|**Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Tables)**                                   | 6 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
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|**Equity [Abstract]**                                                               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
|Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss                                     | The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), including adjustments for items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income, are shown below.CumulativetranslationadjustmentsPension andpostretirement benefitplan adjustmentsAccumulatedother comprehensiveincome (loss)Balance at October 31, 2021$(33,389)$(142,446)$(175,835)Amortization of prior service costs and netactuarial losses, net of tax of ($1,850)—5,8385,838Foreign currency translation adjustments(60,259)—(60,259)Pension settlement, net of tax of ($9,573)—32,04732,047Balance at April 30, 2022$(93,648)$(104,561)$(198,209)
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|Balance at October 31, 2021                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
|Amortization of prior service costs and netactuarial losses, net of tax of ($1,850) |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
|Foreign currency translation adjustments                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
|Pension settlement, net of tax of ($9,573)                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
|Balance at April 30, 2022                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

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