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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Jul. 31, 2011	Aug. 23, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	NX
Entity Registrant Name	Quanex Building Products CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001423221
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,843,134

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Jul. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Current assets:

Cash and equivalents

$ 62,420

$ 187,178

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,145 and $1,037

100,829

87,007

Inventories

65,296

45,200

Deferred income taxes

13,210

10,547

Prepaid and other current assets

8,916

8,229

Current assets of discontinued operations

462

Total current assets

250,671

338,623

Property, plant and equipment, net

157,118

135,517

Deferred income taxes

8,512

30,563

Goodwill

69,611

25,189

Intangible assets, net

91,081

44,668

Other assets

17,340

16,690

Total assets

594,333

591,250

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

75,586

70,986

Accrued liabilities

36,856

43,447

Income taxes payable

746

Current maturities of long-term debt

352

327

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

Total current liabilities

113,540

114,790

Long-term debt

1,323

1,616

Deferred pension and postretirement benefits

4,631

3,667

Non-current environmental reserves

^[1]

11,322

12,027

Other liabilities

23,351

17,718

Total liabilities

154,167

149,818

Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock, no par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; issued and outstanding-None

Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares authorized 125,000,000; issued 37,854,069 and 37,862,441, respectively

379

Additional paid-in-capital

241,049

238,079

Retained earnings

208,388

210,366

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(805)

(1,757)

Less treasury stock at cost, 541,537 and 351,626 shares, respectively

(8,845)

(5,635)

Total stockholders' equity

440,166

441,432

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 594,333

$ 591,250

[1]	Reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 1,145	$ 1,037
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	37,854,069	37,862,441
Treasury stock, shares	541,537	351,626

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 252,413	$ 225,203	$ 615,333	$ 576,011
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of items shown separately below)	209,667	184,799	524,834	478,559
Selling, general and administrative	18,912	17,566	61,230	52,719
Depreciation and amortization	9,197	6,639	24,583	21,008
Operating income (loss)	14,637	16,199	4,686	23,725
Interest expense	(110)	(106)	(341)	(333)
Other, net	(311)	997	127	2,502
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	14,216	17,090	4,472	25,894
Income tax benefit (expense)	(5,200)	(6,661)	(1,573)	(9,998)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	9,016	10,429	2,899	15,896
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(148)	(12)	(1,108)
Net income (loss)	$ 9,016	$ 10,281	$ 2,887	$ 14,788
Basic earnings per common share:
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.24	$ 0.28	$ 0.08	$ 0.43
Income (loss) from discontinued operations				(0.03)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	0.24	0.28	0.08	0.40
Diluted earnings per common share:
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	0.24	0.27	0.08	0.42
Income (loss) from discontinued operations				(0.03)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.24	$ 0.27	$ 0.08	$ 0.39
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	37,125	37,350	37,103	37,349
Diluted	37,684	37,983	37,710	37,882

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 2,887	$ 14,788
(Income) loss from discontinued operations	12	1,108
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used for) operating activities from continuing operations:
Gain on bargain purchase		(1,272)
Depreciation and amortization	24,635	21,060
Deferred income taxes	(295)	6,524
Stock-based compensation	3,599	3,218
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	(4,991)	1,601
Decrease (increase) in inventory	(9,778)	(5,788)
Decrease (increase) in other current assets	244	(889)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(2,801)	7,961
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities	(6,879)	5,084
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	(1,392)	11,934
Increase (decrease) in deferred pension and postretirement benefits	965	(2,706)
Other, net	3,686	1,533
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from continuing operations	9,892	64,156
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from discontinued operations	(68)	(415)
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities	9,824	63,741
Investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(110,845)	(1,590)
Capital expenditures	(16,969)	(11,779)
Proceeds from property insurance claim		392
Proceeds from executive life insurance	683
Other, net	75	40
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations	(127,056)	(12,937)
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations		90
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(127,056)	(12,847)
Financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(333)	(319)
Common stock dividends paid	(4,500)	(3,775)
Issuance of common stock from stock option exercises, including related tax benefits	1,089	495
Purchase of treasury stock	(4,289)	(2,169)
Other, net	392	(235)
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities from continuing operations	(7,641)	(6,003)
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities from discontinued operations	(392)	235
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(8,033)	(5,768)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	47	23
Less: (Increase) decrease in cash and equivalents from discontinued operations	460	90
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents from continuing operations	(124,758)	45,239
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	187,178	123,499
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 62,420	$ 168,738

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - 9 months ended Jul. 31, 2011 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
Beginning Balance at Oct. 31, 2010	$ 441,432	$ 379	$ 238,079	$ 210,366	$ (1,757)	$ (5,635)
Net income (loss)	2,887			2,887
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes of $157)	951				951
Common dividends ($0.12 per share)	(4,500)			(4,500)
Treasury shares purchased, at cost	(4,289)					(4,289)
Stock-based compensation activity:
Stock-based compensation earned	3,598		3,598
Stock options exercised	867		(20)	(111)		998
Restricted stock awards	0	1	(82)			81
Stock-based compensation tax benefit	197		197
Other	(977)	(1)	(723)	(254)	1
Ending Balance at Jul. 31, 2011	$ 440,166	$ 379	$ 241,049	$ 208,388	$ (805)	$ (8,845)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax \| $	$ 157
Common stock, dividends per share \| $ / shares	$ 0.12

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

1.	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Quanex Building Products Corporation and its subsidiaries (Quanex or the Company) are managed on a decentralized basis and operate in two business segments: Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products. The Engineered Products segment produces engineered systems, products and components primarily serving the window and door industry, while the Aluminum Sheet Products segment produces mill finished and coated aluminum sheet serving the broader building products markets and secondary markets such as capital goods and transportation. The primary market drivers are residential housing starts and residential remodeling expenditures. Quanex believes it is a technological leader in the production of aluminum sheet products, flexible insulating glass spacer systems, extruded vinyl profiles, thin film solar panel sealants, and precision-formed metal and wood products which primarily serve the North American building products markets. The Company uses low-cost production processes, and engineering and metallurgical expertise to provide customers with specialized products for specific applications.

On December 12, 2007, Quanex Building Products Corporation was incorporated in the state of Delaware as a subsidiary of Quanex Corporation to facilitate the separation of Quanex Corporation’s vehicular products and building products businesses. The separation occurred on April 23, 2008 through the spin-off of Quanex Corporation’s building products business to its shareholders immediately followed by the merger of Quanex Corporation (consisting principally of the vehicular products business and all non-building products related corporate accounts) with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gerdau S.A. (Gerdau). This is hereafter referred to as the “Separation”.

In January 2010, management committed to a plan to close its start-up facility in China due to the contraction of demand and the Company’s ability to serve the overseas thin film solar panel market from its U.S. operation. Accordingly, the China assets and liabilities, results of operations and cash flows are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Unless otherwise noted, all disclosures in the notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements reflect only continuing operations.

On March 31, 2011, the Company acquired Edgetech for $104.4 million in an all cash transaction (net of cash acquired). Headquartered in Cambridge, Ohio, Edgetech has three manufacturing facilities (U.S., U.K. and Germany) that produce and market a full line of insulating glass spacer systems for window and door customers in North America and abroad. See Note 3 for discussion of this acquisition.

The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company include all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying footnotes. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty. Estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information becomes available and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results could differ from estimates. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

New Accounting Pronouncements

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

New Accounting Pronouncements

2.	New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASC Topic No. 2010-29 Business Combinations (ASC Topic 805) — Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations which amended ASC Topic 805 “Business Combinations” to specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The ASC also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures under ASC Topic 805 to include a description of the nature and the amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The ASC is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010 (November 1, 2011 for the Company). Early adoption is permitted. The Company has disclosed information in accordance with this ASC effective March 31, 2011.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASC Topic No. 2010-28 Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350) — When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts which amended ASC Topic 350 “Goodwill and Other.” The ASC requires an entity with reporting units that have carrying amounts that are zero or negative to assess whether it is more likely than not that the reporting units’ goodwill is impaired. If the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the goodwill of one or more of its reporting units is impaired, the entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for those reporting unit(s) and record any resulting impairment as a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The provisions of this ASC are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010 (November 1, 2011 for the Company). Early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASC to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASC Topic No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC Topic 820) — Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements. The ASC requires new disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 (fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities) and 2 (fair value determined based on significant other observable inputs) and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Except for the detailed Level 3 roll-forward disclosures, the new standard is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2009 (February 1, 2010 for the Company). The requirement to provide detailed disclosures about the purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll-forward activity for Level 3 fair value measurements is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2010 (February 1, 2011 for the Company). Other than requiring additional disclosures, none that currently impact the Company, the adoption of this new guidance does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04 (ASU 2011-04), Fair Value Measurement (ASC Topic 820) Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The amended guidance changes the wording used to describe many requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Additionally, the amendments clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. The guidance provided in ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 (February 1, 2012 for the Company) and is applied prospectively. The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2011-04 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (ASU 2011-05), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This amendment will require companies to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income either as one continuous statement or as two consecutive statements. It eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amended guidance, which must be applied retroactively, is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 (February 1, 2012 for the Company), with earlier adoption permitted. ASU 2011-05 impacts presentation only and will have no effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Acquisitions

3.	Acquisitions

On March 31, 2011, Quanex completed its acquisition of Edgetech I.G., Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Edgetech I.G.”), the United Kingdom division of Edgetech (“Edgetech UK”), and Edgetech Europe GmbH, a German company (“Edgetech Germany” and together with Edgetech I.G. and Edgetech UK, “Edgetech”). Headquartered in Cambridge, Ohio, Edgetech has three manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany that produce a full line of warm-edge, dual seal insulating glass spacer systems for window and door customers in North America and abroad. Edgetech’s products separate and seal double and triple glass within a window and act as a thermal barrier that enhances the window’s energy efficiency.

Quanex acquired Edgetech by merging its wholly-owned subsidiary, QSB Inc., a Delaware corporation (“QSB”), with and into Lauren International, Inc. formerly known as Lauren Holdco Inc., an Ohio corporation and parent of the Edgetech Entities (“Holdco”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the previously filed Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of January 31, 2011, among the Company, QSB, Lauren International Ltd. fka Lauren International Inc., a privately-held Ohio corporation (“Lauren”), Holdco and Kevin E. Gray, as agent for the shareholders of Holdco (“Agent”). Holdco is now Quanex’s wholly-owned subsidiary. As consideration for the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital shares of Holdco, Quanex paid $104.4 million in cash, net of $0.8 million of cash acquired. Of the cash paid, $7.0 million was placed into an escrow fund to satisfy certain indemnity obligations under the Merger Agreement. Additionally, Quanex is responsible for the tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization of Lauren and its subsidiaries limited to $3.5 million, of which $2.8 million was paid during the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

Edgetech is being integrated into the Engineered Products segment. The acquisition of Edgetech complements Quanex’s ongoing efforts to provide its customers with the broadest range of high quality components, products, systems and services the fenestration industry has to offer. The vast majority of windows manufactured today feature double or triple insulating glass, and with window production set to rise as the housing and remodeling markets recover, Quanex believes that the long-term outlook for the business is excellent. Acquiring Edgetech will allow the Company to better serve its growing base of national and regional customers and will further accelerate its international growth as Edgetech has a solid market presence overseas.

The Edgetech acquisition is being accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting under which the total purchase price consideration is allocated to assets and liabilities assumed based upon their fair values. Fair value measurements have been applied based on assumptions that market participants would use in the pricing of the asset or liability. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned to tangible or intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The following table summarizes the fair values assigned to the net assets acquired as of the March 31, 2011 acquisition date:


	As of Date of Opening Balance Sheet
	(In thousands)
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$	828
Accounts receivable		9,181
Inventories		10,123
Prepaid and other current assets		2,023

Total current assets		22,155
Property, plant and equipment		21,086
Goodwill		44,052
Intangible assets		48,750
Other assets		1,378

Total assets	$	137,421

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6,905
Accrued laibilities		1,316
Income taxes payable		3,780
Deferred income taxes		340
Current maturities of long-term debt		24

Total current liabilities		12,365
Long-term debt		40
Deferred income taxes		19,785

Total liabilities		32,190
Investment		105,231

Total liabilities and equity	$	137,421

The purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill of $44.1 million, which is not deductible for income tax purposes. Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the acquired assets and represents the estimated economic value attributable to future operations. The other intangible assets are being amortized over periods which reflect the pattern in which the economic benefits of the assets are expected to be realized. Specifically, the trademarks and trade names are being amortized over an average estimated useful life of 7 years, patents and other developed technology is being amortized over an average life of 10 years and customer relationships are being amortized over an average of 11 years. The weighted average useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, created as a result of the acquisition is 10 years. No residual value is estimated for the intangible assets. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the purchase price allocation could change during the measurement period (not to exceed one year) if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the recognition of additional assets and liabilities as of that date.

The Company recorded $0.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of transaction-related costs in connection with the Edgetech acquisition within Selling, general and administrative expense in its Consolidated Statement of Income during the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011.

The Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011, include three and four months of financial results of Edgetech, respectively. For the three months ended July 31, 2011, Edgetech revenues and operating income are $23.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively. For the four months ended July 31, 2011, Edgetech revenues and operating income are $30.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. In connection with applying the provisions of purchase accounting to state inventory at fair value, the Company increased Edgetech’s inventory value by $2.0 million, which negatively impacts Quanex’s Cost of sales following the acquisition. The Edgetech results were negatively impacted by $0.7 million and $1.6 million of additional non-cash Cost of goods sold during the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011, respectively, due to the increased value of inventory sold from applying purchase accounting to the Edgetech inventory acquired. Additionally, Edgetech results include $1.3 million and $1.7 million in amortization expense from the acquired intangibles for the three and six months ended July 31, 2011, respectively.

The following table provides unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the combined entity for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 as if Edgetech had been acquired as of the first day of the Company’s fiscal 2010 period.


	Pro forma
	Three Months Ended July 31,				Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	252,413	$	245,149	$	645,330	$	628,993
Operating income (loss)		15,670		16,495		8,470		19,353
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	9,836	$	10,180	$	5,385	$	12,798
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$	0.26	$	0.27	$	0.14	$	0.34

The unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations were prepared using the acquisition method of accounting and are based on the historical financial information of the Company and Edgetech. The unaudited pro forma financial information does not purport to reflect the results the combined company may achieve in future periods or the results that would have been obtained had Quanex acquired Edgetech on the first day of its fiscal 2010 period. The unaudited pro forma financial information does not include any operating efficiencies or cost savings that may be achieved or any integration expenses. Additionally, the historical Edgetech financial information has not been adjusted to remove expenses that will cease under Quanex’s ownership, such as the prior parent company allocation, or to add incremental anticipated stand-alone expenses going forward. Generally, the pro forma financial information reflects the allocation of the purchase price to the appropriate assets and liabilities based upon their fair values, and related changes in depreciation and amortization expense. Accordingly, such amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred if the acquisition had occurred on the dates indicated or that may result in the future. The unaudited pro forma information reflects primarily the following unaudited pro forma adjustments:

•

Amortization expense related to the fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired;

•

Additional depreciation expense related to the fair value adjustment to property, plant and equipment acquired;

•

Additional facility rental expense;

•

Additional cost of goods sold of $2.0 million ($1.9 million of which is reflected in the nine months ended July 31, 2010) to reflect the increased value of inventory sold as a result of applying purchase accounting, and a partially offsetting benefit in cost of goods sold of $0.7 million and $1.6 million in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011;

•

Additional expense of $2.5 million in the nine months ended July 31, 2010 to reflect the transaction-related costs incurred, and an offsetting reduction of expense of $0.3 million and $2.5 million in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011;

•

The Edgetech historical results and all of the above adjustments were adjusted for the applicable tax impact.

In March 2011, the Company also acquired JELD-WEN’s vinyl extrusion assets in Yakima, Washington (Yakima) for $6.4 million in cash consideration. This acquisition was effected through an asset purchase of vinyl extrusion related equipment and certain other assets. Yakima was integrated into one of the Company’s existing Engineered Products businesses, and the net assets acquired primarily included $5.0 million of property, plant and equipment and $1.4 million of intangible assets. There was no goodwill recognized in connection with the Yakima acquisition.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 88-16
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
-Paragraph 51, 52
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Appendix F
-Paragraph F4
-Subparagraph e

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 67-73
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911361&loc=d3e6927-128479

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1490-128463

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
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-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911361&loc=d3e7008-128479

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1383-128463

+ Details

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

4.	Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the periods ended July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):


	Engineered Products			Aluminum Sheet Products			Consolidated
Balance at October 31, 2010
Goodwill, gross	$	175,455		$	20,389		$	195,844
Accumulated impairment losses		(150,266	)		(20,389	)		(170,655	)

Goodwill, net	$	25,189		$	—		$	25,189

Acquisition		44,052			—			44,052
Foreign currency translation adjustment		370			—			370

Balance at July 31, 2011
Goodwill, gross		219,877			20,389			240,266
Accumulated impairment losses		(150,266	)		(20,389	)		(170,655	)

Goodwill, net	$	69,611		$	—		$	69,611

Acquired Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):


	As of July 31, 2011					As of October 31, 2010
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	44,618	$	(7,806	)	$	21,200	$	(6,291	)
Trademarks and trade names		45,078		(10,789	)		33,530		(9,156	)
Patents and other technology		25,775		(7,071	)		11,560		(6,175	)
Other		1,392		(116	)		—		—

Total	$	116,863	$	(25,782	)	$	66,290	$	(21,622	)

The aggregate amortization expense for the three and nine month period ended July 31, 2011 was $2.1 million and $4.2 million, respectively. The aggregate amortization expense for the three and nine month period ended July 31, 2010 was $0.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years, based upon the amortization of pre-existing intangibles follows:


Fiscal Years Ending October 31,	Estimated Amortization
	(In thousands)
2011 (remaining three months)	$	2,138
2012	$	8,553
2013	$	8,490
2014	$	8,351
2015	$	8,212

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Inventories

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Inventories

5.	Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Raw materials	$	27,117	$	18,823
Finished goods and work in process		34,324		23,756

		61,441		42,579
Supplies and other		3,855		2,621

Total	$	65,296	$	45,200

Fixed costs related to excess manufacturing capacity, if any, have been expensed in the period, and therefore, are not capitalized into inventory. The values of inventories in the consolidated balance sheets are based on the following accounting methods:


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
LIFO	$	23,738	$	20,122
FIFO		41,558		25,078

Total	$	65,296	$	45,200

An actual valuation of inventory under the last in, first out (LIFO) method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory costs and levels at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations must be based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory costs and levels. Because these are subject to many factors beyond management’s control, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation which could significantly differ from interim estimates. To estimate the effect of LIFO on interim periods, the Company performs a projection of the year-end LIFO reserve and considers expected year-end inventory pricing and expected inventory levels. Depending on this projection, the Company may record an interim allocation of the projected year-end LIFO calculation. This projection resulted in $3.8 million interim LIFO expense allocation (reported in Cost of sales) for the nine months ended July 31, 2011. With respect to inventories valued using the LIFO method, replacement cost exceeded the LIFO value by approximately $13.8 million and $10.1 million as of July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010, respectively.

Earnings and Dividends Per Share

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Earnings and Dividends Per Share

6.	Earnings and Dividends Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The computational components of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 are below (shares and dollars in thousands except per share amounts):


	For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2011						For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2010
	Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount		Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
Basic earnings and earnings per share	$	9,016		37,125	$	0.24	$	10,429		37,350	$	0.28

Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options		—		366				—		321
Restricted stock		—		193				—		210
Common stock held by rabbi trust		—		—				—		102

Diluted earnings and earnings per share	$	9,016		37,684	$	0.24	$	10,429		37,983	$	0.27


	For the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2011						For the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2010
	Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount		Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
Basic earnings and earnings per share	$	2,899		37,103	$	0.08	$	15,896		37,349	$	0.43

Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options		—		380				—		253
Restricted stock		—		227				—		178
Common stock held by rabbi trust		—		—				—		102

Diluted earnings and earnings per share	$	2,899		37,710	$	0.08	$	15,896		37,882	$	0.42

The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes outstanding options and other common stock equivalents in periods where inclusion of such potential common stock instruments would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented. For the nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had 0.3 million and 0.3 million, respectively, of securities that are potentially dilutive in future earnings per share calculations. Such dilution will be dependent on the excess of the market price of the Company’s stock over the exercise price and other components of the treasury stock method.

Dividends Per Share

During the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011, the Company paid $0.04 and $0.12, respectively, cash dividend per common share. During the three and nine months ended July 31, 2010, the Company paid $0.04 and $0.10, respectively, cash dividend per common share.

Comprehensive Income

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Comprehensive Income

7.	Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income comprises net income and all other non-owner changes in equity, including foreign currency translation, pension related adjustments and realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives, if any. Comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:


	Three Months Ended July 31,						Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	$	9,016		$	10,281		$	2,887	$	14,788
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1,026	)		(30	)		951		48

Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$	7,990		$	10,251		$	3,838	$	14,836

The 2011 foreign currency translation activity is primarily associated with Edgetech, acquired by the Company on March 31, 2011. As a result of this acquisition, Quanex now has operations in Germany and the United Kingdom whose functional currency is the Euro and the British Pound Sterling, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income. Components of comprehensive income include: (1) foreign currency translation adjustments; (2) gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions that are designated as, and are effective as, economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity; (3) gains (losses) on intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; (4) change in the market value of a futures contract that qualifies as a hedge of an asset reported at fair value; (5) unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and that resulting from transfers of debt securities from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category; (6) a net loss recognized as an additional pension liability not yet recognized as net periodic pension cost; and (7) the net gain (loss) and net prior service cost or credit for pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 14-26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e653-108580

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e689-108580

+ Details

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

8.	Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Long-term debt consists of the following:


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds		900		1,000
Scott County, Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds		600		800
Capital lease obligations and other		175		143

Total debt	$	1,675	$	1,943
Less maturities due within one year included in current liabilities		352		327

Long-term debt	$	1,323	$	1,616

The Company’s $270.0 million Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility (the Credit Facility) was executed on April 23, 2008. The Credit Facility has a five-year term and is unsecured. The Credit Facility expires April 23, 2013 and provides for up to $50.0 million for standby letters of credit, limited to the undrawn amount available under the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a spread above LIBOR based on a combined leverage and ratings grid. Proceeds from the Credit Facility may be used to provide availability for acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.

Under the Credit Facility, the Company is obligated to comply with certain financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain a Consolidated Leverage Ratio of no more than 3.25 to 1 and a Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of no less than 3.00 to 1. As defined by the Credit Facility’s indenture, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is the ratio of consolidated indebtedness as of such date to consolidated EBITDA for the previous four fiscal quarters; and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense for the previous four consecutive fiscal quarters. EBITDA is defined by the indenture to include proforma EBITDA of acquisitions and to exclude certain items like non-cash charges. Additionally, the Credit Facility contains certain limitations on additional indebtedness, asset or equity sales, and acquisitions. Dividends and other distributions are permitted so long as after giving effect to such dividend or stock repurchase, there is no event of default.

As of July 31, 2011, the Company had no borrowings under the Credit Facility, and the Company was in compliance with all Credit Facility financial covenants. The availability under the Credit Facility is a function of both the facility amount utilized and meeting covenant requirements. Although there were no borrowings on the Credit Facility and only $5.2 million of outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Facility, the aggregate availability under the Credit Facility was limited by the Consolidated Leverage Ratio resulting in an availability of $204.0 million at July 31, 2011.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

+ References + Details

Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Retirement Plans

9.	Retirement Plans

The Company has a number of retirement plans covering substantially all employees. The Company provides both defined benefit and defined contribution plans. In general, the plant or location of employment determines an employee’s coverage for retirement benefits. Effective with the respective acquisition dates in the second fiscal quarter of 2011, the Edgetech and Yakima employees were eligible to participate in the Company’s retirement plans.

Pension Plan

The Company has a non-contributory, single employer defined benefit pension plan that covers substantially all non-union employees. Effective January 1, 2007, the Company amended this defined benefit pension plan to include a new cash balance formula for all new salaried employees hired on or after January 1, 2007 and for any non-union employees who were not participating in a defined benefit plan prior to January 1, 2007. All new salaried employees are eligible to receive credits equivalent to 4% of their annual eligible wages, while some of the employees at the time of the plan amendment were “grandfathered” and are eligible to receive credits ranging up to 6.5% based upon a percentage they received in the defined contribution plan prior to the amendment of the pension plan. Additionally, every year the participants will receive an interest related credit on their respective balance equivalent to the prevailing 30-year Treasury rate. Benefits for participants in this plan prior to January 1, 2007 continue to be based on a more traditional formula for retirement benefits, where the plan pays benefits to employees upon retirement using a formula based upon years of service and pensionable compensation prior to retirement. Of the Company’s participants, 99% are under the cash balance formula.

