XML 32 R52.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Variable Interest Entities (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |  | 9 Months Ended |  |  | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jul. 31, 2012 | Jul. 31, 2011 | Jul. 31, 2012 | Jul. 31, 2011 | Oct. 31, 2011 | Mar. 28, 2005 acre | Jul. 31, 2012 Asset Company [Member] | Jul. 31, 2012 Trading Company [Member] | Jul. 31, 2012 STA Timber [Member] | Jul. 31, 2011 STA Timber [Member] | Oct. 31, 2011 STA Timber [Member] | May 31, 2005 STA Timber [Member] Monetization Notes [Member] | Jul. 31, 2012 Flexible Products JV [Member] | Jul. 31, 2011 Flexible Products JV [Member] | Jul. 31, 2012 Flexible Products JV [Member] | Jul. 31, 2011 Flexible Products JV [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior secured notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.20% |  |  |  |
Maturity date |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Aug. 05, 2020 |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal outstanding |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 43.3 |  | $ 43.3 | $ 43.3 |  |  |  |
Interest Expense | 22.7 | 18.4 | 70.5 | 53.8 |  |  |  |  | 1.7 | 1.7 |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership percentage in Variable Interest Entity |  |  |  |  |  |  | 49.00% | 51.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Outstanding advances receivables |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.1 |  | 5.1 |
Noncontrolling interests attributable to the flexible packaging JV |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.4 | (0.1) | (4.2) | (3.5)
Variable Interest Entities (Additional Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitment to obtain third party financing |  |  | up to $150 million |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Approximate acres of timberland to be sold under agreement with Plum Creek Timberland |  |  |  |  |  | 56,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Acres of timberland sold under the agreement |  |  |  |  |  | 35,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Approximate value of sale agreement with Plum Creek Timberland |  |  |  |  |  | 90 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Value of timberland sold under the agreement |  |  |  |  |  | 51.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase notes payable |  |  |  |  |  | 50.9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum amount of guarantee on purchase notes |  |  |  |  |  | 52.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Extended date | Nov. 05, 2020 |  | Nov. 05, 2020 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restricted bank financial instruments under buyer SPE | 50.9 |  | 50.9 |  | 50.9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Committed capital contribution |  |  | 150 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest income of Buyer SPE |  |  | 1.8 | 1.8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable interest entities outstanding advances | 0.6 |  | 0.6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest bearing short term borrowing | $ 11.4 |  | $ 11.4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Acres of timberland sold under agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_AcresOfTimberlandSoldUnderAgreement
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | num:areaItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Approximate acres of timberland under agreement to sale. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_ApproximateAcresOfTimberlandUnderAgreementToSale
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | num:areaItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Approximate value of sale agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_ApproximateValueOfSaleAgreement
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Committed capital contribution. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_CommittedCapitalContribution
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Interest bearing short term borrowing. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_InterestBearingShortTermBorrowing
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Interest income of purchaser under real estate sale agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_InterestIncomeOfPurchaserUnderRealEstateSaleAgreement
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Loans and leases receivable related parties current. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRelatedPartiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum amount of guarantee on purchase notes. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_MaximumAmountOfGuaranteeOnPurchaseNotes
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Notes maturity date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_NotesMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Notes maturity date subject to certain conditions, to be extended. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_NotesMaturityDateSubjectToCertainConditionsMayBeExtended
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Purchase notes payable. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_PurchaseNotesPayable
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Restricted bank financial instruments of purchaser under real estate sale agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_RestrictedBankFinancialInstrumentsOfPurchaserUnderRealEstateSaleAgreement
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Value of timberland sold under agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_ValueOfTimberlandSoldUnderAgreement
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | gef_VariableInterestEntitiesAdditionalTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Variable interest entities outstanding advances. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_VariableInterestEntitiesOutstandingAdvances
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number APB14-1 -Paragraph 31 -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 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 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 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 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 9 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher OTS -Name Federal Regulation (FR) -Number Title 12 -Section 563c.102 -Paragraph 9 -Chapter V -Subsection II -LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It 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 34 -Paragraph 21 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Describes the terms of arrangements (for example, liquidity arrangements, guarantees, or other commitments) by third parties that may affect the fair value or risk of the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5728-111685 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS140-4 and FIN46(R)-8 -Paragraph C6 -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. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LiquidityArrangementsGuaranteesAndOtherCommitmentsByThirdParties
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of net Income or Loss for the period allocated to noncontrolling shareholders, unit holders, partners, or other equity holders in joint ventures included in the entity's consolidated financial statements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossJointVenturePartners
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) voting interest owned by (or beneficial interest in) the reporting entity (directly or indirectly). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5A -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=SL6759159-111685 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration