation at end of year	-88,590	-85,128
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	60,956	53,230
Actual return on plan assets	5,206	8,542
Employer contributions	4,374	5,146
Settlement	0	-2,271
Benefits paid	-4,675	-3,691
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	65,861	60,956
Funded status, benefit obligations in excess of plan assets	-22,729	-24,172
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	-894	-940
Interest cost	-38	-34
Settlement	0	0
Actuarial gain (loss)	277	45
Benefits paid	-16	-35
Benefit obligation at end of year	-639	-894
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	16	35
Settlement	0	0
Benefits paid	-16	-35
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Funded status, benefit obligations in excess of plan assets	($639)	($894)

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits on Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Long-term benefit liabilities	($19,951)	($21,287)
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Other accrued expenses	-3,910	-3,650
Long-term benefit liabilities	-18,819	-20,522
Total	-22,729	-24,172
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Other accrued expenses	-62	-99
Long-term benefit liabilities	-577	-795
Total	($639)	($894)

Pension_and_Other_PostRetireme1

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Matters Components of Net Benefit Costs (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
United States Pension Plan of US Entity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest Cost			$3,749	$3,260
Expected return on plan assets			-4,281	-3,735
Settlement			0	1,102
Amortization of net actuarial loss			1,074	1,392
Net periodic benefit cost			542	2,019
Define Benefit Plan, Number of Former Employees Electing Lump Sum Distributions				200
United States Postretirement Benefit Plan of US Entity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest Cost			38	34
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Settlement			0	0
Amortization of net actuarial loss			41	48
Net periodic benefit cost			$79	$82

Pension_and_Other_PostRetireme2

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Matters Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$11,645	$26,799
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of net acutarial loss	1,186
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	43,669	41,280
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	-2,390	8,135
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of net acutarial loss	28
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	361	679
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$318		$93

Pension_and_Other_PostRetireme3

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Matters Assumptions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate		4.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Increase (Decrease) to Discount Rate		-0.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		$6,076
Defined Benefit Plan, Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Fiscal Year	7.00%	7.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate	6.50%	6.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Year that Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate	2015	2015
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Service and Interest Cost Components	5
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Service and Interest Cost Components	-6
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	59
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	-51
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	4.00%	4.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.50%	3.75%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	7.50%	7.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	88,590	85,128	88,665
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	4.00%	4.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.50%	3.75%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	0.00%	0.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$639	$894	$940

Pension_and_Other_PostRetireme4

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Matters Plan Assets (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage	0-70%
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	59.00%	60.00%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage	0-70%
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	35.00%	34.00%
Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage	0-10%
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	6.00%	6.00%

Pension_and_Other_PostRetireme5

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Matters Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Financial Instruments, Owned, at Fair Value	$65,861	$60,956

Pension_and_Other_PostRetireme6

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Matters Fair Value of Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial Instruments, Owned, at Fair Value	$65,861	$60,956
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	38,864	36,026
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	26,997	24,929
Equity - Large U.S. Equity [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	10,012	9,289
Equity - Large U.S. Equity [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	13,368	12,344
Small/Mid U.S. Equity [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	6,079	5,488
Small/Mid U.S. Equity [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	2,670	2,437
Equity - International Equity [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	6,611	7,316
Equity - International Equity [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fixed Income - Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fixed Income - Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	284	278
Fixed Income - Corporate [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	16,162	13,933
Fixed Income - Corporate [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	6,788	6,270
Real Estate (Primarily Commercial) [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Real Estate (Primarily Commercial) [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,887	3,600
Pension Plan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	4,470
Pension Plan [Member] | POLAND
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	$510

Pension_and_Other_PostRetireme7

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Matters Pension cash flows (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$3,230	$2,195
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	4,470
Employer contributions	4,374	5,146
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	3,910
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	3,750
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	4,120
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	3,920
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	4,500
Defined Benefit Plans, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Thereafter	24,440
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	16	35
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	62
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	66
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	52
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	45
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	46
Defined Benefit Plans, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Thereafter	$193