The components of net periodic pension cost are as follows:


	Three Months Ended July 31,						Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Pension Benefits
Service cost	$	1,002		$	839		$	2,884		$	2,490
Interest cost		213			165			614			474
Expected return on plan assets		(276	)		(188	)		(795	)		(517	)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss		24			36			69			110

Net periodic pension cost	$	963		$	852		$	2,772		$	2,557

The Company’s pension funding policy generally has been to make the minimum annual contributions required by applicable regulations while considering targeted funded percentages. In fiscal 2010, the Company decided to modify its funding strategy and accelerate contributions to target a 100% funding threshold. Additionally, the Company will consider funding fiscal year requirements early in the fiscal year to potentially maximize returns on assets. The Company made no contributions during the three months ended July 31, 2011 to its defined benefit plan. During the nine months ended July 31, 2011, the Company contributed $1.9 million to its defined benefit plan. The Company does not expect to make any additional contributions for the balance of fiscal 2011. Expected contributions are dependent on many variables, including the variability of the market value of the assets as compared to the obligation and other market or regulatory conditions. In addition, the Company takes into consideration its business investment opportunities and resulting cash requirements. Accordingly, actual funding may differ greatly from current estimates.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company has defined contribution plans to which both employees and the Company make contributions. Effective April 1, 2009, the Company temporarily suspended its matching contributions to the Quanex Building Products Salaried and Non-Union Employee 401(k) Plan as part of its efforts to reduce controllable spending. Effective February 1, 2010, these matching contributions were reinstated. The Company matches 50% up to the first 5% of employee deferrals.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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+ Details

Industry Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Industry Segment Information

10.

Industry Segment Information

Quanex has two reportable segments: Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products. The Engineered Products segment produces engineered systems, finished products and components serving the OEM residential window and door industry, while the Aluminum Sheet Products segment produces mill finished and coated aluminum sheet serving the broader building products markets. The main market drivers of both segments are residential repair and remodel activity (R&R) and new home construction.

The Company measures its inventory at the segment level on a FIFO or weighted-average basis; however at the consolidated Company level, approximately half of the inventory is measured on a LIFO basis. The LIFO reserve is computed on a consolidated basis as a single pool and is thus treated as a corporate expense. See Note 5 to the financial statements for more information. LIFO inventory adjustments along with corporate office charges and intersegment eliminations are reported as Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations or Other. The Company accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as though the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices. Intersegment sales, related cost of sales, and intercompany profit are eliminated in consolidation at Corporate. Corporate assets primarily include cash and equivalents partially offset by the Company’s consolidated LIFO inventory reserve.


	Three Months Ended July 31,						Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Net Sales:
Engineered Products	$	124,119		$	101,746		$	290,623		$	259,272
Aluminum Sheet Products		132,130			127,600			334,328			326,252
Intersegment Eliminations		(3,836	)		(4,143	)		(9,618	)		(9,513	)

Consolidated	$	252,413		$	225,203		$	615,333		$	576,011

Operating Income (Loss):
Engineered Products	$	14,146		$	13,131		$	15,411		$	22,969
Aluminum Sheet Products		7,417			8,866			14,027			19,732
Corporate & Other		(6,926	)		(5,798	)		(24,752	)		(18,976	)

Consolidated	$	14,637		$	16,199		$	4,686		$	23,725


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Identifiable Assets:
Engineered Products ¹	$	404,191	$	258,919
Aluminum Sheet Products		156,373		152,113
Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other ²		33,769		179,756
Discontinued Operations ³		—		462

Consolidated	$	594,333	$	591,250

Goodwill:
Engineered Products	$	69,611	$	25,189

Consolidated	$	69,611	$	25,189

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
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+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Stock-Based Compensation

11.

Stock-Based Compensation

Effective with the Separation on April 23, 2008, the Company established the Quanex Building Products Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2008 Plan). The 2008 Plan provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance stock awards, performance unit awards, annual incentive awards, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards. The 2008 Plan is administered by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors and allows for immediate, graded or cliff vesting options, but options must be exercised no later than ten years from the date of grant. The aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for grant originally under the 2008 Plan was 2,900,000. In February 2011, the 2008 Plan was amended by the Company’s shareholders to increase the aggregate number of shares available for awards by an additional 2,400,000 shares. Any officer, key employee and/or non-employee director of the Company or any of its affiliates is eligible for awards under the 2008 Plan. The initial awards granted under the 2008 Plan were on April 23, 2008; service is the vesting condition.

The Company’s practice is to grant options and restricted stock or RSUs to non-employee directors on October 31^st of each year, with an additional grant of options to each director on the date of his or her first anniversary of service. Additionally, the Company’s practice is to grant options and restricted stock or RSUs to employees at the Company’s December board meeting and occasionally to key employees as deemed appropriate at other times during the year. The exercise price of the option awards is equal to the closing market price on the date granted. The Company generally issues shares from treasury stock, if available, to satisfy stock option exercises and grants of restricted stock. If there are no shares in treasury stock, the Company issues additional shares of common stock. The Company has not capitalized any stock-based compensation cost as part of inventory or fixed assets during the nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010.

¹	Increase in Engineered Products identifiable assets and goodwill are primarily attributable to the Edgetech acquisition on March 31, 2011. See note 3 for discussion of this acquisition.

²	Decrease in Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other identifiable assets are primarily attributable to cash paid of $110.8 million for the Edgetech and Yakima acquisitions.

³	In January 2010, management committed to a plan to shut down the operations of its start-up facility in China; therefore, the China assets are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Restricted Stock Awards

Under the 2008 Plan, common stock may be awarded to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The recipient is entitled to all of the rights of a shareholder, except that during the forfeiture period the shares are nontransferable. The awards vest over a specified time period, but typically either immediately vest or cliff vest over a three-year period with service as the vesting condition. Upon issuance of stock under the plan, fair value is measured by the grant-date price of the Company’s shares. This fair value is then expensed over the restricted period with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in-capital. A summary of non-vested restricted stock award changes during the nine months ended July 31, 2011 follows:


	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at October 31, 2010		378,616		$	13.07
Granted		69,200			17.14
Vested		(136,219	)		15.28
Forfeited		(25,207	)		13.62

Non-vested at July 31, 2011		286,390		$	12.95

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 was $17.14 and $16.21 per share, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock vested during the nine months ended July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010 was $2.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized restricted stock awards was $1.6 million as of July 31, 2011. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.

Stock Options

As described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, the Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of its stock options. The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant. The following is a summary of valuation assumptions and resulting grant-date fair values for grants during the following periods:


	Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011			2010
Weighted-average expected volatility		53.0	%		55.0	%
Expected term (in years)		4.9-5.1			4.9-5.1
Risk-free interest rate		1.7	%		2.1	%
Expected dividend yield over expected term		1.0	%		1.0	%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share	$	7.59		$	7.32

Below is a table summarizing the stock option shares activity for the 2008 Plan since October 31, 2010:


	Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000s)
Outstanding at October 31, 2010		1,724,301		$	13.24
Granted		425,600			17.48
Exercised		(61,338	)		14.13
Forfeited		(2,419	)		13.61

Outstanding at July 31, 2011		2,086,144			14.07		7.4	$	4,384

Vested or expected to vest at July 31, 2011		2,014,596			14.02		7.4	$	4,281

Exercisable at July 31, 2011		1,260,707		$	13.38		6.7	$	3,093

The total intrinsic value of options (the amount by which the market price of the stock on the date of exercise exceeded the exercise price of the option) exercised during the nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 was $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 was $2.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under the 2008 Plan was $3.1 million as of July 31, 2011. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65, A240
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 93-6
-Paragraph 53
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14

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+ Details

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Income Taxes

12.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined by applying an estimated annual effective income tax rate to income from continuing operations before income taxes. The rate is based on the most recent annualized forecast of pretax income, permanent book versus tax differences and tax credits. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate for the nine months ended July 31, 2011 is 35.2% compared to the estimated annual effective tax rate of 38.6% for the nine months ended July 31, 2010. The decline in the nine months ended July 31, 2011 effective rate is primarily due to additional benefit from the manufacturer’s deduction and the R&D credit.

Prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets include an income tax receivable of $2.2 million and $2.6 million as of July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010, respectively.

The non-current deferred income taxes asset balance decreased from $30.6 million as of October 31, 2010 to $8.5 million as of July 31, 2011. This large decrease primarily relates to the non-current deferred income tax liability established in the Edgetech acquisition.

The Income taxes payable balance of $0.7 million as of July 31, 2011 relates to the reorganization taxes assumed in the acquisition of Edgetech ($3.5 million, less payments of $2.8 million in third quarter).

The Company’s unrecognized tax benefit (UTB) is related to the Separation and state tax items regarding the interpretations of tax laws and regulations. The total UTB as of July 31, 2011 is $18.9 million. Of this, $8.3 million is recorded in Other liabilities and $10.6 million is recorded in Deferred income taxes (non-current assets). The UTB includes $1.0 million for which the disallowance of such items would not affect the annual effective tax rate.

Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or income tax returns. The final outcome of the future tax consequences of legal proceedings, if any, as well as the outcome of competent authority proceedings, changes in regulatory tax laws, or interpretation of those tax laws could impact the Company’s financial statements. The Company is subject to the effects of these matters occurring in various jurisdictions. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of approximately $3.5 million in the UTB may be recognized within the next twelve months as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
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+ Details

Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Contingencies

13.

Contingencies

Environmental

Quanex is subject to extensive laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment and the remediation of chemical contamination. To satisfy such requirements, Quanex must make capital and other expenditures on an ongoing basis. The Company accrues its best estimates of its remediation obligations and adjusts such accruals as further information and circumstances develop. Those estimates may change substantially depending on information about the nature and extent of contamination, appropriate remediation technologies, and regulatory approvals. In accruing for environmental remediation liabilities, costs of future expenditures are not discounted to their present value, unless the amount and timing of the expenditures are fixed or reliably determinable. When environmental laws might be deemed to impose joint and several liability for the costs of responding to contamination, the Company accrues its allocable share of liability taking into account the number of parties participating, their ability to pay their shares, the volumes and nature of the wastes involved, the nature of anticipated response actions, and the nature of the Company’s alleged connections. The cost of environmental matters has not had a material adverse effect on Quanex’s operations or financial condition in the past, and management is not currently aware of any conditions that it believes are likely to have a material adverse effect on Quanex’s operations, financial condition or cash flows.

As described below, the Company currently is engaged in remediation activities at one of its plant sites. The total associated environmental reserve and corresponding recovery as of July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010 were as follows:


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Current	$	1,700	$	1,564
Non-current ¹		11,322		12,027

Total environmental reserves	$	13,022	$	13,591

Receivable for recovery of remediation costs ²	$	12,293	$	12,747

Approximately $1.3 million of the July 31, 2011 reserve represents administrative costs; the balance represents estimated costs for investigation, studies, cleanup, and treatment. The reserve has not been discounted. As discussed below, an associated $12.3 million and $12.7 million undiscounted recovery from indemnitors of remediation costs at one plant site is recorded as of July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010, respectively.

The Company’s Nichols Aluminum-Alabama, LLC (NAA) subsidiary operates a plant in Decatur, Alabama that is subject to an Alabama Hazardous Wastes Management and Minimization Act Post-Closure Permit. Among other things, the permit requires NAA to remediate, as directed by the state, historical environmental releases of wastes and waste constituents. Consistent with the permit, NAA has undertaken various studies of site

¹	Reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

²	Reported in Accounts receivable and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

conditions and, during the first quarter 2006, started a phased program to treat in-place free product petroleum that had been released underneath the plant. During the third quarter 2010, NAA submitted to the state its proposed workplan for implementing a site-wide remedy; a revised version reflecting both additional sampling data and responses to state comments was submitted during the second quarter 2011. Based on those plans, which remain subject to further state review and approval, the Company’s remediation reserve at NAA’s Decatur plant is $13.0 million. NAA was acquired through a stock purchase in which the sellers agreed to indemnify Quanex and NAA for identified environmental matters related to the business and based on conditions initially created or events initially occurring prior to the acquisition. Environmental conditions are presumed to relate to the period prior to the acquisition unless proved to relate to releases occurring entirely after closing. The limit on indemnification is $21.5 million excluding legal fees. While the Company’s current estimates indicate it will not reach this limit, changing circumstances could result in additional costs or expense that are not foreseen at this time. In accordance with the indemnification, the indemnitors paid the first $1.5 million of response costs and have been paying 90% of ongoing costs. Based on its experience to date, its estimated cleanup costs going forward, and costs incurred to date as of July 31, 2011, the Company expects to recover from the sellers’ shareholders an additional $12.3 million. Of that, $11.7 million is recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the balance is reflected in Accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s final remediation costs and the timing of those expenditures will depend upon such factors as the nature and extent of contamination, the cleanup technologies employed, the effectiveness of the cleanup measures that are employed, and regulatory concurrences. While actual remediation costs, therefore, may be more or less than amounts accrued, the Company believes it has established adequate reserves for all probable and reasonably estimable remediation liabilities. It is not possible at this point to reasonably estimate the amount of any obligation for remediation in excess of current accruals because of uncertainties as to the extent of environmental impact, cleanup technologies, and concurrence of governmental authorities. The Company currently expects to pay the accrued remediation reserve through at least fiscal 2034, although some of the same factors discussed earlier could accelerate or extend the timing.

Other

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of their business. Although the ultimate resolution and impact of such litigation on the Company is not presently determinable, the Company’s management believes that the eventual outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the overall financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 14
-Paragraph 3
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 8
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 2
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621

+ Details

Warranty Obligations

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Warranty Obligations

14.

Warranty Obligations

The Company’s estimated obligations for warranty are accrued concurrently with the revenue recognized. The Company makes provisions for its warranty obligations based upon historical experience incurred for such obligations adjusted, as necessary, for current conditions and factors. Due to the significant uncertainties and judgments involved in estimating the Company’s warranty obligations, including changing product designs, variance in customer installation process and future claims experience varying from historical claims experience, the ultimate amount incurred for warranty costs could change in the near and long-term from the current estimate.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the activity related to the Company’s accrued warranty, including both the current (reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets) and long-term portions (reported in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets), for the nine months ended July 31, 2011 (in thousands):


	July 31, 2011
Balance at October 31, 2010	$	3,697
Provision for warranty expense		2,843
Warranty costs paid		(948	)

Total accrued warranty	$	5,592
Less long-term portion		1,512

Current accrued warranty	$	4,080

During the first fiscal quarter of 2011, the reserve was increased by $2.1 million related to a rise in projected claim experience for a legacy product that was discontinued some years ago.

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities

15.

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities

The Company holds Money Market Fund investments that are classified as cash equivalents and are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1). The Company had cash equivalent investments totaling approximately $36.0 million and $180.6 million at July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010, respectively. The decrease is primarily related to the $104.4 million cash paid for the acquisition of Edgetech, net of cash acquired of $0.8 million. Inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets vary according to the type of security being valued. All of the equity and debt securities held directly by the plans are actively traded and fair values are determined based on quoted market prices. As of July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010, the fair value of pension plan assets was $14.9 million and $12.9 million, respectively. As of July 31, 2011, the Company did not have any assets or liabilities obtained from readily available pricing sources for comparable instruments (Level 2) or requiring measurement at fair value without observable market values that would require a high level of judgment to determine fair value (Level 3).

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44A, 44B
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15C, 15D
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15A
-Subparagraph a-d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15B
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 3, 10, 14, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32, 33, 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 159
-Paragraph 17-22, 27, 28
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611

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-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
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Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19296-110258

+ Details

Stock Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Stock Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock

16.

Stock Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock

On May 27, 2010, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program of 1.0 million shares, and on August 25, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 1.0 million shares to this program. The objectives of this program are to manage the dilution created by shares issued under stock-based compensation plans and to repurchase shares opportunistically. The Company records treasury stock purchases under the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock. The Company uses a moving-average method on the subsequent reissuance of shares, and any resulting proceeds in excess of cost are credited to additional paid in capital while any deficiency is charged to retained earnings.

As of October 31, 2010, the number of shares in treasury stock was 351,626. During the nine months ended July 31, 2011, the Company purchased 256,249 shares at a cost of $4.3 million partially offset by shares issued for stock option exercises and restricted stock grants for a net increase to the number of shares in treasury stock to 541,537 as of July 31, 2011. Since inception of the program, Quanex has purchased 506,249 shares through July 31, 2011 and purchased 745,299 shares through August 29, 2011. The remaining shares authorized for repurchase in the program was 1,254,701 as of August 29, 2011.

Other Income (Expense)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Other Income (Expense)

17.

Other Income (Expense)

During the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011, the Company incurred $0.4 million and $0.2 million of transaction losses which are included in determining net income primarily related to Edgetech’s international operations and foreign currency denominated receivables. There are no transaction gains or losses during the three and nine months ended July 31, 2010.

In February 2010, the Company completed a small acquisition for approximately $1.6 million in consideration. This operation was integrated into one of its existing Engineered Products businesses. ASC 805 “Business Combinations” requires that a gain be recorded when the fair value of the net assets acquired is greater than the fair value of the consideration transferred. Though uncommon, bargain purchases can occur because of underpayments for the business acquired due to a forced liquidation or distress sale. These assets were acquired at auction due to the business being in Wisconsin receivership proceedings. As such, the Company obtained the assets at a bargain and recognized a gain of approximately $1.3 million in Other, net.

Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Summary of the Fair Values Assigned to the Net Assets Acquired

The following table summarizes the fair values assigned to the net assets acquired as of the March 31, 2011 acquisition date:


	As of Date of Opening Balance Sheet
	(In thousands)
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$	828
Accounts receivable		9,181
Inventories		10,123
Prepaid and other current assets		2,023

Total current assets		22,155
Property, plant and equipment		21,086
Goodwill		44,052
Intangible assets		48,750
Other assets		1,378

Total assets	$	137,421

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6,905
Accrued laibilities		1,316
Income taxes payable		3,780
Deferred income taxes		340
Current maturities of long-term debt		24

Total current liabilities		12,365
Long-term debt		40
Deferred income taxes		19,785

Total liabilities		32,190
Investment		105,231

Total liabilities and equity	$	137,421

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations for the Combined Entity


	Pro forma
	Three Months Ended July 31,				Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	252,413	$	245,149	$	645,330	$	628,993
Operating income (loss)		15,670		16,495		8,470		19,353
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	9,836	$	10,180	$	5,385	$	12,798
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$	0.26	$	0.27	$	0.14	$	0.34

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of pro forma results of operations for a material business acquisition or series of individually immaterial business acquisitions that are material in the aggregate.

+ References + Details

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the periods ended July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):


	Engineered Products			Aluminum Sheet Products			Consolidated
Balance at October 31, 2010
Goodwill, gross	$	175,455		$	20,389		$	195,844
Accumulated impairment losses		(150,266	)		(20,389	)		(170,655	)

Goodwill, net	$	25,189		$	—		$	25,189

Acquisition		44,052			—			44,052
Foreign currency translation adjustment		370			—			370

Balance at July 31, 2011
Goodwill, gross		219,877			20,389			240,266
Accumulated impairment losses		(150,266	)		(20,389	)		(170,655	)

Goodwill, net	$	69,611		$	—		$	69,611

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):


	As of July 31, 2011					As of October 31, 2010
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	44,618	$	(7,806	)	$	21,200	$	(6,291	)
Trademarks and trade names		45,078		(10,789	)		33,530		(9,156	)
Patents and other technology		25,775		(7,071	)		11,560		(6,175	)
Other		1,392		(116	)		—		—

Total	$	116,863	$	(25,782	)	$	66,290	$	(21,622	)

Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets

Estimated amortization expense for the next five years, based upon the amortization of pre-existing intangibles follows:


Fiscal Years Ending October 31,	Estimated Amortization
	(In thousands)
2011 (remaining three months)	$	2,138
2012	$	8,553
2013	$	8,490
2014	$	8,351
2015	$	8,212

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total. Disclosure details may include, but are not limited to, the carrying amount of goodwill, goodwill acquired during the year, goodwill impairment losses recognized, goodwill written-off due to the sale of a business unit, goodwill not yet allocated, and any other changes to goodwill.

+ References + Details

Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Raw materials	$	27,117	$	18,823
Finished goods and work in process		34,324		23,756

		61,441		42,579
Supplies and other		3,855		2,621

Total	$	65,296	$	45,200

Values of Inventories

The values of inventories in the consolidated balance sheets are based on the following accounting methods:


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
LIFO	$	23,738	$	20,122
FIFO		41,558		25,078

Total	$	65,296	$	45,200

Earnings and Dividends Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Components of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations


	For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2011						For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2010
	Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount		Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
Basic earnings and earnings per share	$	9,016		37,125	$	0.24	$	10,429		37,350	$	0.28

Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options		—		366				—		321
Restricted stock		—		193				—		210
Common stock held by rabbi trust		—		—				—		102

Diluted earnings and earnings per share	$	9,016		37,684	$	0.24	$	10,429		37,983	$	0.27


	For the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2011						For the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2010
	Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount		Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
Basic earnings and earnings per share	$	2,899		37,103	$	0.08	$	15,896		37,349	$	0.43

Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options		—		380				—		253
Restricted stock		—		227				—		178
Common stock held by rabbi trust		—		—				—		102

Diluted earnings and earnings per share	$	2,899		37,710	$	0.08	$	15,896		37,882	$	0.42

Comprehensive Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:


	Three Months Ended July 31,						Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	$	9,016		$	10,281		$	2,887	$	14,788
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1,026	)		(30	)		951		48

Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$	7,990		$	10,251		$	3,838	$	14,836

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Long-term debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds		900		1,000
Scott County, Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds		600		800
Capital lease obligations and other		175		143

Total debt	$	1,675	$	1,943
Less maturities due within one year included in current liabilities		352		327

Long-term debt	$	1,323	$	1,616

Retirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost

The components of net periodic pension cost are as follows:


	Three Months Ended July 31,						Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Pension Benefits
Service cost	$	1,002		$	839		$	2,884		$	2,490
Interest cost		213			165			614			474
Expected return on plan assets		(276	)		(188	)		(795	)		(517	)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss		24			36			69			110

Net periodic pension cost	$	963		$	852		$	2,772		$	2,557

Industry Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Summary of Net Sales, Operating Icome (Loss) and Identifiable Assets by Segment

Corporate assets primarily include cash and equivalents partially offset by the Company’s consolidated LIFO inventory reserve.


	Three Months Ended July 31,						Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Net Sales:
Engineered Products	$	124,119		$	101,746		$	290,623		$	259,272
Aluminum Sheet Products		132,130			127,600			334,328			326,252
Intersegment Eliminations		(3,836	)		(4,143	)		(9,618	)		(9,513	)

Consolidated	$	252,413		$	225,203		$	615,333		$	576,011

Operating Income (Loss):
Engineered Products	$	14,146		$	13,131		$	15,411		$	22,969
Aluminum Sheet Products		7,417			8,866			14,027			19,732
Corporate & Other		(6,926	)		(5,798	)		(24,752	)		(18,976	)

Consolidated	$	14,637		$	16,199		$	4,686		$	23,725


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Identifiable Assets:
Engineered Products ¹	$	404,191	$	258,919
Aluminum Sheet Products		156,373		152,113
Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other ²		33,769		179,756
Discontinued Operations ³		—		462

Consolidated	$	594,333	$	591,250

Goodwill:
Engineered Products	$	69,611	$	25,189

Consolidated	$	69,611	$	25,189

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

+ References + Details

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Summary of Non Vested Restricted Stock Award Changes During Period

A summary of non-vested restricted stock award changes during the nine months ended July 31, 2011 follows:


	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at October 31, 2010		378,616		$	13.07
Granted		69,200			17.14
Vested		(136,219	)		15.28
Forfeited		(25,207	)		13.62

Non-vested at July 31, 2011		286,390		$	12.95

Summary of Valuation Assumptions and Resulting Grant Date Fair Values for Grants

The following is a summary of valuation assumptions and resulting grant-date fair values for grants during the following periods:


	Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2011			2010
Weighted-average expected volatility		53.0	%		55.0	%
Expected term (in years)		4.9-5.1			4.9-5.1
Risk-free interest rate		1.7	%		2.1	%
Expected dividend yield over expected term		1.0	%		1.0	%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share	$	7.59		$	7.32

Summary of Stock Option Shares Activity for the 2008 Plan

Below is a table summarizing the stock option shares activity for the 2008 Plan since October 31, 2010:


	Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000s)
Outstanding at October 31, 2010		1,724,301		$	13.24
Granted		425,600			17.48
Exercised		(61,338	)		14.13
Forfeited		(2,419	)		13.61

Outstanding at July 31, 2011		2,086,144			14.07		7.4	$	4,384

Vested or expected to vest at July 31, 2011		2,014,596			14.02		7.4	$	4,281

Exercisable at July 31, 2011		1,260,707		$	13.38		6.7	$	3,093

Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Environmental Reserve and Corresponding Recovery

The total associated environmental reserve and corresponding recovery as of July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010 were as follows:


	July 31, 2011		October 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Current	$	1,700	$	1,564
Non-current ¹		11,322		12,027

Total environmental reserves	$	13,022	$	13,591

Receivable for recovery of remediation costs ²	$	12,293	$	12,747

¹	Reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

²	Reported in Accounts receivable and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of environmental loss contingencies by individual site. Does not include loss contingencies that are not environmental in nature.

