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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 13, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Quanex Building Products Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0001423221
Trading Symbol	NX
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,238,090
Entity Public Float			$ 596,540,852

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 49,736,000	$ 71,255,000
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $561 and $1,026 (Note 3)	98,833,000	85,644,000
Inventories, net (Note 4)	58,316,000	65,904,000
Deferred income taxes	22,786,000	20,439,000
Prepaid and other current assets	6,612,000	7,628,000
Total current assets	236,283,000	250,870,000
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $348,927 and $333,898 (Note 5)	157,219,000	168,877,000
Deferred income taxes	13,444,000	8,911,000
Goodwill (Note 6)	71,866,000	68,331,000
Intangible assets, net (Note 6)	78,962,000	78,380,000
Other assets	14,041,000	14,169,000
Total assets	571,815,000	589,538,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	76,900,000	80,985,000
Accrued liabilities (Note 7)	44,785,000	46,459,000
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 8)	183,000	368,000
Total current liabilities	121,868,000	127,812,000
Long-term debt (Note 8)	752,000	1,033,000
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits (Note 9)	3,712,000	6,873,000
Liability for uncertain tax positions (Note 11)	5,396,000	6,736,000
Non-current environmental reserves (Note 12)	9,255,000	9,827,000
Other liabilities	14,638,000	15,430,000
Total liabilities	155,621,000	167,711,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; issued and outstanding - none	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares authorized 125,000,000; issued 37,653,639 and 37,788,804 respectively	377,000	378,000
Additional paid-in-capital	247,642,000	245,144,000
Retained earnings	177,456,000	193,105,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,400,000)	(5,299,000)
Less treasury stock at cost, 488,385 and 816,302 shares, respectively	(6,881,000)	(11,501,000)
Total stockholders' equity	416,194,000	421,827,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 571,815,000	$ 589,538,000

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 561	$ 1,026
Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment	$ 348,927	$ 333,898
Preferred stock, no par value	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	37,653,639	37,788,804
Treasury stock, shares	(488,385)	(816,302)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 952,642	$ 828,976	$ 848,294
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	799,077	703,844	712,091
Selling, general and administrative	109,325	111,577	83,994
Depreciation and amortization	60,504	37,596	33,932
Asset impairment charges	1,465	912	1,799
Operating income (loss)	(17,729)	(24,953)	16,478
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense	(640)	(454)	(449)
Other, net	168	222	(514)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(18,201)	(25,185)	15,515
Income tax benefit (expense)	6,498	8,651	(6,437)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(11,703)	(16,534)	9,078
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	0	(12)
Net income (loss)	$ (11,703)	$ (16,534)	$ 9,066
Bacic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ (0.32)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.24
Basic earnings (loss) per share	(0.32)	(0.45)	0.24
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	(0.32)	(0.45)	0.24
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.32)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.24
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	36,864	36,622	37,007
Diluted	36,864	36,622	37,537
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.16

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (11,703)	$ (16,534)	$ 9,066
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments gain (loss) (pretax)	1,068	(1,832)	(551)
Foreign currency translation adjustments tax benefit (expense)	27	26	15
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss) (pretax)	2,997	220	(2,168)
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss) tax benefit (expense)	(1,193)	(70)	818
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,899	(1,656)	(1,886)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (8,804)	$ (18,190)	$ 7,180

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

- Definition

Before tax and net of reclassification adjustments of the change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity. Also includes the following: gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts; 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; and gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) that has been designated and qualified as a hedging instrument for hedging of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Net of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the parent entity.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Common Stock Shares	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock Shares	Treasury Stock
Balance at Oct. 31, 2010	$ 441,432	$ 379		$ 238,079	$ 210,366	$ (1,757)		$ (5,635)
Balance, common stock shares at Oct. 31, 2010			37,862,441
Balance, treasury stock shares at Oct. 31, 2010							(351,626)
Net income (loss)	9,066				9,066
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes)	(536)					(536)
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss) (net of taxes)	(1,350)					(1,350)
Common dividends ($0.16 per share)	(5,979)				(5,979)
Expense related to stock-based compensation	4,703			4,703
Stock options exercised	$ 867			(20)	(111)			998
Stock options exercised, shares	(61,338)						61,338
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	$ 194			194
Restricted stock awards granted	0	1		(82)				81
Restricted stock awards granted, shares			64,200				5,000
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost	(10,080)							(10,080)
Purchase of treasury stock, shares							(750,000)
Other	(1,091)	(2)		(891)	(199)	1
Other, shares			(83,507)
Balance, common stock shares at Oct. 31, 2011			37,843,134
Balance, treasury stock shares at Oct. 31, 2011							(1,035,288)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2011	437,226	378		241,983	213,143	(3,642)		(14,636)
Net income (loss)	(16,534)				(16,534)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes)	(1,806)					(1,806)
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss) (net of taxes)	150					150
Common dividends ($0.16 per share)	(5,891)				(5,891)
Expense related to stock-based compensation	4,403			4,403
Stock options exercised	$ 3,016			(66)	(151)			3,233
Stock options exercised, shares	(229,423)						229,423
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	$ 341			341
Restricted stock awards granted				(1,186)				1,186
Restricted stock awards granted, shares							83,900
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost	(1,284)							(1,284)
Purchase of treasury stock, shares							(94,337)
Recognition of unrecognized tax benefit	2,851				2,851
Other	$ (645)			(331)	(313)	(1)
Other, shares			(54,330)
Balance, common stock shares at Oct. 31, 2012	37,788,804		37,788,804
Balance, treasury stock shares at Oct. 31, 2012	(816,302)						(816,302)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2012	$ 421,827	378		245,144	193,105	(5,299)		(11,501)
Net income (loss)	(11,703)				(11,703)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes)	1,095					1,095
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss) (net of taxes)	1,804					1,804
Common dividends ($0.16 per share)	(5,931)				(5,931)
Expense related to stock-based compensation	4,910			4,910
Stock options exercised	$ 2,583			54				2,529
Stock options exercised, shares	179,517						179,517
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	$ 25			25
Restricted stock awards granted				(2,091)				2,091
Restricted stock awards granted, shares							148,400
Recognition of unrecognized tax benefit	2,102				2,102
Other	$ (518)	(1)		(400)	(117)
Other, shares			(135,165)
Balance, common stock shares at Oct. 31, 2013	37,653,639		37,653,639
Balance, treasury stock shares at Oct. 31, 2013	(488,385)						(488,385)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2013	$ 416,194	$ 377		$ 247,642	$ 177,456	$ (2,400)		$ (6,881)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	$ 27	$ 26	$ 15
Change in pension from net unamortized gain (loss), tax	$ 1,193	$ 70	$ (818)
Common stock, dividends per share	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.16

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (11,703)	$ (16,534)	$ 9,066
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	60,504	37,596	33,932
Loss (gain) on disposition of capital assets	449	(989)	374
Stock-based compensation	4,910	4,403	4,703
Deferred income taxes	(8,288)	(9,843)	3,361
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(236)	(496)	(226)
Asset impairment charges	1,465	912	1,799
Restructuring charges	0	(122)	721
Other, net	781	2,638	949
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	(9,204)	(4,250)	13,761
Decrease (increase) in inventory	12,791	(10,288)	(530)
Decrease (increase) in other current assets	1,622	(50)	741
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(5,903)	14,920	(13,349)
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities	(7,473)	8,539	(7,125)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes	1,708	(547)	(493)
Increase (decrease) in deferred pension and postretirement benefits	(164)	(693)	2,768
Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities	1,574	678	778
Other, net	688	604	1,714
Cash provided by operating activities	43,521	26,478	52,944
Investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(22,096)	0	(110,845)
Capital expenditures	(37,931)	(42,871)	(25,312)
Proceeds from disposition of capital assets	340	44	107
Proceeds from property insurance claim	0	1,123	0
Proceeds from executive life Insurance	0	0	683
Cash used for investing activities	(59,687)	(41,704)	(135,367)
Financing activities:
Borrowings under credit facility	23,500	0	0
Repayments of credit facility borrowings	(23,500)	0	0
Repayments of other long-term debt	(557)	(264)	(340)
Common stock dividends paid	(5,931)	(5,891)	(5,979)
Issuance of common stock	2,583	3,015	867
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	236	496	226
Debt issuance costs	(1,200)	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	0	(1,284)	(10,080)
Other, net			392
Cash used for financing activities	(4,869)	(3,928)	(14,914)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(484)	790	(222)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(21,519)	(18,364)	(97,559)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	71,255	89,619	187,178
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 49,736	$ 71,255	$ 89,619

Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

1. Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Quanex Building Products Corporation is a technological leader in the production of engineered materials and aluminum sheet products for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) through two business segments: (1) Engineered Products and (2) Aluminum Sheet Products. Quanex Building Products Corporation produces energy efficient window components that include flexible insulating glass spacers, extruded vinyl profiles, and thin film solar panel sealants, as well as window and door screens and precision-formed metal and wood products. Aluminum sheet products include high quality mill finished and coated aluminum sheet that is tailored to customers' specifications. Quanex Building Products Corporation serves a primary customer base in North America and also serves customers in international markets through operating plants in the United Kingdom and Germany, as well as through sales and marketing efforts in other countries.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to "Quanex", the "Company", "we", "us" and "our" refer to the consolidated business operations of Quanex Building Products Corporation and its subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared by us, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In our opinion, these audited financial statements contain all adjustments (which consist of normal recurring adjustments, except as disclosed herein) necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

Use of Estimates

In preparing financial statements, we make informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We review our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to impairment of long lived assets and goodwill, contingencies and income taxes. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ from these estimates.

A summary of our significant accounting policies consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows:

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when products are shipped and the title has passed to the customer. We consider the following factors when determining if title has passed and revenue should be recognized: (a) pervasive evidence that a contractual sales arrangement exists; (b) delivery has occurred; (c) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. Such securities with an original maturity which exceeds three months are deemed to be short-term investments. We maintain cash and cash equivalents at several financial institutions, which at times may not be federally insured or may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts and believe we are not exposed to any significant credit risks on such accounts.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Certain of our businesses or product lines are largely dependent on a relatively few large customers. Although we believe we have an extensive customer base, the loss of one of these large customers or if such customers were to incur a prolonged period of decline in business, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. For the year ended October 31, 2013, one customer provided 10% of our consolidated net sales. No customer provided more than 10% of our consolidated net sales for the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011.

We have established an allowance for doubtful accounts to estimate the risk of loss associated with our accounts receivable balances. Our policy for determining the allowance is based on factors that affect collectability, including: (a) historical trends of write-offs, recoveries and credit losses; (b) the credit quality of our customers; and (c) projected economic and market conditions. We believe our allowance is adequate to absorb any known or probable losses as of October 31, 2013.

Inventory

We record 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. We use the dollar-value link chain LIFO method, and the LIFO reserve is calculated on a consolidated basis in a single consolidated pool. The businesses that we acquire and integrate into our operations may value inventories using either the LIFO or FIFO method. 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 our forecast of future demand and our estimates regarding current and future market conditions. Significant unanticipated variances to our forecasts could require a change in the provision for excess or obsolete inventory, resulting in a charge to net income during the period of the change.

Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets with Defined Lives

We make judgments and estimates related to the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, intangibles assets with defined lives, and long-lived assets, which include determining when to capitalize costs, the depreciation and amortization methods to use and the useful lives of these assets. We evaluate these assets for impairment when there are indicators that the carrying values of these assets might not be recoverable. Such indicators of impairment may include changes in technology, significant market fluctuations, historical losses or loss of a significant customer, or other changes in circumstances that could affect the assets’ ability to generate future cash flows. When we evaluate these assets for impairment, we compare the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, and there is no alternative use for the asset, we determine that the asset is impaired. To measure the impairment charge, we compare the carrying amount of the long-lived asset to its fair value, as determined by quoted market prices in active markets, if available, or by discounting the projected future cash flows using our incremental borrowing rate.This calculation of fair value requires us to make long-term forecasts of future operating results related to these assets. These forecasts are based on assumptions about demand for our products and future market conditions. Future events and unanticipated changes to these assumptions could require a provision for impairment, resulting in a charge to net income during the period of the change.

We monitor relevant circumstances, including industry trends, general economic conditions, and the potential impact that such circumstances might have on the valuation of our identifiable intangible assets. 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 discontinue the use of a trademark or trade name, or allow a patent to lapse. Such events could negatively impact the fair value of our identifiable intangible assets. In such circumstances, we may evaluate the underlying assumptions and estimates made by us in order to assess the appropriate valuation of these identifiable intangible assets and compare to the carrying value of the assets. We may be required to write down these identifiable intangible assets and record a non-cash impairment charge. When we originally value our intangible assets, we use a variety of techniques to establish the carrying value of our intangible assets, including the relief from royalty method, excess current year earnings method and income method.

Software development costs, including costs incurred to purchase third-party software, are capitalized when we have determined that the technology is capable of meeting our performance requirements, and we have authorized funding for the project. We cease capitalization of software costs when the software is substantially complete and is ready for its intended use. The software is then amortized over its estimated useful life. When events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of internal use software might not be recoverable, we assess the recoverability of these assets by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the asset’s use, consistent with the methodology to test other property, plant and equipment for impairment.

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We capitalize betterments which extend the useful lives of assets. We expense repair and maintenance costs as incurred.

The estimated useful lives of our primary asset categories at October 31, 2013 were as follows:



	Useful Life (in Years)
Land improvements	7 to 25
Buildings	25 to 40
Building improvements	5 to 20
Machinery and equipment	2 to 15

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

Goodwill

We use the acquisition method to account for business combinations, whereby we allocate the purchase price paid for the business to the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets at fair value. To the extent that the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired, we record goodwill. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we are required to evaluate our goodwill on a qualitative basis to determine if there are indicators of impairment. If there are no indicators, no further analysis is deemed necessary. However, if there are indicators of impairment or if events or circumstances indicate there may be a potential impairment, we perform an annual goodwill impairment test as of August 31, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. This impairment test requires a two-step approach as prescribed in ASC Topic 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other” (ASC 350). The first step of the impairment test requires us to compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value including goodwill. To determine fair value of our reporting units, we use multiple valuation techniques including a discounted cash flow analysis, using the applicable weighted average cost of capital, in combination with a market approach. This test requires us to make assumptions about the future growth of our business and the market in general, as well as other variables such as the level of investment in capital expenditure, growth in working capital requirements and the terminal or residual value of our reporting units beyond the periods of estimated annual cash flows. We use a third-party valuation firm to assist us with this analysis. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no further testing is required. Otherwise, we perform the second step of the impairment test whereby we compare the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by applying the acquisition method of accounting for a business combination to the reporting unit as if it were acquired. Under this method, the fair value of the reporting unit is deemed to be the purchase price. The assets and liabilities are recorded at their fair value and the remaining excess of fair value is the implied 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. Our estimates of future cash flows and the residual values could differ from actual cash flows which may require a provision for impairment in a future period.

Insurance

We manage our exposure to losses for workers’ compensation, group medical, property, casualty and other insurance claims through a combination of self-insurance retentions and insurance coverage with third-party carriers. We record undiscounted liabilities associated with our portion of these exposures, which we estimate by considering various factors such as our historical claims experience, severity factors and estimated claims incurred but not reported, for which we have developed loss development factors, which are estimates as to how claims will develop over time until closed. While we consider a number of factors in preparing the estimates, sensitive assumptions using significant judgment are made in determining the amounts that are accrued in the financial statements. Actual claims could differ significantly from these estimated liabilities, depending on future claims experience. We do not record insurance recoveries until any contingencies relating to the claim have been resolved.

Retirement Plans

We sponsor a defined benefit pension plan and an unfunded postretirement plan that provides health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retirees and dependents. To measure our liabilities associated with these plans, we make 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. We determine our 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.

Warranty Obligations

We accrue our warranty obligations when we recognize revenue for certain products. Our provision for warranty obligations is based on historical costs incurred for such obligations and is adjusted, where appropriate, based on current conditions and factors. Our ability to estimate our warranty obligations is subject to significant uncertainties, including changes in product design and our overall product sales mix.

Income Taxes

We record the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the amounts reported in our consolidated balance sheets, as well as net operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. We evaluate the carrying value of the net deferred tax assets and determines whether we will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize our deferred tax assets. We perform this review for recoverability on a jurisdictional basis, whereby we consider both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets. The weight given to the positive and negative evidence is commensurate with the extent to which the evidence can be objectively verified. Cumulative losses in recent years is a significant piece of negative evidence that is difficult to overcome in determining that a valuation allowance is not needed against deferred tax assets. Thus, it is generally difficult for positive evidence regarding projected future taxable income exclusive of reversing taxable temporary differences to outweigh objective negative evidence of recent financial reporting losses. In connection with this review, we project 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 our most recent financial operations. In the event the estimates and assumptions indicate we will not generate sufficient future taxable income to realize our deferred tax assets, we record a valuation allowance against a portion of our deferred tax assets.

We evaluate our on-going tax positions to determine if it is more-likely-than-not we will be successful in defending such positions if challenged by taxing authorities. To the extent that our tax positions do not meet the more-likely-than-not criteria, we record a liability for uncertain tax positions. Historically, we have recorded a liability for uncertain tax positions which stem from an unrecognized tax benefit from our 2008 spin-off from our predecessor parent company, as well as certain state tax items regarding the interpretation of tax laws and regulations. We continue to evaluate these positions at each reporting date, while the applicable statute of limitations continue to lapse.

Environmental Contingencies

We are subject to extensive laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment and the remediation of chemical contamination. To satisfy such requirements, we incur expenditures and make capital investments on an ongoing basis. We accrue our best estimates of our remediation obligations and adjust these accruals when further information becomes available or circumstances change. 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 are deemed to impose joint and several liability for the costs of responding to contamination, we accrue our 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 our alleged connections. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets, current and non-current portions, when receipt is deemed probable. Unanticipated changes in circumstances and/or legal requirements could extend the length of time over which we pay our remediation costs or could increase actual cash expenditures for remediation in any period.

Derivative Instruments

We utilize financial and commodity-based derivative contracts to manage our 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 13. We have not designated the derivative instruments we use as cash flow hedges under ASC Topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging” (ASC 815). Therefore, all gains and losses, both realized and unrealized, are recognized in the consolidated statements of income in the period of the change as the underlying assets and liabilities are marked-to-market. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes. As such, these instruments are considered economic hedges, and are reflected in the operating activities section of the consolidated statements of cash flow.

Foreign Currency Translation

Our consolidated financial statements are presented in our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. Certain of our foreign operations are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. The assets and liabilities of our foreign operations which are denominated in other 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 for the applicable period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated balance sheets.

Occasionally, we enter into transactions that are denominated in currencies other than our functional currency. At each balance sheet date, we translate these asset or liability accounts to our functional currency and record unrealized transaction gains or losses. When these assets or liabilities settle, we record realized transaction gains or losses. These realized and unrealized gains or losses are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income under the caption, “Other, net.”

Stock–Based Compensation

We have issued stock-based compensation in the form of stock options to directors, employees and officers, and non-vested restricted stock awards to certain key employees and officers. We apply the provisions of ASC Topic 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation” (ASC 718), to determine the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. We recognize 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. Stock options granted to directors vest immediately while the stock options granted to our employees and officers typically vest ratably over a three-year period with service and continued employment as the vesting conditions. For new option grants to retirement-eligible employees, we recognize expense and vest immediately upon grant, consistent with the retirement vesting acceleration provisions of these grants. For employees near retirement age, we amortize such grants over the period from the grant date to the retirement date if such period is shorter than the standard vesting schedule. For grants of non-vested restricted stock, we calculate the compensation expense at the grant date as the number of shares granted multiplied by the closing stock price of our common stock on the date of grant. This expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period. Our non-vested restricted stock grants to officers and employees cliff vest over a three-year period with service and continued employment as the only vesting criteria. Our fair value determination of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behavior over the expected term, our dividend rate, risk-free rate and expectation with regards to forfeitures. 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. Because our employee stock options have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, the valuation models may not provide an accurate measure of the fair value of our employee stock options. Accordingly, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

We have granted other awards which are linked to the performance of our common stock, but will settle in cash rather than the issuance of shares of our common stock. The value of these awards fluctuates with changes in our stock price, with the resulting gains or losses reflected in the period of the change. We have recorded current and non-current liabilities related to these awards reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at October 31, 2013 and 2012. See Note 14, “Stock-based Compensation.”

Treasury Stock

We use the cost method to record treasury stock purchases whereby the entire cost of the shares of our common stock which we acquire is recorded as treasury stock. When we subsequently reissue these shares, proceeds in excess of cost upon the issuance of treasury shares are credited to additional paid in capital, while any deficiency is charged to retained earnings.

Earnings per Share Data

We calculate basic earnings per share based on the weighted average number of our common shares outstanding for the applicable period. We calculate diluted earnings per share based on the weighted average number of our common shares outstanding for the period plus all potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method, whereby we assume that all such shares are converted into common shares at the beginning of the period. If we incur a loss from continuing operations, the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents (stock options and unvested restricted stock awards) are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table summarizes our supplemental cash flow information for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013		2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Cash paid for interest	$	431	$	381	$	425
Cash paid for income taxes	1,273		1,265		3,260
Cash received for income tax refunds	1,465		19		132
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Share value cancelled to satisfy tax withholdings	518		645		1,066
Recognition of unrecognized tax benefit	3,032		3,571		—
Asset retirement obligation	1,267		—		—
Debt assumed in acquisition	91		—		64
Change in capitalized expenditures in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	1,249	$	395	$	2,459

We have made certain reclassifications to our consolidated statements of cash flow as previously presented in order to conform to the 2013 presentation. The reclassifications include separate presentation of the excess tax benefit from share-based compensation, a change in presentation of the expense associated with our restricted stock units, and the gain or loss on derivative instruments. We believe this revised presentation provides the reader with more detailed information which may be useful when evaluating our cash flow results. These reclassifications had no impact on our earnings and did not change total cash flows provided by or used in operating, investing and financing activities for the respective years.

Discontinued Operations

In accordance with ASC Topic 205-20 “Presentation of Financial Statements-Discontinued Operations” (ASC 205), we present the results of operations of businesses which have been sold or meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale on a consolidated basis as a separate caption below net income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax. We also aggregate the assets and liabilities associated with discontinued operations and present separately as a component of current assets, long-term assets, current liabilities and long-term liabilities, as applicable, in the accompanying balance sheets. If an impairment loss is indicated and the fair value of the net assets exceeds the carrying value at the balance sheet date, we record an impairment loss in the period the net assets are classified as held for sale. We cease depreciation of assets which are classified as held for sale. We use our judgment to ascertain when a business meets the criteria to be accounted for as held for sale. Changes in circumstances or our level of future involvement with a business that has been sold may impact how we account for discontinued operations.

- Definition

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.

+ References + Details

Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

2. Acquisitions

Alumco

On December 31, 2012, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Alumco, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Alumco), including its aluminum screen business, for $22.4 million in cash. The purchase agreement contains (1) a working capital clause that provides for an adjustment to the purchase price based on the working capital balance as of the acquisition date and (2) an earn-out clause that provides for the payment of an additional $0.5 million to Alumco contingent upon the achievement of certain financial targets. We received $0.4 million from the prior owner of Alumco pursuant to the working capital clause. We recorded contingent consideration of $0.3 million as the fair value of the earn-out included in the purchase price. As of October 31, 2013, we determined that the earn-out provision criteria would not be met and decreased expense by $0.3 million.

The purchase price has been allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as indicated in the table below. This allocation is based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to change within the purchase price allocation period (generally one year from the acquisition date). During the period from the acquisition date to October 31, 2013, we recorded an adjustment to goodwill of $0.1 million to recognize a derivative liability and $0.2 million for obsolete inventory reserve write-off, related to conditions that existed as of the opening balance sheet date.



Alumco:	As of Date of Opening Balance Sheet
	(In thousands)
Net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	$	3,638
Inventories	5,062
Prepaid and other current assets	140
Property, plant and equipment	4,682
Intangible assets	8,939
Accounts payable	(2,066		)
Accrued liabilities	(993		)
Current maturities of long-term debt	(14		)
Long-term debt	(77		)
Goodwill	2,785
Net assets acquired	$	22,096
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	22,096

We used recognized valuation techniques to determine the fair value of the assets and liabilities, including the income approach for customer relationships, with a discount rate that reflects the risk of the expected future cash flows. The goodwill balance, which is deductible for tax purposes, was allocated entirely to the Engineered Products business segment. We expect that this acquisition will expand our product portfolio and geographic distribution capabilities particularly in the vinyl window segment in the screen market.

The Alumco acquisition was not deemed material to our results of operations for the year ended October 31, 2013. Therefore, we have not presented pro forma results of operations.

Edgetech

On March 31, 2011, we completed the 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 collectively as “Edgetech.” Headquartered in Cambridge, Ohio, Edgetech had three manufacturing facilities, one each in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany which produced 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.

We 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. As consideration for the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital shares of Holdco, we 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 Merger Agreement and $3.5 million remains as of October 31, 2013. We recorded $2.5 million of transaction-related costs in connection with the Edgetech acquisition within selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statement of income during the year ended October 31, 2011. Additionally, we paid $3.5 million of tax liabilities which resulted from the pre-closing reorganization of Lauren and its subsidiaries.

The acquisition of Edgetech complemented our warm-edge spacer business and expanded our product offerings to our fenestration customers. In addition, the acquisition of Edgetech allowed us to better serve our base of national and regional customers, and accelerated our growth in international markets.

We accounted for the Edgetech acquisition 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 was recognized as goodwill. Goodwill, the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned to tangible or intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, totaled $44.6 million; was not deductible for tax purposes; and was allocated entirely to the Engineered Products business segment.

The following table summarizes the fair values assigned to the assets and liabilities acquired:



Edgetech:	As of Date of Opening Balance Sheet
	(In thousands)
Net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	$	9,181
Inventories	10,123
Prepaid and other current assets	2,023
Property, plant and equipment	21,086
Intangible assets	48,750
Other assets	1,377
Accounts payable	(6,905		)
Accrued liabilities	(1,315		)
Income taxes payable	(3,780		)
Deferred income taxes, current	(322		)
Current maturities of long-term debt	(24		)
Long-term debt	(40		)
Deferred income taxes	(20,374		)
Goodwill	44,623
Net assets acquired	$	104,403
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	104,403

We did not record any material adjustments to the original purchase price allocation during the years ended October 31, 2013 or 2012.

The following table presents our pro forma results of operations for the year ended October 31, 2011, assuming Edgetech had been acquired as of the first day of fiscal 2011.



	Year Ended October 31, 2011
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	878,291
Operating income	20,530
Income from continuing operations	$	11,496
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations	$	0.31

These pro forma results of operations do not purport to reflect the results we might achieve in the future or the results that would have been obtained had we acquired Edgetech on the first day of fiscal 2011. In preparing these pro forma results, we included adjustments for the following; (1) amortization expense related to the intangible assets acquired; (2) depreciation expense associated with the fair value adjustment to property, plant and equipment acquired; (3) facility rent expense; (4) higher cost of sales related to the increase in value of inventory resulting from the purchase accounting treatment; and the (5) tax effect of the changes noted. In addition, the pro forma results exclude transaction expenses incurred related to the acquisition and does not include any operating efficiencies or cost savings that might have been achieved due to synergies or costs related to integration. Additionally, the historical Edgetech financial information was not adjusted to remove prior parent company allocation, or to incorporate incremental expenses going forward.

In March 2011, we 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 our existing Engineered Products businesses, and the net assets acquired included $5.0 million of property, plant and equipment and $1.4 million of intangible assets. There was no goodwill recognized in connection with the Yakima acquisition.

- Definition

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

+ References

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+ Details

Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

3. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable consisted of the following as of October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Trade receivables	$	97,354	$	85,375
Environmental remediation receivable, current portion	903		821
Receivables from employees	12		28
Other	1,125		446
Total	$	99,394	$	86,670
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	561		1,026
Accounts receivable, net	$	98,833	$	85,644

The changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	1,026		$	1,062		$	1,037
Bad debt (benefit) expense	(38		)	593			635
Amounts written off	(534		)	(688		)	(627		)
Recoveries	107			59			17
Balance as of October 31,	$	561		$	1,026		$	1,062

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5066-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3,4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5162-111524

Reference 4: 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.(k))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 01-6
-Paragraph 13
-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 SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 3, 4
-Article 5

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Article 9

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph k
-Article 4

+ Details

Inventories

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

4. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following at October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Raw materials	$	32,215	$	34,392
Finished goods and work in process	35,657		43,915
Supplies and other	2,269		2,559
Total	$	70,141	$	80,866
Less: Inventory reserves	11,825		14,962
Inventories, net	$	58,316	$	65,904

The changes in our inventory reserve accounts were are follows for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	14,962		$	15,660		$	12,768
Charged (credited) to costs & expenses	(3,135		)	(163		)	3,432
Write-offs	(2		)	(400		)	(491		)
Other	—			(135		)	(49		)
Balance as of October 31,	$	11,825		$	14,962		$	15,660

Fixed costs related to excess manufacturing capacity, if any, have been expensed in the period they were incurred and, therefore, are not capitalized into inventory. Our inventories at October 31, 2013 and 2012 were valued using the following costing methods:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
LIFO	$	17,211	$	28,224
FIFO	41,105		37,680
Total	$	58,316	$	65,904

For inventories valued using the LIFO method, replacement cost exceeded the LIFO value by approximately $8.1 million and $10.7 million as of October 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We liquidated LIFO layers during the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2011, which resulted in a reduction of the LIFO reserve and a corresponding increase/(decrease) to cost of sales of approximately $0.6 million and $(0.9) million, respectively. There was no liquidation of LIFO costing layers during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012.

We record LIFO reserve adjustments as corporate expenses so that our chief operating decision maker can review the operations of our business segments on a consistent FIFO or weighted-average basis. We calculate our LIFO reserve adjustments on a consolidated basis in a single pool using the dollar-value link chain method.

For our business acquisitions which have inventory balances, we integrate these operations and allow the use of either the LIFO or FIFO costing method. The inventory costing methods selected by these acquired businesses depends upon the facts and circumstances that exist at the time, and may include expected inventory quantities and expected future pricing levels. We perform this evaluation for each business acquired individually.

Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

5. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Land and land improvements	$	9,433	$	9,553
Buildings and building improvements	77,978		76,810
Machinery and equipment	412,483		391,897
Construction in progress	6,252		24,515
Property, plant and equipment, gross	506,146		502,775
Less: Accumulated depreciation	348,927		333,898
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	157,219	$	168,877

As of October 31, 2012, construction in progress included capitalized software costs of approximately $15.8 million related to our implementation of an enterprise resource planning system that had not yet been placed in service. This ERP project was placed into service in March 2013, with an initial useful life of 36 months assigned. In August 2013, our Board of Directors decided to cease the implementation of this ERP system for several reasons, but primarily in order to spend the resources on a number of organic growth opportunities that are available to us today which were not available when the implementation effort began in 2010. These opportunities will require capital but offer significantly higher returns on invested capital than a continued investment in the ERP system. We transitioned our operating facilities that were on the ERP system to legacy systems. We expensed costs associated with the most recent phase of the implementation which was in progress in August 2013 and totaled approximately $1.2 million. In addition, we incurred costs associated with one-time termination benefits, contract termination costs and other costs which were expensed as incurred prior to October 31, 2013. We used the ERP at these operating locations through October 31, 2013. As such, we recorded a change in accounting estimate related to the ERP assets capitalized and reduced the useful lives of the underlying assets, resulting in an accelerated depreciation charge of $15.3 million during the period from August 2013 to October 2013. The change in estimate resulted in an increase in net loss of $9.8 million, or $0.27 per share, for the year ended October 31, 2013. We expect to recognize approximately $0.5 million in depreciation expense associated with this asset during the first six months of fiscal 2014. We will continue to use this ERP for certain corporate functions and the underlying assets associated with these functions will continue to depreciate over the remainder of their original 36 month term.

Depreciation expense for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $51.6 million, $29.4 million and $27.6 million, respectively. If there were indicators of potential impairment, we evaluated our property, plant and equipment for recoverability over the remaining useful lives of the assets. For the year ended October 31, 2013, we recognized impairment charges totaling $1.5 million related to the write down of land in Arizona and the facility in Barbourville, Kentucky, currently held for sale. For the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011, we recognized impairment charges totaling $0.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively, primarily related to the consolidation of a manufacturing facility which is being held for sale. See Note 19 "Restructuring Activities".

- Definition

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.

+ References + Details

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Our goodwill was included entirely in the Engineered Products business segment. The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013		2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	68,331	$	69,432		$	25,189
Acquisitions	2,785		—			44,623
Foreign currency translation adjustment	750		(1,101		)	(380		)
Balance as of October 31,	$	71,866	$	68,331		$	69,432

We evaluated our goodwill balances for indicators of impairment and performed an annual goodwill impairment test to determine the recoverability of these assets. We determined that our goodwill was not impaired. We did not incur an impairment charge for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Identifiable Intangible Assets

Amortizable intangible assets consisted of the following as of October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31, 2013	October 31, 2013				October 31, 2012
	Remaining Weighted Average Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
		(In thousands)
Customer relationships	10 years	$	52,793	$	15,630	$	43,737	$	11,675
Trademarks and trade names	13 years	44,576		17,498		44,519		14,520
Patents and other technology	8 years	25,390		11,319		24,773		9,382
Other	2 years	1,392		742		1,392		464
Total		$	124,151	$	45,189	$	114,421	$	36,041

We do not estimate a residual value associated with these intangible assets. Included in intangible assets as of October 31, 2013 were customer relationships and technology of $8.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively, related to the Alumco acquisition with estimated useful lives of 10 and 3 years, respectively. (See Note 2 "Acquisitions"). The aggregate amortization expense associated with identifiable intangible assets for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $8.9 million, $8.2 million and $6.3 million, respectively.

Estimated remaining amortization expense, assuming current intangible balances and no new acquisitions, for each of the fiscal years ending October 31, was as follows (in thousands):



	Estimated Amortization Expense
2014	9,064
2015	8,930
2016	8,659
2017	8,553
2018	8,306
Thereafter	35,450
Total	$	78,962

We did not incur impairment losses related to our identifiable intangible assets during the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

Accrued Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Accrued Liabilities

7. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following at October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Payroll, payroll taxes and employee benefits	$	20,095	$	21,458
Accrued insurance and workers compensation	4,003		4,212
Sales allowances	5,882		5,509
Deferred compensation	3,597		440
Deferred revenue	1,121		2,353
Environmental reserve	1,550		1,700
Warranties	1,700		2,045
Audit, legal, and other professional fees	1,472		2,847
Accrued taxes	953		738
Accrued rent	353		1,076
Accrued capital expenditures	—		1,242
Other	4,059		2,839
Accrued liabilities	$	44,785	$	46,459

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

8. Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Long-term debt consisted of the following at October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds	700		800
Scott County, Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds	—		400
Capital lease obligations and other	235		201
Total debt	$	935	$	1,401
Less: Current maturities	183		368
Long-term debt	$	752	$	1,033

Revolving Credit Facility

Prior to January 28, 2013, we maintained a $270.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the Retired Facility) which had been executed on April 23, 2008 and was scheduled to mature on April 23, 2013. The Retired Facility provided for up to $50.0 million of standby letters of credit, limited based on availability, as defined. Amounts borrowed under the facility were to bear interest at a spread above the London Interbank Borrowing Rate (LIBOR) based on a combined leverage and ratings grid. In addition, the Retired Facility contained restrictive debt covenants, as defined in the indenture, and contained certain limits on additional indebtedness, asset or equity sales and acquisitions. During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011 and for the period from November 1, 2012 through January 28, 2013, we were in compliance with our debt covenants and did not borrow funds pursuant to the Retired Facility.

On January 28, 2013, we entered into a Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility (the Credit Facility) that has a five-year term and permits aggregate borrowings at any time of up to $150 million, with a letter of credit sub-facility, a swing line sub-facility and a multi-currency sub-facility. Borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars bear interest at a spread above the London Interbank Borrowing Rate (LIBOR) or a base rate derived from the prime rate. Foreign denominated borrowings bear interest at a spread above the LIBOR applicable to such currencies. Subject to customary conditions, we may request that the aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility be increased by up to $100 million, with total commitments not to exceed $250 million. The Credit Facility replaces our previous senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the Retired Facility) that was scheduled to expire on April 23, 2013.

The Credit Facility requires us to comply with certain financial covenants, the terms of which are defined therein. Specifically, we must not permit, on a quarterly basis, our ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense as defined (Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio), to fall below 3.00:1 or our ratio of consolidated funded debt to consolidated EBITDA, as defined (Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio), to exceed 3.25:1. The Maximum Consolidated Leverage 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 such as goodwill and intangible asset impairments and certain other non-cash charges and non-recurring items. Subject to our compliance with the covenant requirements, the amount available under the Credit Facility is a function of: (1) our trailing twelve month EBITDA; (2) the Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio and Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio allowed under the Credit Facility; and (3) the aggregate amount of our outstanding debt and letters of credit. As of October 31, 2013, we were in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the Credit Facility.

As of October 31, 2013, the amount available to us for use under the Credit Facility was limited to $139.0 million and we had outstanding letters of credit of $6.2 million. For the period from January 28, 2013 through October 31, 2013, we borrowed and repaid $23.5 million under the Credit Facility, and thus had no outstanding borrowings at October 31, 2013. The weighted average interest rate for the period from January 28, 2013 through October 31, 2013 was 1.33%. Our borrowing rate under the Credit Facility was 3.25% and 1.20% for the swing line sub facility and the revolver, respectively, at October 31, 2013.

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. Interest rates on these bonds have ranged from 0.2% to 0.4% during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013. The average interest rate during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012, was 0.3% and 0.6%, respectively. We have pledged the land, building and certain equipment used at facility located in Richmond, Kentucky. In addition, we have issued a $0.7 million letter of credit under the Credit Facility which serves as a conduit for making the scheduled payments.

In June 1999, we borrowed $3.0 million of Variable Rate Demand Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds Series 1999, through Scott County, Iowa. The bonds require 15 annual principal payments of $0.2 million beginning on July 1, 2000 through June 2014. 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 have ranged from 0.7% to 1.3% during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013. The average interest rate during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012, was 0.9% and 1.4%, respectively. In September 2013, we paid off the remaining principal balance of $0.2 million and thus, we had no outstanding balance as of October 31, 2013.

We have capital lease obligations related to equipment purchases with annual interest rates that range between 1.5% and 7.0%. These capital lease obligations extend through 2019.

The table below presents the scheduled maturity dates of our long-term debt outstanding at October 31, 2013 (in thousands):



	Aggregate Maturities
2014	183
2015	188
2016	131
2017	117
2018	107
Thereafter	209
Total	$	935

Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Retirement Plans

9. Retirement Plans

We have a number of retirement plans covering substantially all employees. We provide both defined benefit and defined contribution plans. In general, an employee’s coverage for retirement benefits depends on the plant or location of employment.

Defined Benefit Plan

We have a non-contributory, single employer defined benefit pension plan that covers substantially all non-union employees. Effective January 1, 2007, we amended this defined benefit pension plan to include a 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 salaried employees hired after January 1, 2007, are eligible to receive credits equivalent to 4% of their annual eligible wages. 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 of benefits received under our defined benefit plan prior to this 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. For employees who were participating in this plan prior to January 1, 2007, the benefit formula is a more traditional formula for retirement benefits, whereby the plan pays benefits to employees upon retirement, using a formula which considers years of service and pensionable compensation prior to retirement. Of our pension plan participants, 99% have their benefit determined pursuant to the cash balance formula.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the "Act") 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. We concluded that our plans are at least “actuarially equivalent” to the Medicare benefit. For those who are otherwise eligible for the subsidy, we have not included this subsidy per the Act in our benefit calculations. 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 changes in benefit obligations and plan assets, and our funded status (reported in deferred pension and postretirement benefits on the consolidated balance sheets) were as follows (in thousands):



	October 31,
	2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012 and 2011, respectively	$	24,407		$	20,662
Service cost	3,820			3,652
Interest cost	786			815
Actuarial (gain) loss	(893		)	731
Benefits paid	(1,540		)	(1,183		)
Administrative expenses	(341		)	(270		)
Projected benefit obligation at October 31,	$	26,239		$	24,407
Change in Plan Assets:
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012 and 2011, respectively	$	18,562		$	14,004
Actual return on plan assets	3,256			1,811
Employer contributions	3,670			4,200
Benefits paid	(1,540		)	(1,183		)
Administrative expenses	(341		)	(270		)
Fair value of plan assets at October 31,	$	23,607		$	18,562
Non current liability - Funded Status	$	(2,632	)	$	(5,845	)

As of October 31, 2013 and 2012, included in our accumulated comprehensive loss was a net actuarial loss of $1.7 million and $4.8 million, respectively. There were no net prior service costs or transition obligations for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012.

As of October 31, 2013 and 2012, the accumulated benefit obligation was $25.2 million and $23.7 million, respectively. 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 net periodic benefit cost for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was as follows:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	3,820		$	3,652		$	3,794
Interest cost	786			815			795
Expected return on plan assets	(1,400		)	(1,161		)	(986		)
Amortization of net loss	370			147			134
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,576		$	3,453		$	3,737

The changes in plan assets and projected benefit obligations which were recognized in our other comprehensive loss for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	$	(2,749	)	$	81		$	2,271
Less: Amortization of loss	$	369		$	147		$	134
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss	$	(3,118	)	$	(66	)	$	2,137

Measurement Date and Assumptions

We generally determine our actuarial assumptions on an annual basis, with a measurement date of October 31.

The following table presents our assumptions for pension benefit calculations for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	For the Year Ended October 31,
	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011
Weighted Average Assumptions:	Benefit Obligation			Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Discount rate	4.18%	3.29%	4.40%	3.29%	4.40%	5.15%
Rate of compensation increase	2.50%	2.50%	4.00%	2.50%	4.00%	4.00%
Expected return on plan assets	n/a	n/a	n/a	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%

The discount rate was used to calculate the present value of the projected benefit obligation for pension benefits. The rate reflects the amount at which benefits could be effectively settled on the measurement date. For the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we determined our discount rate based on a pension discount curve. 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 was used to determine net periodic pension expense. The rate of return assumptions were based on projected long-term market returns for the various asset classes in which the plans were invested, weighted by the target asset allocations. We review the return assumption at least annually. The rate of compensation increase represents the long-term assumption for expected increases in salaries.

Plan Assets

The following tables provide our target allocation for the year ended October 31, 2013, as well as the actual asset allocation by asset category and fair value measurements as of October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	Target Allocation		Actual Allocation
	October 31, 2013		October 31, 2013		October 31, 2012
Equity securities	60.0	%	60.0	%	60.0	%
Fixed income	40.0	%	40.0	%	40.0	%



	Fair Value Measurements at
	October 31, 2013		October 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Money market fund	$	445	$	167

Large capitalization	$	7,439	$	5,918
Small capitalization	2,745		2,218
International equity	2,536		1,993
Other	1,139		929
Equity securities	$	13,859	$	11,058

High-quality core bond	$	4,653	$	3,645
High-quality government bond	2,322		1,831
High-yield bond	2,328		1,861
Fixed income	$	9,303	$	7,337

Total securities⁽¹⁾	$	23,607	$	18,562


⁽¹⁾	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 were actively traded and fair values were determined based on quoted market prices.

Our investment objective for defined benefit plan assets is to meet the plans’ benefit obligations, while minimizing the potential for future required 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 monitoring of performance of investment managers relative to the investment guidelines established with each investment manager.

Expected Benefit Payments and Funding

Our pension funding policy is to make the minimum annual contributions required pursuant to the plan. We accelerated contributions to target a 100% funding threshold. Additionally, we consider funding annual requirements early in the fiscal year to potentially maximize the return on assets. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we made total pension contributions of $3.7 million, $4.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

During fiscal 2014, we expect to contribute approximately $1.1 million to the pension plan to reach targeted funding levels and meet minimum contribution requirements. This expected contribution level will be dependent on many variables, including the market value of the assets compared to the obligation, as well as other market or regulatory conditions. In addition, we consider the cash requirements of our business investment opportunities. Accordingly, actual funding amounts and the timing of such funding may differ from current estimates.

The following table presents the total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants by year, which includes payments funded from our assets, as well as payments paid from the plan for the year ended October 31, (in thousands):



	Pension Benefits
2014	$	2,155
2015	2,072
2016	2,379
2017	2,523
2018	2,633
2019 - 2023	15,473
Total	$	27,235

Defined Contribution Plan

We also sponsor defined contribution plans into which we and our employees make contributions. We match 5% up to the first 50% of employee deferrals. We do not offer our common stock as a direct investment option under these plans. For the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we contributed approximately $2.9 million, $2.5 million and $3.1 million for these plans, respectively.

Other Plans

Under our postretirement benefit plan, we provide certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for a small number of eligible retired employees who were employed prior to January 1, 1993. Certain employees may become eligible for those benefits if they reach normal retirement age while working for us. We continue to fund benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis. The table below indicates the amount of these liabilities included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets:



	October 31, 2013		October 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Accrued liabilities	$	74	$	74
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits	1,080		1,035
Total	$	1,154	$	1,109

We also have supplemental benefit plans covering certain executive officers and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan covering members of the Board of Directors and certain key employees. As of October 31, 2013 and 2012, our liability under the supplemental benefit plan was approximately $3.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively, and under the deferred compensation plan was approximately $6.7 million and $5.9 million, respectively. Of this amount, we expect to settle approximately $1.8 million and $3.4 million respectively, related to the supplemental benefit plan the deferred compensation plan, within one year as a result of the recent separation of three of our executive officers in 2013.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Implementation Guide (Q and A)
-Number FAS88
-Paragraph 63
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-2
-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.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph q
-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 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph m
-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 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 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.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7, 21, 22
-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 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS106-2
-Paragraph 20, 21, 22
-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 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 30
-Paragraph 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Warranty Obligations

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Warranty Obligations

10. Warranty Obligations

We accrue warranty obligations as we recognize revenue associated with certain products. We make provisions for our warranty obligations based upon historical experience of costs incurred for such obligations adjusted, as necessary, for current conditions and factors. There are significant uncertainties and judgments involved in estimating our warranty obligations, including changing product designs, differences in customer installation processes and future claims experience which may vary from historical claims experience. Therefore, the ultimate amount we incur as warranty costs in the near and long-term may not be consistent with our current estimate.

A reconciliation of the activity related to our accrued warranty, including both the current and long-term portions (reported in accrued liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets) follows:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012, and 2011, respectively	$	4,781		$	5,262
Provision for warranty expense	768			652
Change in accrual for preexisting warranties	(1,279		)	(838		)
Warranty costs paid	(586		)	(295		)
Total accrued warranty	$	3,684		$	4,781
Less: Current portion of accrued warranty	1,700			2,045
Long-term portion at October 31,	$	1,984		$	2,736

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

11. Income Taxes

We provide for income taxes on taxable income at the statutory rates applicable. The following table summarizes the components of income tax expense excluding discontinued operations for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Current
Federal	$	522		$	257		$	1,949
State and local	422			320			390
Non-U.S.	846			615			737
Total current	1,790			1,192			3,076
Deferred
Federal	(7,779		)	(9,060		)	3,964
State and local	(571		)	(213		)	596
Non-U.S.	62			(570		)	(1,199		)
Total deferred	(8,288		)	(9,843		)	3,361
Total (benefit) provision	$	(6,498	)	$	(8,651	)	$	6,437

The following table reconciles our effective income tax rate to the federal statutory rate of 35% for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013		2012		2011
U.S. tax at statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income tax	3.1		3.9		4.4
Non-U.S. income tax	0.1		(0.5	)	1.1
Employee related items	—		(2.1	)	—
Transaction costs	—		—		4.7
General business credits	0.9		1.1		(2.6	)
Valuation allowance	(2.9	)	(4.4	)	—
Other	(0.5	)	1.3		(1.1	)
Effective tax rate	35.7	%	34.3	%	41.5	%

Significant components of our net deferred tax assets were as follows:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefit obligations	$	14,025	$	14,948
Goodwill and intangibles	771		3,055
Accrued liabilities and reserves	4,255		4,349
Pension and other benefit obligations	2,134		3,720
Inventory	3,435		3,858
Loss and tax credit carry forwards	23,874		13,168
Other	261		291
Total gross deferred tax assets	48,755		43,389
Less: Valuation allowance	2,478		1,694
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	46,277		41,695
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	2,205		3,322
Net deferred tax assets	$	44,072	$	38,373

Deferred income tax assets, non-current	$	21,286	$	17,934
Deferred income tax assets, current	22,786		20,439
Net deferred tax assets	$	44,072	$	38,373

At October 31, 2013, operating loss carry forwards for tax purposes, mostly comprised of federal and state, were $111.0 million. The majority of such losses begin to expire in 2025. Tax credits available to offset future tax liabilities totaled $1.3 million and are not expected to be utilized within the next twelve months. We evaluate tax benefits of operating losses and tax credit carry forwards on an ongoing basis, including a review of historical and projected future operating results, the eligible carry forward period and other circumstances. We have recorded a valuation allowance for certain state net operating losses as of October 31, 2013 and 2012, totaling $2.5 million ($1.6 million net of federal taxes) and $1.7 million ($1.1 million net of federal taxes), respectively. There was no valuation allowance recorded for the year ended October 31, 2011. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we consider both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets.

The following table reconciles the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):



	Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits
Balance at November 1, 2010	$	18,615
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	13
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	414
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	19,042
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	12
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	276
Lapse in statute of limitations	(3,571		)
Balance at October 31, 2012	$	15,759
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	14
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	497
Lapse in statute of limitations	(3,032		)
Balance at October 31, 2013	$	13,238

Included in prepaid and other current assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets were income tax receivables of $0.2 million and $1.3 million as of October 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

No deferred income taxes were provided on $4.2 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of October 31, 2013, as we intend to indefinitely reinvest these funds in these foreign jurisdictions. Upon distribution of these earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, we may be subject to United States taxation and foreign withholding taxes. We cannot estimate the amount of taxes that may be payable on the eventual distribution of these earnings after consideration of available foreign tax credits.

Our unrecognized tax benefit (UTB) is related to the 2008 spin-off of Quanex from its parent and certain state tax items regarding the interpretation of tax laws and regulations. The total UTB at October 31, 2012 was $15.8 million. Of this amount, $6.7 million was recorded as a liability for uncertain tax positions and $9.1 million was recorded as deferred income taxes (non-current assets) on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. During the year ended October 31, 2013, we reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions related to the spin-off by $2.7 million due to the lapse in the statute of limitations, which resulted in a non-cash increase in retained earnings of $2.1 million and a decrease in income tax expense of $0.6 million. At October 31, 2013, $5.4 million is recorded as a liability for uncertain tax positions and $7.8 million is recorded in deferred income taxes (non current assets). The total UTB of $13.2 million at October 31, 2013, includes $12.4 million for which the recognition of such items would not affect the annual effective tax rate. For the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized a benefit of $0.1 million and $0.2 million and expense of $0.3 million, respectively, in interest and penalties which were reported as income tax (benefit) expense in the consolidated statements of income consistent with past practice.

We, along with our subsidiaries, file income tax returns in the United States and various state jurisdictions as well as in the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada. We are not currently under a tax examination, but in certain jurisdictions the statute of limitations has not yet expired. We generally remain subject to examination of our United States income tax returns for 2010 and subsequent years. We generally remain subject to examination of our 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.

On September 13, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service issued final Tangible Property Regulations (TPR) under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 162 and IRC Section 263(a), which prescribe the capitalization treatment of certain repair costs, asset betterments and other costs which could affect temporary deferred taxes. Although the regulations are not effective until tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, certain portions may require an accounting method change on a retroactive basis, thus requiring an IRC Section 481(a) adjustment related to fixed and real asset deferred taxes. Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, as of the date of the issuance, the release of the regulations is treated as a change in tax law. Therefore, we are required to determine whether there will be an impact on our financial statements as of October 31, 2013. We are currently analyzing the expected impact of the new regulations and we do not believe the impact will be material to our financial position or results of operations. We will continue to monitor any future changes in the TPR prospectively.

Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our 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 our financial statements. We are subject to the effect of these matters occurring in various jurisdictions. We believe it is reasonably possible that a decrease of approximately $2.0 million in the UTB may be recognized within the next twelve months as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations.

- Definition

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

+ References

+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases and Purchase Obligations

We have operating leases for certain real estate and equipment used in our business. Rental expense for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $7.1 million, $6.9 million and $6.0 million, respectively. We sublease certain of our facilities as of October 31, 2013, pursuant to which we expect to receive future minimum non-cancelable rentals of $1.4 million.

We are a party to non-cancelable purchase obligations primarily for natural gas and aluminum scrap used in our manufacturing processes. We paid $4.1 million, $4.0 million and $2.8 million pursuant to these arrangements for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These obligations extend through 2014 with $0.5 million due in fiscal year 2014. Future amounts paid pursuant to these arrangements will depend, to some extent, on our usage.

The following table presents future minimum rental payments under operating leases with remaining terms in excess of one year at October 31, 2013 (in thousands):



	Operating Leases
2014	$	7,021
2015	5,979
2016	4,492
2017	3,603
2018	2,851
Thereafter	8,107
Total	$	32,053

Asset Retirement Obligation

We maintain an asset retirement obligation associated with a leased facility in Kent, Washington. During July 2013, we revised our estimate of future cash flows associated with this asset retirement obligation and recorded an incremental asset and corresponding liability at fair value totaling $1.2 million. We expect to depreciate the asset and accrete the liability over a seven year term, resulting in a cumulative asset retirement obligation of $2.2 million at such time.

Environmental

We are subject to extensive laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment and the remediation of chemical contamination. To satisfy such requirements, we must make capital and other expenditures on an on-going basis. We accrue for remediation obligations and adjust our accruals as information becomes available and circumstances develop. Those estimates may change substantially depending on various factors, including the nature and extent of contamination, appropriate remediation technologies, and regulatory approvals. When we accrue for environmental remediation liabilities, costs of future expenditures are not discounted to their present value, unless the amount and timing of the expenditures are fixed or reliably determinable. When environmental laws are deemed to impose joint and several liability for the costs of responding to contamination, information indicates that it is probable we have incurred a loss, and such amount is estimable, we accrue our allocable share of liability taking into account the number of parties participating, the ability of such counter-parties to pay their shares of the costs, the volume and nature of the wastes involved, the nature of anticipated response actions, and the nature of our alleged connection to the contamination. The cost of environmental matters has not had a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition in the past, and we are not currently aware of any conditions that, we believe, are likely to have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition or cash flows.

The table below indicates the total environmental reserve and corresponding recovery balance as of October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Accrued liabilities	$	1,550	$	1,700
Non-current environmental reserves	9,255		9,827
Total environmental reserves	$	10,805	$	11,527

Accounts receivable	$	903	$	821
Other current assets	1,395		—
Other assets (non-current)	8,330		10,374
Total receivable for recovery of remediation costs	$	10,628	$	11,195

Currently, our on-going remediation activities are associated with one of our 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. In September 2013, the state approved NAA’s cleanup plan and incorporated it into a revised Post-Closure Permit. Based on the cleanup activities set forth in that Permit, and current information about site conditions, our remediation reserve at NAA’s Decatur plant is $10.8 million as of October 31, 2013. Approximately $0.7 million of the October 31, 2013 reserve represents administrative costs; the balance of $10.1 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 us 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 our current estimates indicate we will not reach this limit, changing circumstances could result in additional costs or expenses 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 on-going costs. Based on our experience to date, the estimated cleanup costs going forward, and costs incurred to date as of October 31, 2013, we expect to recover from the sellers’ shareholders an additional $10.6 million which has not been discounted.

Our 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, we believe that we have 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. Currently, we expect to pay the accrued remediation reserve through fiscal year 2035, although some of the same factors discussed earlier could accelerate or extend the timing.

Other

From time to time, we, along with our subsidiaries, are involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. Although the ultimate resolution and impact of such litigation is not presently determinable, we believe that the eventual outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our overall financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

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

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25287-109308

Reference 6: 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 7: 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.

+ Details

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

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

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

13. Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities

Derivative Instruments

Our derivative activities are subject to the management, direction, and control of the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer. Certain transactions in excess of specified levels require further approval from the Board of Directors.

The nature of our 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. We use foreign currency forwards and options and aluminum forward and swap contracts to mitigate or eliminate certain of those risks. Specifically, the foreign currency contracts 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, including the Euro, British Pound and Canadian Dollar. We use aluminum contracts to minimize the price risk related to customer sales contracts. Historically, we have entered into firm price raw material purchase commitments (which are designated as "normal purchases" under ASC topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" (ASC 815)) as well as certain forward purchase and sale contracts and a swap contract with the commodity price based on published amounts from the London Metal Exchange (LME). Our 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 our needs to meet the committed sales orders. Currently, we do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes.

We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to our derivative transactions. We attempt to mitigate this risk by monitoring the creditworthiness of our counterparties and limiting our exposure to individual counterparties. In addition, we have established master netting agreements in certain cases to facilitate the settlement of gains and losses on specific derivative contracts.

We have not designated any of our derivative contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. Therefore, changes in the fair value of these contracts and the realized gains and losses are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as follows (in thousands):



		Year Ended October 31,
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain or (Loss):	2013			2012			2011
Aluminum derivatives	Cost of sales	$	(122	)	$	(476	)	$	(307	)
Foreign currency derivatives	Other, net	$	(570	)	$	895		$	(175	)

The fair values of outstanding derivative contracts were recorded as assets and liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of October 31, 2013 and 2012 as indicated in the table below (in thousands):



	October 31,
	2013		2012
Prepaid and other current assets:
Aluminum derivatives	$	50	$	10
Foreign currency derivatives	163		6
Other assets:
Aluminum derivatives	8		—
Accrued liabilities:
Aluminum derivatives	77		170
Foreign currency derivatives	38		23
Other liabilities (non-current):
Aluminum derivatives	$	—	$	4

The following table summarizes the notional amounts and fair value of outstanding derivative contracts at October 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):



		Notional as indicated		Fair Value in $
		October 31, 2013	October 31, 2012	October 31, 2013			October 31, 2012
Aluminum derivatives:
Aluminum forward purchase contracts	LBS	3,142	2,370	$	60		$	(164	)
Aluminum swap contracts	LBS	187	—	(64		)	—
Foreign currency exchange derivatives:
Sell EUR, buy USD	EUR	7,258	7,663	150			(23		)
Buy GBP, sell USD	GBP	2,435	1,934	(25		)	5
Buy EUR, sell GBP	EUR	967	—	(12		)	—
Sell EUR buy GBP	EUR	880	545	14			—
Sell CAD, buy USD	CAD	615	608	$	(2	)	$	1

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 prices 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 markets 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.

We hold investments in money market funds, pension plan assets and derivative contracts that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The investments in money market funds and the pension plan assets are measured at fair value based on active market quotations and are therefore classified as Level 1. All of our derivative contracts are valued using quoted market prices from brokers or exchanges and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

We classified the investments in money market funds as cash and equivalents, and the pension plan assets were classified as deferred pension and postretirement benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

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



	October 31, 2013										October 31, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
Assets
Investments in money market fund	$	42,639	$	—		$	—	$	42,639		$	67,819	$	—		$	—	$	67,819
Aluminum derivatives	—		58			—		58			—		10			—		10
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	—		163			—		163			—		6			—		6
Total assets	$	42,639	$	221		$	—	$	42,860		$	67,819	$	16		$	—	$	67,835

Liabilities
Aluminum derivatives	$	—	$	(77	)	$	—	$	(77	)	$	—	$	(174	)	$	—	$	(174	)
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	—		(38		)	—		(38		)	—		(23		)	—		(23		)
Total liabilities	$	—	$	(115	)	$	—	$	(115	)	$	—	$	(197	)	$	—	$	(197	)

Net assets (liabilities)	$	42,639	$	106		$	—	$	42,745		$	67,819	$	(181	)	$	—	$	67,638

We record certain property, plant and equipment at fair value on a non-recurring basis and classify as Level 3. These assets totaled $4.2 million at October 31, 2012, were increased by approximately $1.0 million associated with roof repairs to the facility in Barbourville as well as other additions, but subsequently these assets were impaired by $1.5 million (see Note 5, "Property, Plant and Equipment"), resulting in a fair value of $3.7 million at October 31, 2013. The fair value was based on broker opinions.

Carrying amounts reported on the balance sheet for cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Our outstanding debt at October 31, 2013 was variable rate debt that re-prices frequently, thereby limiting our exposure to significant change in interest rate risk. As a result, the fair value of our debt instruments approximates carrying value at October 31, 2013 and 2012.

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

14. Stock-Based Compensation

We have established and maintain an Omnibus Incentive Plan (2008 Plan) that provides for the granting of restricted stock awards, stock options, restricted stock units and other stock-based and cash-based awards. The 2008 Plan is administered by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors.

The aggregate number of shares of common stock originally authorized for grant under the 2008 Plan was 2,900,000. At our annual shareholder meeting held 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 or any of our affiliates is eligible for awards under the 2008 Plan. Our initial grant of awards under the 2008 Plan was on April 23, 2008. Our practice is to grant stock options and restricted stock units 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. Once we receive approval from the Board of Directors in December, we grant stock options, restricted stock awards and/or restricted stock units to employees. Occasionally, we may make additional grants to key employees at other times during the year.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock awards are granted to key employees and officers annually, and typically cliff vest over a three-year period with service and continued employment as the only vesting criteria. The recipient of the restricted stock awards is entitled to all of the rights of a shareholder, except that the awards are nontransferable during the vesting period. The fair value of the restricted stock award is established on the grant date and then expensed over the vesting period resulting in an increase in additional paid-in-capital. Shares are generally issued from treasury stock at the time of grant. A summary of non-vested restricted stock awards activity during the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, follows:



	Restricted Stock Awards		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Non-vested at October 31, 2010	378,616		$	13.07
Granted	69,200		17.14
Vested	(166,219	)	15.29
Forfeited	(25,207	)	13.62
Non-vested at October 31, 2011	256,390		12.67
Granted	83,900		15.08
Vested	(115,790	)	7.82
Forfeited	(11,800	)	16.07
Non-vested at October 31, 2012	212,700		16.08
Granted	148,400		18.83
Vested	(67,300	)	16.21
Forfeited	(110,400	)	17.40
Non-vested at October 31, 2013	183,400		$	17.46

The total weighted average grant-date fair value of restricted stock awards that vested during the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively. As of October 31, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized restricted stock awards totaled $1.9 million. We expect to recognize this expense over the remaining weighted average period of 2.3 years.

Stock Options

Stock options are awarded to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. Director stock options vest immediately while employee and officer stock options typically vest ratably over a three-year period with service and continued employment as the vesting conditions. Our stock options may be exercised up to a maximum of ten years from the date of grant. The fair value of the stock options is determined on the grant date and expensed over the vesting period resulting in an increase in additional paid-in-capital.

We use the Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate the fair value of our stock options. A description of the methodology for the valuation assumption follows:

•

Expected Volatility – For stock options granted prior to July 1, 2013, we used an estimate of the historical volatility of a selected peer group. Effective July 1, 2013, we determined that we had sufficient historical data to calculate the volatility of our common stock since our spin-off in April 2008. We believe there has been uncertainty in the United States equities market over the past several years and that uncertainty has contributed to volatility in equities in general. We expect this volatility to continue over the foreseeable future. Therefore, we believe that our historical volatility is a proxy for expected volatility. We have not excluded any of our historical data from the volatility calculation (over this 5 year term), and we are not aware of any specific significant factors which might impact our future volatility.

•

Expected Term – For stock options granted prior to July 1, 2013, we determined the expected term using historical information of our former parent company prior to the spin-off in 2008, with regards to option vesting, exercise behavior and contractual expiration, as we believed that this employee group was the most similar to our employee group. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior were considered separately. Effective July 1, 2013, we determined that we had sufficient historical data to estimate our expected term using our own data for the past 5 years with regards to the exercise behavior, cancellations, retention patterns and remaining contractual terms. When analyzing these patterns and variables, we considered the stratification of the awards (large grants to relatively few employees versus smaller grants to many others), the age of certain employees with larger grants, the historical exercise behavior of the employee group, and fluctuations/volatility of our underlying common stock, as to whether the stock options are expected to be out-of-the-money. For our directors, stock options vest immediately, and, as such, the expected term approximates the contractual term, after adjusting for historical forfeitures. We believe our estimates are reasonable given these factors.


•	Risk-Free Rate – We base the risk-free rate 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 – We base the expected dividend yield on our historical dividend payment of approximately $0.16 per share.

The following table summarizes the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our stock options granted during the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average expected volatility	54.9%	54.0%	53.0%
Weighted-average expected term (in years)	5.3	5.0	5.0
Risk-free interest rate	1.0%	0.9%	1.7%
Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.0%	1.0%	1.0%
Weighted average grant date fair value	$8.75	$6.80	$7.42

The following table summarizes our stock option activity for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.



	Stock Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000s)
Outstanding at October 31, 2010	1,724,301		$	13.24
Granted	480,392		17.13
Exercised	(61,338	)	14.13
Forfeited/Expired	(5,919	)	14.87
Outstanding at October 31, 2011	2,137,436		14.08			$	3,520
Granted	607,972		15.82
Exercised	(229,423	)	13.14
Forfeited/Expired	(42,735	)	15.71
Outstanding at October 31, 2012	2,473,250		14.57			$	12,908
Granted	636,645		19.67
Exercised	(179,517	)	14.39
Forfeited/Expired	(55,102	)	18.01
Outstanding at October 31, 2013	2,875,276		15.64		7.0	$	7,748
Vested or expected to vest at October 31, 2013	2,793,938		15.55		6.9	$	7,688
Exercisable at October 31, 2013	1,819,190		$	14.22	5.9	$	6,697

Intrinsic value is the amount by which the market price of the common stock on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. For the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the total intrinsic value of our stock options that were exercised totaled $0.8 million, $1.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested during the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was $3.2 million, $2.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively. As of October 31, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options was $3.5 million. We expect to recognize this expense over the remaining weighted average period of 2.1 years.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units may be awarded to key employees and officers from time to time, and annually to non-employee directors. The director restricted stock units vest immediately, whereas restricted stock units awarded to employees and officers typically cliff vest after a three-year period with service and continued employment as the vesting conditions. Restricted stock units are not considered outstanding shares and do not have voting rights, although the holder does receive a cash payment equivalent to the dividend paid, on a one-for-one basis, on our outstanding common shares. Once the vesting criteria is met, each restricted stock unit is payable to the holder in cash based on the market value of one share of our common stock. Accordingly, we record a liability for the restricted stock units on our balance sheet and recognize any changes in the market value during each reporting period as compensation expense.

The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock unit activity during the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at October 31, 2010	21,000		$	18.35
Granted	10,278		14.75
Vested	(10,278	)	14.75
Non-vested at October 31, 2011	21,000		18.35
Granted	162,632		15.60
Vested	(7,632	)	19.77
Forfeited	(15,000	)	18.35
Non-vested at October 31, 2012	161,000		15.47
Granted	6,875		17.78
Vested	(12,875	)	18.05
Forfeited	(54,000	)	15.08
Non-vested at October 31, 2013	101,000		$	15.62

We paid $0.1 million and $0.2 million to settle restricted stock units during the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. There were no such payments related to settling restricted stock units during the year ended October 31, 2011.

The following table summarizes amounts expensed as selling, general and administrative expense related to restricted stock awards, stock options and restricted stock units for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011(in thousands):



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Restricted stock awards	$	165	$	1,117	$	1,537
Stock options	4,745		3,286		3,166
Restricted stock units	313		1,201		149
Compensation expense	5,223		5,604		4,852
Income tax effect	1,864		1,922		2,003
Net compensation expense	$	3,359	$	3,682	$	2,849

- Definition

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

+ References

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-Number Topic 14

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Stockholders Equity	12 Months Ended
Stockholders Equity	Oct. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	15. Stockholders' Equity As of October 31, 2013, our authorized capital stock consists of 125,000,000 shares of common stock, at par value of $0.01 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with no par value. As of October 31, 2013 and 2012, we had 37,653,639 and 37,788,804 shares of common stock issued, respectively, and 37,165,254 and 38,605,106 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively. There were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding at October 31, 2013 and 2012. Stock Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock On May 27, 2010, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized the repurchase of 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. On August 25, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 1,000,000 shares under the repurchase program. This program does not have a dollar limit or an expiration date. There were no repurchases of shares during the year ended October 31, 2013. During the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011, we purchased 94,337 shares at a cost of $1.3 million and 750,000 shares at a cost of $10.1 million, respectively. As of October 31, 2013, there were 905,663 authorized shares remaining available for purchase pursuant to the program. The objectives of this repurchase program are to manage the dilution created by shares issued under stock-based compensation plans and to repurchase shares opportunistically. We record treasury stock purchases under the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock. On the subsequent re-issuance of shares, we record any resulting proceeds in excess of cost as an increase in additional paid in capital while any deficiency is charged to retained earnings.

- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Other Income (Expense)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Other Income (Expense)

16. Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) included under the caption "Other, net" on the accompanying consolidated statements of income, consisted of the following (in thousands):



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$	474		$	(857	)	$	(729	)
Foreign currency exchange derivative gains (losses)	(570		)	895			(175		)
Interest income	63			206			311
Other	201			(22		)	79
Other income (expense)	$	168		$	222		$	(514	)

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

17. Segment Information

We have two reportable segments: (1) Engineered Products and (2) 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 our segments are residential remodeling and replacement activity (R&R) and new home construction.

We measure our inventory at the segment level on a FIFO or weighted-average basis; however, at the consolidated level, a portion of the inventory is measured on a LIFO basis. The LIFO reserve is computed on a consolidated basis as a single pool. (See Note 4, "Inventories."). We record LIFO inventory adjustments, corporate office charges and inter-segment eliminations as Corporate & Other. We account for inter-segment sales and transfers as though the sales or transfers were to third parties, at current market prices. Inter-segment sales, related cost of sales, and intercompany profit are eliminated in consolidation. The most significant components of corporate assets include cash and equivalents, property, plant and equipment, and deferred tax assets, among others. We measure segment profit and our chief operating decision makers evaluate segment results based on the U.S. GAAP measure of operating income (loss). We do not allocate interest expense, interest income or income taxes to our operating segments.

Segment information as of and for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows (in thousands):



	Engineered Products		Aluminum Sheet Products			Corporate & Other			Total
Year Ended October 31, 2013
Net sales	$	554,867	$	397,775		$	—		$	952,642
Inter-segment sales	113		12,605			(12,718		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	31,368		6,983			22,153			60,504
Operating income (loss)	45,324		(996		)	(62,057		)	(17,729		)
Capital expenditures	17,674		12,723			7,534			37,931
Goodwill	71,866		—			—			71,866
Total assets	$	392,243	$	132,506		$	47,066		$	571,815



Year Ended October 31, 2012
Net sales	$	478,578	$	350,398		$	—		$	828,976
Inter-segment sales	—		11,917			(11,917		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	28,115		7,621			1,860			37,596
Operating income (loss)	28,490		(17,098		)	(36,345		)	(24,953		)
Capital expenditures	17,540		10,381			14,950			42,871
Goodwill	68,331		—			—			68,331
Total assets	$	380,551	$	139,733		$	69,254		$	589,538



Year Ended October 31, 2011
Net sales	$	420,258	$	428,036	$	—		$	848,294
Inter-segment sales	—		12,459		(12,459		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	25,232		8,542		158			33,932
Operating income (loss)	30,293		17,115		(30,930		)	16,478
Capital expenditures	11,248		8,749		5,315			25,312
Goodwill	69,432		—		—			69,432
Total assets	$	389,889	$	132,161	$	62,879		$	584,929

For the change in the carrying amount of goodwill, see Note 6 "Goodwill & Intangible Assets".

Geographic Information

Our manufacturing facilities and all long-lived assets are located in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany. We attribute our net sales to a geographic region based on the location of the customer. The following tables provide information concerning our net sales for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and our long-lived assets as of October 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):



	Year Ended October 31,
Net Sales:	2013		2012		2011
United States	$	791,200	$	657,235	$	696,335
Mexico	8,958		11,138		12,105
Canada	79,363		89,381		83,570
Asian countries	17,390		18,504		19,181
European countries	52,051		49,687		35,003
Other foreign countries	3,680		3,031		2,100
Total net sales	$	952,642	$	828,976	$	848,294



	Year Ended October 31,
Long-lived assets, net	2013		2012
United States	$	259,462	$	267,110
Germany	35,779		34,544
United Kingdom	12,806		13,934
Total long-lived assets, net	$	308,047	$	315,588

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 33
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8971-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8595-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8380-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 26
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8844-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 35
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8984-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8538-108599

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8864-108599

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

18. Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common and potential common share includes the weighted average of additional shares associated with the incremental effect of dilutive employee stock options and non-vested restricted stock as determined using the treasury stock method prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance on earnings per share.

The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes outstanding stock options and other common stock equivalents when their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. This is always the case when an entity incurs a net loss, as we did for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012. During these twelve-month periods, 492,288 and 391,813 of common stock equivalents, respectively, and 84,222 and 109,389 shares of restricted stock, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the year ended October 31, 2011 was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):



	Year Ended October 31, 2011
	Income		Weighted Average Shares	Per Share
Basic earnings per common share	$	9,078	37,007	$	0.24
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	—		328
Restricted stock	—		202
Diluted earnings per common share	$	9,078	37,537	$	0.24

For the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we had 816,617, 928,997 and 747,807 securities, respectively, that were potentially dilutive in future earnings per share calculations. Such dilution will be dependent on the excess of the market price of our stock over the exercise price and other components of the treasury stock method.

Restructuring Activities

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Restructuring Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring Activities

19. Restructuring Activities

In November 2011, we committed to a plan to close our facility in Barbourville, Kentucky which was included in the Engineered Products segment. The consolidation plan, in part, called for the permanent closing of this facility, with the equipment used to manufacture the single seal, warm edge spacer system relocated to our facility in Cambridge, Ohio. We believe this consolidation allowed us to better serve our customers through streamlined operations. The consolidation of operations and the subsequent closure of this facility were completed in August 2012, with residual cash payments and minor program costs incurred in fiscal 2013. This facility remained held for sale as of October 31, 2013.

Under ASC Topic 712, “Compensation - Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits”, we are 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. We 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,” we are 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 closing of our facility in Barbourville as of October 31, 2011. In February 2012, we and the union reached an agreement to pay a one-time incentive bonus to employees upon their planned exit date termination, provided certain performance criteria were met. The salaried employees were offered the same one-time incentive bonus under the same terms as the union employees. There were no restructuring charges recognized for the year ended October 31, 2013. For the year ended October 31, 2012, we expensed $9.0 million for restructuring charges, of which $3.4 million was for employee-related termination costs and $5.6 million was for facility consolidation related costs.

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending liability balances pursuant to this restructuring plan for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):



	Employee Termination Costs			Facility Consolidation Costs			Total
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	—		$	—		$	—
Charges to expense	3,372			5,621			8,993
Cash payments	(3,199		)	(5,530		)	(8,729		)
Other adjustments	—			(26		)	(26		)
Balance at October 31, 2012	$	173		$	65		$	238
Charges (credits) to expense	(15		)	—			(15		)
Cash payments	(158		)	(65		)	(223		)
Balance at October 31, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—

- Definition

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.

+ References + Details

Unaudited Quarterly Data

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

Unaudited Quarterly Data

20. Unaudited Quarterly Data

Selected quarterly financial data for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:



For the Quarter Ended	January 31, 2013			April 30, 2013			July 31, 2013		October 31, 2013
Net sales	$	185,713		$	232,458		$	259,174	$	275,297
Cost of sales	162,690			198,963			215,182		222,242
Depreciation and amortization⁽¹⁾	6,058			6,657			6,600		6,464
Operating income (loss)	(13,685		)	(9,373		)	7,116		(1,787		)
Net income (loss)	(8,118		)	(7,348		)	4,969		(1,206		)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.20	)	$	0.13	$	(0.03	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.20	)	$	0.13	$	(0.03	)
Cash dividends paid per common share	$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.04	$	0.04



For the Quarter Ended	January 31, 2012			April 30, 2012			July 31, 2012		October 31, 2012
Net sales	$	161,579		$	194,444		$	237,905	$	235,048
Cost of sales	138,042			171,837			200,663		193,302
Depreciation and amortization⁽¹⁾	6,625			6,168			5,801		5,707
Operating income (loss)	(11,304		)	(16,079		)	1,452		978
Net income (loss)	(6,748		)	(12,285		)	1,531		968
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Cash dividends paid per common share	$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.04	$	0.04


⁽¹⁾	Represents only the depreciation and amortization directly associated with or allocated to products sold and services rendered and excludes depreciation and amortization associated with Corporate.

- Definition

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.

+ References + Details

New Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
New Accounting Pronouncements	Oct. 31, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	21. New Accounting Pronouncements In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-2, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The provisions of ASU 2013-2 are effective for us as of November 1, 2013; however, we do not expect its provisions to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, which requires entities to disclose both gross information and net information about 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. The scope of this standard, which was subsequently clarified by ASU 2013-1, includes derivatives, sale and repurchase agreements, reverse sale and repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending arrangements. These disclosures assist users of financial statements in evaluating the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity's financial position. The provisions of ASU 2011-11 are effective for us as of November 1, 2013; however, we do not expect its provisions to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 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 applied to our annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed after November 1, 2012. The provisions of ASU 2011-08 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (ASU 2011-05), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This guidance required companies to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income either as one continuous statement or as two consecutive statements, and eliminated the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. 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 Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” Otherwise, the guidance in ASU 2011-05 became effective retroactively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 13, 2011. We adopted ASU 2011-05 as of November 1, 2012 and have elected to present separate consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards 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. This guidance changed the wording used to describe many requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Additionally, this guidance clarified the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. This guidance became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and was to be applied prospectively. We adopted ASU 2011-04 with no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Oct. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	22. Subsequent Events In early November 2013, the cold mill at our Nichols Aluminum-Alabama LLC facility in Decatur, Alabama, was damaged due to fire. There were no employee injuries. However, we sustained losses to the building, the cold mill and other equipment from the fire, smoke and water damage. Our preliminary estimate of losses incurred and business interruption was $4.0 million. We have filed a claim with our insurance provider to recover these losses. The facility is currently operating while repairs are underway.

Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Use of Estimates

Revenue Recognition

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Concentraction of Credit Risk & Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Concentration of Credit Risk and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Inventory

Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill & Other Intangible Assets

Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets with Defined Lives

The estimated useful lives of our primary asset categories at October 31, 2013 were as follows:



	Useful Life (in Years)
Land improvements	7 to 25
Buildings	25 to 40
Building improvements	5 to 20
Machinery and equipment	2 to 15

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

Goodwill

Environmental Contingencies

Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Translation

Share-Based Compensation

Stock–Based Compensation

Treasury Stock

Earnings per Share Data

Discontinued Operations

Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Property Assets Useful Life

The estimated useful lives of our primary asset categories at October 31, 2013 were as follows:



	Useful Life (in Years)
Land improvements	7 to 25
Buildings	25 to 40
Building improvements	5 to 20
Machinery and equipment	2 to 15

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

Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table summarizes our supplemental cash flow information for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013		2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Cash paid for interest	$	431	$	381	$	425
Cash paid for income taxes	1,273		1,265		3,260
Cash received for income tax refunds	1,465		19		132
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Share value cancelled to satisfy tax withholdings	518		645		1,066
Recognition of unrecognized tax benefit	3,032		3,571		—
Asset retirement obligation	1,267		—		—
Debt assumed in acquisition	91		—		64
Change in capitalized expenditures in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	1,249	$	395	$	2,459

Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Purchase Price Allocation



Edgetech:	As of Date of Opening Balance Sheet
	(In thousands)
Net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	$	9,181
Inventories	10,123
Prepaid and other current assets	2,023
Property, plant and equipment	21,086
Intangible assets	48,750
Other assets	1,377
Accounts payable	(6,905		)
Accrued liabilities	(1,315		)
Income taxes payable	(3,780		)
Deferred income taxes, current	(322		)
Current maturities of long-term debt	(24		)
Long-term debt	(40		)
Deferred income taxes	(20,374		)
Goodwill	44,623
Net assets acquired	$	104,403
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	104,403



Alumco:	As of Date of Opening Balance Sheet
	(In thousands)
Net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	$	3,638
Inventories	5,062
Prepaid and other current assets	140
Property, plant and equipment	4,682
Intangible assets	8,939
Accounts payable	(2,066		)
Accrued liabilities	(993		)
Current maturities of long-term debt	(14		)
Long-term debt	(77		)
Goodwill	2,785
Net assets acquired	$	22,096
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	22,096

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

The following table presents our pro forma results of operations for the year ended October 31, 2011, assuming Edgetech had been acquired as of the first day of fiscal 2011.



	Year Ended October 31, 2011
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	878,291
Operating income	20,530
Income from continuing operations	$	11,496
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations	$	0.31

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consisted of the following as of October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Trade receivables	$	97,354	$	85,375
Environmental remediation receivable, current portion	903		821
Receivables from employees	12		28
Other	1,125		446
Total	$	99,394	$	86,670
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	561		1,026
Accounts receivable, net	$	98,833	$	85,644

Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	1,026		$	1,062		$	1,037
Bad debt (benefit) expense	(38		)	593			635
Amounts written off	(534		)	(688		)	(627		)
Recoveries	107			59			17
Balance as of October 31,	$	561		$	1,026		$	1,062

Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Raw materials	$	32,215	$	34,392
Finished goods and work in process	35,657		43,915
Supplies and other	2,269		2,559
Total	$	70,141	$	80,866
Less: Inventory reserves	11,825		14,962
Inventories, net	$	58,316	$	65,904

Inventory Reserve Rollforward

The changes in our inventory reserve accounts were are follows for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	14,962		$	15,660		$	12,768
Charged (credited) to costs & expenses	(3,135		)	(163		)	3,432
Write-offs	(2		)	(400		)	(491		)
Other	—			(135		)	(49		)
Balance as of October 31,	$	11,825		$	14,962		$	15,660

Values of Inventories



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
LIFO	$	17,211	$	28,224
FIFO	41,105		37,680
Total	$	58,316	$	65,904

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Land and land improvements	$	9,433	$	9,553
Buildings and building improvements	77,978		76,810
Machinery and equipment	412,483		391,897
Construction in progress	6,252		24,515
Property, plant and equipment, gross	506,146		502,775
Less: Accumulated depreciation	348,927		333,898
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	157,219	$	168,877

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013		2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	68,331	$	69,432		$	25,189
Acquisitions	2,785		—			44,623
Foreign currency translation adjustment	750		(1,101		)	(380		)
Balance as of October 31,	$	71,866	$	68,331		$	69,432

Intangible Assets by Major Class



	October 31, 2013	October 31, 2013				October 31, 2012
	Remaining Weighted Average Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
		(In thousands)
Customer relationships	10 years	$	52,793	$	15,630	$	43,737	$	11,675
Trademarks and trade names	13 years	44,576		17,498		44,519		14,520
Patents and other technology	8 years	25,390		11,319		24,773		9,382
Other	2 years	1,392		742		1,392		464
Total		$	124,151	$	45,189	$	114,421	$	36,041

Estimated Remaining Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets

Estimated remaining amortization expense, assuming current intangible balances and no new acquisitions, for each of the fiscal years ending October 31, was as follows (in thousands):



	Estimated Amortization Expense
2014	9,064
2015	8,930
2016	8,659
2017	8,553
2018	8,306
Thereafter	35,450
Total	$	78,962

We did not incur impairment losses related to our identifiable intangible assets during the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total which includes a rollforward schedule.

+ References + Details

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following at October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Payroll, payroll taxes and employee benefits	$	20,095	$	21,458
Accrued insurance and workers compensation	4,003		4,212
Sales allowances	5,882		5,509
Deferred compensation	3,597		440
Deferred revenue	1,121		2,353
Environmental reserve	1,550		1,700
Warranties	1,700		2,045
Audit, legal, and other professional fees	1,472		2,847
Accrued taxes	953		738
Accrued rent	353		1,076
Accrued capital expenditures	—		1,242
Other	4,059		2,839
Accrued liabilities	$	44,785	$	46,459

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following at October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds	700		800
Scott County, Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds	—		400
Capital lease obligations and other	235		201
Total debt	$	935	$	1,401
Less: Current maturities	183		368
Long-term debt	$	752	$	1,033

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt

The table below presents the scheduled maturity dates of our long-term debt outstanding at October 31, 2013 (in thousands):



	Aggregate Maturities
2014	183
2015	188
2016	131
2017	117
2018	107
Thereafter	209
Total	$	935

Retirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Funded Status and Net periodic Benefit Cost

The changes in benefit obligations and plan assets, and our funded status (reported in deferred pension and postretirement benefits on the consolidated balance sheets) were as follows (in thousands):



	October 31,
	2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012 and 2011, respectively	$	24,407		$	20,662
Service cost	3,820			3,652
Interest cost	786			815
Actuarial (gain) loss	(893		)	731
Benefits paid	(1,540		)	(1,183		)
Administrative expenses	(341		)	(270		)
Projected benefit obligation at October 31,	$	26,239		$	24,407
Change in Plan Assets:
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012 and 2011, respectively	$	18,562		$	14,004
Actual return on plan assets	3,256			1,811
Employer contributions	3,670			4,200
Benefits paid	(1,540		)	(1,183		)
Administrative expenses	(341		)	(270		)
Fair value of plan assets at October 31,	$	23,607		$	18,562
Non current liability - Funded Status	$	(2,632	)	$	(5,845	)

Net Periodic Pension Cost

The net periodic benefit cost for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was as follows:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	3,820		$	3,652		$	3,794
Interest cost	786			815			795
Expected return on plan assets	(1,400		)	(1,161		)	(986		)
Amortization of net loss	370			147			134
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,576		$	3,453		$	3,737

Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The changes in plan assets and projected benefit obligations which were recognized in our other comprehensive loss for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	$	(2,749	)	$	81		$	2,271
Less: Amortization of loss	$	369		$	147		$	134
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss	$	(3,118	)	$	(66	)	$	2,137

Assumptions Used in Benefit Calculations

The following table presents our assumptions for pension benefit calculations for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	For the Year Ended October 31,
	2013	2012	2011	2013	2012	2011
Weighted Average Assumptions:	Benefit Obligation			Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Discount rate	4.18%	3.29%	4.40%	3.29%	4.40%	5.15%
Rate of compensation increase	2.50%	2.50%	4.00%	2.50%	4.00%	4.00%
Expected return on plan assets	n/a	n/a	n/a	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%

Allocation and Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets

Plan Assets



	Target Allocation		Actual Allocation
	October 31, 2013		October 31, 2013		October 31, 2012
Equity securities	60.0	%	60.0	%	60.0	%
Fixed income	40.0	%	40.0	%	40.0	%



	Fair Value Measurements at
	October 31, 2013		October 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Money market fund	$	445	$	167

Large capitalization	$	7,439	$	5,918
Small capitalization	2,745		2,218
International equity	2,536		1,993
Other	1,139		929
Equity securities	$	13,859	$	11,058

High-quality core bond	$	4,653	$	3,645
High-quality government bond	2,322		1,831
High-yield bond	2,328		1,861
Fixed income	$	9,303	$	7,337

Total securities⁽¹⁾	$	23,607	$	18,562


⁽¹⁾	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1).

Expected Benefit Payments



	Pension Benefits
2014	$	2,155
2015	2,072
2016	2,379
2017	2,523
2018	2,633
2019 - 2023	15,473
Total	$	27,235

Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet

The table below indicates the amount of these liabilities included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets:



	October 31, 2013		October 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Accrued liabilities	$	74	$	74
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits	1,080		1,035
Total	$	1,154	$	1,109

Warranty Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Accrued Warranty



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2012, and 2011, respectively	$	4,781		$	5,262
Provision for warranty expense	768			652
Change in accrual for preexisting warranties	(1,279		)	(838		)
Warranty costs paid	(586		)	(295		)
Total accrued warranty	$	3,684		$	4,781
Less: Current portion of accrued warranty	1,700			2,045
Long-term portion at October 31,	$	1,984		$	2,736

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

The following table summarizes the components of income tax expense excluding discontinued operations for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Current
Federal	$	522		$	257		$	1,949
State and local	422			320			390
Non-U.S.	846			615			737
Total current	1,790			1,192			3,076
Deferred
Federal	(7,779		)	(9,060		)	3,964
State and local	(571		)	(213		)	596
Non-U.S.	62			(570		)	(1,199		)
Total deferred	(8,288		)	(9,843		)	3,361
Total (benefit) provision	$	(6,498	)	$	(8,651	)	$	6,437

Eective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

The following table reconciles our effective income tax rate to the federal statutory rate of 35% for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013		2012		2011
U.S. tax at statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income tax	3.1		3.9		4.4
Non-U.S. income tax	0.1		(0.5	)	1.1
Employee related items	—		(2.1	)	—
Transaction costs	—		—		4.7
General business credits	0.9		1.1		(2.6	)
Valuation allowance	(2.9	)	(4.4	)	—
Other	(0.5	)	1.3		(1.1	)
Effective tax rate	35.7	%	34.3	%	41.5	%

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Significant components of our net deferred tax assets were as follows:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefit obligations	$	14,025	$	14,948
Goodwill and intangibles	771		3,055
Accrued liabilities and reserves	4,255		4,349
Pension and other benefit obligations	2,134		3,720
Inventory	3,435		3,858
Loss and tax credit carry forwards	23,874		13,168
Other	261		291
Total gross deferred tax assets	48,755		43,389
Less: Valuation allowance	2,478		1,694
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	46,277		41,695
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	2,205		3,322
Net deferred tax assets	$	44,072	$	38,373

Deferred income tax assets, non-current	$	21,286	$	17,934
Deferred income tax assets, current	22,786		20,439
Net deferred tax assets	$	44,072	$	38,373

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The following table reconciles the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):



	Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits
Balance at November 1, 2010	$	18,615
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	13
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	414
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	19,042
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	12
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	276
Lapse in statute of limitations	(3,571		)
Balance at October 31, 2012	$	15,759
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	14
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	497
Lapse in statute of limitations	(3,032		)
Balance at October 31, 2013	$	13,238

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Operating Leases

The following table presents future minimum rental payments under operating leases with remaining terms in excess of one year at October 31, 2013 (in thousands):



	Operating Leases
2014	$	7,021
2015	5,979
2016	4,492
2017	3,603
2018	2,851
Thereafter	8,107
Total	$	32,053

Environmental Reserve and Recovery

The table below indicates the total environmental reserve and corresponding recovery balance as of October 31, 2013 and 2012:



	October 31,
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Accrued liabilities	$	1,550	$	1,700
Non-current environmental reserves	9,255		9,827
Total environmental reserves	$	10,805	$	11,527

Accounts receivable	$	903	$	821
Other current assets	1,395		—
Other assets (non-current)	8,330		10,374
Total receivable for recovery of remediation costs	$	10,628	$	11,195

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of a lessee's leasing arrangements including: (1) the basis on which contingent rental payments are determined, (2) the existence and terms of renewal or purchase options and escalation clauses, (3) restrictions imposed by lease arrangements, such as those concerning dividends, additional debt, and further leasing, (4) rent holidays, rent concessions, or leasehold improvement incentives and unusual provisions or conditions. Disclosure may also include the specific period used to amortize material leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease or during the lease term. Additionally, for operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year: (a) future minimum rental payments required as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, in the aggregate and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) the total of minimum rentals to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, and (c) for all operating leases, rental expense for each period for which an income statement is presented, with separate amounts for minimum rentals, contingent rentals, and sublease rentals. Rental payments under leases with terms of a month or less that were not renewed need not be included.

+ References + Details

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

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

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

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 and the realized gains and losses are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as follows (in thousands):



		Year Ended October 31,
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain or (Loss):	2013			2012			2011
Aluminum derivatives	Cost of sales	$	(122	)	$	(476	)	$	(307	)
Foreign currency derivatives	Other, net	$	(570	)	$	895		$	(175	)

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



	October 31,
	2013		2012
Prepaid and other current assets:
Aluminum derivatives	$	50	$	10
Foreign currency derivatives	163		6
Other assets:
Aluminum derivatives	8		—
Accrued liabilities:
Aluminum derivatives	77		170
Foreign currency derivatives	38		23
Other liabilities (non-current):
Aluminum derivatives	$	—	$	4

Schedule of Notional Amounts of Oustanding Derivative Positions

The following table summarizes the notional amounts and fair value of outstanding derivative contracts at October 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):



		Notional as indicated		Fair Value in $
		October 31, 2013	October 31, 2012	October 31, 2013			October 31, 2012
Aluminum derivatives:
Aluminum forward purchase contracts	LBS	3,142	2,370	$	60		$	(164	)
Aluminum swap contracts	LBS	187	—	(64		)	—
Foreign currency exchange derivatives:
Sell EUR, buy USD	EUR	7,258	7,663	150			(23		)
Buy GBP, sell USD	GBP	2,435	1,934	(25		)	5
Buy EUR, sell GBP	EUR	967	—	(12		)	—
Sell EUR buy GBP	EUR	880	545	14			—
Sell CAD, buy USD	CAD	615	608	$	(2	)	$	1

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 (in thousands):



	October 31, 2013										October 31, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
Assets
Investments in money market fund	$	42,639	$	—		$	—	$	42,639		$	67,819	$	—		$	—	$	67,819
Aluminum derivatives	—		58			—		58			—		10			—		10
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	—		163			—		163			—		6			—		6
Total assets	$	42,639	$	221		$	—	$	42,860		$	67,819	$	16		$	—	$	67,835

Liabilities
Aluminum derivatives	$	—	$	(77	)	$	—	$	(77	)	$	—	$	(174	)	$	—	$	(174	)
Foreign currency exchange derivatives	—		(38		)	—		(38		)	—		(23		)	—		(23		)
Total liabilities	$	—	$	(115	)	$	—	$	(115	)	$	—	$	(197	)	$	—	$	(197	)

Net assets (liabilities)	$	42,639	$	106		$	—	$	42,745		$	67,819	$	(181	)	$	—	$	67,638

- Definition

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).

+ References + Details

- Definition

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.

+ References + Details

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Share Activity

A summary of non-vested restricted stock awards activity during the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, follows:



	Restricted Stock Awards		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Non-vested at October 31, 2010	378,616		$	13.07
Granted	69,200		17.14
Vested	(166,219	)	15.29
Forfeited	(25,207	)	13.62
Non-vested at October 31, 2011	256,390		12.67
Granted	83,900		15.08
Vested	(115,790	)	7.82
Forfeited	(11,800	)	16.07
Non-vested at October 31, 2012	212,700		16.08
Granted	148,400		18.83
Vested	(67,300	)	16.21
Forfeited	(110,400	)	17.40
Non-vested at October 31, 2013	183,400		$	17.46

Schedule of Valuation Assumptions for Grants

October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013	2012	2011
Weighted-average expected volatility	54.9%	54.0%	53.0%
Weighted-average expected term (in years)	5.3	5.0	5.0
Risk-free interest rate	1.0%	0.9%	1.7%
Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.0%	1.0%	1.0%
Weighted average grant date fair value	$8.75	$6.80	$7.42

Schedule of Stock Option Activity

October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.



	Stock Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000s)
Outstanding at October 31, 2010	1,724,301		$	13.24
Granted	480,392		17.13
Exercised	(61,338	)	14.13
Forfeited/Expired	(5,919	)	14.87
Outstanding at October 31, 2011	2,137,436		14.08			$	3,520
Granted	607,972		15.82
Exercised	(229,423	)	13.14
Forfeited/Expired	(42,735	)	15.71
Outstanding at October 31, 2012	2,473,250		14.57			$	12,908
Granted	636,645		19.67
Exercised	(179,517	)	14.39
Forfeited/Expired	(55,102	)	18.01
Outstanding at October 31, 2013	2,875,276		15.64		7.0	$	7,748
Vested or expected to vest at October 31, 2013	2,793,938		15.55		6.9	$	7,688
Exercisable at October 31, 2013	1,819,190		$	14.22	5.9	$	6,697

Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity

October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at October 31, 2010	21,000		$	18.35
Granted	10,278		14.75
Vested	(10,278	)	14.75
Non-vested at October 31, 2011	21,000		18.35
Granted	162,632		15.60
Vested	(7,632	)	19.77
Forfeited	(15,000	)	18.35
Non-vested at October 31, 2012	161,000		15.47
Granted	6,875		17.78
Vested	(12,875	)	18.05
Forfeited	(54,000	)	15.08
Non-vested at October 31, 2013	101,000		$	15.62

Schedule of Share-based Compensation Costs



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Restricted stock awards	$	165	$	1,117	$	1,537
Stock options	4,745		3,286		3,166
Restricted stock units	313		1,201		149
Compensation expense	5,223		5,604		4,852
Income tax effect	1,864		1,922		2,003
Net compensation expense	$	3,359	$	3,682	$	2,849

Other Income (Expense) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) included under the caption "Other, net" on the accompanying consolidated statements of income, consisted of the following (in thousands):



	Year Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$	474		$	(857	)	$	(729	)
Foreign currency exchange derivative gains (losses)	(570		)	895			(175		)
Interest income	63			206			311
Other	201			(22		)	79
Other income (expense)	$	168		$	222		$	(514	)

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Information, by Segment



	Engineered Products		Aluminum Sheet Products			Corporate & Other			Total
Year Ended October 31, 2013
Net sales	$	554,867	$	397,775		$	—		$	952,642
Inter-segment sales	113		12,605			(12,718		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	31,368		6,983			22,153			60,504
Operating income (loss)	45,324		(996		)	(62,057		)	(17,729		)
Capital expenditures	17,674		12,723			7,534			37,931
Goodwill	71,866		—			—			71,866
Total assets	$	392,243	$	132,506		$	47,066		$	571,815



Year Ended October 31, 2012
Net sales	$	478,578	$	350,398		$	—		$	828,976
Inter-segment sales	—		11,917			(11,917		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	28,115		7,621			1,860			37,596
Operating income (loss)	28,490		(17,098		)	(36,345		)	(24,953		)
Capital expenditures	17,540		10,381			14,950			42,871
Goodwill	68,331		—			—			68,331
Total assets	$	380,551	$	139,733		$	69,254		$	589,538



Year Ended October 31, 2011
Net sales	$	420,258	$	428,036	$	—		$	848,294
Inter-segment sales	—		12,459		(12,459		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	25,232		8,542		158			33,932
Operating income (loss)	30,293		17,115		(30,930		)	16,478
Capital expenditures	11,248		8,749		5,315			25,312
Goodwill	69,432		—		—			69,432
Total assets	$	389,889	$	132,161	$	62,879		$	584,929

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

Geographic Information



	Year Ended October 31,
Net Sales:	2013		2012		2011
United States	$	791,200	$	657,235	$	696,335
Mexico	8,958		11,138		12,105
Canada	79,363		89,381		83,570
Asian countries	17,390		18,504		19,181
European countries	52,051		49,687		35,003
Other foreign countries	3,680		3,031		2,100
Total net sales	$	952,642	$	828,976	$	848,294



	Year Ended October 31,
Long-lived assets, net	2013		2012
United States	$	259,462	$	267,110
Germany	35,779		34,544
United Kingdom	12,806		13,934
Total long-lived assets, net	$	308,047	$	315,588

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic & Diluted

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the year ended October 31, 2011 was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):



	Year Ended October 31, 2011
	Income		Weighted Average Shares	Per Share
Basic earnings per common share	$	9,078	37,007	$	0.24
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	—		328
Restricted stock	—		202
Diluted earnings per common share	$	9,078	37,537	$	0.24

Restructuring Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Restructuring Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending liability balances pursuant to this restructuring plan for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):



	Employee Termination Costs			Facility Consolidation Costs			Total
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	—		$	—		$	—
Charges to expense	3,372			5,621			8,993
Cash payments	(3,199		)	(5,530		)	(8,729		)
Other adjustments	—			(26		)	(26		)
Balance at October 31, 2012	$	173		$	65		$	238
Charges (credits) to expense	(15		)	—			(15		)
Cash payments	(158		)	(65		)	(223		)
Balance at October 31, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—

Unaudited Quarterly Data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information

Selected quarterly financial data for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:



For the Quarter Ended	January 31, 2013			April 30, 2013			July 31, 2013		October 31, 2013
Net sales	$	185,713		$	232,458		$	259,174	$	275,297
Cost of sales	162,690			198,963			215,182		222,242
Depreciation and amortization⁽¹⁾	6,058			6,657			6,600		6,464
Operating income (loss)	(13,685		)	(9,373		)	7,116		(1,787		)
Net income (loss)	(8,118		)	(7,348		)	4,969		(1,206		)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.20	)	$	0.13	$	(0.03	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.20	)	$	0.13	$	(0.03	)
Cash dividends paid per common share	$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.04	$	0.04



For the Quarter Ended	January 31, 2012			April 30, 2012			July 31, 2012		October 31, 2012
Net sales	$	161,579		$	194,444		$	237,905	$	235,048
Cost of sales	138,042			171,837			200,663		193,302
Depreciation and amortization⁽¹⁾	6,625			6,168			5,801		5,707
Operating income (loss)	(11,304		)	(16,079		)	1,452		978
Net income (loss)	(6,748		)	(12,285		)	1,531		968
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.34	)	$	0.04	$	0.03
Cash dividends paid per common share	$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.04	$	0.04


⁽¹⁾	Represents only the depreciation and amortization directly associated with or allocated to products sold and services rendered and excludes depreciation and amortization associated with Corporate.

Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2
One customer made this percentage of revenue	10.00%
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	$ 431	$ 381	$ 425
Cash paid for income taxes	1,273	1,265	3,260
Cash received for income tax refunds	1,465	19	132
Share value cancelled to satisfy tax withholdings	518	645	1,066
Recognition of unrecognized tax benefits	3,032	3,571
Asset retirement obligation	1,267
Debt assumed in acquisition	91		64
Change in capitalized expenditures in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 1,249	$ 395	$ 2,459
Land Improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Minimum useful life	7 years
Maximum useful life	25 years
Building
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Minimum useful life	25 years
Maximum useful life	40 years
Building Improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Minimum useful life	5 years
Maximum useful life	20 years
Machinery and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Minimum useful life	2 years
Maximum useful life	15 years
Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Minimum useful life	36 months

Acquisitions (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2011
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price [Abstract]
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 22,400
Contingent consideration based on certain financial targets	500
Contingent consideration based on working capital clause	400
Contingent consideration, at fair value	300
Cash acquired from acquisition	800
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Escrow deposit related to Edgetech acquistion	7,000
Escrow deposit disbursements related to acquisition	3,500
Business acquisition, cost of acquired entity, transaction costs		$ 2,500
Business acquisition, pro forma revenue		878,291
Business acquisition, pro forma operating income		$ 20,530
Business aquisition, pro forma income from continuing operations		$ 11,496,000
Business acquisition, pro forma diluted earnings per share		$ 0.31
Alumco
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	3,638
Inventories	5,062
Prepaid and other current assets	140
Property, plant and equipment	4,682
Intangible assets	8,939
Accounts payable	(2,066)
Accrued liabilities	(993)
Current maturities of long-term debt	(14)
Long-term debt	(77)
Goodwill	2,785
Cash, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	22,096
Edgetech
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	9,181
Inventories	10,123
Prepaid and other current assets	2,023
Property, plant and equipment	21,086
Intangible assets	48,750
Other assets	1,377
Accounts payable	(6,905)
Accrued liabilities	(1,315)
Income taxes payable	(3,780)
Deferred income taxes, current	(322)
Current maturities of long-term debt	(24)
Long-term debt	(40)
Deferred income taxes	(20,374)
Goodwill	44,623
Cash, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	104,403
JeldWen
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	5,000
Intangible assets	1,400
Cash, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	6,400
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Adjustment to goodwill	100
Inventory Valuation Reserve
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Adjustment to goodwill	$ 200

Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 1,026	$ 1,062	$ 1,037
Bad debt (benefit) expense	(38)	593	635
Accounts written off	(534)	(688)	(627)
Recoveries	107	59	17
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	561	1,026	1,062
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade receivables				$ 97,354	$ 85,375
Evironmental remediation receivable, current portion				903	821
Receivables from employees				12	28
Other				1,125	446
Accounts receivable, gross				99,394	86,670
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 1,026	$ 1,026	$ 1,062	561	1,026
Accounts receivable, net				$ 98,833	$ 85,644

Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory reserves	$ 14,962	$ 15,660	$ 12,768
Charged (credited) to costs & expenses	(3,135)	(163)	3,432
Write-offs	(2)	(400)	(491)
Other		(135)	(49)
Inventory reserves	11,825	14,962	15,660
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
LIFO				$ 17,211	$ 28,224
FIFO				41,105	37,680
Inventories, net				58,316	65,904
Excess of replacement cost over LIFO value				8,100	10,700
Effect of LIFO inventory liquidation	600		900
Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Net of Reserves [Abstract]
Raw materials				32,215	34,392
Finished goods and work in process				35,657	43,915
Supplies and other				2,269	2,559
Inventory, gross				70,141	80,866
Less: Inventory reserves	$ 11,825	$ 14,962	$ 12,768	11,825	14,962
Inventories, net				$ 58,316	$ 65,904

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land and land improvements	$ 9,433	$ 9,553
Buildings and building improvements	77,978	76,810
Machinery and equipment	412,483	391,897
Construction in progress	6,252	24,515
Property, plant and equipment, gross	506,146	502,775
Less: Accumulated depreciation	348,927	333,898
Property, plant and equipment, net	157,219	168,877
Depreciation expense	51,600	29,400	$ 27,600
Impairment charges	1,500	700	$ 1,600
Capitalized software costs		$ 15,800
Technology services costs	1,200
Capitalized computer software, amortization	15,300
Change resulted in earnings	$ 9,800
Change resulted in earnings per share	$ 0.27
Depreciation expense associated with next six months	$ 500

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2014	$ 9,064
2015	8,930
2016	8,659
2017	8,553
2018	8,306
Thereafter	35,450
Intangible assets, net	78,962	$ 78,380
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	68,331	69,432	$ 25,189
Acquisitions	2,785		44,623
Foreign currency translation adjustment	750	(1,101)	(380)
Ending balance	71,866	68,331	69,432
Amortization expense		8,200	$ 6,300
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	124,151	114,421
Accumulated amortization	45,189	36,041
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	52,793	43,737
Accumulated amortization	(15,630)	(11,675)
Intangible assets acquired in current fiscal year	$ 8,700
Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible assets	10 years
Trademarks and Trade Names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 44,576	44,519
Accumulated amortization	$ (17,498)	(14,520)
Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible assets	13 years
Patents and Other Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 25,390	24,773
Accumulated amortization	(11,319)	(9,382)
Intangible assets acquired in current fiscal year	$ 200
Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible assets	8 years
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 1,392	1,392
Accumulated amortization	$ (742)	$ (464)
Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible assets	2 years
Alumco
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible assets	3 years
Alumco Customer Relationship
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible assets	10 years

Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Payroll, payroll taxes and employee benefits	$ 20,095	$ 21,458
Accrued insurance and workers compensation	4,003	4,212
Sales allowances	5,882	5,509
Deferred compensation	3,597	440
Deferred revenue	1,121	2,353
Environmental	1,550	1,700
Warranties	1,700	2,045
Audit, legal, and other professional fees	1,472	2,847
Accrued taxes	953	738
Accrued rent	353	1,076
Accrued capital expenditures	0	1,242
Other	4,059	2,839
Accrued liabilities	$ 44,785	$ 46,459

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Borrowings under credit facility	$ 23,500	$ 0	$ 0
Repayments of credit facility borrowings	23,500	0	$ 0
Total debt	935	1,401
Less: Current maturities	183	368
Long-term debt	752	1,033
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2014	183
2015	188
2016	131
2017	117
2018	107
Thereafter	209
Total debt	935	1,401
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	150,000
Credit facility, commitments increase limit	100,000
Credit facility, total commitments limit	$ 250,000
Credit facility, initiation date	Jan. 28, 2013
Credit facility, expiration date	Jan. 27, 2018
Credit facility, amount available	$ 139,000
Letters of credit, outstanding	$ 6,200
Weighted-average interest rate	1.33%
Current borrowing rate - Revolver	3.25%
Current borrowing rate - Swing line sub facility	1.20%
Required minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio	3.00
Required maximum consolidated leverage ratio	3.25
Total debt	$ 0	0
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Total debt	0	0
Retired Credit Facility
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		270,000
Maximum letters of credit		$ 50,000
Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Letters of credit, outstanding	$ 700
Minimum interest rate	0.20%
Maximum interest rate	0.40%
Interest rate during period	0.30%	0.60%
Total debt	$ 700	$ 800
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Total debt	$ 700	$ 800
Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum interest rate	0.70%
Maximum interest rate	1.30%
Interest rate during period	0.90%	1.40%
Face amount	$ 3,000
Number of annual principal payments	15
Principal periodic payment amount	$ 200
Remaining debt balance payoff	200
Total debt	0	$ 400
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Total debt	$ 0	400
Capital Lease Obligations and Other
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum interest rate	1.50%
Maximum interest rate	7.00%
Total debt	$ 235	201
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Total debt	$ 235	$ 201

Retirement Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Retirement Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Funded status of defined benefit plan				$ (2,632)	$ (5,845)
Net actuarial loss				1,700	$ 4,800
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period	$ 24,407	$ 20,662
Service cost	3,820	3,652	$ 3,794
Interest cost	786	815	795
Actuarial loss (gain)	(893)	731
Benefits paid	(1,540)	(1,183)
Administrative expenses	(341)	(270)
Projected benefit obligation at end of period	26,239	24,407	20,662
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	18,562	14,004
Actual return on plan assets	3,256	1,811
Employer contributions	3,670	4,200	1,900
Benefits paid	(1,540)	(1,183)
Administrative expenses	(341)	(270)
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	$ 23,607	18,562	14,004
2014				2,155
2015				2,072
2016				2,379
2017				2,523
2018				2,633
2019-2023				$ 15,473
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of employees included in plan	99.00%
Defined benefit plan employer contribution percentage match of compensation	4.00%
Defined Benebt plan employer contribution percentage	6.50%
Assumptions used calculating benefit obligation, discount rate				4.18%	3.29%	4.40%
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	$ 23,607	$ 18,562	$ 14,004	$ 23,607	$ 18,562	$ 14,004
Assumptions used calculating benefit obligation, rate of compensation increase				2.50%	2.50%	4.00%
Contributions target funded status				100.00%
Deferred compensation liability				$ 6,700	$ 5,900
Defined benefit plan, accumulated benefit obligation				25,200	23,700
Supplemental benefits to be paid in next fiscal year	1,800
Defined benefit plan, estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year				1,100
Deferred compensation payments expected to pay in next fiscal year	$ 3,400
Assumptions used calculating net periodic benefit cost, discount rate	3.29%	4.40%	5.15%
Assumptions used calculating net periodic benefit cost, rate of compensation increase	2.50%	4.00%	4.00%
Assumptions used calculating net periodic benefit cost, expected long-term return on assets	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%
Defined contribution plan, employer contribution	$ 2,900	$ 2,500	$ 3,100
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent	50.00%
Pension and other postretirement liabilities, noncurrent				$ 3,712	$ 6,873
Defined contribution employer match	5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 3,820	3,652	3,794
Interest cost	786	815	795
Expected return on plan assets	(1,400)	(1,161)	(986)
Amortization of net loss	(370)	(147)	(134)
Net periodic benefit cost	3,576	3,453	3,737
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations [Abstract]
Net loss (gain) arising during the period	(2,749)	81	2,271
Amortization of net gains (losses)	(369)	(147)	(134)
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	(3,118)	(66)	$ 2,137
Equity Funds
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	11,058
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	$ 13,859	11,058
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, actual plan asset allocations				60.00%	60.00%
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations	60.00%
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	$ 11,058	11,058		$ 13,859	$ 11,058
Fixed Income Funds
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	7,337
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	$ 9,303	7,337
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, actual plan asset allocations				40.00%	40.00%
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations	40.00%
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	$ 9,303	7,337		$ 9,303	$ 7,337
Money Market Funds
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	167
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	445	167
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	167	167		445	167
Large Capitalization
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	5,918
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	7,439	5,918
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	5,918	5,918		7,439	5,918
Small Capitilization
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	2,218
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	2,745	2,218
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	2,218	2,218		2,745	2,218
International Equity
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	1,993
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	2,536	1,993
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	1,993	1,993		2,536	1,993
High Quality Core Bond
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	3,645
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	4,653	3,645
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	3,645	3,645		4,653	3,645
US Treasury and Government
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	1,831
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	2,322	1,831
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	1,831	1,831		2,322	1,831
High Yield Bond
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	1,861
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	2,328	1,861
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	1,861	1,861		2,328	1,861
Other Asset Category
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, at beginning of period	929
Fair value of plan assets, at end of period	1,139	929
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	$ 929	$ 929		$ 1,139	$ 929

Warranty Obligations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Warranty Obligations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 4,781	$ 5,262
Provision for warranty expense	768	652
Change in accrual for preexisting warranties	(1,279)	(838)
Warranty costs paid	(586)	295
Total accrued warranty	3,684	4,781
Less: Current portion of accrued warranty	1,700	2,045
Long-term portion	$ 1,984	$ 2,736

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Employee benefit obligations	$ 14,025	$ 14,948
Goodwill and intangibles	771	3,055
Accrued liabilities and reserves	4,255	4,349
Pension and other benefit obligations	2,134	3,720
Inventory	3,435	3,858
Loss and tax credit carry forwards	23,874	13,168
Other	261	291
Total gross deferred tax assets	48,755	43,389
Valuation allowance	2,478	1,694
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	46,277	41,695
Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	2,205	3,322
Net deferred tax assets	44,072	38,373
Deferred income tax assets, non-current	21,286	17,934
Deferred income tax assets, current	$ 22,786	$ 20,439
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
U.S. tax at statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%		35.00%
State and local income tax	3.10%	3.90%		4.40%
Non-U.S. income tax	0.10%	(0.50%)		1.10%
Employee related items	0.00%	(2.10%)		0.00%
Transaction costs	0.00%	0.00%		4.70%
General business credits	0.90%	1.10%		(2.60%)
Valuation allowance	(2.90%)	(4.40%)		0.00%
Other	(0.50%)	1.30%		(1.10%)
Effective income tax rate, continuing operations	35.70%	34.30%		41.50%
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest expense	$ 100	$ 200		$ 300
Operating loss carryforwards	111,000
Tax credit carryforward	1,300
Operating loss carryforwards, valuation allowance	1,600	1,100
Income tax receivable	200	1,300
Liability for uncertain tax positions	5,396	6,736
Unrecognized tax benefits included in deferred income taxes non-current assets	7,800	9,100
Recognition of unrecognized tax benefit	2,102	2,851
Decrease in income tax expense	600
Recognition of unrecognized tax benefits	(3,032)	(3,571)
Unrecognized tax benefits that would not impact effective tax rate	12,400
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	4,200
Estimated amount of unrecorded benefit	2,000
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Current federal tax expense (benefit)	522	257	$ 1,949
Current state and Local tax expense (benefit)	422	320	390
Current foreign tax expense (benefit)	846	615	737
Total current income tax expense (benefit)	1,790	1,192	3,076
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)	(7,779)	(9,060)	3,964
Deferred state and local Income tax expense (benefit)	(571)	(213)	596
Deferred foreign income tax expense (benefit)	62	(570)	(1,199)
Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(8,288)	(9,843)	3,361
Income tax expense (benefit), continuing operations	6,498	8,651	(6,437)
Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits	13,238	15,759	19,042		$ 18,615
Additions for tax positions related to current year	14	12	13
Additions for tax positions related to prior year	497	$ 276	$ 414
Lapse in statute of limitations	$ (2,700)

Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rent expense	$ 7,100	$ 6,900	$ 6,000
Total minimum sublease rentals to be received	1,400
Amount purchased under purchase obligations	4,100	4,000	$ 2,800
Purchased obligation amount due within the next fiscal year	500
Asset retirement obligation	1,200
Cumulative asset retirment obligation	2,200
Environmental Remediation [Abstract]
Accrued liabilities	1,550	1,700
Non-current environmental reserves	9,255	9,827
Total environmental reserves	10,805	11,527
Accounts receivable	903	821
Other current assets	1,395
Other assets (non-current)	8,330	10,374
Receivable for recovery of remediation costs	10,628	$ 11,195
Environmental reserve, administrative costs	700
Remaining environmental reserve (net of admin & legal costs)	10,100
Limit on indemnification	21,500
Payment on indemnification received	$ 1,500
Percentage of ongoing payments received	90.00%
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2014	$ 7,021
2015	5,979
2016	4,492
2017	3,603
2018	2,851
Thereafter	8,107
Total future payments of operating leases	$ 32,053

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities (Detail 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Derivatives [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives, asset	$ 58	$ 10
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, asset	163	6
Aluminum derivatives, liability	(77)	(174)
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, liability	(38)	(23)
Cost of Sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives	(122)	(476)	$ (307)
Other Non Operating Income (Loss)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency derivatives	(570)	895	$ (175)
Aluminum Forward Purchase Contracts
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives, notional amount	3,142	2,370
Aluminum derivatives, fair value	60	(164)
Aluminum Swap Contracts
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives, notional amount	187
Aluminum derivatives, fair value	(64)
Sell EUR, buy GBP
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount	880	545
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, fair value	14
Sell EUR, buy USD
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount	7,258	7,663
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, fair value	150	(23)
Sell CAD, buy USD
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount	615	608
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, fair value	(2)	1
Buy GBP, sell USD
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount	2,435	1,934
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, fair value	(25)	5
Buy EUR, sell GBP
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, notional amount	967
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, fair value	(12)
Prepaid And Other Current Assets
Derivatives [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives, asset	50	10
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, asset	163	6
Other Assets
Derivatives [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives, asset	8
Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives, liability	77	170
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, liability	$ 38	23
Other Liabilities
Derivatives [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives, liability		$ 4

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities (Detail 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in money market fund	$ 42,639	$ 67,819
Aluminum derivatives, asset	58	10
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, asset	163	6
Total assets	42,860	67,835
Aluminum derivatives, liability	(77)	(174)
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, liability	(38)	(23)
Total liabilities	(115)	(197)
Net assets (liabilities)	42,745	67,638
Property, plant, and equipment, at fair value non-recurring	3,700	4,200
Increase in assets held-for-sale	1,000
Asset impairment charges	1,465	912	$ 1,799
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in money market fund	42,639	67,819
Total assets	42,639	67,819
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Aluminum derivatives, asset	58	10
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, asset	163	6
Total assets	221	16
Aluminum derivatives, liability	(77)	(174)
Foreign currency exchange derivatives, liability	(38)	(23)
Total liabilities	(115)	(197)
Net assets (liabilities)	$ 106	$ (181)

Stock Based Compensation (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 30, 2011
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Number of additional shares authorized	2,400,000
Number of shares authorized	2,900,000
Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]
Weighted-average expected volatility	54.90%	54.00%	53.00%
Weighted-average expected term (in years)	5 years 3 months	5 years	5 years
Risk-free interest rate	1.00%	0.90%	1.70%
Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.00%	1.00%	1.00%
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$ 8.75	$ 6.80	$ 7.42
Stock Options, [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period	2,473,250	2,137,436	1,724,301	1,724,301
Granted	636,645	607,972	480,392
Exercised	(179,517)	229,423	61,338
Cancelled/Expired	(55,102)	42,735	5,919
Outstanding at end of period	2,875,276	2,473,250	2,137,436
Vested or expected to vest at end of period	2,793,938
Exercisable at end of period	1,819,190
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding at beginning of period	$ 14.57	$ 14.08	$ 13.24	$ 13.24
Granted	19.67	15.82	17.13
Exercised	14.39	13.14	14.13
Cancelled/Expired	18.01	15.71	14.87
Outstanding at end of period	15.64	$ 14.57	$ 14.08
Vested or expected to vest at end of period	15.55
Exercisable at end of period	$ 14.22
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding at end of period	7 years
Vested or expected to vest at end of period	6 years 10 months 24 days
Exercisable at end of period	5 years 11 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at end of period	$ 7,748	$ 12,908	$ 3,520
Vested or expected to vest at end of period	7,688
Exercisable at end of period	$ 6,697
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Vesting period	3 years
Fair value of stock options vested	$ 3,200	2,600		$ 2,900
Unrecognized compensation cost - non vested stock options	$ 3,500
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized	2 years 1 month
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 800	1,200		$ 300
Cash used to settle restricted stock units	111	200
Share-based compensation expense	5,223	5,604	4,852
Income tax effect	1,864	1,922	2,003
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax	$ 3,359	$ 3,682	$ 2,849
Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs)
Number of Shares
Non-vested at beginning of the Period	212,700	256,390	378,616	378,616
Granted	148,400	83,900	69,200
Vested	(67,300)	115,790	166,219
Cancelled	(110,400)	(11,800)	(25,207)
Non-vested at end of the Period	183,400	212,700	256,390
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at beginning of the Period	$ 16.08	$ 12.67	$ 13.07	$ 13.07
Granted	18.83	15.08	17.14
Vested	16.21	7.82	15.29
Cancelled	17.40	16.07	13.62
Non-vested at end of the Period	$ 17.46	$ 16.08	$ 12.67
Vesting period	3 years
Fair value of restricted stock awards vested	$ 1,100	$ 900		$ 2,500
Unrecognized compensation cost - non vested restricted stock awards	$ 1,900
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized	2 years 3 months
Share-based compensation expense	$ 165	$ 1,117	$ 1,537
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Number of Shares
Non-vested at beginning of the Period	161,000	21,000	21,000	21,000
Granted	6,875	162,632	10,278
Vested	12,875	7,632	10,278
Cancelled	(54,000)	(15,000)
Non-vested at end of the Period	101,000	161,000	21,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at beginning of the Period	$ 15.47	$ 18.35	$ 18.35	$ 18.35
Granted	17.78	15.60	14.75
Vested	18.05	19.77	14.75
Cancelled	15.08	18.35
Non-vested at end of the Period	$ 15.62	$ 15.47	$ 18.35
Vesting period	3 years
Share-based compensation expense	$ 313	$ 1,201	$ 149
Stock Options
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Share-based compensation expense	$ 4,745	$ 3,286	$ 3,166

Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000		1,000,000
Preferred stock, no par value	$ 0.00		$ 0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000		125,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued	37,788,804		37,653,639
Common stock, shares outstanding	38,605,106		37,165,254
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased			1,000,000
Additional shares authorized for repurchase			1,000,000
Stock repurchased during period, shares	94,337	750,000
Stock repurchased during period, value	$ 1.3	$ 10.1
Remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased			905,663

Other Income (Expense) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Other Income (Expense) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$ 474	$ (857)	$ (729)
Foreign currency exchange derivative gains (losses)	(570)	895	(175)
Interest income	63	206	311
Other	201	(22)	79
Other income (expense)	$ 168	$ 222	$ (514)

- Definition

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).

+ References + Details

Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 952,642	$ 828,976	$ 848,294
Inter-segment sales	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	60,504	37,596	33,932
Operating income (loss)	(17,729)	(24,953)	16,478
Capital expenditures	37,931	42,871	25,312
Goodwill	71,866	68,331	69,432	$ 25,189
Assets	571,815	589,538	584,929
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	952,642	828,976	848,294
Long-lived assets, net	308,047	315,588
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	791,200	657,235	696,335
Long-lived assets, net	259,462	267,110
Mexico
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	8,958	11,138	12,105
Canada
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	79,363	89,381	83,570
Asian Countries
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	17,390	18,504	19,181
European Countries
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	52,051	49,687	35,003
Other Foreign Countries
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	3,680	3,031	2,100
Germany
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets, net	35,779	34,544
United Kingdom
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets, net	12,806	13,934
Engineered Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	554,867	478,578	420,258
Inter-segment sales	113	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	31,368	28,115	25,232
Operating income (loss)	45,324	28,490	30,293
Capital expenditures	17,674	17,540	11,248
Goodwill		68,331	69,432
Assets	392,243	380,551	389,889
Aluminum Sheet Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	397,775	350,398	428,036
Inter-segment sales	12,605	11,917	12,459
Depreciation and amortization	6,983	7,621	8,542
Operating income (loss)	(996)	(17,098)	17,115
Capital expenditures	12,723	10,381	8,749
Assets	132,506	139,733	132,161
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0
Inter-segment sales	(12,718)	(11,917)	(12,459)
Depreciation and amortization	22,153	1,860	158
Operating income (loss)	(62,057)	(36,345)	(30,930)
Capital expenditures	7,534	14,950	5,315
Assets	$ 47,066	$ 69,254	$ 62,879

Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (11,703,000)	$ (16,534,000)	$ 9,066,000
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, basic	36,864,000	36,622,000	37,007,000
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.32)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.24
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, diluted	36,864,000	36,622,000	37,537,000
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.32)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.24
Antidilutive securities	816,617	928,997	747,807
Stock Options
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Dilutive securities	$ 492,288	$ 391,813	$ 328,000
Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs)
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Dilutive securities	$ 84,222	$ 109,389	$ 202,000

Restructuring Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Restructuring Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 0	$ (122)	$ 721
Restructuring reserve		238
IG Facility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	(15)	8,993
Restructuring, settled with cash	(223)	(8,729)
Restructuring, accrual adjustment		(26)
Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	(15)	3,372
Restructuring, settled with cash	(158)	(3,199)
Restructuring reserve		173
Facility Closing
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		5,621
Restructuring, settled with cash	$ (65)	(5,530)
Restructuring, accrual adjustment		(26)
Restructuring reserve		$ 65

- Definition

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.

+ References + Details

Unaudited Quarterly Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 952,642	$ 828,976	$ 848,294
Cost of sales	799,077	703,844	712,091
Depreciation and amortization	60,504	37,596	33,932
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(11,703)	(16,534)	9,078
Net income (loss)	$ (11,703)	$ (16,534)	$ 9,066
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.32)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.24
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	(0.32)	(0.45)	0.24
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.16
First Quarter
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 185,713	$ 161,579
Cost of sales	162,690	138,042
Depreciation and amortization	6,058	6,625
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(13,685)	(11,304)
Net income (loss)	$ (8,118)	$ (6,748)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.22)	$ (0.18)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	(0.22)	(0.18)
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04
Second Quarter
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 232,458	$ 194,444
Cost of sales	198,963	171,837
Depreciation and amortization	6,657	6,168
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(9,373)	(16,079)
Net income (loss)	$ (7,348)	$ (12,285)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.20)	$ (0.34)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	(0.20)	(0.34)
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04
Third Quarter
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 259,174	$ 237,905
Cost of sales	215,182	200,663
Depreciation and amortization	6,600	5,801
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,116	1,452
Net income (loss)	$ 4,969	$ 1,531
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.13	$ 0.04
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	0.13	0.04
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04
Fourth Quarter
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 275,297	$ 235,048
Cost of sales	222,242	193,302
Depreciation and amortization	6,464	5,707
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(1,787)	978
Net income (loss)	$ (1,206)	$ 968
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.03)	$ 0.03
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	(0.03)	0.03
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04

Subsequent Events (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events (Details) $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent event, amount	$ 4.0