XML 41 R87.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Post Retirement Benefit Plans - Actuarial Assumptions Used to Measure Benefit Obligations and Pension Costs (Detail) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Oct. 31, 2014 | Oct. 31, 2013 | Oct. 31, 2012
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Discount rate | 3.69%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate | 4.30%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate | 3.92%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate
Expected return on plan assets | 5.73%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets | 5.70%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets | 6.46%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
Rate of compensation increase | 2.93%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease | 2.99%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease | 2.99%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease
USA [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Discount rate | 4.22%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 4.75%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 4.00%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Expected return on plan assets | 6.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 6.00%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 6.75%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Rate of compensation increase | 3.00%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 3.00%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember | 3.00%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
UNITED KINGDOM | Non-United States [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Discount rate | 2.45%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB | 3.40%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB | 3.50%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB
Rate of compensation increase | 2.75%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB | 2.75%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB | 2.75%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_GB
Germany [Member] | Non-United States [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Discount rate | 3.72%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 4.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 4.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE
Expected return on plan assets | 6.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 6.50%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 6.75%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE
Rate of compensation increase | 3.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 3.50%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE | 3.50%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_DE
Netherlands [Member] | Non-United States [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Discount rate | 2.20%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 3.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 3.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL
Expected return on plan assets | 3.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 3.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 5.00%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL
Rate of compensation increase | 2.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 2.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL | 2.25%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_NL
International [Member] | Non-United States [Member] |  |  |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Discount rate | 4.83%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_InternationalMember | 5.28%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_InternationalMember | 4.89%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_InternationalMember
Expected return on plan assets | 6.09%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_InternationalMember | 5.82%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_InternationalMember | 6.55%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_InternationalMember
Rate of compensation increase | 2.41%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_InternationalMember | 2.35%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_InternationalMember | 2.29%gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = gef_InternationalMember

X
- Definition Defined benefit plan assumptions used calculating benefit obligation and net periodic pension costs discount rate. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionCostsDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Defined benefit plan assumptions used calculating benefit obligation and net periodic pension expected long term return on assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Defined benefit plan assumptions used calculating benefit obligation and net periodic pension rate of compensation increase. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicPensionRateOfCompensationIncrease
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_DE
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_GB
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_NL
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=gef_InternationalMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |