Inventories
 6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]  
Inventories
5. Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
 
April 30,
2013
 
October 31,
2012
 
(In thousands)
Raw materials
$
37,383

 
$
30,400

Finished goods and work in process
37,469

 
32,937

Supplies and other
2,356

 
2,567

Total
$
77,208

 
$
65,904


Fixed costs related to excess manufacturing capacity, if any, have been expensed in the period they were incurred and, therefore, are not capitalized into inventory. The values of inventories are based on the following accounting methods:
 
 
April 30,
2013
 
October 31,
2012
 
(In thousands)
LIFO
$
31,967

 
$
28,224

FIFO
45,241

 
37,680

Total
$
77,208

 
$
65,904



During interim quarters, we estimate a LIFO reserve based on our expectations of year-end inventory levels and costs. If our calculations indicate that an adjustment at year-end will be required, we record a proportionate share of this amount during the quarter. At year-end, we calculate the actual LIFO reserve and record an adjustment for the difference between the annual calculation and any estimates recognized during the interim quarters.  Because the interim projections are subject to many factors beyond management's control, the results could differ significantly from the year-end LIFO calculation. Our projections resulted in no interim LIFO allocation for the six months ended April 30, 2013. Similarly, no interim LIFO allocation was recognized for the six months ended April 30, 2012.
For inventories valued under the LIFO method, replacement cost exceeded the LIFO value by approximately $10.7 million as of April 30, 2013 and October 31, 2012.