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Cost of sales (exclusive of items shown separately below)

^[1]

$ 828,976

$ 848,294

$ 798,314

Cost and expenses:

703,844

712,091

660,849

Selling, general and administrative

111,577

83,994

71,954

Depreciation and amortization

37,596

33,932

28,214

912

1,799

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

(24,953)

16,478

37,297

Non-operating income (expense):

Interest expense

(454)

(449)

(440)

Other, net

222

(514)

2,645

(25,185)

15,515

39,502

Income tax benefit (expense)

8,651

(6,437)

(15,301)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

(16,534)

9,078

24,201

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

(12)

(1,103)

Net income (loss)

$ (16,534)

$ 9,066

$ 23,098

Basic earnings per common share:

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)

$ (0.45)

$ 0.24

$ 0.65

Income (loss) from discontinued operations (usd per share)

0.00

(0.03)

Basic earnings (loss) per share (usd per share)

(0.45)

0.24

0.62

Diluted earnings per common share:

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)

(0.45)

0.24

0.64

Income (loss) from discontinued operations (usd per share)

0.00

(0.03)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (usd per share)

$ (0.45)

$ 0.24

$ 0.61

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic (shares)

36,622

37,007

37,220

Diluted (shares)

36,622

37,537

37,671

[1]	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at two of Nichols' Davenport, Iowa facilities which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $11.1 million , including the reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Comprehensive Income	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Pension & Postretirement Benefit Related	Accumulated Translation Adjustment	Treasury Stock And Other	Treasury Stock	Rabbi Trust
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Oct. 31, 2009	$ 422,526		$ 378	$ 233,452	$ 192,546	$ (2,636)	$ 156	$ (1,370)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	23,098	$ 23,098			23,098
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss) (net of taxes, 2010: $441, 2011: $818, 2012: $70	701	701				701
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes of 2010: $0, 2011: $15, 2012: $26)	23	23					23
Total comprehensive income (loss)		23,822
Common dividends (2010: $0.14 per share, 2011: $0.16, 2012: $0.16)	(5,275)				(5,275)
Treasury shares purchased, at cost	(4,274)							(4,274)
Stock-based compensation activity:
Stock-based compensation earned	4,205			4,205
Stock options exercised	442			435	(2)			9
Restricted stock awards	(53)		1	(54)
Stock-based compensation tax benefit	41			41
Other	(2)				(1)		(1)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Oct. 31, 2010	$ 441,432		$ 379	238,079	210,366	(1,935)	178	(5,635)
Shares issued, beginning balance (shares) at Oct. 31, 2009			37,752,437
Treasury stock, shares, beginning balance (shares) at Oct. 31, 2009									0
Employee trust, rabbi, shares outstanding beginning period (shares) at Oct. 31, 2009										(102,125)
Common stock, beginning period (shares) at Oct. 31, 2009	37,650,312
Increase (Decrease) In Movement Of Common Stock (shares) [Roll Forward]
Treasury shares purchased, at cost (shares)	(250,000)								(250,000)
Transfer of Rabbi trust shares (shares)	0								(102,125)	102,125
Stock options exercised (shares)	38,641		38,142						499
Restricted stock awards	74,900		74,900
Cancellation of restricted stock (shares)	(3,038)		(3,038)
Shares issued, ending balance (shares) at Oct. 31, 2010			37,862,441
Treasury stock, shares, ending balance (shares) at Oct. 31, 2010									(351,626)
Employee trust, rabbi, shares outstanding ending period (shares) at Oct. 31, 2010										0
Common stock, ending period (shares) at Oct. 31, 2010	37,510,815
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	$ 9,066	9,066			9,066
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss) (net of taxes, 2010: $441, 2011: $818, 2012: $70	(1,350)	(1,350)				(1,350)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes of 2010: $0, 2011: $15, 2012: $26)	(536)	(536)					(536)
Total comprehensive income (loss)		7,180
Common dividends (2010: $0.14 per share, 2011: $0.16, 2012: $0.16)	(5,979)				(5,979)
Treasury shares purchased, at cost	(10,080)							(10,080)
Stock-based compensation activity:
Stock-based compensation earned	4,703			4,703
Stock options exercised	867			(20)	(111)			998
Restricted stock awards	0		$ 1	(82)				81
Stock-based compensation tax benefit	194			194
Other	(1,091)		(2)	(891)	(199)		1
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Oct. 31, 2011	$ 437,226		$ 378	241,983	213,143	(3,285)	(357)	(14,636)
Increase (Decrease) In Movement Of Common Stock (shares) [Roll Forward]
Treasury shares purchased, at cost (shares)	(750,000)								(750,000)
Stock options exercised (shares)	61,338								61,338
Restricted stock awards	69,200		64,200						5,000
Cancellation of restricted stock (shares)	(83,507)		(83,507)
Shares issued, ending balance (shares) at Oct. 31, 2011	37,843,134		37,843,134
Treasury stock, shares, ending balance (shares) at Oct. 31, 2011	(1,035,288)								(1,035,288)
Employee trust, rabbi, shares outstanding ending period (shares) at Oct. 31, 2011										0
Common stock, ending period (shares) at Oct. 31, 2011	36,807,846
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	$ (16,534)	(16,534)			(16,534)
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss) (net of taxes, 2010: $441, 2011: $818, 2012: $70	150	150				150
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes of 2010: $0, 2011: $15, 2012: $26)	(1,806)	(1,806)					(1,806)
Total comprehensive income (loss)		$ (18,190)
Common dividends (2010: $0.14 per share, 2011: $0.16, 2012: $0.16)	(5,891)				(5,891)
Treasury shares purchased, at cost	(1,284)							(1,284)
Stock-based compensation activity:
Stock-based compensation earned	4,403			4,403
Stock options exercised	3,016			(66)	(151)			3,233
Restricted stock awards	0			(1,186)				1,186
Stock-based compensation tax benefit	341			341
Reduction of excess tax benefit liability related to Separation	2,851				2,851
Other	(645)			(331)	(313)		(1)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Oct. 31, 2012	$ 421,827		$ 378	$ 245,144	$ 193,105	$ (3,135)	$ (2,164)	$ (11,501)
Increase (Decrease) In Movement Of Common Stock (shares) [Roll Forward]
Treasury shares purchased, at cost (shares)	(94,337)								(94,337)
Stock options exercised (shares)	229,423								229,423
Restricted stock awards	83,900								83,900
Cancellation of restricted stock (shares)	(54,330)		(54,330)
Shares issued, ending balance (shares) at Oct. 31, 2012	37,788,804		37,788,804
Treasury stock, shares, ending balance (shares) at Oct. 31, 2012	(816,302)								(816,302)
Employee trust, rabbi, shares outstanding ending period (shares) at Oct. 31, 2012										0
Common stock, ending period (shares) at Oct. 31, 2012	36,972,502

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss), tax	$ 70	$ 818	$ 441
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	$ 26	$ 15	$ 0
Common stock, dividends per share (usd per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.14

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (16,534)	$ 9,066	$ 23,098
Loss (income) from discontinued operations	0	12	1,103
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	37,666	34,000	28,283
(Gain) loss on disposition of property	(989)	374	(677)
Asset impairment charges	912	1,799	0
Gain on bargain purchase	0	0	(1,272)
Restructuring charges	(122)	721	0
Deferred income taxes	(9,843)	3,361	12,294
Stock-based compensation	5,604	4,852	4,456
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	(4,250)	13,761	(6,365)
Decrease (increase) in inventory	(10,288)	(530)	3,142
Decrease (increase) in other current assets	(50)	741	(510)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	14,920	(13,349)	4,572
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities	9,313	(6,952)	9,509
Increase (decrease) in income taxes	(547)	(493)	9,599
Increase (decrease) in deferred pension and postretirement benefits	(693)	2,768	(1,846)
Other, net	1,379	2,813	4,176
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from continuing operations	26,478	52,944	89,562
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from discontinued operations	0	(68)	(430)
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities	26,478	52,876	89,132
Investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(110,845)	(1,590)
Capital expenditures	(42,871)	(25,312)	(14,720)
Proceeds from property insurance claim	1,123	0	392
Proceeds from executive life insurance	0	683	0
Other, net	44	107	43
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations	(41,704)	(135,367)	(15,875)
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations	0	0	90
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(41,704)	(135,367)	(15,785)
Financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(264)	(340)	(323)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,284)	(10,080)	(4,274)
Common stock dividends paid	(5,891)	(5,979)	(5,275)
Issuance of common stock from stock option exercises, including related tax benefits	3,511	1,093	502
Other, net	0	392	(665)
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities from continuing operations	(3,928)	(14,914)	(10,035)
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities from discontinued operations	0	(392)	665
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(3,928)	(15,306)	(9,370)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	790	(222)	27
Less: (Increase) decrease in cash and equivalents from discontinued operations	0	460	(325)
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents from continuing operations	(18,364)	(97,559)	63,679
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	89,619	187,178	123,499
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 71,255	$ 89,619	$ 187,178

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies


	Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

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 remodeling expenditures and residential housing starts. 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 March 2011, the Company acquired Edgetech I.G., Inc. and its German subsidiary. 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 (IG) spacer systems for window and door customers in North America and abroad. In March 2011, the Company also acquired JELD-WEN’s vinyl extrusion assets in Yakima, Washington. In November 2011, management committed to a program to consolidate its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio. The facility consolidation was completed in August 2012. In 2010, management closed its start-up facility in China and 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.

The following are significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as well as the significant judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of these policies.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. 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. Therefore, the Company's estimates could differ, perhaps materially, from its estimates.

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company recognizes revenue when products are shipped and the title has passed to the customer. The following factors are considered to determine if title has passed: (a) pervasive evidence that a contractual sales arrangement exists; (b) delivery has occurred; (c) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; (d) collection is reasonably assured. Sales allowances and customer incentives are treated as reductions to revenue and are provided for based on historical experience and current estimates. The Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts to estimate the risk of loss associated with its accounts receivable balances. This allowance is maintained at a level the Company considers appropriate based on factors that affect collectability, including: (a) historical trends of write-offs, recoveries and credit losses; (b) the credit quality of the Company's customers; and (c) projected economic and market conditions. Different assumptions or changes in economic circumstances could result in changes to the allowance.

Inventory

The Company records inventory valued at the lower of cost or market value. Inventories are valued using the first-in first-out (FIFO) and last-in first-out (LIFO) methods. The Company uses the dollar-value link chain LIFO method, and the LIFO reserve is calculated on a consolidated basis in a single consolidated pool. Acquisitions are integrated into the Company’s operations with some valuing inventories on a LIFO basis and others on a FIFO basis. Fixed costs related to excess manufacturing capacity have been expensed in the period, and therefore, are not capitalized into inventory. Inventory quantities are regularly reviewed and provisions for excess or obsolete inventory are recorded primarily based on the Company’s forecast of future demand and market conditions. Significant unanticipated changes to the Company’s forecasts could require a change in the provision for excess or obsolete inventory.

Environmental Contingencies

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. Legal costs are expensed as incurred except incremental direct costs of the remediation effort which are accrued as part of the measurement of the environmental remediation liability. 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 the 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. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable. Unanticipated changes in circumstances and/or legal requirements could extend the length of time over which the Company pays its remediation costs or could increase actual cash expenditures for remediation in any period.

Warranty Obligations

The Company’s estimated obligations for warranty are accrued concurrently with the revenue recognized. The Company records a provision for its warranty obligations based on historical costs incurred for such obligations and adjusts, where appropriate, for current conditions and factors. The Company's ability to estimate its warranty obligations is subject to significant uncertainties, including continuous changes in product designs.

Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangibles

The Company makes judgments and estimates in conjunction with the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, other intangibles, and other assets, including amounts to be capitalized, depreciation and amortization methods and useful lives. Additionally, the carrying values of these assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company determines that the carrying amount is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying value exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded in the period in which such review is performed. The Company measures the impairment loss as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value as determined by quoted market prices in active markets or by discounted cash flows. This requires the Company to make long-term forecasts of its future revenues and costs related to the assets subject to review. Forecasts require assumptions about demand for the Company’s products and future market conditions. Future events and unanticipated changes to assumptions could require a provision for impairment in a future period.

The Company monitors relevant circumstances, including industry trends, general economic conditions, and the potential impact that such circumstances might have on the valuation of its identifiable intangibles. Events and changes in circumstances that may cause a triggering event and necessitate such a review include, but are not limited to: a decrease in sales for certain customers, improvements or changes in technology, and/or a decision to phase-out a trademark or trade name. Such events could negatively impact the carrying value of the Company’s identifiable intangibles. It is possible that changes in such circumstances or in the numerous variables associated with the judgments, assumptions, and estimates made by the Company in assessing the appropriate valuation of its identifiable intangibles could require the Company to further write down a portion of its identifiable intangibles and record related non-cash impairment charges in the future. The Company applies a variety of techniques to establish the carrying value of its intangible assets, including the relief from royalty and excess current year earnings methods.

Software development costs, including costs incurred to purchase third-party software, are capitalized when we have determined that technology exists to achieve the Company's performance requirements and management has authorized funding for the project. Capitalization of software costs ceases when the software is substantially complete and is ready for its intended use, at which time they are amortized over their estimated useful life. When events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of internal use software might not be recoverable, the Company assesses the recoverability of these assets by determining whether the amortization of the asset balance over its remaining life can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows.

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of certain categories are as follows:



	Years
Land improvements	7 to 25
Buildings	25 to 40
Building improvements	5 to 20
Leasehold improvements	Over lease term (1)
Machinery and equipment	2 to 15


⁽¹⁾	Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease.

Goodwill

The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires the Company to make use of estimates and judgments to allocate the purchase price paid for acquisitions to the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets. The Company performs a goodwill impairment test annually as of August 31. In addition, goodwill would be tested more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that a potential impairment exists. The Company tests for impairment of its goodwill using a two-step approach as prescribed in ASC Topic 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (ASC 350). The first step of the Company’s goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value including assigned goodwill. The second step of the Company’s goodwill impairment test is required only in situations where the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value as determined in the first step. In such instances, the Company compares the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill. The Company uses the present value of future cash flows to determine fair value in combination with the market approach. Future cash flows are typically based upon appropriate future periods for the businesses and an estimated residual value. Management judgment is required in the estimation of future operating results and to determine the appropriate residual values. The residual values are determined by reference to an exchange transaction in an existing market for that asset. Future operating results and residual values could reasonably differ from the estimates and could require a provision for impairment in a future period.

Income Taxes

The Company records the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the amounts reported in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as net operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. The Company evaluates the carrying value of the net deferred tax assets and determines whether it will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets. This evaluation is based on estimating future taxable income using the same forecasts used to test long-lived assets and intangibles for impairment, scheduling out the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences and reviewing the Company’s most recent financial operations. In the event the estimates and assumptions indicate the Company will not generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets, the Company records a valuation allowance against a portion of its deferred tax assets.

Insurance

The Company manages its costs of workers’ compensation, group medical, property, casualty and other liability exposures through a combination of self-insurance retentions and insurance coverage with third-party carriers. Liabilities associated with the Company’s portion of these exposures are not discounted and are estimated by considering various factors which may include historical claims experience, severity factors, estimated claims incurred but not reported and loss development factors, which are estimates on how claims will develop over time until the claims are closed, as appropriate. While the Company considers a number of factors in preparing the estimates, sensitive assumptions using significant judgment are made in determining the amounts accrued in the financial statements. Actual claims can differ significantly from estimated liabilities if future claims experience differs from historical experience and assumptions used in the Company’s analysis are adjusted. Insurance recoveries are not recognized until any contingencies relating to the claim have been resolved.

Stock–Based Compensation

In accordance with ASC Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (ASC 718), the Company determines the fair value of share awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company recognizes the fair value as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award based on awards ultimately expected to vest. Under ASC 718, the Company amortizes new option grants to retirement-eligible employees immediately upon grant, consistent with the retirement vesting acceleration provisions of these grants. For employees near retirement age, the Company amortizes such grants over the period from the grant date to the retirement date if such period is shorter than the standard vesting schedule. In accordance with ASC Topic 230-10-45-14 “Statement of Cash Flows – Cash Flows From Financing Activities” (ASC 230-10-45-14), the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow report the excess tax benefits from the stock-based compensation as financing cash inflows. See Note 14 for additional information related to the Company’s stock-based compensation.

The Company’s fair value determination of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behavior. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable.

Retirement Plans

The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan and an unfunded postretirement plan that provides health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retirees and dependents. The measurement of liabilities related to these plans is based on management’s assumptions related to future events, including expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation increases, and heath care cost trend rates. The discount rate reflects the rate at which benefits could be effectively settled on the measurement date. The Company determines its discount rate based on a pension discount curve, and the rate represents the single rate that, if applied to every year of projected benefits payments, would result in the same discounted value as the array of rates that comprise the pension discount curve. Actual pension plan asset investment performance, as well as other economic experience such as discount rate and demographic experience, will either reduce or increase unamortized pension losses at the end of any fiscal year, which ultimately affects future pension costs.

Treasury Stock

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.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company's consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars. The assets and liabilities of operations denominated in other functional currencies are translated to U.S dollars using the exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the period. The translation adjustments resulting from this process are reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Occasionally, an entity will enter into transactions that are denominated in currencies other than its functional currency. In these cases, the assets/liabilities and revenues/expenses related to these transactions are translated into the functional currency and the resulting gains or losses are recorded as a component of Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Derivative Instruments

The Company utilizes financial and commodity-based derivative contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and aluminum prices. All derivatives are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the methodology and classifications are discussed further in Note 18. The derivative instruments utilized by the Company have not been designated as hedges under ASC Topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging” (ASC 815) and therefore all gains and losses, both realized and unrealized are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes, therefore, they are considered economic hedges which are reflected in the operating activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow.

Discontinued Operations

In accordance with ASC Topic 205-20 “Presentation of Financial Statements—Discontinued Operations” (ASC 205-20), the Company presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of operations that have either been sold or that meet the criteria for “held for sale accounting” as discontinued operations. At the time an operation qualifies for held for sale accounting, the operation is evaluated to determine whether or not the carrying value exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. Any loss as a result of carrying value in excess of fair value less cost to sell is recorded in the period the operation meets held for sale accounting. Management judgment is required to (1) assess the criteria required to meet held for sale accounting, and (2) estimate fair value. Changes to the operation could cause it to no longer qualify for held for sale accounting and changes to fair value could result in an increase to previously recognized losses.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications included within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow in prior year financial statements have been made to conform to the 2012 presentation. The reclassifications include providing more detail related to Restructuring charges as well as (Gain) loss on disposition of property to conform with the current year presentation. Such reclassifications have no impact on earnings or cash flows provided by operations.

Earnings per Share Data

Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus all potentially dilutive securities that are assumed to be converted into common shares at the beginning of the period under the treasury stock method. This method requires that the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents (options and restricted stock) be excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the periods in which losses from continuing operations are reported because the effect is anti-dilutive.

Statements of Cash Flows

The Company generally considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Similar investments with original maturities beyond three months are considered short-term investments.

Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:



	Years Ended October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Supplemental cash flow information:	(In thousands)
Cash paid for interest	$	381	$	425	$	373
Cash paid for income taxes	1,265		3,260		5,635
Cash received for income tax refunds	19		132		12,280
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Share value cancelled to satisfy tax withholdings	$	645	$	1,066	$	53
Reduction of unrecognized tax benefit related to Separation	3,571		—		—
Capitalized expenditures financed through accounts payable and accrued liabilities	395		2,459		3,015

The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

New Accounting Pronouncements


	New Accounting Pronouncements

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 adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company's 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 fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 (November 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. In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12 (ASU 2011-12), “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” ASU 2011-12 deferred the effective date of ASU 2011-05 related to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income. All other requirements of ASU 2011-05 were not affected by ASU 2011-12.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08 (ASU 2011-08), Testing Goodwill for Impairment which amends the guidance in ASC 350-20. The amendments in ASU 2011-08 provide entities with the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing the first step of the two-step impairment test. If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test would be unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing the fair value with the carrying amount of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the entity is required to perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. ASU 2011-08 also provides entities with the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the first step of the two-step impairment test. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted (November 1, 2012 for the Company). The provisions of ASU 2011-08 will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11 (ASU 2011-11), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, where entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. ASU 2011-11 is effective for the Company on November 1, 2013. The Company currently discloses gross and net information for transactions within the scope of this statement.

Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

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). These entities are hereafter referred to as “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 paned 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 the Company’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. Of the $7.0 million escrow, $3.5 million has been released in accordance with the terms of the agreement and $3.5 million remains as of October 31, 2012. Additionally, Quanex is responsible for and has paid the tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization of Lauren and its subsidiaries of $3.5 million.

Edgetech has been 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 pane insulating glass, and with window production set to rise as the housing and R&R markets recover, Quanex believes that the long-term outlook for the business is excellent. The acquisition of Edgetech allows the Company to better serve its growing base of national and regional customers and further accelerate its international growth as Edgetech has a solid market presence overseas.

The Edgetech acquisition was 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 assets and liabilities 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	44,623
Intangible assets	48,750
Other assets	1,377
Total assets	$	137,991
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6,905
Accrued liabilities	1,315
Income taxes payable	3,780
Deferred income taxes	322
Current maturities of long-term debt	24
Total current liabilities	12,346
Long-term debt	40
Deferred income taxes	20,374
Total liabilities	32,760
Investment	105,231
Total liabilities and equity	$	137,991

The purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill of $44.6 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. The Company did not record any material adjustments to the original purchase price allocation during the year ended October 31, 2012.

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

The Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended October 31, 2011, include seven months of financial results of Edgetech. For the seven months ended October 31, 2011, Edgetech net sales and operating loss are $53.4 million and $0.3 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 $1.9 million of additional non-cash Cost of goods sold during the year ended October 31, 2011 due to the increased value of inventory sold from applying purchase accounting to the Edgetech inventory acquired. Additionally, Edgetech results include $3.0 million in amortization expense from the acquired intangibles for the year ended October 31, 2011.

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



	Unaudited Pro forma
	Year Ended October 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	878,291	$	872,691
Operating income (loss)	20,530		33,706
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	11,496	$	21,256
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$	0.31	$	0.56

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 in the year ended October 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 $1.8 million in the year ended October 31, 2011;


•	Additional expense of $2.5 million in the year ended October 31, 2010 to reflect the transaction-related costs incurred, and an offsetting reduction of expense of $2.5 million in the year ended October 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.

On December 17, 2012, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Alumco, Inc. and its subsidiaries in an all cash transaction, expected to close during the first fiscal quarter of 2013. The assets to be purchased include Aluminite, a screen producer for the window and door industry. This acquisition will not be deemed to involve a significant amount of assets, and cash on hand will be used for the purchase price.

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).

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
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Appendix F
-Paragraph F4
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets


	Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

Goodwill

All of the Company’s goodwill relates to the Engineered Products segment. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):



	Engineered Products Goodwill
Balance at October 31, 2010	$	25,189
Acquisition	44,623
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(380		)
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	69,432
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,101		)
Balance at October 31, 2012	$	68,331

In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” a detailed determination of the fair value of the reporting unit may be carried forward from one year to the next if all of the following conditions are met: a) assets and liabilities that make up the reporting unit have not changed since the previous year's fair value determination, b) the most recent fair value determination resulted in an amount that exceeded the carrying amount of the reporting unit by a substantial margin, c) based on analysis of events that have occurred and circumstances that have changed since the most recent fair value determination, the likelihood that a current fair value determination would be less than the current carrying amount of the reporting unit is remote. Based on the Company’s analysis of the above criteria, the Company carried forward the fiscal 2009 detailed determination of the fair value of its reporting units to fiscal 2010. As the fair value of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying amount, no impairment of goodwill was incurred at August 31, 2010.

Pursuant to the policy described in Note 2, the Company tested the recoverability of its goodwill balances as of August 31, 2012 and 2011 and concluded that they were not impaired at either date.

Acquired Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):



	As of October 31, 2012					As of October 31, 2011
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Patents and other technology	$	24,773	$	(9,382	)	$	25,300	$	(7,552	)
Trademarks and trade names	44,519		(14,520		)	44,857		(11,540		)
Customer relationships	43,737		(11,675		)	44,260		(8,588		)
Other	1,392		(464		)	1,392		(186		)
Total	$	114,421	$	(36,041	)	$	115,809	$	(27,866	)

The intangible assets are being amortized over the period they are expected to contribute to the future cash flows of the Company. No residual value is estimated for the intangible assets.

The aggregate amortization expense for intangibles for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 is $8.2 million, $6.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years for existing intangibles follows (in thousands):



Fiscal Years Ending October 31,	Estimated Amortization
2013	$	8,124
2014	8,015
2015	7,887
2016	7,682
2017	7,590

The Company did not recognize any material impairments to its intangible assets during the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 or 2010.

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.

Earnings and Dividends Per Share

Earnings per Share

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per Share

The Company incurred a loss from continuing operations during the year ended October 31, 2012. As such, common stock equivalents, which included 0.1 million restricted shares and 0.4 million options, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive. Therefore, the basic and diluted earnings per share presented on the Consolidated Statements of Income are the same.

The tables below set forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended October 31, 2011 and 2010.



	For the Year Ended October 31, 2011
	Numerator (Income)		Denominator (Shares)	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings and earnings per share	$	9,078	37,007	$	0.24
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options	—		328
Restricted stock	—		202
Diluted earnings and earnings per share	$	9,078	37,537	$	0.24



	For the Year Ended October 31, 2010
	Numerator (Income)		Denominator (Shares)	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings and earnings per share	$	24,201	37,220	$	0.65
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options	—		261
Restricted stock	—		190
Diluted earnings and earnings per share	$	24,201	37,671	$	0.64

For the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company had 0.8 million, 0.7 million and 0.3 million of stock options, respectively, 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.

Inventories

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Raw materials	$	30,400	$	27,862
Finished goods and work in process	32,937		24,988
Supplies and other	2,567		2,992
Total	$	65,904	$	55,842

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 are based on the following accounting methods:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
LIFO	$	28,224	$	18,782
FIFO	37,680		37,060
Total	$	65,904	$	55,842

With respect to inventories valued using the LIFO method, replacement cost exceeded the LIFO value by approximately $10.7 million and $12.3 million at October 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, there were LIFO liquidations that resulted in a reduction of the LIFO reserve (credit to cost of sales) of approximately $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The LIFO liquidations increased the amount of income recognized in the respective years compared to what would have been recognized had there been no liquidations. There were no LIFO liquidations during fiscal 2012.

LIFO reserve adjustments are treated as corporate expenses as this matches how management reviews the businesses. The LIFO reserve adjustments are calculated on a consolidated basis in a single consolidated pool using the dollar-value link chain method. Upon completion of the consolidated calculation, the resulting reserve that is recorded to reflect inventories at their LIFO values is not allocated to the segments. Management believes LIFO reserves to be a corporate item and thus performs all reviews of segment operations on a FIFO or weighted-average basis.

Acquisitions are integrated into the Company’s operations with some valuing inventory on a LIFO basis and others on a FIFO basis. The selection of the inventory valuation treatment of each acquisition depends on the facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the acquisition, including expected inventory levels and pricing expected in the foreseeable future; this evaluation is applied on each transaction individually. As discussed above, management reviews all of the businesses on a FIFO or weighted-average basis for comparability, with the LIFO reserve treated as a corporate item.

Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:



	October 31,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Land and land improvements	$	9,553		$	9,608
Buildings and building improvements	76,810			71,170
Machinery and equipment	391,897			374,733
Construction in progress	24,515			14,983
Property, plant and equipment, gross	502,775			470,494
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(333,898		)	(312,285		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	168,877		$	158,209

As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, Construction in progress included approximately $15.8 million and $8.2 million of capitalized software costs related to the Company's implementation of an enterprise resource planning system that had not yet been placed in service.

Depreciation expense for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $29.4 million, $27.6 million, and $25.1 million, respectively. During 2012 and 2011, the Company recognized impairments of $0.7 million and $1.6 million, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to market for sale during fiscal 2013. Please refer to Note 20 for additional details. The Company had commitments for the purchase or construction of capital assets amounting to approximately $7.2 million at October 31, 2012.

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. This disclosure may include property plant and equipment accounting policies and methodology, a schedule of property, plant and equipment gross, additions, deletions, transfers and other changes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, net, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and useful lives, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

Accrued Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Payroll, payroll taxes and employee benefits	$	21,458	$	13,877
Accrued insurance and workers compensation	4,212		6,337
Sales allowances	5,509		3,572
Accrued capital expenditures	1,242		2,576
Deferred revenue	2,353		2,593
Environmental	1,700		1,965
Warranties	2,045		1,671
Audit, legal, and other miscellaneous professional fees	2,847		1,380
Accrued rent	1,076		1,267
Other	4,017		2,820
Accrued liabilities	$	46,459	$	38,058

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided on taxable income at the statutory rates applicable to such income. Components of income taxes excluding discontinued operations are as follows:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Income / (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (in thousands)
U.S.	$	(24,858	)	$	17,610		$	39,602
Non-U.S.	(327		)	(2,095		)	(100		)
Total	$	(25,185	)	$	15,515		$	39,502



	Year Ended October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Income tax expense / (benefit) (in thousands)
Current
Federal	$	257		$	1,949		$	2,729
State and local	320			390			386
Non-U.S.	615			737			(108		)
Total current	1,192			3,076			3,007
Deferred
Federal	(9,060		)	3,964			10,806
State and local	(213		)	596			1,450
Non-U.S.	(570		)	(1,199		)	38
Total deferred	(9,843		)	3,361			12,294
Total	$	(8,651	)	$	6,437		$	15,301



	Year Ended October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Reconciliation of effective tax rate
U.S. tax at statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income tax	3.9		4.4		3.0
Non-U.S. income tax	(0.5	)	1.1		—
Employee related items	(2.1	)	—		—
Transaction costs	—		4.7		—
General business credits	1.1		(2.6	)	—
Valuation allowance	(4.4	)	—		—
Other	1.3		(1.1	)	0.7
Effective tax rate	34.3	%	41.5	%	38.7	%

Prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets include an income tax receivable of $1.3 million and $0.2 million as of October 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:



	October 31,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefit obligations	$	14,948		$	11,224
Goodwill and intangibles	3,055			6,580
Accrued liabilities and reserves	4,349			4,122
Pension and other benefit obligations	3,720			3,694
Inventory	3,858			3,277
Loss and tax credit carry forwards	13,168			2,505
Other	291			373
Total gross deferred tax assets	43,389			31,775
Less: valuation allowance	(1,694		)	—
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	41,695			31,775
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	3,322			2,256
Net deferred tax assets	$	38,373		$	29,519

Deferred income tax assets, non-current	$	17,934		$	18,299
Deferred income tax assets, current	20,439			11,220
Net deferred tax assets	$	38,373		$	29,519

Operating loss carry forwards for tax purposes, mostly comprised of federal and state, were $69.0 million at October 31, 2012. Most of these losses begin to expire in 2025. Tax credits available to offset future tax liabilities are $0.6 million and are not expected to be utilized within the next twelve months. Tax benefits of operating losses and tax credit carry forwards are evaluated on an ongoing basis, including a review of historical and projected future operation results, the eligible carry forward period and other circumstances. The Company recorded a state operating loss valuation allowance, net of federal taxes, of $1.1 million in 2012. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets.

A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit balance from November 1, 2009 to October 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):



	Accrued Interest and Penalties			Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits
Balance at November 1, 2009	$	209		$	18,332
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	—			13
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	227			270
Balance at October 31, 2010	$	436		$	18,615
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	—			13
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	301			414
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	737		$	19,042
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	—			12
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	266			276
Lapse in statute of limitations	(440		)	(3,571		)
Balance at October 31, 2012	$	563		$	15,759

The table below indicates where the unrecognized tax benefit (UTB) is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Amounts Reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Liability for uncertain tax positions	$	6,736	$	8,412
Deferred income taxes (non-current assets)	9,023		10,630
Total unrecognized tax benefit	$	15,759	$	19,042

The Company’s UTB is related to the Separation as discussed in Note 1 and state tax items regarding the interpretations of tax laws and regulations. The UTB includes $14.7 million for which the disallowance of such items would not affect the annual effective tax rate. In 2012, the Company reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions related to the Separation by $3.6 million as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations. This resulted in a non-cash increase to retained earnings in stockholders' equity of $2.9 million and a decrease in income tax expense of $0.7 million. For the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 the Company recognized $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively in interest and penalties, which are reported as Income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income consistent with past practice.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions as well as in the U.K., Germany and Canada. The Company is not currently under a tax examination, but in certain jurisdictions the statute of limitations has not yet expired. The Company generally remains subject to examination of its U.S. federal income tax returns for 2009 and subsequent years. The Company generally remains subject to examination of its various state income tax returns for a period of four to five years from the date the return was filed. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the state of the federal change.

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 $2.7 million in the UTB may be recognized within the next twelve months as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations.

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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 136, 172
-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 109
-Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49
-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 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]


	Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Long-term debt consists of the following:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds	800		900
Scott County, Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds	400		600
Capital lease obligations and other	201		166
Total debt	$	1,401	$	1,666
Less: maturities due within one year included in current liabilities	368		352
Long-term debt	$	1,033	$	1,314

Credit Facility

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 and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, in each case 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 October 31, 2012, 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 $5.5 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 $102.6 million at October 31, 2012. Quanex is currently in the process of negotiating a new Credit Facility, and expects to have finalized terms and conditions by the end of the first quarter.

Other Debt Instruments

The City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds are due in annual installments through October 2020. Interest is payable monthly at a variable rate. The average rate during fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 was 0.6% and 0.6%, respectively. The Company has pledged the land, building and certain equipment of a facility located in Richmond, Kentucky. In addition, a $0.8 million letter of credit under the Credit Facility serves as a conduit for making the scheduled payments.

In June 1999, the Company borrowed $3.0 million through Scott County, Iowa Variable Rate Demand Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds Series 1999. The bonds require 15 annual principal payments of $200,000 beginning on July 1, 2000. The variable interest rate is established by the remarketing agent based on the lowest weekly rate of interest that would permit the sale of the bonds at par, on the basis of prevailing financial market conditions. Interest is payable on the first business day of each calendar month. Interest rates on these bonds during fiscal 2012 have ranged from 0.5% to 1.6%. These bonds are secured by a Letter of Credit.

Additional Debt Disclosures

The Company’s consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 1.0% and 1.2% as of October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively. Approximately 86% and 90% of the total debt had a variable interest rate at October 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s debt of $1.4 million and $1.7 million approximates fair value as nearly all the Company’s debt is at a variable interest rate. As of October 31, 2012, the Company has $6.0 million in letters of credit, of which $5.5 million in letters of credit fall under the Credit Facility sublimit.

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt at October 31, 2012, are as follows (in thousands):



2013	$	368
2014	352
2015	154
2016	108
2017	107
Thereafter	312
Total	$	1,401

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.

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

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 his/her employment determines an employee’s coverage for retirement benefits.

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 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 Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 was signed into law on December 8, 2003. This Act introduces a Medicare prescription-drug benefit beginning in 2006 as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care plans that provide a benefit at least “actuarially equivalent” to the Medicare benefit. Management has concluded that the Company’s plans are at least “actuarially equivalent” to the Medicare benefit. The Company has not included the federal subsidy from the Act for those eligible. The impact to net periodic benefit cost and to benefits paid did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Funded Status and Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The funded status of the defined benefit pension plan at the respective year-ends was as follows:



	October 31,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year⁽¹⁾	$	20,662		$	15,615
Service cost	3,652			3,794
Interest cost	815			795
Actuarial loss (gain)	731			1,760
Benefits paid	(1,183		)	(994		)
Administrative expenses	(270		)	(308		)
Benefit obligation at end of year⁽¹⁾	$	24,407		$	20,662
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	14,004		$	12,950
Actual return on plan assets	1,811			474
Employer contributions	4,200			1,882
Benefits paid	(1,183		)	(994		)
Administrative expenses	(270		)	(308		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	18,562		$	14,004
Funded Status	$	(5,845	)	$	(6,658	)


⁽¹⁾	The benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation.



	October 31,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits	$	(5,845	)	$	(6,658	)
Net amount recognized	$	(5,845	)	$	(6,658	)



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (pretax):
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	4,771	$	4,837
Net prior service cost (credit)	—		—
Net transition obligation (asset)	—		—
Total	$	4,771	$	4,837

The accumulated benefit obligation is the present value of pension benefits (whether vested or unvested) attributed to employee service rendered before the measurement date and based on employee service and compensation prior to that date. The accumulated benefit obligation differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels. The accumulated benefit obligations of the Company’s pension plans as of the measurement dates in 2012 and 2011 were $23.7 million and $19.4 million, respectively. The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Projected benefit obligation	$	24,407	$	20,662
Accumulated benefit obligation	23,749		19,395
Fair value of plan assets	18,562		14,004

The net periodic benefit cost and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) (pretax) for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were:



	October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Service cost	$	3,652		$	3,794		$	3,357
Interest cost	815			795			661
Expected return on plan assets	(1,161		)	(986		)	(754		)
Amortization of net loss	147			134			146
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,453		$	3,737		$	3,410
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) (pretax):
Net loss (gain) arising during the period	$	81		$	2,271		$	(998	)
Prior service cost (credit) arising during the period	—			—			—
Amortization of gain (loss)	(147		)	(134		)	(146		)
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	—			—			—
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	$	(66	)	$	2,137		$	(1,144	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income)	$	3,387		$	5,874		$	2,266

The decrease in net pension cost from 2011 to 2012 is primarily attributable to a decrease in the expected return on plan assets. The increase in net pension cost from 2010 to 2011 is primarily attributable to a decrease in the discount rate which effectively increases pension costs and an increase in participants from the Edgetech acquisition.

The amount of prior service cost and net actuarial loss for the defined benefit pension plans that is expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income and reported as a component of net periodic benefit cost during fiscal 2012 is $0 and $249 thousand, respectively.

Measurement Date and Assumptions

The Company uses an October 31 measurement date for its defined benefit plans. The Company generally determines its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis. The assumptions for the pension benefit calculations for the years ended October 31, are as follows:



	Pension Benefits
	October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at year-end:
Discount rate	3.29	%	4.40	%	5.15	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.50	%	4.00	%	4.00	%
Weighted average assumptions to determine net periodic benefit costs:
Discount rate	4.40	%	5.15	%	5.65	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.25	%	7.25	%	8.00	%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00	%	4.00	%	4.00	%

The discount rate is used to calculate the present value of the projected benefit obligation for pension benefits. The rate reflects the rate at which benefits could be effectively settled on the measurement date. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company determined its discount rate based on a pension discount curve; and the rate represents the single rate that, if applied to every year of projected benefits payments, would result in the same discounted value as the array of rates that comprise the pension discount curve.

The expected return on plan assets is used to determine net periodic pension expense. The rate of return assumptions are based on projected long-term market returns for the various asset classes in which the plans are invested, weighted by the target asset allocations. The return assumption is reviewed at least annually. The rate of compensation increase represents the long-term assumption for expected increases to salaries.

Plan Assets

The Company’s target allocation for the year ending October 31, 2012 and actual asset allocation by asset category and fair value measurements as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:



	Target Allocation		Actual Allocation at
			October 31,
			2012		2011
Equity securities	60.0	%	60.0	%	59.0	%
Fixed income	40.0	%	40.0	%	41.0	%



	Fair Value Measurements at
	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Large capitalization	$	5,918	$	4,426
Small capitalization	2,218		1,679
International equity	1,993		1,499
Other	929		592
Equity securities	$	11,058	$	8,196
High-quality core bond	$	3,645	$	2,807
High-quality government bond	1,831		1,434
High-yield bond	1,861		1,463
Fixed income	$	7,337	$	5,704
Total securities⁽¹⁾	$	18,395	$	13,900


⁽¹⁾	Quoted fair value prices are as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 and are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1).

Inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of 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.

The Company’s investment objective for defined benefit plan assets is to meet the plans’ benefit obligations, while minimizing the potential for future required Company plan contributions. The investment strategies focus on asset class diversification, liquidity to meet benefit payments and an appropriate balance of long-term investment return and risk. Target ranges for asset allocations are determined by matching the actuarial projections of the plans’ future liabilities and benefit payments with expected long-term rates of return on the assets, taking into account investment return volatility and correlations across asset classes. Plan assets are diversified across several investment managers and are generally invested in liquid funds that are selected to track broad market equity and bond indices. Investment risk is carefully controlled with plan assets rebalanced to target allocations on a periodic basis and continual monitoring of investment managers performance relative to the investment guidelines established with each investment manager.

Expected Benefit Payments and Funding

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. During the third quarter 2010, the Company contributed $2.7 million in addition to minimum funding requirements to achieve a 100% funded threshold. In fiscal 2012 and 2011, the Company made total pension contributions of $4.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

During fiscal 2013, the Company expects to contribute approximately $3.3 million to the pension plan to reach targeted funding levels and meet minimum contribution requirements. For the pension benefit plan, this is comprised of expected contributions to the plan. 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.

Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants, which include payments funded from the Company’s assets, as discussed above, as well as payments paid from the plan are as follows:



Years Ended October 31,	Pension Benefits
	(In thousands)
2013	$	1,773
2014	1,823
2015	2,051
2016	2,214
2017	2,331
2018- 2022	13,785

Postretirement Benefit Plan

The Company provides certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for a small number of eligible retired employees employed prior to January 1, 1993. Certain employees may become eligible for those benefits if they reach normal retirement age while working for the Company. The Company continues to fund benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis. The table below indicates the amount and where the liability is recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Accrued liabilities	$	74	$	80
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits	1,035		1,127
Total	$	1,109	$	1,207

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company also 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. The Company contributed approximately $2.5 million, $3.1 million and $2.2 million to these plans in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. No shares of the Company’s common stock were held by the Company’s defined contribution plan as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 as Company stock is no longer an investment option offered under the Plan.

Other

Quanex has a Supplemental Benefit Plan covering certain key officers of the Company. Earned vested benefits under the Supplemental Benefit Plan were approximately $2.5 million, $1.8 million and $1.1 million at October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The entire October 31, 2012 and 2011 balance is recorded as part of Other (non-current) liabilities. The Company also has a non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan covering members of the Board of Directors and certain key employees of the Company. The estimated market values of the Deferred Compensation Plan as of October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively were approximately $5.9 million, $5.9 million and $5.0 million.

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

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Industry Segment Information

Industry Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Business segments are reported in accordance with ASC Topic 280 “Segment Reporting” (ASC 280). ASC 280 requires the Company to disclose certain information about its operating segments where operating segments are defined as “components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (CODM) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.” Generally, financial information is required to be reported on the basis that it is used internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments.

Quanex has two reportable segments: Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products. The Engineered Products segment produces 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 and construction markets. The primary market drivers of both segments are residential repair and remodel activity (R&R) and new home construction.

For financial reporting purposes three of the Company’s four operating segments, Engineered Components, Insulating Glass (IG) and Window & Door Systems, have been aggregated, primarily based on similar economic characteristics, products, services and processes into the Engineered Products reportable segment. The remaining operating segment, Nichols Aluminum, is reported as a separate reportable segment, Aluminum Sheet Products. The financial performance of the operations is based upon operating income.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies, with the exception of the inventory valuation method. 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 6 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. Corporate assets primarily include cash and equivalents partially offset by the Company’s consolidated LIFO inventory reserve.

For the years ended October 31, 2012 , 2011 and 2010, no one customer represented 10% or more of the consolidated net sales of the Company. Following is selected segment information.



	For the Years Ended October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Net Sales:
Engineered Products	$	478,578		$	420,258		$	361,062
Aluminum Sheet Products⁽⁵⁾	362,315			440,495			449,529
Intersegment Eliminations	(11,917		)	(12,459		)	(12,277		)
Consolidated	$	828,976		$	848,294		$	798,314
Depreciation and Amortization:
Engineered Products	28,115			25,232			19,760
Aluminum Sheet Products	7,621			8,542			8,334
Corporate & Other	1,860			158			120
Consolidated	$	37,596		$	33,932		$	28,214
Operating Income (Loss):
Engineered Products^(3)(6)(7)	28,490			30,293			34,278
Aluminum Sheet Products	(17,098		)	17,115			30,223
Corporate & Other	(36,345		)	(30,930		)	(27,204		)
Consolidated	$	(24,953	)	$	16,478		$	37,297
Capital Expenditures:
Engineered Products	17,540			11,248			9,789
Aluminum Sheet Products	10,381			8,749			4,806
Corporate & Other	14,950			5,315			125
Consolidated	$	42,871		$	25,312		$	14,720
Identifiable Assets:
Engineered Products⁽⁴⁾	380,551			389,889			258,919
Aluminum Sheet Products	139,733			132,161			152,113
Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other⁽¹⁾	69,254			62,879			179,756
Discontinued Operations⁽²⁾	—			—			462
Consolidated	$	589,538		$	584,929		$	591,250


⁽¹⁾	Decrease in Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other identifiable assets in 2011 are primarily attributable to cash paid of $110.8 million for the Edgetech and Yakima acquisitions.


⁽²⁾	In 2010, management closed its start-up facility in China; therefore, the China assets are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.


⁽³⁾	In fiscal 2012 and 2011, Engineered Products recorded asset impairment charges of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to market for sale during fiscal 2013.


⁽⁴⁾	Increase in Engineered Products identifiable assets in 2011 are primarily attributable to the Edgetech acquisition on March 31, 2011. See Note 3 for discussion of the acquisition.


⁽⁵⁾	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at two of Nichols' Davenport, Iowa facilities which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $11.1 million , including the reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.

⁽⁶⁾

In November 2011, the Company announced a consolidation program for its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio. The facility consolidation was completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed. The Company recorded expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million in its Engineered Products segment.


⁽⁷⁾	During fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.

Net Sales by Product Information

The Engineered Products segment primarily sells window and door components and the Aluminum Sheet Products segment sells aluminum sheet products. Product sales within the Engineered Products segment that are not considered window and door components do not exceed 10% of the Company's consolidated revenue and as such are considered immaterial.

Geographic Information

Operations of the Company and all long-lived assets are located in the United States, Germany and U.K.. Net sales by geographic region are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer and are as follows:



	Years Ended October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Net sales
United States	$	657,235	$	696,335	$	691,508
Mexico	11,138		12,105		12,277
Canada	89,381		83,570		67,856
Asian countries	18,504		19,181		15,810
European countries	49,687		35,003		10,048
Other foreign countries	3,031		2,100		815
Total foreign	171,741		151,959		106,806
Total net sales	$	828,976	$	848,294	$	798,314



	October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Long-lived assets, net
United States	$	267,110	$	261,443	$	205,374

Germany	34,544		39,898		—
U.K.	13,934		14,243		—
Total foreign	48,478		54,141		—

Total long-lived assets, net	$	315,588	$	315,584	$	205,374

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.

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Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Oct. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity The Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 125,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, no par value, as of October 31, 2012. As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding. 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. As of October 31, 2012, the remaining shares authorized for repurchase under this program was 905,663. 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.

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity, comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, if any, including other comprehensive income (as applicable). Including, but not limited to: (1) balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings; (2) accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and total amount of comprehensive income; (3) amount and nature of changes in separate accounts, including the number of shares authorized and outstanding, number of shares issued upon exercise and conversion, and for other comprehensive income, the adjustments for reclassifications to net income; (4) rights and privileges of each class of stock authorized; (5) basis of treasury stock, if other than cost, and amounts paid and accounting treatment for treasury stock purchased significantly in excess of market; (6) dividends paid or payable per share and in the aggregate for each class of stock for each period presented; (7) dividend restrictions and accumulated preferred dividends in arrears (in aggregate and per share amount); (8) retained earnings appropriations or restrictions, such as dividend restrictions; (9) impact of change in accounting principle, initial adoption of new accounting principle and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements; (10) shares held in trust for Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); (11) deferred compensation related to issuance of capital stock; (12) note received for issuance of stock; (13) unamortized discount on shares; (14) description, terms, and number of warrants or rights outstanding; (15) shares under subscription and subscription receivables, effective date of new retained earnings after quasi-reorganization and deficit eliminated by quasi-reorganization and, for a period of at least ten years after the effective date, the point in time from which the new retained dates; and (16) retroactive effective of subsequent change in capital structure.

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Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company's 2008 Omnibus Incentive 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 originally authorized for grant under the 2008 Plan was 2,900,000. At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting in February 2011, the shareholders approved an amendment which increased the aggregate number of shares available for grant under the 2008 Plan 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 awards or RSUs to non-employee directors on the last business day of each fiscal 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, restricted stock awards and 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’s stock-based compensation is related to the Company’s stock awards governed by the 2008 Plan. Stock-based compensation recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:



	Years Ended October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Stock option expense	$	3,287	$	3,166	$	2,812
Restricted stock amortization	1,117		1,537		1,393
Restricted stock unit expense	1,200		149		251
Total pretax stock-based compensation expense included in income from continuing operations	$	5,604	$	4,852	$	4,456
Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income	$	1,922	$	2,003	$	1,724

The Company has not capitalized any stock-based compensation cost as part of inventory or fixed assets during the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. Cash proceeds from stock option exercises and the related tax benefits are a component of financing cash flows from continuing operations. Cash received from stock option exercises for the year ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $3.0 million, $0.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively while the actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from these stock option exercises, as well as lapses on restricted stock awards, was $0.5 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Stock Options

The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of its stock options. A description of the methodology for the valuation assumption follows:


•	Expected Volatility –For the 2012, 2011 and 2010 grants, expected volatility was determined based on the historical data available for peer companies as Quanex Building Products Corporation is a relatively new company with limited historical price data available. The expected volatility assumption is adjusted if future volatility is expected to vary from historical experience.

•

Expected Term - The expected term of options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and falls between the option’s vesting and contractual expiration dates. Quanex Building Products Corporation is a relatively new company with insufficient company specific exercise behavior available. Accordingly, for the 2012, 2011 and 2010 grants, expected term was determined based on historical data from Quanex Corporation considering that Quanex Corporation’s employee group was the most similar to Quanex Building Products Corporation’s employee group. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately. Accordingly, the expected term range given below results from certain groups of employees exhibiting different behavior.


•	Risk-Free Rate - The risk-free rate is based on the yield at the date of grant of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond whose maturity period equals the option’s expected term.


•	Expected Dividend Yield –For the 2012, 2011, and 2010 grants, this valuation assumption was based on the expected dividend yield of Quanex Building Products Corporation.

The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant. The following is a summary of valuation assumptions and grant-date fair values for grants during the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:



	Grants During the
	Years Ended October 31,
Valuation assumptions	2012			2011			2010
Weighted-average expected volatility	54.0		%	53.0		%	55.0		%
Expected term (in years)	4.9-5.1			4.9-5.1			4.9-5.1
Risk-free interest rate	0.9		%	1.7		%	2.0		%
Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.0		%	1.0		%	1.0		%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share	$	6.80		$	7.42		$	7.38

The fluctuation in the weighted average grant-date fair value is primarily related to the Company’s stock price; the weighted-average market price on the date of grant was $15.82 in 2012 compared to $17.13 in 2011 and $16.39 in 2010.

Below is a table summarizing the stock option activity for the 2008 Plan, since October 31, 2011:



	Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In thousands)
Outstanding at October 31, 2011	2,137,436		$	14.08
Granted	607,972		15.82
Exercised	(229,423	)	13.14
Cancelled/Expired	(42,735	)	15.71
Outstanding at October 31, 2012	2,473,250		14.57		7.2	$	12,908
Vested or expected to vest at October 31, 2012	2,398,208		14.49		7.2	$	12,689
Exercisable at October 31, 2012	1,558,226		13.61		6.4	$	9,618

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 years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $1.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 was $2.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under the 2008 Plan was $3.2 million as of October 31, 2012. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.

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 shares at October 31, 2011, and changes during the year ended October 31, 2012 follows.



	Shares		Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested at October 31, 2011	256,390		$	12.67
Granted	83,900		15.08
Vested	(115,790	)	7.82
Cancelled	(11,800	)	16.07
Nonvested at October 31, 2012	212,700		$	16.08

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock awards granted during the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $15.08, $17.14, and $16.21, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock awards vested during the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 were $0.9 million, $2.5 million, and $0.1 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized restricted stock awards was $1.3 million as of October 31, 2012. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

Restricted Stock Units

RSUs were historically awarded to non-employee directors in lieu of restricted stock. Beginning in fiscal 2010, RSUs were awarded to key employees. RSUs are granted under the 2008 Plan. RSUs 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. RSUs are not considered to be outstanding shares of common stock and do not have voting rights. Holders of RSUs receive cash for an equivalent amount of cash dividends paid on the underlying common stock. Upon the earlier of the date the director ceases to be a board member or a change of control or upon vesting for the employee grants, each RSU is payable in cash in an amount equal to the market value of one share of the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, the RSU liability will be adjusted to fair market value at each reporting date. A summary of non-vested restricted stock units at October 31, 2011, and changes during the year ended October 31, 2012 follows.



	Units		Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value Per Unit
Nonvested at October 31, 2011	21,000		$	18.35
Granted	162,632		15.60
Vested	(7,632	)	19.77
Cancelled	(15,000	)	18.35
Nonvested at October 31, 2012	161,000		$	15.47

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $15.60, $14.75 and $18.26 per share, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost based on service related to unamortized restricted stock units was $1.7 million as of October 31, 2012. This cost does not include market fluctuations and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. Cash used to settle restricted stock units during the year ended October 31, 2012 was $0.2 million. There was no cash used to settle restricted stock units during the year ended October 31, 2011. The number of RSU awards outstanding as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 was 194,358 and 56,410, respectively.

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.

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
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 93-6
-Paragraph 53
-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 SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6406099&loc=d3e25284-112666

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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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-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6418621&loc=d3e17540-113929

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Commitments [Abstract]

Commitments

Quanex has operating leases for certain real estate and equipment. Rental expense for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $6.9 million, $6.0 million, and $4.8 million, respectively. Total minimum rentals to be received in the future under non-cancelable subleases as of October 31, 2012 were $1.9 million. Quanex is a party to non-cancelable purchase obligations primarily for natural gas and aluminum scrap used in the manufacturing process. Amounts purchased under these purchase obligations for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $4.0 million, $2.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Future minimum payments as of October 31, 2012, by year and in the aggregate under operating leases having original non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year and estimated non-cancelable purchase obligations with remaining terms in excess of a year as of October 31, 2012, by year and in the aggregate were as follows (in thousands):



	Operating Leases		Purchase Obligations
2013	$	5,808	$	4,148
2014	5,495		296
2015	4,661		—
2016	3,409		—
2017	2,737		—
Thereafter	10,007		—
Total	$	32,117	$	4,444

Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

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. Legal costs are expensed as incurred except incremental direct costs of the remediation effort at Nichols Alabama, which are accrued as part of the measurement of the environmental remediation liability. 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.

Total environmental reserves and corresponding recovery as of October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 were as follows:



	October 31, 2012		October 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Current⁽¹⁾	$	1,700	$	1,965
Non-current	9,827		11,221
Total environmental reserves	$	11,527	$	13,186
Receivable for recovery of remediation costs⁽²⁾	$	11,195	$	12,304


⁽¹⁾	Reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets


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

Currrently, the Company's ongoing remediation activities are at one of its subsidiaries, Nichols Aluminum-Alabama, LLC (NAA). NAA 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 conditions and, during the first quarter of 2006, started a phased program to treat in-place free product petroleum that had been released underneath the plant. During the second quarter 2010, NAA submitted to the state the first component of its proposed workplan for implementing a site-wide remedy. The full workplan was submitted to the state during the third quarter 2010, revised during the second quarter 2011 to reflect both additional sampling data and responses to state comments, and revised again in the fourth quarter 2011 in response to another round of state comments. Based on those plans, which remain subject to further comment, revision, and state approval, the Company’s remediation reserve at NAA’s Decatur plant is $11.5 million as of October 31, 2012. Approximately $1.1 million of the October 31, 2012 reserve represents administrative costs; the balance of $10.4 million represents estimated costs for investigation, studies, cleanup, and treatment. The reserve has not been discounted. 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 October 31, 2012, the Company expects to recover from the sellers’ shareholders an additional $11.2 million which has not been discounted. Of that, $10.4 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 undiscounted recovery from indemnitors as of October 31, 2011 was $12.3 million. Of that, $11.6 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.

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

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)
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621

Standard Product Warranty Disclosure [Abstract]

Warranty Obligations

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

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 year ended October 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):



	Year Ended October 31,
	2012			2011
Beginning balance	$	5,262		$	3,697
Provision for warranty expense	652			2,638
Change in accrual for preexisting warranties	(838		)	—
Warranty costs paid	(295		)	(1,073		)
Total accrued warranty	$	4,781		$	5,262
Less: long-term portion	2,736			3,591
Current accrued warranty	$	2,045		$	1,671

During the year ended October 31, 2012, the Company changed its estimate for preexisting warranties due to a decline in claims experience. During the year ended October 31, 2011, the reserve was increased by $1.9 million related to a rise in projected experience for a discontinued legacy product and claims from some years ago.

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Derivative Insruments and Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities

Derivative Instruments

The Company's derivative activities are subject to the management, direction, and control of the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer and other officers and employees they select. Certain transactions in excess of specified levels require further approval from the Board of Directors.

The nature of the Company's business activities requires the management of various financial and market risks, including those related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and aluminum scrap prices. The Company uses foreign currency forwards and options and aluminum forward contracts to mitigate or eliminate certain of those risks. Specifically, the foreign currency forwards are used to offset fluctuations in the value of accounts receivable and payable balances that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which consist principally of the Euro, British Pound and Canadian Dollar. The aluminum forwards are used to minimize the price risk related to customer sales contracts. The Company enters into firm price raw material purchase commitments (which are designed as "normal purchases" under ASC 815) as well as contracts on the London Metal Exchange (LME). The Company's risk management policy as it relates to these LME contracts is to enter into contracts as needed so that raw material purchase levels, including both fixed price purchase commitments as well as LME contracts match the needs of the Company to meet committed sales orders. This is done through the use of both LME forward purchase contracts as well as LME forward sales contracts. The Company does not currently enter into derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes.

The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to its derivative transactions. The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by monitoring the creditworthiness of its counterparties and limiting its exposure to individual counterparties. In addition, the Company has established master netting agreements in certain cases to facilitate the settlement of gains and losses on specific derivative contracts.

The Company has not designated any of its derivative contracts for hedge accounting treatment. Therefore, changes in the fair value of these contracts are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:



		For the Years Ended
Derivatives Not Designated as	Location of Gain or (Loss)	October 31,
Hedging Instruments	Recognized in Earnings	2012			2011			2010
		(In thousands)
Aluminum forward contracts	Cost of sales	$	(476	)	$	(307	)	$	—
Foreign currency derivatives	Other, net	$	895		$	(175	)	$	—

The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets and liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet is indicated in the table below:



	October 31, 2012		October 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Asset Derivatives
Accounts receivable, net of allowance:
Aluminum forward contracts	$	—	$	110
Prepaid and other current assets:
Aluminum forward contracts	$	10	$	—
Foreign currency derivatives	$	6	$	—

Liability Derivatives
Accrued liabilities:
Aluminum forward contracts	$	170	$	78
Foreign currency derivatives	$	23	$	(134	)
Other liabilities (non-current):
Aluminum forward contracts	$	4	$	—

The following table summarizes the notional amounts and fair value of the Company's outstanding derivative contracts:



	Notional as indicated				Fair Value in $
	October 31,				October 31,
		2012	2011		2012			2011
		(In thousands)
Aluminum forward contracts:
Forward purchase aluminum contracts	LBS	2,370	3,417		$	(164	)	$	(58	)
Forward sales aluminum contracts	LBS	—	(5,346	)	$	—		$	90

Foreign currency exchange derivatives:
Sell EUR, buy GBP	EUR	545	—		$	—		$	—
Sell EUR, buy USD	EUR	7,663	8,500		$	(23	)	$	147
Sell CAD, buy USD	CAD	608	—		$	1		$	—
Buy GBP, sell USD	GBP	1,934	600		$	5		$	2
Buy USD, sell CAD	CAD	—	894		$	—		$	(15	)

Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted pries in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:


•	Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

•

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in market that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates) and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.


•	Level 3 - Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

The Money Market Fund investments as well as the pension plan assets are measured at fair value based on active market quotations and are therefore classified as Level 1. All of the Company's derivative contracts are valued using quoted market prices from brokers or exchanges and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company holds Money Market Fund investments that are classified as cash equivalents, pension plan assets and derivative contracts that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Money Market Fund investments are classified as Cash and equivalents, while the pension plan assets are included in Deferred pension and postretirement benefits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 11 for further information on the pension plan assets. The derivative instruments are included in various asset and liability accounts as discussed earlier in this footnote.

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis based on the fair value hierarchy:




	October 31, 2012										October 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Assets
Money market fund investments	$	67,819	$	—		$	—	$	67,819		$	80,688	$	—		$	—	$	80,688
Commodity derivatives	—		10			—		10			—		110			—		110
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	—		6			—		6			—		150			—		150
Pension plan assets	18,562		—			—		18,562			14,004		—			—		14,004
Total assets	$	86,381	$	16		$	—	$	86,397		$	94,692	$	260		$	—	$	94,952

Liabilities
Commodity derivatives	$	—	$	(174	)	$	—	$	(174	)	$	—	$	(78	)	$	—	$	(78	)
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	—		(23		)	—		(23		)	—		(16		)	—		(16		)
Total liabilities	$	—	$	(197	)	$	—	$	(197	)	$	—	$	(94	)	$	—	$	(94	)

Net assets (liabilities)	$	86,381	$	(181	)	$	—	$	86,200		$	94,692	$	166		$	—	$	94,858

As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis classified as Level 3. As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company held approximately $1.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of property, plant and equipment recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis that is classified as Level 3 assets.

Other Income (Expense)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 are as follows:



	Years Ended October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Other income (expense)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$	(857	)	$	(729	)	$	—
Foreign currency exchange derivative gains (losses)	895			(175		)	—
Gain on bargain purchase	—			—			1,272
Gain on involuntary conversion	—			—			914
Interest income	206			311			411
Other	(22		)	79			48
Other income (expense)	$	222		$	(514	)	$	2,645

The impact of IG's foreign currency denominated exposure and transaction gains and losses as well as the gains and losses associated with the offsetting foreign currency derivatives used to manage that exposure are included in Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income and detailed above. See Note 18 for further explanation of the foreign currency exchange derivatives.

In February 2010, the Company completed a small acquisition for approximately $1.6 million in consideration. This operation has been 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 in its second fiscal quarter of 2010.

In May 2009, a tornado struck and damaged the Company’s Mikron facility in Richmond, Kentucky. In May 2010, the Company received the final insurance payment bringing the total cash proceeds from property insurance settlement to $1.8 million of which $0.4 million was received in fiscal 2010 and $1.4 million was received in fiscal 2009. In its third fiscal quarter of 2010, the Company recorded a gain on involuntary conversion in Other, net of approximately $0.9 million, which represents the amount of insurance proceeds received over the carrying value of the damaged property.

Restructuring and Related Activities

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and Related Activities

IG Spacer Consolidation

In November 2011, management committed to a plan to close its Barbourville, Kentucky facility (Barbourville) which is included in the Engineered Products segment. The consolidation plan, in part, called for the permanent closing of Barbourville, with the equipment used to manufacture the single seal, warm edge spacer system relocated to the Company’s Cambridge, Ohio facility. The Company believes this consolidation will allow it to better serve customers through streamlined operations. The consolidation of operations and the subsequent closure of the Barbourville facility was completed in August 2012, with residual cash payments and minor program costs expected to continue into fiscal 2013. All equipment to be retained has been relocated with the main outstanding activities only related to selling remaining equipment and the facility itself.

Under ASC Topic 712, “Compensation — Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits”, the Company is required to record charges for contractual termination benefits and other ongoing benefit arrangements when it is probable that employees will be entitled to benefits under the contract’s terms and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company determined that certain severance pay qualifies as either a contractual termination benefit or an ongoing benefit arrangement, and accordingly recognized $3.4 million in severance during the year ended October 31, 2012. Severance was paid out during 2012 as employees exited. Under ASC Topic 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations,” the Company is required to record charges for one-time employee termination benefits, contract termination costs, and other associated costs as incurred. No exit costs or termination benefits were incurred as of October 31, 2011 and no liability was accrued for the Barbourville closing as of October 31, 2011. In February 2012, the Company and the union reached an agreement to pay a one-time incentive bonus to employees upon their planned exit date termination, providing certain performance criteria are met. The salaried employees were offered the same one-time incentive bonus under the same terms as the union employees. For the year ended October 31, 2012, the Company expensed total employee-related termination costs of $3.4 million and facility consolidation costs of $5.6 million. All other costs related to the closure and relocation activities are being recorded as incurred, when they meet the definition of a liability, and they are included in the statements of income as selling, general, and administrative expenses, in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. Cumulative costs incurred as of October 31, 2012 total $9.0 million.

The Dalles facility shutdown

During November 2010, the Company committed to a plan to shut down its plant in The Dalles (included in the Engineered Products segment) and service its clients out of other locations. The Dalles shutdown was completed in January 2011. The Company accrued a net lease liability for the difference between remaining lease rental payments offset by sublease income, since management subleased the facility in November 2011. The Company does not expect to have any additional charges for contract termination and other exit costs related to The Dalles.

Total Restructuring Cost Summary

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability balances showing charges to expense, cash payments and other adjustments for the year ended October 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):



	Employee termination costs			Facility consolidation costs			Contract termination and other exit costs			Total
Reconciliation of the liability in the balance sheet
Beginning balance, October 31, 2011	$	—		$	—		$	722		$	722
Charges to expense, continuing operations	3,372			5,621			10			9,003
Cash payments	(3,199		)	(5,530		)	(309		)	(9,038		)
Other adjustments	—			(26		)	(61		)	(87		)
Ending balance, October 31, 2012	$	173		$	65		$	362		$	600

The employee termination and facility consolidation activity above related to the IG systems consolidation program while the contract termination and other exit costs relate to The Dalles shut down.

The entire disclosure for restructuring and related activities. Description of restructuring activities such as exit and disposal activities, include facts and circumstances leading to the plan, the expected plan completion date, the major types of costs associated with the plan activities, total expected costs, the accrual balance at the end of the period, and the periods over which the remaining accrual will be settled.

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following sets forth the selected quarterly information for the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011.



	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	(In thousands except per share amounts)
2012:
Net sales	$	161,579		$	194,444		$	237,905	$	235,048
Cost of sales⁽¹⁾	138,042			171,837			200,663		193,302
Depreciation and amortization⁽²⁾	6,625			6,168			5,801		5,707
Operating income (loss)^(3)(4)(5)	(11,304		)	(16,079		)	1,452		978
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(6,748		)	(12,285		)	1,531		968
Net income (loss)	(6,748		)	(12,285		)	1,531		968
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Basic earnings (loss)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Diluted earnings (loss)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
2011:
Net sales	$	159,808		$	203,112		$	252,413	$	232,961
Cost of sales⁽¹⁾⁽⁶⁾	139,655			175,512			209,667		187,257
Depreciation and amortization⁽²⁾	6,059			5,847			6,326		6,294
Operating income (loss)⁽³⁾	(7,666		)	(2,285		)	14,637		11,792
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(4,728		)	(1,389		)	9,016		6,179
Net income (loss)	(4,740		)	(1,389		)	9,016		6,179
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.24	$	0.17
Basic earnings (loss)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.24	$	0.17
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.24	$	0.17
Diluted earnings (loss)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.24	$	0.17


⁽¹⁾	Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization shown separately.


⁽²⁾	Depreciation and amortization represent depreciation and amortization directly associated with or allocated to products sold and services rendered and excludes corporate depreciation and amortization.


⁽³⁾	The Company recorded asset impairment charges during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011 of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to sell during fiscal 2013 which is reported in Asset impairment charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income.


⁽⁴⁾	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at the two Nichols Davenport, Iowa facilities, which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $9.0 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2012 and $2.1 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2012. This negative impact included a reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.

⁽⁵⁾


⁽⁶⁾	During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.

The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS



Description	Balance at Beginning of Year		Charged (Credited) to Costs & Expenses				Write-offs			Other			Balance at End of Year
	(In thousands)
Allowance for doubtful accounts⁽¹⁾:
Year ended October 31, 2012	$	1,062	$	593			$	(688	)	$	59		$	1,026
Year ended October 31, 2011	1,037		635				(627		)	17			1,062
Year ended October 31, 2010	1,696		(482		)	⁽²⁾	(178		)	1			1,037
Inventory reserves (primarily LIFO) ⁽¹⁾:
Year ended October 31, 2012	$	15,660	$	(163	)		$	(400	)	$	(135	)	$	14,962
Year ended October 31, 2011	12,768		3,432				(491		)	(49		)	15,660
Year ended October 31, 2010	8,165		5,444				(840		)	(1		)	12,768
Income tax valuation allowance ⁽³⁾
Year ended October 31, 2012	$	—	$	1,694			$	—		$	—		$	1,694
Year ended October 31, 2011	—		—				—			—			—
Year ended October 31, 2010	—		—				—			—			—


⁽¹⁾	As more fully described in Note 1, the Company’s start-up facility in China is reported in discontinued operations for all periods presented.


⁽²⁾	During the fiscal year ended 2009, a customer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, so a special reserve was recorded. During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the customer completed its balance sheet restructuring and emerged from bankruptcy resulting in a reversal of the special reserve.


⁽³⁾	During the fiscal year ended 2012, the Company recorded a state net operating loss valuation allowance. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets.

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Inventory

Environmental 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. Legal costs are expensed as incurred except incremental direct costs of the remediation effort at Nichols Alabama, which are accrued as part of the measurement of the environmental remediation liability. 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.

Warranty Obligations

Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangibles

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated usef

Goodwill

Pursuant to the policy described in Note 2, the Company tested the reco

Income Taxes

Insuran

Insurance

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock–Based Compensation

Retirement Plans

Treasury Stock

Foreign Currency Translation

Derivative Instruments

Discontinued Operations

Reclassifications

Earnings per Share Data

Statements of Cash Flows

Postemployment benefits

Segment Reporting

Fair Value Measurement


•	Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

•


•	Level 3 - Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Estimated Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment

The estimated useful lives of certain categories are as follows:



	Years
Land improvements	7 to 25
Buildings	25 to 40
Building improvements	5 to 20
Leasehold improvements	Over lease term (1)
Machinery and equipment	2 to 15


⁽¹⁾	Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:



	Years Ended October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Supplemental cash flow information:	(In thousands)
Cash paid for interest	$	381	$	425	$	373
Cash paid for income taxes	1,265		3,260		5,635
Cash received for income tax refunds	19		132		12,280
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Share value cancelled to satisfy tax withholdings	$	645	$	1,066	$	53
Reduction of unrecognized tax benefit related to Separation	3,571		—		—
Capitalized expenditures financed through accounts payable and accrued liabilities	395		2,459		3,015

Acquisitions (Tables) - Edgetech I G, Inc

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation

The following table summarizes the fair values assigned to the assets and liabilities 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	44,623
Intangible assets	48,750
Other assets	1,377
Total assets	$	137,991
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6,905
Accrued liabilities	1,315
Income taxes payable	3,780
Deferred income taxes	322
Current maturities of long-term debt	24
Total current liabilities	12,346
Long-term debt	40
Deferred income taxes	20,374
Total liabilities	32,760
Investment	105,231
Total liabilities and equity	$	137,991

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations for the Combined Entity



	Unaudited Pro forma
	Year Ended October 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	878,291	$	872,691
Operating income (loss)	20,530		33,706
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	11,496	$	21,256
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$	0.31	$	0.56

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.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):



	Engineered Products Goodwill
Balance at October 31, 2010	$	25,189
Acquisition	44,623
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(380		)
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	69,432
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,101		)
Balance at October 31, 2012	$	68,331

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):



	As of October 31, 2012					As of October 31, 2011
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Patents and other technology	$	24,773	$	(9,382	)	$	25,300	$	(7,552	)
Trademarks and trade names	44,519		(14,520		)	44,857		(11,540		)
Customer relationships	43,737		(11,675		)	44,260		(8,588		)
Other	1,392		(464		)	1,392		(186		)
Total	$	114,421	$	(36,041	)	$	115,809	$	(27,866	)

Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets

Estimated amortization expense for the next five years for existing intangibles follows (in thousands):



Fiscal Years Ending October 31,	Estimated Amortization
2013	$	8,124
2014	8,015
2015	7,887
2016	7,682
2017	7,590

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.

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

Earnings per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

The tables below set forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended October 31, 2011 and 2010.



	For the Year Ended October 31, 2011
	Numerator (Income)		Denominator (Shares)	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings and earnings per share	$	9,078	37,007	$	0.24
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options	—		328
Restricted stock	—		202
Diluted earnings and earnings per share	$	9,078	37,537	$	0.24



	For the Year Ended October 31, 2010
	Numerator (Income)		Denominator (Shares)	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings and earnings per share	$	24,201	37,220	$	0.65
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options	—		261
Restricted stock	—		190
Diluted earnings and earnings per share	$	24,201	37,671	$	0.64

Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Raw materials	$	30,400	$	27,862
Finished goods and work in process	32,937		24,988
Supplies and other	2,567		2,992
Total	$	65,904	$	55,842

Values of Inventories

The values of inventories are based on the following accounting methods:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
LIFO	$	28,224	$	18,782
FIFO	37,680		37,060
Total	$	65,904	$	55,842

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:



	October 31,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Land and land improvements	$	9,553		$	9,608
Buildings and building improvements	76,810			71,170
Machinery and equipment	391,897			374,733
Construction in progress	24,515			14,983
Property, plant and equipment, gross	502,775			470,494
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(333,898		)	(312,285		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	168,877		$	158,209

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Payroll, payroll taxes and employee benefits	$	21,458	$	13,877
Accrued insurance and workers compensation	4,212		6,337
Sales allowances	5,509		3,572
Accrued capital expenditures	1,242		2,576
Deferred revenue	2,353		2,593
Environmental	1,700		1,965
Warranties	2,045		1,671
Audit, legal, and other miscellaneous professional fees	2,847		1,380
Accrued rent	1,076		1,267
Other	4,017		2,820
Accrued liabilities	$	46,459	$	38,058

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income / (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes



	Year Ended October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Income / (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (in thousands)
U.S.	$	(24,858	)	$	17,610		$	39,602
Non-U.S.	(327		)	(2,095		)	(100		)
Total	$	(25,185	)	$	15,515		$	39,502

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense



	Year Ended October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Income tax expense / (benefit) (in thousands)
Current
Federal	$	257		$	1,949		$	2,729
State and local	320			390			386
Non-U.S.	615			737			(108		)
Total current	1,192			3,076			3,007
Deferred
Federal	(9,060		)	3,964			10,806
State and local	(213		)	596			1,450
Non-U.S.	(570		)	(1,199		)	38
Total deferred	(9,843		)	3,361			12,294
Total	$	(8,651	)	$	6,437		$	15,301

Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate



	Year Ended October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Reconciliation of effective tax rate
U.S. tax at statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income tax	3.9		4.4		3.0
Non-U.S. income tax	(0.5	)	1.1		—
Employee related items	(2.1	)	—		—
Transaction costs	—		4.7		—
General business credits	1.1		(2.6	)	—
Valuation allowance	(4.4	)	—		—
Other	1.3		(1.1	)	0.7
Effective tax rate	34.3	%	41.5	%	38.7	%

Components of the Company's Net Deferred Tax Assets

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:



	October 31,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefit obligations	$	14,948		$	11,224
Goodwill and intangibles	3,055			6,580
Accrued liabilities and reserves	4,349			4,122
Pension and other benefit obligations	3,720			3,694
Inventory	3,858			3,277
Loss and tax credit carry forwards	13,168			2,505
Other	291			373
Total gross deferred tax assets	43,389			31,775
Less: valuation allowance	(1,694		)	—
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	41,695			31,775
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	3,322			2,256
Net deferred tax assets	$	38,373		$	29,519

Deferred income tax assets, non-current	$	17,934		$	18,299
Deferred income tax assets, current	20,439			11,220
Net deferred tax assets	$	38,373		$	29,519

Reconciliation of the Change in the Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit balance from November 1, 2009 to October 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):



	Accrued Interest and Penalties			Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits
Balance at November 1, 2009	$	209		$	18,332
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	—			13
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	227			270
Balance at October 31, 2010	$	436		$	18,615
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	—			13
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	301			414
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	737		$	19,042
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	—			12
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	266			276
Lapse in statute of limitations	(440		)	(3,571		)
Balance at October 31, 2012	$	563		$	15,759

Schedule of Components of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, By Balance Sheet Location

The table below indicates where the unrecognized tax benefit (UTB) is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Amounts Reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Liability for uncertain tax positions	$	6,736	$	8,412
Deferred income taxes (non-current assets)	9,023		10,630
Total unrecognized tax benefit	$	15,759	$	19,042

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds	800		900
Scott County, Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds	400		600
Capital lease obligations and other	201		166
Total debt	$	1,401	$	1,666
Less: maturities due within one year included in current liabilities	368		352
Long-term debt	$	1,033	$	1,314

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt at October 31, 2012, are as follows (in thousands):



2013	$	368
2014	352
2015	154
2016	108
2017	107
Thereafter	312
Total	$	1,401

Retirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Funded Status

The funded status of the defined benefit pension plan at the respective year-ends was as follows:



	October 31,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year⁽¹⁾	$	20,662		$	15,615
Service cost	3,652			3,794
Interest cost	815			795
Actuarial loss (gain)	731			1,760
Benefits paid	(1,183		)	(994		)
Administrative expenses	(270		)	(308		)
Benefit obligation at end of year⁽¹⁾	$	24,407		$	20,662
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	14,004		$	12,950
Actual return on plan assets	1,811			474
Employer contributions	4,200			1,882
Benefits paid	(1,183		)	(994		)
Administrative expenses	(270		)	(308		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	18,562		$	14,004
Funded Status	$	(5,845	)	$	(6,658	)


⁽¹⁾	The benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation.

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet

The Company continues to fund benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis. The table below indicates the amount and where the liability is recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Accrued liabilities	$	74	$	80
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits	1,035		1,127
Total	$	1,109	$	1,207



	October 31,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits	$	(5,845	)	$	(6,658	)
Net amount recognized	$	(5,845	)	$	(6,658	)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (pretax):
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	4,771	$	4,837
Net prior service cost (credit)	—		—
Net transition obligation (asset)	—		—
Total	$	4,771	$	4,837

Schedule of Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were:



	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Projected benefit obligation	$	24,407	$	20,662
Accumulated benefit obligation	23,749		19,395
Fair value of plan assets	18,562		14,004

The Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized In Other Comprehensive Loss (Income) (Pretax)



	October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Service cost	$	3,652		$	3,794		$	3,357
Interest cost	815			795			661
Expected return on plan assets	(1,161		)	(986		)	(754		)
Amortization of net loss	147			134			146
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,453		$	3,737		$	3,410
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) (pretax):
Net loss (gain) arising during the period	$	81		$	2,271		$	(998	)
Prior service cost (credit) arising during the period	—			—			—
Amortization of gain (loss)	(147		)	(134		)	(146		)
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	—			—			—
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	$	(66	)	$	2,137		$	(1,144	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income)	$	3,387		$	5,874		$	2,266

Schedule of Assumptions Used

The assumptions for the pension benefit calculations for the years ended October 31, are as follows:



	Pension Benefits
	October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at year-end:
Discount rate	3.29	%	4.40	%	5.15	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.50	%	4.00	%	4.00	%
Weighted average assumptions to determine net periodic benefit costs:
Discount rate	4.40	%	5.15	%	5.65	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.25	%	7.25	%	8.00	%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00	%	4.00	%	4.00	%

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets

The Company’s target allocation for the year ending October 31, 2012 and actual asset allocation by asset category and fair value measurements as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:



	Target Allocation		Actual Allocation at
			October 31,
			2012		2011
Equity securities	60.0	%	60.0	%	59.0	%
Fixed income	40.0	%	40.0	%	41.0	%



	Fair Value Measurements at
	October 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Large capitalization	$	5,918	$	4,426
Small capitalization	2,218		1,679
International equity	1,993		1,499
Other	929		592
Equity securities	$	11,058	$	8,196
High-quality core bond	$	3,645	$	2,807
High-quality government bond	1,831		1,434
High-yield bond	1,861		1,463
Fixed income	$	7,337	$	5,704
Total securities⁽¹⁾	$	18,395	$	13,900


⁽¹⁾	Quoted fair value prices are as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 and are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1).

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments

Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants, which include payments funded from the Company’s assets, as discussed above, as well as payments paid from the plan are as follows:



Years Ended October 31,	Pension Benefits
	(In thousands)
2013	$	1,773
2014	1,823
2015	2,051
2016	2,214
2017	2,331
2018- 2022	13,785

Industry Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

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

Following is selected segment information.



	For the Years Ended October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Net Sales:
Engineered Products	$	478,578		$	420,258		$	361,062
Aluminum Sheet Products⁽⁵⁾	362,315			440,495			449,529
Intersegment Eliminations	(11,917		)	(12,459		)	(12,277		)
Consolidated	$	828,976		$	848,294		$	798,314
Depreciation and Amortization:
Engineered Products	28,115			25,232			19,760
Aluminum Sheet Products	7,621			8,542			8,334
Corporate & Other	1,860			158			120
Consolidated	$	37,596		$	33,932		$	28,214
Operating Income (Loss):
Engineered Products^(3)(6)(7)	28,490			30,293			34,278
Aluminum Sheet Products	(17,098		)	17,115			30,223
Corporate & Other	(36,345		)	(30,930		)	(27,204		)
Consolidated	$	(24,953	)	$	16,478		$	37,297
Capital Expenditures:
Engineered Products	17,540			11,248			9,789
Aluminum Sheet Products	10,381			8,749			4,806
Corporate & Other	14,950			5,315			125
Consolidated	$	42,871		$	25,312		$	14,720
Identifiable Assets:
Engineered Products⁽⁴⁾	380,551			389,889			258,919
Aluminum Sheet Products	139,733			132,161			152,113
Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other⁽¹⁾	69,254			62,879			179,756
Discontinued Operations⁽²⁾	—			—			462
Consolidated	$	589,538		$	584,929		$	591,250


⁽¹⁾	Decrease in Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other identifiable assets in 2011 are primarily attributable to cash paid of $110.8 million for the Edgetech and Yakima acquisitions.


⁽²⁾	In 2010, management closed its start-up facility in China; therefore, the China assets are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.


⁽³⁾	In fiscal 2012 and 2011, Engineered Products recorded asset impairment charges of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to market for sale during fiscal 2013.


⁽⁴⁾	Increase in Engineered Products identifiable assets in 2011 are primarily attributable to the Edgetech acquisition on March 31, 2011. See Note 3 for discussion of the acquisition.


⁽⁵⁾	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at two of Nichols' Davenport, Iowa facilities which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $11.1 million , including the reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.

⁽⁶⁾


⁽⁷⁾	During fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.

Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas

Net sales by geographic region are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer and are as follows:



	Years Ended October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Net sales
United States	$	657,235	$	696,335	$	691,508
Mexico	11,138		12,105		12,277
Canada	89,381		83,570		67,856
Asian countries	18,504		19,181		15,810
European countries	49,687		35,003		10,048
Other foreign countries	3,031		2,100		815
Total foreign	171,741		151,959		106,806
Total net sales	$	828,976	$	848,294	$	798,314



	October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Long-lived assets, net
United States	$	267,110	$	261,443	$	205,374

Germany	34,544		39,898		—
U.K.	13,934		14,243		—
Total foreign	48,478		54,141		—

Total long-lived assets, net	$	315,588	$	315,584	$	205,374

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.

Stock-Based Compensation Recorded in Selling, General and Administrative Expense

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-based compensation recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:



	Years Ended October 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Stock option expense	$	3,287	$	3,166	$	2,812
Restricted stock amortization	1,117		1,537		1,393
Restricted stock unit expense	1,200		149		251
Total pretax stock-based compensation expense included in income from continuing operations	$	5,604	$	4,852	$	4,456
Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income	$	1,922	$	2,003	$	1,724

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



	Grants During the
	Years Ended October 31,
Valuation assumptions	2012			2011			2010
Weighted-average expected volatility	54.0		%	53.0		%	55.0		%
Expected term (in years)	4.9-5.1			4.9-5.1			4.9-5.1
Risk-free interest rate	0.9		%	1.7		%	2.0		%
Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.0		%	1.0		%	1.0		%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share	$	6.80		$	7.42		$	7.38

Summary of Stock Option Shares Activity for the 2008 Plan

Below is a table summarizing the stock option activity for the 2008 Plan, since October 31, 2011:



	Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In thousands)
Outstanding at October 31, 2011	2,137,436		$	14.08
Granted	607,972		15.82
Exercised	(229,423	)	13.14
Cancelled/Expired	(42,735	)	15.71
Outstanding at October 31, 2012	2,473,250		14.57		7.2	$	12,908
Vested or expected to vest at October 31, 2012	2,398,208		14.49		7.2	$	12,689
Exercisable at October 31, 2012	1,558,226		13.61		6.4	$	9,618

Summary of Non Vested Restricted Stock Award Changes During Period

A summary of non-vested restricted shares at October 31, 2011, and changes during the year ended October 31, 2012 follows.



	Shares		Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested at October 31, 2011	256,390		$	12.67
Granted	83,900		15.08
Vested	(115,790	)	7.82
Cancelled	(11,800	)	16.07
Nonvested at October 31, 2012	212,700		$	16.08

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity

A summary of non-vested restricted stock units at October 31, 2011, and changes during the year ended October 31, 2012 follows.



	Units		Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value Per Unit
Nonvested at October 31, 2011	21,000		$	18.35
Granted	162,632		15.60
Vested	(7,632	)	19.77
Cancelled	(15,000	)	18.35
Nonvested at October 31, 2012	161,000		$	15.47

Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Commitments [Abstract]

Future Minimum Payment Aggregate Under Operating Leases and Purchase Obligations



	Operating Leases		Purchase Obligations
2013	$	5,808	$	4,148
2014	5,495		296
2015	4,661		—
2016	3,409		—
2017	2,737		—
Thereafter	10,007		—
Total	$	32,117	$	4,444

Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Environmental Reserve and Corresponding Recovery

Total environmental reserves and corresponding recovery as of October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 were as follows:



	October 31, 2012		October 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Current⁽¹⁾	$	1,700	$	1,965
Non-current	9,827		11,221
Total environmental reserves	$	11,527	$	13,186
Receivable for recovery of remediation costs⁽²⁾	$	11,195	$	12,304


⁽¹⁾	Reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets


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

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

Standard Product Warranty Disclosure [Abstract]

Warranty Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Reconciliation of Activity Related to the Company's Accrued Warranty



	Year Ended October 31,
	2012			2011
Beginning balance	$	5,262		$	3,697
Provision for warranty expense	652			2,638
Change in accrual for preexisting warranties	(838		)	—
Warranty costs paid	(295		)	(1,073		)
Total accrued warranty	$	4,781		$	5,262
Less: long-term portion	2,736			3,591
Current accrued warranty	$	2,045		$	1,671

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Derivative Insruments and Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance

Therefore, changes in the fair value of these contracts are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:



		For the Years Ended
Derivatives Not Designated as	Location of Gain or (Loss)	October 31,
Hedging Instruments	Recognized in Earnings	2012			2011			2010
		(In thousands)
Aluminum forward contracts	Cost of sales	$	(476	)	$	(307	)	$	—
Foreign currency derivatives	Other, net	$	895		$	(175	)	$	—

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value

The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets and liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet is indicated in the table below:



	October 31, 2012		October 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Asset Derivatives
Accounts receivable, net of allowance:
Aluminum forward contracts	$	—	$	110
Prepaid and other current assets:
Aluminum forward contracts	$	10	$	—
Foreign currency derivatives	$	6	$	—

Liability Derivatives
Accrued liabilities:
Aluminum forward contracts	$	170	$	78
Foreign currency derivatives	$	23	$	(134	)
Other liabilities (non-current):
Aluminum forward contracts	$	4	$	—

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Outstanding Contracts

The following table summarizes the notional amounts and fair value of the Company's outstanding derivative contracts:



	Notional as indicated				Fair Value in $
	October 31,				October 31,
		2012	2011		2012			2011
		(In thousands)
Aluminum forward contracts:
Forward purchase aluminum contracts	LBS	2,370	3,417		$	(164	)	$	(58	)
Forward sales aluminum contracts	LBS	—	(5,346	)	$	—		$	90

Foreign currency exchange derivatives:
Sell EUR, buy GBP	EUR	545	—		$	—		$	—
Sell EUR, buy USD	EUR	7,663	8,500		$	(23	)	$	147
Sell CAD, buy USD	CAD	608	—		$	1		$	—
Buy GBP, sell USD	GBP	1,934	600		$	5		$	2
Buy USD, sell CAD	CAD	—	894		$	—		$	(15	)

Summary of Fair Value of Assets Measured on Recurring Basis

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis based on the fair value hierarchy:




	October 31, 2012										October 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Assets
Money market fund investments	$	67,819	$	—		$	—	$	67,819		$	80,688	$	—		$	—	$	80,688
Commodity derivatives	—		10			—		10			—		110			—		110
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	—		6			—		6			—		150			—		150
Pension plan assets	18,562		—			—		18,562			14,004		—			—		14,004
Total assets	$	86,381	$	16		$	—	$	86,397		$	94,692	$	260		$	—	$	94,952

Liabilities
Commodity derivatives	$	—	$	(174	)	$	—	$	(174	)	$	—	$	(78	)	$	—	$	(78	)
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	—		(23		)	—		(23		)	—		(16		)	—		(16		)
Total liabilities	$	—	$	(197	)	$	—	$	(197	)	$	—	$	(94	)	$	—	$	(94	)

Net assets (liabilities)	$	86,381	$	(181	)	$	—	$	86,200		$	94,692	$	166		$	—	$	94,858

Tabular disclosure of assets, including [financial] instruments measured at fair value that are classified in stockholders' equity, if any, by class that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The disclosures contemplated herein include the fair value measurements at the reporting date by the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall, segregating fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1), significant other observable inputs (Level 2), and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Tabular disclosure of the location and amount of gains and losses reported in the statement of financial performance, or when applicable, the statement of financial position. For example, (a) gains and losses recognized in the income statement on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges and (b) gains and losses initially recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

Tabular disclosure of pertinent information about a derivative or group of derivatives on a disaggregated basis, such as for individual instruments, or small groups of similar instruments. May include a combination of the type of instrument, risks being hedged, notional amount, hedge designation, related hedged item, inception date, maturity date, or other relevant item.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41641-113959

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41620-113959

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
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-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Other Income (Expense) Other Income (Expense) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 are as follows:



	Years Ended October 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Other income (expense)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$	(857	)	$	(729	)	$	—
Foreign currency exchange derivative gains (losses)	895			(175		)	—
Gain on bargain purchase	—			—			1,272
Gain on involuntary conversion	—			—			914
Interest income	206			311			411
Other	(22		)	79			48
Other income (expense)	$	222		$	(514	)	$	2,645

Restructuring and Related Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Liability Balances Showing Changes to Expense, Cash Payments and Other Adjustments

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability balances showing charges to expense, cash payments and other adjustments for the year ended October 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):



	Employee termination costs			Facility consolidation costs			Contract termination and other exit costs			Total
Reconciliation of the liability in the balance sheet
Beginning balance, October 31, 2011	$	—		$	—		$	722		$	722
Charges to expense, continuing operations	3,372			5,621			10			9,003
Cash payments	(3,199		)	(5,530		)	(309		)	(9,038		)
Other adjustments	—			(26		)	(61		)	(87		)
Ending balance, October 31, 2012	$	173		$	65		$	362		$	600

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Selected Quarterly Information

The following sets forth the selected quarterly information for the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011.



	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	(In thousands except per share amounts)
2012:
Net sales	$	161,579		$	194,444		$	237,905	$	235,048
Cost of sales⁽¹⁾	138,042			171,837			200,663		193,302
Depreciation and amortization⁽²⁾	6,625			6,168			5,801		5,707
Operating income (loss)^(3)(4)(5)	(11,304		)	(16,079		)	1,452		978
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(6,748		)	(12,285		)	1,531		968
Net income (loss)	(6,748		)	(12,285		)	1,531		968
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Basic earnings (loss)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Diluted earnings (loss)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
2011:
Net sales	$	159,808		$	203,112		$	252,413	$	232,961
Cost of sales⁽¹⁾⁽⁶⁾	139,655			175,512			209,667		187,257
Depreciation and amortization⁽²⁾	6,059			5,847			6,326		6,294
Operating income (loss)⁽³⁾	(7,666		)	(2,285		)	14,637		11,792
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(4,728		)	(1,389		)	9,016		6,179
Net income (loss)	(4,740		)	(1,389		)	9,016		6,179
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.24	$	0.17
Basic earnings (loss)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.24	$	0.17
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.24	$	0.17
Diluted earnings (loss)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.24	$	0.17


⁽¹⁾	Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization shown separately.


⁽²⁾	Depreciation and amortization represent depreciation and amortization directly associated with or allocated to products sold and services rendered and excludes corporate depreciation and amortization.


⁽³⁾	The Company recorded asset impairment charges during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011 of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to sell during fiscal 2013 which is reported in Asset impairment charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income.


⁽⁴⁾	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at the two Nichols Davenport, Iowa facilities, which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $9.0 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2012 and $2.1 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2012. This negative impact included a reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.

⁽⁵⁾


⁽⁶⁾	During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS



Description	Balance at Beginning of Year		Charged (Credited) to Costs & Expenses				Write-offs			Other			Balance at End of Year
	(In thousands)
Allowance for doubtful accounts⁽¹⁾:
Year ended October 31, 2012	$	1,062	$	593			$	(688	)	$	59		$	1,026
Year ended October 31, 2011	1,037		635				(627		)	17			1,062
Year ended October 31, 2010	1,696		(482		)	⁽²⁾	(178		)	1			1,037
Inventory reserves (primarily LIFO) ⁽¹⁾:
Year ended October 31, 2012	$	15,660	$	(163	)		$	(400	)	$	(135	)	$	14,962
Year ended October 31, 2011	12,768		3,432				(491		)	(49		)	15,660
Year ended October 31, 2010	8,165		5,444				(840		)	(1		)	12,768
Income tax valuation allowance ⁽³⁾
Year ended October 31, 2012	$	—	$	1,694			$	—		$	—		$	1,694
Year ended October 31, 2011	—		—				—			—			—
Year ended October 31, 2010	—		—				—			—			—


⁽¹⁾	As more fully described in Note 1, the Company’s start-up facility in China is reported in discontinued operations for all periods presented.


⁽²⁾	During the fiscal year ended 2009, a customer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, so a special reserve was recorded. During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the customer completed its balance sheet restructuring and emerged from bankruptcy resulting in a reversal of the special reserve.


⁽³⁾	During the fiscal year ended 2012, the Company recorded a state net operating loss valuation allowance. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets.

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	Oct. 31, 2012 segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable business segments	2

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Estimated Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Land Improvements [Member]

Property, plant and equipment, minimum useful life (years)

Property, plant and equipment, maximum useful life (years)

Building [Member]

Property, plant and equipment, minimum useful life (years)

Property, plant and equipment, maximum useful life (years)

Building Improvements [Member]

Property, plant and equipment, minimum useful life (years)

Property, plant and equipment, maximum useful life (years)

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Property, plant and equipment, useful life

Over lease term

^[1]

Machinery and Equipment [Member]

Property, plant and equipment, minimum useful life (years)

Property, plant and equipment, maximum useful life (years)

[1]	Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease.

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	$ 381	$ 425	$ 373
Cash paid for income taxes	1,265	3,260	5,635
Cash received for income tax refunds	19	132	12,280
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Share value cancelled to satisfy tax withholdings	645	1,066	53
Reduction of unrecognized tax benefit related to Seperation	3,571	0	0
Capital expenditures financed through accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 395	$ 2,459	$ 3,015

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail)	7 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail)	Oct. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($) yr facility manufacturing_facility	Oct. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2010 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities \| facility		2
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired						$ 1,600,000
Cash acquired in acquisition					$ 828,000
Goodwill					44,623,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Property, Plant and Equipment					21,086,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets					48,750,000
Edgetech I G, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition Cost of Goods Sold Increase			$ (1,800,000)	$ 2,000,000
Number of manufacturing facilities \| manufacturing_facility		3
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired					104,400,000
Cash acquired in acquisition					800,000
Cash paid amount placed into escrow fund		$ 3,500,000			7,000,000
Cash released from escrow account		$ 3,500,000
Tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization					3,500,000
Goodwill					44,600,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life (years) \| yr		10
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs			2,500,000
Acquisition related costs			2,500,000	$ 2,500,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	$ 53,400,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	$ 300,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Inventory Increase			2,000,000
Cost of goods sold (unaudited pro forma adjustments)			1,900,000
Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets			$ 3,000,000
Jeld Wen
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired					6,400,000
Goodwill					0
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Property, Plant and Equipment					5,000,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets					$ 1,400,000
Trademarks \| Edgetech I G, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (years) \| yr		7
Trade Names \| Edgetech I G, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (years) \| yr		7
Patents \| Edgetech I G, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (years) \| yr		10
Other developed technology \| Edgetech I G, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (years) \| yr		10
Customer Relationships \| Edgetech I G, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (years) \| yr		11

Acquisitions Summary of the Fair Values Assigned to the Net Assets Acquired (Details) $ 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	44,623
Intangible assets	48,750
Other assets	1,377
Total assets	137,991
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	6,905
Accrued liabilities	1,315
Income taxes payable	3,780
Deferred income taxes	322
Current maturities of long-term debt	24
Total current liabilities	12,346
Long-term debt	40
Deferred income taxes	20,374
Total liabilities	32,760
Investment	105,231
Total liabilities and equity	$ 137,991

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations for the Combined Entity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 878,291	$ 872,691
Operating income (loss)	20,530	33,706
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 11,496	$ 21,256
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.56

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.

Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 69,432
Ending balance	68,331	$ 69,432
Engineered Products
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	69,432	25,189
Acquisition		44,623
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,101)	(380)
Ending balance	$ 68,331	$ 69,432

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.

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
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-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
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-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
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 20
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-Paragraph 1
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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.

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible assets amortization expense	$ 8.2	$ 6.3	$ 3.1

Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 114,421	$ 115,809
Accumulated Amortization	(36,041)	(27,866)
Patents and other technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	24,773	25,300
Accumulated Amortization	(9,382)	(7,552)
Trademarks and trade names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	44,519	44,857
Accumulated Amortization	(14,520)	(11,540)
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	43,737	44,260
Accumulated Amortization	(11,675)	(8,588)
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,392	1,392
Accumulated Amortization	$ (464)	$ (186)

Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Estimated Amortization Expense
2013	$ 8,124
2014	8,015
2015	7,887
2016	7,682
2017	$ 7,590

Earnings per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Restricted stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Securities excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation due to loss from continuing operations	0.1
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Securities excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation due to loss from continuing operations	0.4
Securities excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation	0.8	0.7	0.3

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.

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.

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-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

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505113

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 07-4
-Paragraph 4
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Earnings per Share Schedule of Earnings per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations, basic										$ 9,078	$ 24,201
Basic (shares)									36,622	37,007	37,220
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.04	$ (0.34)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.17	$ 0.24	$ (0.04)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.24	$ 0.65
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Diluted (shares)									36,622	37,537	37,671
Net Income (loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted										$ 9,078	$ 24,201
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.04	$ (0.34)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.17	$ 0.24	$ (0.04)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.24	$ 0.64
Stock Options
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options										328	261
Restricted stock
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Common stock equivalents arising from stock options										202	190

Components of Inventory (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 30,400	$ 27,862
Finished goods and work in process	32,937	24,988
Supplies and other	2,567	2,992
Total	$ 65,904	$ 55,842

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.

Values of Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
LIFO	$ 28,224	$ 18,782
FIFO	37,680	37,060
Total	$ 65,904	$ 55,842

Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Excess of replacement cost over LIFO value	$ 10.7	$ 12.3
Effect of LIFO inventory liquidation on income	$ 0.0	$ 0.9	$ 1.2

Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land and land improvements	$ 9,553	$ 9,608
Buildings and building improvements	76,810	71,170
Machinery and equipment	391,897	374,733
Construction in progress	24,515	14,983
Property, plant and equipment, gross	502,775	470,494
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(333,898)	(312,285)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 168,877	$ 158,209

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

Payroll, payroll taxes and employee benefits

Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Capitalized computer software, gross	$ 15.8	$ 8.2
Depreciation expense	29.4	27.6	$ 25.1
Impairment charges	0.7	$ 1.6
Commitments for purchase or construction of capital assets	$ 7.2

Accrued Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

$ 21,458

$ 13,877

Accrued insurance and workers compensation

4,212

6,337

Sales allowances

5,509

3,572

Accrued capital expenditures

1,242

2,576

Deferred revenue

2,353

2,593

Environmental

^[1]

1,700

1,965

Warranties

2,045

1,671

Audit, legal, and other miscellaneous professional fees

2,847

1,380

Accrued rent

1,076

1,267

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

4,017

2,820

Accrued liabilities

$ 46,459

$ 38,058

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

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax receivable	$ 1,300	$ 200
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance	$ 69,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates	Most of these losses begin to expire in 2025.
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	$ 600
Tax Credit Carryforward, Description	not expected to be utilized within the next twelve months.
Unrecognized tax benefits, would not affect the annual effective tax rate	$ 14,700
Decrease in the UTB as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations	3,571	0	$ 0
Reduction of excess tax benefit liability related to Separation	2,851
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	300	$ 300	$ 200
Future Unrecongized Tax Benefit Reductions Resulting From Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations, Next Twelve Months	2,700
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance	$ 1,100
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] \| Minimum
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Period Subject To Examination	4 years
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] \| Maximum
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Period Subject To Examination	5 years
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] \| State Impact On Federal Modifications [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Period Subject To Examination	1 year
Lapse in Statute of Limitations [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Reduction of excess tax benefit liability related to Separation	$ 2,900
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (700)

Income / (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 968	$ 1,531	$ (12,285)	$ (6,748)	$ 6,179	$ 9,016	$ (1,389)	$ (4,728)	$ (25,185)	$ 15,515	$ 39,502
U.S.
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(24,858)	17,610	39,602
Non-U.S.
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									$ (327)	$ (2,095)	$ (100)

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Current
Federal	$ 257	$ 1,949	$ 2,729
State and local	320	390	386
Non-U.S.	615	737	(108)
Total current	1,192	3,076	3,007
Deferred
Federal	(9,060)	3,964	10,806
State and local	(213)	596	1,450
Non-U.S.	(570)	(1,199)	38
Total deferred	(9,843)	3,361	12,294
Total	$ (8,651)	$ 6,437	$ 15,301

Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Reconciliation of effective tax rate
U.S. tax at statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local income tax	3.90%	4.40%	3.00%
Non-U.S. income tax	(0.50%)	1.10%	0.00%
Employee related items	(2.10%)	0.00%	0.00%
Transaction costs	0.00%	4.70%	0.00%
General business credits	1.10%	(2.60%)	0.00%
Valuation allowance	(4.40%)	0.00%	0.00%
Other	1.30%	(1.10%)	0.70%
Effective tax rate	34.30%	41.50%	38.70%

Components of the Company's Net Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefit obligations	$ 14,948	$ 11,224
Goodwill and intangibles	3,055	6,580
Accrued liabilities and reserves	4,349	4,122
Pension and other benefit obligations	3,720	3,694
Inventory	3,858	3,277
Loss and tax credit carry forwards	13,168	2,505
Other	291	373
Total gross deferred tax assets	43,389	31,775
Less: valuation allowance	(1,694)	0
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	41,695	31,775
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	3,322	2,256
Net deferred tax assets	38,373	29,519
Deferred income tax assets, non-current	17,934	18,299
Deferred income tax assets, current	$ 20,439	$ 11,220

Reconciliation of the Change in the Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 19,042
Decrease in the UTB as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations	(3,571)	$ 0	$ 0
Ending Balance	15,759	19,042
Accrued Interest and Penalties
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	737	436	209
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	0	0	0
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	266	301	227
Decrease in the UTB as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations	(440)
Ending Balance	563	737	436
Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	19,042	18,615	18,332
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	12	13	13
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	276	414	270
Decrease in the UTB as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations	(3,571)
Ending Balance	$ 15,759	$ 19,042	$ 18,615

Income Taxes Unrecognized Tax Benefit, By Balance Sheet Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Total unrecognized tax benefit	$ 15,759	$ 19,042
Deferred Income Taxes (Non-Current Assets)
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Total unrecognized tax benefit	9,023	10,630
Liability For Uncertain Tax Positions
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Total unrecognized tax benefit	$ 6,736	$ 8,412

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 1999 USD ($) principal_payment	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 270,000,000
Credit facility, effective date		April 23, 2008
Credit facility payment terms		5 years
Credit facility, expiration date		April 23, 2013
Letters of credit, outstanding amount		$ 6,000,000
Credit facility, available amount		$ 102,600,000
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		1.00%	1.20%
Total debt with variable interest rate		86.00%	90.00%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 1,400,000	$ 1,700,000
Maximum
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Leverage ratio, Company must not exceed		3.25
Minimum
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest coverage ratio, Company must not exceed		3
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Letters of credit, outstanding amount		$ 5,500,000
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Letters of credit, outstanding amount		$ 800,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period		0.60%	0.60%
Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds [Member]
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 3,000,000
Number of required principal payments \| principal_payment	15
Debt Instrument, Annual Principal Payment	$ 200,000
Principal payment beginning date	July 1, 2000
Interest payment date	Interest is payable on the first business day of each calendar month
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum		0.50%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum		1.60%
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 50,000,000
Letters of credit, outstanding amount		$ 5,500,000

Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	$ 1,401	$ 1,666
Less maturities due within one year included in current liabilities	368	352
Long-term debt	1,033	1,314
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0	0
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	800	900
Scott County, Iowa Industrial Wast Recycling Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	400	600
Capital lease obligations and other
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	$ 201	$ 166

Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Detail) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2013	$ 368
2014	352
2015	154
2016	108
2017	107
Thereafter	312
Total	$ 1,401

Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
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%
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation		$ 23,749	$ 19,395
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)		0
Net actuarial loss for the defined benefit pension plans that is expected to be amortized		$ 249
Targeted funded percentages		100.00%
Expected Pension Funding Additional Contributions Total	$ 2,700
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer		$ 4,200	1,882
Expected pension funding, Voluntary contributions for fiscal year 2013		$ 3,300
Company's matching contribution for employee 401(k)		50.00%
Percentage of employee deferrals up to which the company matches 401(k) contributions		5.00%
Company contributed to 401 (k)plan		$ 2,500	3,100	$ 2,200
Earned vested benefits under the Supplemental Benefit Plan		2,500	1,800	1,100
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent		$ 5,900	$ 5,900	$ 5,000
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan credits as percentage of "grandfathered" employees' annual eligible wages		6.50%

Funded Status of the Defined Benefit Pension Plan (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Change in Benefit Obligation

^[1]

$ 20,662

$ 15,615

Service cost

3,652

3,794

$ 3,357

Interest cost

815

795

661

Actuarial loss (gain)

731

1,760

Benefits paid

(1,183)

(994)

Administrative expenses

(270)

(308)

Benefit obligation at end of year

^[1]

24,407

20,662

15,615

Change in Plan Assets

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

14,004

12,950

Actual return on plan assets

1,811

474

Employer contributions

4,200

1,882

Benefits paid

(1,183)

(994)

Administrative expenses

(270)

(308)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

18,562

14,004

$ 12,950

Funded Status

$ (5,845)

$ (6,658)

[1]	The benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation.

Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits	$ (5,845)	$ (6,658)
Net amount recognized	$ (5,845)	$ (6,658)

This represents the noncurrent liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans.

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Pretax) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (pretax):
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$ 4,771	$ 4,837
Net prior service cost (credit)	0	0
Net transition obligation (asset)	0	0
Total	$ 4,771	$ 4,837

Amount related to the pretax cost of benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation, which has not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

Of the original amount of transition assets as of the date FAS 87 or 106 was initially applied, (a) the fair value of plan assets plus any recognized accrued pension or other postretirement benefit cost or less any recognized prepaid pension or other postretirement benefit cost in excess of (b) the benefit obligation, the portion of which has yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. Of the original amount of transition obligations as of the date FAS 87 or 106 was initially applied, (a) the benefit obligation in excess of (b) the fair value of plan assets plus any recognized accrued pension or other postretirement benefit cost or less any recognized prepaid pension or other postretirement benefit cost, the portion of which has yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. This amount is pretax.

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

The Projected Benefit Obligation, Accumulated Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets for Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Projected benefit obligation

^[1]

$ 24,407

$ 20,662

$ 15,615

Accumulated benefit obligation

23,749

19,395

$ 18,562

$ 14,004

$ 12,950

[1]	The benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation.

1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date.

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.

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Service cost	$ 3,652	$ 3,794	$ 3,357
Interest cost	815	795	661
Expected return on plan assets	(1,161)	(986)	(754)
Amortization of net loss	147	134	146
Net periodic benefit cost	3,453	3,737	3,410
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) (pretax):
Net loss (gain) arising during the period	81	2,271	(998)
Prior service cost (credit) arising during the period	0	0	0
Amortization of gain (loss)	(147)	(134)	(146)
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	0	0	0
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	(66)	2,137	(1,144)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income)	$ 3,387	$ 5,874	$ 2,266

The Assumptions for the Pension Benefit Calculations (Detail) - Pension & Postretirement Benefit Related	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at year-end:
Discount rate	3.29%	4.40%	5.15%
Rate of compensation increase	2.50%	4.00%	4.00%
Weighted average assumptions to determine net periodic benefit costs:
Discount rate	4.40%	5.15%	5.65%
Expected return on plan assets	7.25%	7.25%	8.00%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%

Actual Asset Allocation by Asset Category (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Actual Asset Allocation by Asset Category (Detail)	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Equity securities (target allocation)	60.00%
Fixed income (target allocation)	40.00%
Equity securities (actual allocation)	60.00%	59.00%
Fixed income (actual allocation)	40.00%	41.00%

Actual Asset Allocation by Fair Value Measurements (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1

$ 18,562

$ 14,004

$ 12,950

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Security

^[1]

18,395

13,900

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Security | US Large Capitalization Equities

^[1]

11,058

8,196

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Security | US Small Capitalization Equities

^[1]

5,918

4,426

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Security | International Equity

^[1]

2,218

1,679

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Security | Equity Securities, Other

^[1]

1,993

1,499

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Debt Securities

^[1]

929

592

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Debt Securities | High-Quality Core Bond

^[1]

7,337

5,704

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Debt Securities | High-Quality Government Bond

^[1]

3,645

2,807

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Debt Securities | High Yield Bonds

^[1]

1,831

1,434

^[1]

$ 1,861

$ 1,463

[1]	Quoted fair value prices are as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 and are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1).

Expected Benefit to be Paid to Participants (Detail) - Pension & Postretirement Benefit Related $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2013	$ 1,773
2014	1,823
2015	2,051
2016	2,214
2017	2,331
2018 - 2022	$ 13,785

Retirement Plans Postretirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Other Postretirement Benefits Payable	$ 1,109	$ 1,207
Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Other Postretirement Benefits Payable	74	80
Deferred Pension And Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Other Postretirement Benefits Payable	$ 1,035	$ 1,127

Industry Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

USD ($)

facility

segment

Jul. 31, 2012

USD ($)

^[1],[2],[3]

Apr. 30, 2012

USD ($)

^[1],[2],[3]

Jan. 31, 2012

USD ($)

^[1],[2],[3]

Oct. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Jul. 31, 2011

USD ($)

^[3]

Apr. 30, 2011

USD ($)

^[3]

Jan. 31, 2011

USD ($)

^[3]

Oct. 31, 2012

USD ($)

facility

operating_segment

segment

Oct. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Oct. 31, 2010

USD ($)

Feb. 28, 2010

USD ($)

Number of reportable business segments | segment

Number of operating segments | operating_segment

Cash paid for business acquisition

$ 1,600

Number of manufacturing facilities | facility

$ 912

$ 1,799

$ 0

$ 978

^[1],[2],[3]

$ 1,452

$ (16,079)

$ (11,304)

$ 11,792

^[3]

$ 14,637

$ (2,285)

$ (7,666)

$ (24,953)

16,478

37,297

$ 9,003

Employee Strike

Number of manufacturing facilities | facility

$ (11,100)

Engineered Products

Number of operating segments | operating_segment

$ 900

1,800

$ 900

1,800

Engineered Products | Discontinued Legacy Products And Claims

^[4],[5]

28,490

30,293

^[6]

$ 34,278

Change in accrual for the period, increase (decrease)

1,900

Intersegment Eliminations

Cash paid for business acquisition

$ 110,800

Facility consolidation closing | IG Spacer [Member]

Facility consolidation closing | IG Spacer [Member] | Engineered Products

5,621

$ 9,000

[1]	In November 2011, the Company announced a consolidation program for its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio. The facility consolidation was completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed. The Company recorded expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million.
[2]	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at the two Nichols Davenport, Iowa facilities, which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $9.0 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2012 and $2.1 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2012. This negative impact included a reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.
[3]	The Company recorded asset impairment charges during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011 of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to sell during fiscal 2013 which is reported in Asset impairment charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
[4]	In November 2011, the Company announced a consolidation program for its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio. The facility consolidation was completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed. The Company recorded expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million in its Engineered Products segment.
[5]	In fiscal 2012 and 2011, Engineered Products recorded asset impairment charges of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to market for sale during fiscal 2013.
[6]	During fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.

Summary of Net Sales and Operating Income (Loss) by Segment (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Apr. 30, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2011

Apr. 30, 2011

Jan. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

$ 235,048

$ 237,905

$ 194,444

$ 161,579

$ 232,961

$ 252,413

$ 203,112

$ 159,808

$ 828,976

^[1]

$ 848,294

^[1]

$ 798,314

^[1]

5,707

^[2]

5,801

^[2]

6,168

^[2]

6,625

^[2]

6,294

^[2]

6,326

^[2]

5,847

^[2]

6,059

^[2]

37,596

33,932

28,214

978

^[3],[4],[5]

$ 1,452

^[3],[4],[5]

$ (16,079)

^[3],[4],[5]

$ (11,304)

^[3],[4],[5]

11,792

^[5]

$ 14,637

^[5]

$ (2,285)

^[5]

$ (7,666)

^[5]

(24,953)

16,478

37,297

42,871

25,312

14,720

589,538

584,929

589,538

584,929

591,250

Engineered Products

478,578

420,258

361,062

28,115

25,232

19,760

^[6],[7]

28,490

30,293

^[8]

34,278

17,540

11,248

9,789

^[9]

380,551

389,889

380,551

389,889

258,919

Aluminum Sheet Products

^[1]

362,315

440,495

449,529

7,621

8,542

8,334

(17,098)

17,115

30,223

10,381

8,749

4,806

Intersegment Eliminations

139,733

132,161

139,733

132,161

152,113

(11,917)

(12,459)

(12,277)

Corporate and Other

1,860

158

120

(36,345)

(30,930)

(27,204)

Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other [Member]

14,950

5,315

125

^[10]

69,254

62,879

69,254

62,879

179,756

Discontinued operations

^[11]

$ 0

$ 462

[1]	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at two of Nichols' Davenport, Iowa facilities which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $11.1 million , including the reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.
[2]	Depreciation and amortization represent depreciation and amortization directly associated with or allocated to products sold and services rendered and excludes corporate depreciation and amortization.
[3]	In November 2011, the Company announced a consolidation program for its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio. The facility consolidation was completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed. The Company recorded expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million.
[4]	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at the two Nichols Davenport, Iowa facilities, which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $9.0 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2012 and $2.1 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2012. This negative impact included a reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.
[5]	The Company recorded asset impairment charges during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011 of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to sell during fiscal 2013 which is reported in Asset impairment charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
[6]	In November 2011, the Company announced a consolidation program for its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio. The facility consolidation was completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed. The Company recorded expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million in its Engineered Products segment.
[7]	In fiscal 2012 and 2011, Engineered Products recorded asset impairment charges of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to market for sale during fiscal 2013.
[8]	During fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.
[9]	Increase in Engineered Products identifiable assets in 2011 are primarily attributable to the Edgetech acquisition on March 31, 2011. See Note 3 for discussion of the acquisition.
[10]	Decrease in Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other identifiable assets in 2011 are primarily attributable to cash paid of $110.8 million for the Edgetech and Yakima acquisitions.
[11]	In 2010, management closed its start-up facility in China; therefore, the China assets are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Net Sales by Geographic Region (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Apr. 30, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2011

Apr. 30, 2011

Jan. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

$ 235,048

$ 237,905

$ 194,444

$ 161,579

$ 232,961

$ 252,413

$ 203,112

$ 159,808

$ 828,976

^[1]

$ 848,294

^[1]

$ 798,314

^[1]

U.S.

657,235

696,335

691,508

foreign

171,741

151,959

106,806

foreign | MEXICO

11,138

12,105

12,277

foreign | CANADA

89,381

83,570

67,856

foreign | Asia

18,504

19,181

15,810

foreign | Europe

foreign | Other Foreign Jurisdiction

49,687

35,003

10,048

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

$ 3,031

$ 2,100

$ 815

[1]	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at two of Nichols' Davenport, Iowa facilities which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $11.1 million , including the reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.

Long-lived Assets by Geographic Region (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Certain Long-Lived Assets by Geography [Line Items]
Long-lived assets, net, in United States	$ 267,110	$ 261,443	$ 205,374
Long-lived assets, net, foreign	48,478	54,141	0
Total long-lived assets, net	315,588	315,584	205,374
GERMANY
Certain Long-Lived Assets by Geography [Line Items]
Long-lived assets, net, foreign	34,544	39,898	0
UNITED KINGDOM
Certain Long-Lived Assets by Geography [Line Items]
Long-lived assets, net, foreign	$ 13,934	$ 14,243	$ 0

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Aug. 25, 2011	May 27, 2010
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Common Stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common Stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Stock repurchase program approved (shares)				1,000,000
Additional shares authorized for repurchase (shares)			1,000,000
Remaining number of shares authorized for repurchase	905,663

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2011 shares	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($) yr $ / shares shares	Oct. 31, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Oct. 31, 2010 USD ($) $ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock authorized for grant originally under the 2008 Plan (shares) \| shares		2,900,000
Number of shares of common stock authorized for grant originally under the 2008 Plan additional (shares) \| shares	2,400,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Grant Date		Apr. 23, 2008
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options		$ 3,000,000	$ 900,000	$ 400,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options		$ 500,000	$ 200,000	$ 100,000
Granted shares, exercise price (usd per share) \| $ / shares		$ 15.82	$ 17.13	$ 16.39
Restricted stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized stock awards		$ 1,300,000
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized (years) \| yr		1.7
Weighted average grant date fair value (usd per share) \| $ / shares		$ 15.08	$ 17.14	$ 16.21
Total fair value of restricted stock vested		$ 900,000	$ 2,500,000	$ 100,000
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total intrinsic value of options exercised		1,200,000	300,000	$ 300,000
Total fair value of shares vested		2,600,000	$ 2,900,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized stock awards		$ 3,200,000
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized (years) \| yr		1.5
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized stock awards		$ 1,700,000
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized (years) \| yr		2.2
Weighted average grant date fair value (usd per share) \| $ / shares		$ 15.60	$ 14.75	$ 18.26
Vesting period		3 years
Cash used to settle awards		$ 200,000	$ 0
Number of RSU awards outstanding (shares) \| shares		194,358	56,410
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
2008 plan stock options maximum exercisable period		10 years

Stock-Based Compensation Recorded in Selling, General and Administrative Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 5,604	$ 4,852	$ 4,456
Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income	1,922	2,003	1,724
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	3,287	3,166	2,812
Restricted stock \| Other Amortization
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	1,117	1,537	1,393
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,200	$ 149	$ 251

Summary of Valuation Assumptions and Resulting Grant Date Fair Values for Grants (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012 yr $ / shares	Oct. 31, 2011 yr $ / shares	Oct. 31, 2010 yr $ / shares
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Weighted-average expected volatility	54.00%	53.00%	55.00%
Expected term (in years), minimum	4.9	4.9	4.9
Expected term (in years), maximum	5.1	5.1	5.1
Risk-free interest rate	0.90%	1.70%	2.00%
Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.00%	1.00%	1.00%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share \| $ / shares	$ 6.80	$ 7.42	$ 7.38

Summary of Stock Option Shares Activity for the 2008 Plan (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($) yr $ / shares shares	Oct. 31, 2011 $ / shares shares	Oct. 31, 2010 $ / shares shares
Number of Shares
Outstanding at October 31, 2011 (shares) \| shares	2,137,436
Granted (shares) \| shares	607,972
Exercised (shares) \| shares	(229,423)	(61,338)	(38,641)
Cancelled/Expired \| shares	(42,735)
Outstanding at October 31, 2012 (shares) \| shares	2,473,250	2,137,436
Vested or expected to vest at October 31, 2012 \| shares	2,398,208
Exercisable at October 31, 2012 (shares) \| shares	1,558,226
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (usd per share)
Outstanding at October 31, 2011 (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 14.08
Granted (usd per share) \| $ / shares	15.82	$ 17.13	$ 16.39
Exercised (usd per share) \| $ / shares	13.14
Cancelled/Expired (usd per share) \| $ / shares	15.71
Outstanding at October 31, 2012 (usd per share) \| $ / shares	14.57	$ 14.08
Vested or expected to vest at end of period (usd per share) \| $ / shares	14.49
Exercisable at end of period (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 13.61
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)
Outstanding at October 31, 2012 (years) \| yr	7.2
Vested or expcted to vest at October 31, 2012 (years) \| yr	7.2
Exercisable at October 31, 2012 (years) \| yr	6.4
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at October 31, 2012 \| $	$ 12,908
Vested or expected to vest at October 31, 2012 \| $	12,689
Exercisable at October 31, 2012 \| $	$ 9,618

Summary of Non Vested Restricted Stock Award Changes During Period (Detail) - Restricted stock - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Number of Shares
Nonvested at October 31, 2011 (shares)	256,390
Granted (shares)	83,900
Vested (shares)	(115,790)
Cancelled (shares)	(11,800)
Nonvested at October 31, 2012 (shares)	212,700	256,390
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (usd per share)
Nonvested at October 31, 2011 (usd per share)	$ 12.67
Granted (usd per share)	15.08	$ 17.14	$ 16.21
Vested (usd per share)	7.82
Cancelled (usd per share)	16.07
Nonvested at October 31, 2012 (usd per share)	$ 16.08	$ 12.67

Stock-Based Compensation Summary of Non-Vested Restricted Stock Units Changes Made During The Period (Detail) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Number of Shares
Nonvested at October 31, 2011 (shares)	21,000
Granted (shares)	162,632
Vested (shares)	(7,632)
Cancelled (shares)	(15,000)
Nonvested at October 31, 2012 (shares)	161,000	21,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (usd per share)
Nonvested at October 31, 2011 (usd per share)	$ 18.35
Granted (usd per share)	15.60	$ 14.75	$ 18.26
Vested (usd per share)	19.77
Cancelled (usd per share)	18.35
Nonvested at October 31, 2012 (usd per share)	$ 15.47	$ 18.35

Commitments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Commitments [Abstract]
Operating leases rental expenses	$ 6.9	$ 6.0	$ 4.8
Minimum rentals to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases	1.9
Purchase obligation for natural gas and aluminum	$ 4.0	$ 2.8	$ 1.6

Future Minimum Payment Aggregate Under Operating Leases and Purchase Obligations (Detail) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Operating leases
2013	$ 5,808
2014	5,495
2015	4,661
2016	3,409
2017	2,737
Thereafter	10,007
Total	32,117
Purchase obligations
2013	4,148
2014	296
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
Thereafter	0
Total	$ 4,444

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

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Current

^[1]

$ 1,700

$ 1,965

Non-current

9,827

11,221

Total environmental reserves

11,527

13,186

Receivable for recovery of remediation costs

^[2]

$ 11,195

$ 12,304

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

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.

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.

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

USD ($)

subsidiary

Oct. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Environmental reserves

$ 11,527

$ 13,186

Receivable for recovery of remediation costs

^[1]

$ 11,195

12,304

Nichols Aluminum-Alabama, LLC (NAA)

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

Number of subsidiaries | subsidiary

Environmental reserves

$ 11,500

Environmental reserve, administrative costs

1,100

Environmental Reserve Other Accrued Costs

10,400

Payment on indemnification

$ 1,500

Ongoing costs, percentage of payments

90.00%

Receivable for recovery of remediation costs

$ 11,200

12,300

Recorded Third-Party Environmental Recoveries, Noncurrent

$ 10,400

$ 11,600

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.

Nichols Aluminum-Alabama, LLC (NAA) | Maximum

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

Environmental matters related to business acquisition

$ 21,500

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

Reconciliation of Activity Related to the Company's Accrued Warranty (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 5,262	$ 3,697
Provision for warranty expense	652	2,638
Change in accrual for preexisting warranties	(838)	0
Warranty costs paid	(295)	(1,073)
Total accrued warranty	4,781	5,262
Less: long-term portion	2,736	3,591
Current accrued warranty	$ 2,045	$ 1,671

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).

Warranty Obligations Warranty Obligations - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Standard Product Warranty Disclosure [Abstract]
Product Warranty Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 1.9

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) Recognized In Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Other, net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency derivatives	$ 895	$ (175)	$ 0
Aluminum Forward Contracts \| Cost of Sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aluminum forward contracts	$ (476)	$ (307)	$ 0

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Price Risk Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Asset, at Fair Value	$ 10	$ 110
Foreign currency derivatives, asset derivatives	6	150
Aluminum forward contracts, liability derivatives	174	78
Foreign currency derivatives, liability derivatives	23	16
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Price Risk Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Asset, at Fair Value	0	110
Prepaid and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Price Risk Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Asset, at Fair Value	10	0
Foreign currency derivatives, asset derivatives	6	0
Accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aluminum forward contracts, liability derivatives	170	78
Foreign currency derivatives, liability derivatives	23	(134)
Other non-current liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aluminum forward contracts, liability derivatives	$ 4	$ 0

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Outstanding (Details) € in Thousands, £ in Thousands, lb in Thousands, $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012 CAD ($) lb	Oct. 31, 2012 EUR (€) lb	Oct. 31, 2012 GBP (£) lb	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($) lb	Oct. 31, 2011 CAD ($) lb	Oct. 31, 2011 EUR (€) lb	Oct. 31, 2011 GBP (£) lb	Oct. 31, 2011 USD ($) lb
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Price Risk Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Asset, at Fair Value				$ 10				$ 110
Sell EUR, buy GBP
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount (stated in foreign currency) \| €		€ 545				€ 0
Foreign currency exchnage derivatives, fair value (stated in USD)				0				0
Sell EUR, buy USD
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount (stated in foreign currency) \| €		€ 7,663				€ 8,500
Foreign currency exchnage derivatives, fair value (stated in USD)				(23)				147
Sell CAD, buy USD
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount (stated in foreign currency)	$ 608				$ 0
Foreign currency exchnage derivatives, fair value (stated in USD)				1				0
Buy GBP, sell USD
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount (stated in foreign currency) \| £			£ 1,934				£ 600
Foreign currency exchnage derivatives, fair value (stated in USD)				5				2
Buy USD, sell CAD
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount (stated in foreign currency)	$ 0				$ 894
Foreign currency exchnage derivatives, fair value (stated in USD)				$ 0				$ (15)
Forward Purchase Aluminum Contracts \| Commodity Contract
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Forward aluminum purchase / (sales) contracts, nominal (stated in LBS) \| lb	2,370	2,370	2,370	2,370	3,417	3,417	3,417	3,417
Price Risk Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, at Fair Value, Net				$ (164)				$ (58)
Forward Sales Aluminum Contracts \| Commodity Contract
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Forward aluminum purchase / (sales) contracts, nominal (stated in LBS) \| lb	0	0	0	0	5,346	5,346	5,346	5,346
Price Risk Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Asset, at Fair Value				$ 0				$ 90

Summary of Fair Value of Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Commodity derivatives	$ 10	$ 110
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	6	150
Pension plan assets	18,562	14,004	$ 12,950
Total assets	86,397	94,952
Commodity derivatives	(174)	(78)
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	(23)	(16)
Total liabilities	(197)	(94)
Net assets (liabilities)	86,200	94,858
Money Market Funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market fund investments	67,819	80,688
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Commodity derivatives	0	0
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	0	0
Pension plan assets	18,562	14,004
Total assets	86,381	94,692
Commodity derivatives	0	0
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Net assets (liabilities)	86,381	94,692
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 \| Money Market Funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market fund investments	67,819	80,688
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Commodity derivatives	10	110
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	6	150
Pension plan assets	0	0
Total assets	16	260
Commodity derivatives	(174)	(78)
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	(23)	(16)
Total liabilities	(197)	(94)
Net assets (liabilities)	(181)	166
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 \| Money Market Funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market fund investments	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Commodity derivatives	0	0
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	0	0
Pension plan assets	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Commodity derivatives	0	0
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Net assets (liabilities)	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 \| Money Market Funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market fund investments	$ 0	$ 0

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Derivative Insruments and Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment measured at fair value	$ 1.2	$ 2.0

Other Income (Expense) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Other Income (Expense) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)			$ (857)	$ (729)	$ 0
Foreign currency exchange derivative gains (losses)			895	(175)	0
Gain on bargain purchase	$ 1,300		0	0	1,272
Gain on involuntary conversion		$ 900	0	0	914
Interest income			206	311	411
Other			(22)	79	48
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)			$ 222	$ (514)	$ 2,645

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.

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

The aggregate foreign currency transaction gain (loss) (both realized and unrealized) included in determining net income for the reporting period. Excludes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. For certain enterprises, primarily banks, that are dealers in foreign exchange, foreign currency transaction gains (losses) may be disclosed as dealer gains (losses).

Other Income (Expense) Other Income (Expense) Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2010	Feb. 28, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Cash paid for business acquisition		$ 1,600
Gain on bargain purchase		$ 1,300		$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,272
Total Cash Proceeds From Property Insurance Settlement	$ 1,800
Proceeds from property insurance claim				1,123	0	392	$ 1,400
Gain on involuntary conversion			$ 900	$ 0	$ 0	$ 914

Restructuring And Related Activities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, period expense	$ 9,003
IG Spacer [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Period Expense, Severance Benefits	3,400
Cumulative costs incurred	9,000
IG Spacer [Member] \| Employee Termination Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, period expense	3,372
IG Spacer [Member] \| Facility consolidation closing
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, period expense	$ 5,621

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Liability Balances Showing Charges to Expense, Cash Payments and Other Adjustments (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, October 31, 2011	$ 722
Charges to expense, continuing operations	9,003
Cash payments	(9,038)
Other adjustments	(87)
Ending balance, October 31, 2012	600
Employee Termination Costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, October 31, 2011	0
Cash payments	(3,199)
Other adjustments	0
Ending balance, October 31, 2012	173
Facility consolidation closing
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, October 31, 2011	0
Cash payments	(5,530)
Other adjustments	(26)
Ending balance, October 31, 2012	65
Contract termination and other exit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, October 31, 2011	722
Charges to expense, continuing operations	10
Cash payments	(309)
Other adjustments	(61)
Ending balance, October 31, 2012	362
IG Spacer [Member] \| Employee Termination Costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges to expense, continuing operations	3,372
IG Spacer [Member] \| Facility consolidation closing
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges to expense, continuing operations	$ 5,621

Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Selected Quarterly Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Apr. 30, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2011

Apr. 30, 2011

Jan. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Depreciation and amortization

$ 235,048

$ 237,905

$ 194,444

$ 161,579

$ 232,961

$ 252,413

$ 203,112

$ 159,808

$ 828,976

^[1]

$ 848,294

^[1]

$ 798,314

^[1]

Cost of sales

193,302

^[2]

200,663

^[2]

171,837

^[2]

138,042

^[2]

187,257

^[2],[3]

209,667

^[2],[3]

175,512

^[2],[3]

139,655

^[2],[3]

703,844

712,091

660,849

5,707

^[4]

5,801

^[4]

6,168

^[4]

6,625

^[4]

6,294

^[4]

6,326

^[4]

5,847

^[4]

6,059

^[4]

37,596

33,932

28,214

Income (loss) from continuing operations

978

^[5],[6],[7]

1,452

^[5],[6],[7]

(16,079)

^[5],[6],[7]

(11,304)

^[5],[6],[7]

11,792

^[7]

14,637

^[7]

(2,285)

^[7]

(7,666)

^[7]

(24,953)

16,478

37,297

968

1,531

(12,285)

(6,748)

6,179

9,016

(1,389)

(4,728)

(25,185)

15,515

39,502

Net income (loss)

$ 968

$ 1,531

$ (12,285)

$ (6,748)

$ 6,179

$ 9,016

$ (1,389)

$ (4,740)

$ (16,534)

$ 9,066

$ 23,098

Earnings per share:

Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)

$ 0.03

$ 0.04

$ (0.34)

$ (0.18)

$ 0.17

$ 0.24

$ (0.04)

$ (0.13)

$ (0.45)

$ 0.24

$ 0.65

Basic earnings (loss) (usd per share)

0.03

0.04

(0.34)

(0.18)

0.17

0.24

(0.04)

(0.13)

(0.45)

0.24

0.62

Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)

0.03

0.04

(0.34)

(0.18)

0.17

0.24

(0.04)

(0.13)

(0.45)

0.24

0.64

Diluted earnings (loss) (usd per share)

$ 0.03

$ 0.04

$ (0.34)

$ (0.18)

$ 0.17

$ 0.24

$ (0.04)

$ (0.13)

$ (0.45)

$ 0.24

$ 0.61

[1]	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at two of Nichols' Davenport, Iowa facilities which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $11.1 million , including the reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.
[2]	Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization shown separately.
[3]	During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.
[4]	Depreciation and amortization represent depreciation and amortization directly associated with or allocated to products sold and services rendered and excludes corporate depreciation and amortization.
[5]	In November 2011, the Company announced a consolidation program for its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio. The facility consolidation was completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed. The Company recorded expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million.
[6]	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at the two Nichols Davenport, Iowa facilities, which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $9.0 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2012 and $2.1 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2012. This negative impact included a reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.
[7]	The Company recorded asset impairment charges during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011 of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to sell during fiscal 2013 which is reported in Asset impairment charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Selected Quarterly Information Additional Information (Detail)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

USD ($)

facility

Jul. 31, 2012

USD ($)

Apr. 30, 2012

USD ($)

Jan. 31, 2012

USD ($)

^[1],[2],[3]

Oct. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Jul. 31, 2011

USD ($)

^[3]

Apr. 30, 2011

USD ($)

^[3]

Jan. 31, 2011

USD ($)

^[3]

Oct. 31, 2012

USD ($)

facility

Oct. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Oct. 31, 2010

USD ($)

Number of manufacturing facilities | facility

$ 912

$ 1,799

$ 0

$ 978

^[1],[2],[3]

$ 1,452

^[1],[2],[3]

$ (16,079)

^[1],[2],[3]

$ (11,304)

$ 11,792

^[3]

$ 14,637

$ (2,285)

$ (7,666)

$ (24,953)

16,478

37,297

9,003

Restructuring charges

(122)

721

Employee Strike

$ (2,100)

$ (9,000)

Engineered Products

$ 900

$ 1,800

900

1,800

Discontinued Legacy Products And Claims | Engineered Products

^[4],[5]

28,490

30,293

^[6]

$ 34,278

Change in accrual for the period, increase (decrease)

$ 1,900

IG Spacer [Member] | Facility consolidation closing

IG Spacer [Member] | Engineered Products | Facility consolidation closing

5,621

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]

$ 9,000

[1]	In November 2011, the Company announced a consolidation program for its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio. The facility consolidation was completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed. The Company recorded expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million.
[2]	In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at the two Nichols Davenport, Iowa facilities, which had a negative impact on operating income of approximately $9.0 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2012 and $2.1 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2012. This negative impact included a reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.
[3]	The Company recorded asset impairment charges during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011 of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to sell during fiscal 2013 which is reported in Asset impairment charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
[4]	In November 2011, the Company announced a consolidation program for its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio. The facility consolidation was completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed. The Company recorded expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million in its Engineered Products segment.
[5]	In fiscal 2012 and 2011, Engineered Products recorded asset impairment charges of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to market for sale during fiscal 2013.
[6]	During fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]

Balance at Beginning of Year

$ 1,062

^[1]

$ 1,037

^[1],[2]

$ 1,696

^[2]

Charged (Credited) to Costs & Expenses

593

^[1]

635

^[1]

(482)

^[2]

Write-offs

(688)

^[1]

(627)

^[1]

(178)

^[2]

Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]

^[1]

^[2]

Balance at End of Year

^[1]

1,026

1,062

1,037

^[2]

Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]

Balance at Beginning of Year

^[1]

15,660

12,768

8,165

Charged (Credited) to Costs & Expenses

^[1]

(163)

3,432

5,444

Write-offs

^[1]

(400)

(491)

(840)

Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]

^[1]

(135)

(49)

(1)

Balance at End of Year

^[1]

14,962

15,660

12,768

Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]

Balance at Beginning of Year

^[3]

Charged (Credited) to Costs & Expenses

^[3]

1,694

Write-offs

^[3]