+ References + Details

Warranty Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Reconciliation of Activity Related to the Company's Accrued Warranty


	July 31, 2011
Balance at October 31, 2010	$	3,697
Provision for warranty expense		2,843
Warranty costs paid		(948	)

Total accrued warranty	$	5,592
Less long-term portion		1,512

Current accrued warranty	$	4,080

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011 USD ($) Location	Jul. 31, 2011 Entity
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of business segments \| Entity		2
Edgetech I G, Inc
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired \| $	$ 104.4
Number of manufacturing facilities \| Location	3
Acquisition date	Mar. 31, 2011

- Definition

Month, date and year in which the acquirer obtains control of the acquiree.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 10, 11
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6909708&loc=d3e848-128460

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1392-128463

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6909708&loc=d3e845-128460

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Acquisition Date
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6919109

+ Details

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011 USD ($) Year Location	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash acquired in acquisition	$ 828
Property, plant and equipment	21,086
Intangible assets	48,750
Goodwill	$ 44,052
Edgetech I G, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities \| Location	3
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 104,400
Cash acquired in acquisition	800
Cash paid amount placed into escrow fund	7,000
Tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization	3,500
Goodwill	$ 44,100
Payment amount for tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization		$ 2,800
Weighted average useful life of intangible assets, excluding good will, created as a result of the acquisition (in years) \| Year	10
Transaction-related costs		300		$ 2,500
Revenues		23,700	$ 30,100
Operating income		1,000	$ 100
Inventories	$ 2,000
Cost of goods sold (unaudited pro forma adjustments)		700		1,600	$ 1,900
Amortization expense from the acquired intangibles		1,300		1,700
Cost of goods sold increase		$ 700		$ 1,600
Transaction-related costs (unaudited pro forma adjustments)					$ 2,500
Edgetech I G, Inc \| Trademarks
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, average estimated useful life (in years) \| Year	7
Edgetech I G, Inc \| Trade Names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, average estimated useful life (in years) \| Year	7
Edgetech I G, Inc \| Patents
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, average estimated useful life (in years) \| Year	10
Edgetech I G, Inc \| Other Developed Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, average estimated useful life (in years) \| Year	10
Edgetech I G, Inc \| Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, average estimated useful life (in years) \| Year	11
Jeld Wen
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 6,400
Property, plant and equipment	5,000
Intangible assets	1,400
Goodwill	$ 0

Summary of the Fair Values Assigned to the Net Assets Acquired (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 828
Accounts receivable	9,181
Inventories	10,123
Prepaid and other current assets	2,023
Total current assets	22,155
Property, plant and equipment	21,086
Goodwill	44,052
Intangible assets	48,750
Other assets	1,378
Total assets	137,421
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	6,905
Accrued laibilities	1,316
Income taxes payable	3,780
Deferred income taxes	340
Current maturities of long-term debt	24
Total current liabilities	12,365
Long-term debt	40
Deferred income taxes	19,785
Total liabilities	32,190
Investment	105,231
Total liabilities and equity	$ 137,421

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations for the Combined Entity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Pro forma
Net sales	$ 252,413	$ 245,149	$ 645,330	$ 628,993
Operating income (loss)	15,670	16,495	8,470	19,353
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 9,836	$ 10,180	$ 5,385	$ 12,798
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$ 0.26	$ 0.27	$ 0.14	$ 0.34

- Definition

The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, per diluted share of common stock for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References + Details

Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross	$ 240,266	$ 195,844
Accumulated impairment losses	(170,655)	(170,655)
Goodwill, net	69,611	25,189
Acquisition	44,052
Foreign currency translation adjustment	370
Engineered Products
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross	219,877	175,455
Accumulated impairment losses	(150,266)	(150,266)
Goodwill, net	69,611	25,189
Acquisition	44,052
Foreign currency translation adjustment	370
Aluminum Sheet Products
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross	20,389	20,389
Accumulated impairment losses	$ (20,389)	$ (20,389)

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 43
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-Subparagraph l
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 72
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-Clause 1
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 116,863	$ 66,290
Accumulated Amortization	(25,782)	(21,622)
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	44,618	21,200
Accumulated Amortization	(7,806)	(6,291)
Tradenames and Trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	45,078	33,530
Accumulated Amortization	(10,789)	(9,156)
Patents And Other Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	25,775	11,560
Accumulated Amortization	(7,071)	$ (6,175)
Lease Agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,392
Accumulated Amortization	$ (116)

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization expense	$ 2.1	$ 0.8	$ 4.2	$ 2.3

Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]
2011 (remaining three months)	$ 2,138
2012	8,553
2013	8,490
2014	8,351
2015	$ 8,212

Components of Inventory (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Schedule of Inventory [Line Items]
Raw materials	$ 27,117	$ 18,823
Finished goods and work in process	34,324	23,756
Inventory, Raw Materials, Work in Process, and Finished Goods, Net of Reserves, Total	61,441	42,579
Supplies and other	3,855	2,621
Total	$ 65,296	$ 45,200

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of products used directly or indirectly in the manufacturing or production process, which may or may not become part of the final product. May also include items used in the storage, presentation or transportation of physical goods.

+ References + Details

Values of Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Schedule of Inventory [Line Items]
LIFO	$ 23,738	$ 20,122
FIFO	41,558	25,078
Total	$ 65,296	$ 45,200

Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Inventory Disclosure [Line Items]
LIFO inventory valuation, year-end projection	$ 3.8
Excess of replacement cost over LIFO value	$ 13.8	$ 10.1

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operation (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Numerator for earnings per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 9,016	$ 10,429	$ 2,899	$ 15,896
Denominator for earnings per common share:
Weighted average common shares, basic	37,125	37,350	37,103	37,349
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options	366	321	380	253
Restricted stock	193	210	227	178
Common stock held by rabbi trust		102		102
Weighted average common shares, diluted	37,684	37,983	37,710	37,882
Earnings Per Share Common Share
Basic earnings and earnings per share	$ 0.24	$ 0.28	$ 0.08	$ 0.43
Diluted earnings and earnings per share	$ 0.24	$ 0.27	$ 0.08	$ 0.42

Earnings and Dividends Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Securites excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation			0.3	0.3
Cash dividend per common share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.12	$ 0.10

- Definition

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 13, 14
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 171
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Diluted Earnings Per Share
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510752

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Contingent Stock Agreement
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508534

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Antidilution
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505113

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 07-4
-Paragraph 4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	$ 9,016	$ 10,281	$ 2,887	$ 14,788
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,026)	(30)	951	48
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$ 7,990	$ 10,251	$ 3,838	$ 14,836

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 30
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A5
-Appendix A

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e557-108580

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Net Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e540-108580

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508144

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 87-21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 10, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28, 29, 30
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Net Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A7
-Appendix A

+ Details

- Definition

Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 24
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 14, 17, 19, 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
-Paragraph 13, 20, 31
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph (b),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32211-110900

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920433&loc=d3e998-108581

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Comphrensive Income - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
Comphrensive Income - Additional Information (Detail)	Jul. 31, 2011
Edgetech I G, Inc
Intercompany Foreign Currency Balance [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation associated with business acquisition	The 2011 foreign currency translation activity is primarily associated with Edgetech, acquired by the Company on March 31, 2011. As a result of this acquisition, Quanex now has operations in Germany and the United Kingdom whose functional currency is the Euro and the British Pound Sterling, respectively.

Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	$ 1,675	$ 1,943
Less maturities due within one year included in current liabilities	352	327
Longterm Debt	1,323	1,616
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt
Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	900	1,000
Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	600	800
Capital Lease Obligations And Other
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	$ 175	$ 143

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 270.0
Credit facility, effective date	Apr. 23, 2008
Credit facility payment terms	The Credit Facility has a five-year term and is unsecured.
Credit facility, expiration date	Apr. 23, 2013
Credit facility, available amount	$ 204.0
Maximum
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Leverage ratio, Company must not exceed	3.25
Interest coverage ratio, Company must not exceed	3.00
Minimum
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Leverage ratio, Company must not exceed	1
Interest coverage ratio, Company must not exceed	1
Standby Letters of Credit
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 50.0
Letters of credit, outstanding amount	$ 5.2

Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan credits as percentage of employees' annual eligible wages		4.00%
Interest related credit on respective balance, description		Every year the participants will receive an interest related credit on their respective balance equivalent to the prevailing 30-year Treasury rate.
Percentage of Company's participants that are under cash balance formula		99.00%
Targeted funded percentages	100.00%	100.00%
Defined benefit plan contribution	$ 0.0	$ 1.9
Company's matching contribution for employee 401(k)	50.00%	50.00%
Percentage of employee deferrals up to which the company matches 401(k) contributions		5.00%
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan credits as percentage of "grandfathered" employees' annual eligible wages		6.50%

