XML 81 R63.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.3.1.900

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) Plant | Oct. 31, 2014 USD ($) Plant | Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) Plant Employees | Oct. 31, 2014 USD ($) Plant Employees | Oct. 31, 2013 USD ($) Plant Employees
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges | $ 13.3 | $ 5.6 | $ 40.0 | $ 16.1 | $ 4.8
Number of employees severed | Employees |  |  | 1,020 | 850 | 278
Amounts remaining to be incurred | $ 14.7 |  | $ 14.7 |  |
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges |  |  | $ 29.5 |  |
Number of plants closed | Plant | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0
Amounts remaining to be incurred | $ 10.0 |  | $ 10.0 |  |
Employee Separation Costs [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges |  |  | 27.8 | $ 12.0 | $ 2.8
Employee Separation Costs [Member] | Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges |  |  | 21.7 |  |
Amounts remaining to be incurred | 5.7 |  | 5.7 |  |
Other Restructuring Costs [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges |  |  | 12.2 | $ 4.1 | $ 2.0
Other Restructuring Costs [Member] | Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and Related Cost [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges |  |  | 7.8 |  |
Amounts remaining to be incurred | $ 4.3 |  | $ 4.3 |  |

X
- Definition Number of employees severed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_NumberOfEmployeesSevered
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of plants closed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_NumberOfPlantsClosed
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of expected cost remaining for the specified restructuring cost. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=gef_RigidIndustrialPackagingAndServicesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=gef_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |