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Operating Segments
 3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Operating Segments
Operating segments
We conduct business across two primary operating segments:  Industrial Precision Solutions (IPS) and Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS).  The composition of segments and measure of segment profitability is consistent with that used by our chief operating decision maker.  The primary measure used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing performance is operating profit, which equals sales less cost of sales and certain operating expenses.  Items below the operating profit line of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (interest and investment income, interest expense and other income/expense) are excluded from the measure of segment profitability reviewed by our chief operating decision maker and are not presented by operating segment.  
Effective in the second quarter of 2020, we made changes to realign our management team and our operating segments, which are reflected in our disclosures. This realignment will enable us to better serve global customers and markets, to more efficiently leverage technology synergies, to operate divisions of significant size in a consistent and focused way and to position ourselves for our next chapter of profitable growth. The revised operating segments better reflect how we manage the Company, allocate resources, and assess performance of the businesses.
We realigned our former three operating segments into two: Industrial Precision Solutions and Advanced Technology Solutions. Existing product lines were unchanged as part of this new structure.
Industrial Precision Solutions: This segment delivers proprietary dispensing and processing technology to diverse end markets. Product lines reduce material consumption, increase line efficiency and enhance product brand and appearance. Components are used for dispensing adhesives, coatings, paint, finishes, sealants and other materials. This segment primarily serves the non-durables, industrial and consumer durables markets.
Advanced Technology Solutions: This segment integrates our proprietary product technologies found in progressive stages of a customer’s production processes, such as surface treatment, precisely controlled dispensing of material and post-dispense test and inspection to ensure quality. Related single-use plastic molded syringes, cartridges, tips, fluid connection components, tubing, balloons and catheters are used to dispense or control fluids in production processes or within customers’ end products. This segment predominantly serves customers in the electronics, medical and related high-tech industrial markets.
The following table presents information about our segments:
Three Months EndedIndustrial
Precision
Solutions		Advanced
Technology
Solutions		CorporateTotal
January 31, 2021    
Net external sales$288,416 $238,150 $— $526,566 
Operating profit (loss)83,403 47,201 (21,579)109,025 
January 31, 2020
Net external sales$263,799 $231,117 $— $494,916 
Operating profit (loss)56,404 32,287 (13,598)75,093 
A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
 Three Months Ended
 January 31, 2021January 31, 2020
Total profit for reportable segments$109,025 $75,093 
Interest expense(6,932)(9,740)
Interest and investment income380 588 
Other-net(4,661)(2,846)
Income before income taxes$97,812 $63,095 
We have significant sales in the following geographic regions:
 Three Months Ended
 January 31, 2021January 31, 2020
United States$185,316 $188,500 
Americas36,138 31,083 
Europe135,151 126,391 
Japan27,115 27,552 
Asia Pacific142,846 121,390 
Total net external sales$526,566 $494,916