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail) - Pension Plans, Defined Benefit - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Pension Benefits
Service cost	$ 1,002	$ 839	$ 2,884	$ 2,490
Interest cost	213	165	614	474
Expected return on plan assets	(276)	(188)	(795)	(517)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss	24	36	69	110
Net periodic pension cost	$ 963	$ 852	$ 2,772	$ 2,557

- Definition

An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

+ References

+ Details

- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References + Details

- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph a, h
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (h)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Service Cost (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6525008

+ Details

Industry Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Jul. 31, 2011 Entity
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of reportable business segments	2

Summary of Net Sales and Operating Icome (Loss) by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Net Sales:
Sales revenue, net	$ 252,413	$ 225,203	$ 615,333	$ 576,011
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income (loss)	14,637	16,199	4,686	23,725
Engineered Products
Net Sales:
Sales revenue, net	124,119	101,746	290,623	259,272
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income (loss)	14,146	13,131	15,411	22,969
Aluminum Sheet Products
Net Sales:
Sales revenue, net	132,130	127,600	334,328	326,252
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income (loss)	7,417	8,866	14,027	19,732
Corporate & Other
Net Sales:
Sales revenue, net	(3,836)	(4,143)	(9,618)	(9,513)
Corporate and Other
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income (loss)	$ (6,926)	$ (5,798)	$ (24,752)	$ (18,976)

Identifiable Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Identifiable Assets:
Assets	$ 594,333	$ 591,250
Goodwill	69,611	25,189
Engineered Products
Identifiable Assets:
Assets	404,191	258,919
Goodwill	69,611	25,189
Aluminum Sheet Products
Identifiable Assets:
Assets	156,373	152,113
Corporate & Other
Identifiable Assets:
Assets	$ 33,769	179,756
Discontinued Operations
Identifiable Assets:
Assets		$ 462

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) Year $ / shares shares	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum exercisable period for stock options under the 2008 Plan	10	10
Number of shares of common stock authorized for grant originally under the 2008 Plan \| shares	2,900,000	2,900,000
Increase in the aggregate number of shares available for awards \| shares	2,400,000
Initial awards grant date under the 2008 Plan	Apr. 23, 2008
Stock-based compensation cost capitalized as part of inventory or fixed assets	$ 0	$ 0
Cash paid for the Edgetech and Yakima acquisitions	$ 110,800,000
2008 plan stock options maximum vesting period	P3Y
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average grant-date fair value \| $ / shares	$ 17.14	$ 16.21
Total fair value of restricted stock vested	$ 2,100,000	$ 100,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized stock awards	$ 1,600,000
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized \| Year	1.9
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 300,000	300,000
Total fair value of shares vested	2,400,000	$ 1,600,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized stock awards	$ 3,100,000
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized \| Year	1.8

Summary of Non Vested Restricted Stock Award Changes During Period (Detail) - Restricted Stock - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Number of Shares
Non-vested at beginning of the Period	378,616
Granted	69,200
Vested	(136,219)
Forfeited	(25,207)
Non-vested at beginning of the Period	286,390
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at beginning of the Period	$ 13.07
Granted	17.14	$ 16.21
Vested	15.28
Forfeited	13.62
Non-vested at end of period	$ 12.95

Summary of Valuation Assumptions and Resulting Grant Date Fair Values for Grants (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 Year $ / shares	Jul. 31, 2010 Year $ / shares
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Weighted-average expected volatility	53.00%	55.00%
Expected term (in years), minimum	4.9	4.9
Expected term (in years), maximum	5.1	5.1
Risk-free interest rate	1.70%	2.10%
Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.00%	1.00%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share \| $ / shares	$ 7.59	$ 7.32

Summary of Stock Option Shares Activity for the 2008 Plan (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($) Year $ / shares shares
Number of Shares
Outstanding at beginning of period \| shares	1,724,301
Granted \| shares	425,600
Exercised \| shares	(61,338)
Forfeited \| shares	(2,419)
Outstanding at end of period \| shares	2,086,144
Vested or expected to vest at end of period \| shares	2,014,596
Exercisable at end of period \| shares	1,260,707
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding at beginning of period \| $ / shares	$ 13.24
Granted \| $ / shares	17.48
Exercised \| $ / shares	14.13
Forfeited \| $ / shares	13.61
Outstanding at end of period \| $ / shares	14.07
Vested or expected to vest at end of period \| $ / shares	14.02
Exercisable at end of period \| $ / shares	$ 13.38
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding at end of period \| Year	7.4
Vested or expected to vest at end of period \| Year	7.4
Exercisable at end of period \| Year	6.7
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at end of period \| $	$ 4,384
Vested or expected to vest at end of period \| $	4,281
Exercisable at end of period \| $	$ 3,093

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Estimated annual effective tax rate		35.20%	38.60%
Income tax receivable	$ 2,200	$ 2,200			$ 2,600
Non-current deferred income taxes asset	8,512	8,512			$ 30,563
Unrecognized tax benefits	18,900	18,900
Unrecognized tax benefits, would not affect the annual effective tax rate	1,000	1,000
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits recognized within twelve months		3,500
Other Liabilities
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits	8,300	8,300
Deferred Income Taxes
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits	10,600	10,600
Edgetech I G, Inc
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax payable	700	$ 700
Tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization				$ 3,500
Payment amount for tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization	$ 2,800

Environmental Reserve and Corresponding Recovery (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Jul. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

Current

$ 1,700

$ 1,564

Non-current

^[1]

11,322

12,027

Total environmental reserves

13,022

13,591

Receivable for recovery of remediation costs

^[2]

$ 12,293

$ 12,747

[1]	Reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]	Reported in Accounts receivable and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

- Definition

Carrying value of the obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one or more sites, payable in twelve months or in the next operating cycle if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 96-1
-Paragraph 161, 163
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6911-107765

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 43
-Chapter 3
-Section A
-Paragraph 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

9 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

Payment on indemnification

$ 1,500

Environmental reserve, adminstative costs

$ 1,300

Ongoing costs, percentage of payments

90.00%

Receivable for recovery of remediation costs

^[1]

$ 12,293

$ 12,747

Environmental reserves

13,022

$ 13,591

Maximum

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

Environmental matters related to business acquisition

21,500

Other Assets

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

Receivable for recovery of remediation costs

$ 11,700

Site Contingency, Time Frame of Disbursements

The Company currently expects to pay the accrued remediation reserve through at least fiscal 2034, although some of the same factors discussed earlier could accelerate or extend the timing.

[1]	Reported in Accounts receivable and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Reconciliation of Activity Related to the Company's Accrued Warranty (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of Period	$ 3,697
Provision for warranty expense	2,843
Warranty costs paid	(948)
Total accrued warranty	5,592
Less long-term portion	1,512
Current accrued warranty	$ 4,080

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for estimated claims under standard and extended warranty protection rights granted to customers. For classified balance sheets, represents the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

+ References + Details

Warranty Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]
Increase in warranty reserve, legacy product	$ 2.1

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash paid for the acquisition, net of cash received	$ 110,845	$ 1,590
Edgetech I G, Inc
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash paid for the acquisition, net of cash received	104,400
Cash received from acquisition	800
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of pension plan assets	14,900		$ 12,900
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 \| Money Market Funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	$ 36,000		$ 180,600

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Company may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

+ References + Details

Stock Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Aug. 29, 2011	Aug. 25, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	May 27, 2010
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program approved					1,000,000
Treasury stock, shares	541,537			351,626
Treasury stock acquired at cost, shares	256,249
Treasury stock acquired at cost, amount	$ 4,289
Cumulative number Of shares repurchased for program	506,249
Repurchase of Equity
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Additional shares authorized for repurchase			1,000,000
Cumulative number Of shares repurchased for program		745,299
Remaining shares authorized for repurchase in the program		1,254,701

- Definition

Equity impact of the cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method.

+ References + Details

Other Income (Expense) - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Transaction gains (losses)		$ (0.4)	$ 0.0	$ (0.2)	$ 0.0
Other Acquisitions
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Businesses acquisition in consideration	$ 1.6
Gain recognized in bargain purchase	$ 1.3

- Definition

In a business combination in which the amount of net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the aggregate consideration transferred or to be transferred (as defined), this element represents the amount of gain recognized by the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-Subparagraph o(1)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911251&loc=d3e6571-128477

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911251&loc=d3e6527-128477

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 25
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6387-128476

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 25
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6393-128476

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 25
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6396-128476

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (f)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911361&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details