Pension_and_Other_PostRetireme8

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Matters Defined Contribution Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$3,230	$2,195

Fair_Value_of_Other_Financial_2

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Goodwill	$30,887	$6,768	$0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Goodwill, Fair Value Disclosure	24,887
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	6,756	18,954
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	($2,510)	$0

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except 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
Equity [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									117,000	225,000
Net income available to common stockholders	$1,027	$8,349	$8,129	$4,939	$6,456	$5,282	$7,249	$2,583	$22,444	$21,570
Basic weighted average number of common shares	17,180,000	17,118,000	17,081,000	17,113,000	16,999,000	17,007,000	16,998,000	16,988,000	17,145,000	16,982,000
Stock options									70,000	48,000
Diluted weighted average number of common shares	17,229,000	17,175,000	17,158,000	17,208,000	17,052,000	17,051,000	17,043,000	17,040,000	17,215,000	17,030,000
Basic earnings per share	$0.06	$0.49	$0.48	$0.29	$0.38	$0.31	$0.43	$0.15	$1.31	$1.27
Diluted earnings per share	$0.06	$0.49	$0.47	$0.29	$0.38	$0.31	$0.43	$0.15	$1.30	$1.27

Stock_Options_and_Incentive_Co2

Stock Options and Incentive Compensation Stock Options and Incentive Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	2,700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee	500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	89,500
Common stock, shares outstanding	17,214,284	17,031,316
Exercise of stock options	$1,061	$302
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$14.97
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$20.64
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	116,822

Stock_Options_and_Incentive_Co3

Stock Options and Incentive Compensation Stock Option Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Number of Shares Under Option
Options outstanding, beginning of period	236,134	362,085
Granted	0	0
Exercised	-100,468	-47,804
Canceled	-12,333	-78,147
Options outstanding, end of period	123,333	236,134
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted average option price, outstanding, beginning of period	$9.93	$9.99
Granted	$0	$0
Exercised	$10.55	$6.28
Canceled	$7.19	$12.45
Weighted average option price, outstanding, end of period	$9.69	$9.93

Stock_Options_and_Incentive_Co4

Stock Options and Incentive Compensation Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$906
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	803
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	$652	$485
Exercise Prices	$9.86
Options Outstanding	123,333	236,134	362,085
Options Exercisable	111,833
Options Granted October 28, 2005 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$13.06
Options Outstanding	6,000
Exercise Price of Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable	$13.06
Options Exercisable	6,000
Weighted Avg Remaining Contractual LIfe	0 years 11 months 25 days
Options Granted February 14, 2007 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$14.74
Options Outstanding	16,000
Exercise Price of Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable	$14.74
Options Exercisable	16,000
Weighted Avg Remaining Contractual LIfe	2 years 6 months 15 days
Options Granted December 12, 2008 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$2.11
Options Outstanding	9,000
Exercise Price of Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable	$2.11
Options Exercisable	9,000
Weighted Avg Remaining Contractual LIfe	4 years 1 month 14 days
Options Granted August 13, 2009 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$5.30
Options Outstanding	25,333
Exercise Price of Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable	$5.30
Options Exercisable	25,333
Weighted Avg Remaining Contractual LIfe	4 years 9 months 10 days
Options Granted December 10, 2010 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$12.04
Options Outstanding	47,000
Exercise Price of Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable	$12.04
Options Exercisable	47,000
Weighted Avg Remaining Contractual LIfe	6 years 1 month 11 days
Options Granted December 8, 2011 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$8.10
Options Outstanding	20,000
Exercise Price of Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable	$8.10
Options Exercisable	8,500
Weighted Avg Remaining Contractual LIfe	7 years 1 month 24 days

Stock_Options_and_Incentive_Co5

Stock Options and Incentive Compensation Non-Vested Options (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Number of shares
Non-vested at	56,671	136,500
Granted	0	0
Vested	-42,838	-58,828
Forfeited	-5,333	-21,001
Non-vested at end of period	8,500	56,671
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted	$0	$0
Vested	$8.10	$10.84
Forfeited	$8.10	$10.32
Non-vested at end of period	$8.10	$10.12	$10.46

Stock_Options_and_Incentive_Co6

Stock Options and Incentive Compensation Compensation Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$150	$456
Decrease in Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	$0.01	$0.02
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	15	620
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	429
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$1,520

Stock_Options_and_Incentive_Co7

Stock Options and Incentive Compensation Incentive Bonus Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accrued Bonus, Criteria Based Upon Achieving Employee Specific Goals	50.00%
Accured Bonus, Criteria Based Upon Achieving Company Goals	50.00%
Eligible Corporate Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accrued Bonus	3,360	$3,293

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Deta

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Details) (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
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic									$28,200	$30,814
Foreign									-1,009	1,361
Income before income taxes									27,191	32,175
Federal									3,684	8,427
State and Local									210	1,338
Foreign									74	261
Total current									3,968	10,026
Federal									3,069	427
State and Local									58	152
Foreign									-2,348	0
Change in net deferred tax asset attributable to the provision for deferred taxes									779	579
Components of the total provision for income taxes	($1,389)	$335	$3,620	$2,181	$3,605	$2,213	$3,686	$1,101	$4,747	$10,605

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued compensation and benefits	$1,524	$1,255
Inventory	886	662
State income credits and loss carryforwards	1,739	1,266
Pension obligations and post retirement benefits	7,766	8,255
Foreign net operating loss	2,626	1,153
Tax credits in foreign countries	0	573
Other accruals and reserves	3,032	2,806
Goodwill and intangible amortization	9,414	3,304
Foreign currency translation	24	0
Interest rate swap	952	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	27,963	19,274
Less: Valuation allowance	-3,630	-4,014
Total deferred tax assets	24,333	15,260
Fixed assets	-20,193	-12,828
Prepaid expenses and other	-778	-572
Net deferred tax asset	3,362	1,860
Change in net deferred tax asset attributable to the provision for deferred taxes	-779	-579
Change in net deferred tax assets attributable to purchase accounting adjustments	663	0
Change in net deferred tax asset attributable to unrecognized tax benefit adjustments	-64	-10
Pension and post retirement benefits	783	-2,998
Velocys investment	-53	0
Interest rate swap	952	0
Total change in net deferred tax asset	$1,502	($3,587)

Income_Taxes_Activities_and_ba

Income Taxes Activities and balances of unrecognized tax benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$1,183	$1,247
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	35	54
Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year	-5	0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-3	-61
Reductions as result of lapse of applicable statute of limitations	-142	-57
Balance at end of year	1,068	1,183
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	700	777
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	-136	-21
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	$893	$1,029

Income_Taxes_Tax_Credits_Detai

Income Taxes Tax Credits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2013
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$3,630		$4,014
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount	-384
Change in valuation allowance attributable to opening balance sheet	1,577
Change in valuation allowance attributable to foreign currency translation	-152
Change in Valuation Allowance attributable to state and local operating loss carryforwards	428
Change in Valuation Allowance attributable to foreign operating loss carryforwards	544
Change in Valuation allowance attributable to flat tax credits associated with foreign jurisdictions	-573
Change in Valuation Allowance related to Other Foreign Deferred Tax Assets	-2,171
Change in Valuation Allowance related to the future utilization of foreign tax credits	-37
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Estimated favorable impact of the Tax Increase Prevention Act passed into legislation		$1,100

Income_Taxes_Statutory_federal

Income Taxes Statutory federal income tax rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal income tax at statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	0.70%	3.50%
Valuation allowance change	-6.60%	-1.70%
Domestic tax credits	-0.80%	-0.80%
Domestic production activities deduction	-2.80%	-2.90%
Foreign operations	-1.80%	0.90%
Stock option expense	0.00%	0.20%
Adjustment of uncertain tax positions	-0.70%	-0.10%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliations, Revisions to Prior Period Research and Development Tax Credit Calculations	-9.10%	0.00%
Revisions to prior period research and development tax credit calculations	-0.30%	-1.40%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Repatriation of Foreign Earnings, Percent	2.10%	0.00%
Other	1.80%	0.30%
Effective income tax rate	17.50%	33.00%

Income_Taxes_Carryforwards_Det

Income Taxes Carryforwards (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Swedish Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$1,970
Mexican Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	573	1,153
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$1,413	$985

Income_Taxes_Cash_paid_for_tax

Income Taxes Cash paid for taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes Paid	$7,995	$7,111
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Undistributed Foreign Earnings	$1,441

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Amounts Recognized Into Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2013	($26,082)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-10,434
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-365
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-10,799	5,229
Balance at October 31, 2014	-36,881	-26,082
Pension and Post Retirement Plan Liability
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2013	-26,082
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,289
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,289
Balance at October 31, 2014	-27,371
Marketable Securities Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2013	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	465
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	100
Balance at October 31, 2014	100
Interest Rate Swap Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2013	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,558
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,558
Balance at October 31, 2014	-1,558
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2013	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-8,052
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-8,052
Balance at October 31, 2014	($8,052)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (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
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	$1,389	($335)	($3,620)	($2,181)	($3,605)	($2,213)	($3,686)	($1,101)	($4,747)		($10,605)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Pension and Post Retirement Plan Liability
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Interest costs									-3,787	[1]
Return on plan assets									4,281	[1]
Net actuarial loss									-1,115	[1]
Total before taxes									-621
Income tax benefit									235
Net of taxes									-386
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Marketable Securities Adjustment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Total before taxes									365	[2]
Income tax benefit									-128	[2]
Net of taxes									$237	[2]
[1]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 11- Employee Benefit Plans for further information.
[2]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of the gain on sale of marketable securities. See Note 17 - Related Party Transactions.

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Mar. 11, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party accounts receivable	$533	$673
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	100	0
MTD Holdings Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenue	6,756	7,645
Velocys [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Including Premium			2,000
Marketable Securities			1,527	892
Investment, Unamortized Premium			473
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains				$365

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	$878,744	$700,186
Long-Lived Assets	335,763	225,174
Concentration Risk, Percentage		10.00%
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	49,060	0
Long-Lived Assets	44,151	0
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	109	0
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | MEXICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	45,902	41,524
Long-Lived Assets	24,611	16,403
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax		-111	-141
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	783,782	658,662
Long-Lived Assets	$267,001	$208,771
Sales [Member] | Europe and Mexico [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	10.80%	5.90%

Business_Segment_Information_R

Business Segment Information Revenue by Major Customer (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		10.00%
Sales [Member] | Chrysler [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	13.90%	15.60%
Sales [Member] | General Motors [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	16.40%	20.90%

Quarterly_Results_Quarterly_Re1

Quarterly Results Quarterly Results (Details) (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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$269,844	$216,389	$208,972	$183,539	$206,598	$166,059	$182,146	$145,383
Gross Profit	18,654	22,100	21,001	17,846	22,086	16,374	19,336	10,738	79,601	67,152
Operating Income	719	9,726	12,699	8,021	10,778	8,187	11,508	4,131	31,165	34,604
Provision for income taxes	-1,389	335	3,620	2,181	3,605	2,213	3,686	1,101	4,747	10,605
Net income	$1,027	$8,349	$8,129	$4,939	$6,456	$5,282	$7,249	$2,583	$22,444	$21,570
Net income per basic share	$0.06	$0.49	$0.48	$0.29	$0.38	$0.31	$0.43	$0.15	$1.31	$1.27
Net income per share diluted share	$0.06	$0.49	$0.47	$0.29	$0.38	$0.31	$0.43	$0.15	$1.30	$1.27
Basic	17,180	17,118	17,081	17,113	16,999	17,007	16,998	16,988	17,145	16,982
Diluted	17,229	17,175	17,158	17,208	17,052	17,051	17,043	17,040	17,215	17,030