10-Q

FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2010

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 0-7977

NORDSON CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	34-0590250
(State of incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
28601 Clemens Road
Westlake, Ohio	44145
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(440) 892-1580

(Telephone Number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Shares with no par value
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o
		(Do not check if smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No þ

As of July 31, 2010, there were 33,957,125 shares of Nordson Corporation common shares outstanding.

Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income	3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	4
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	22
Results of Operations	22
Financial Condition	26
Critical Accounting Policies	27
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	28
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	28
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION	29
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	29
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS	29
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	30
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS	30
SIGNATURES	31
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1
EX-32.2
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

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Nordson Corporation

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009			July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
(In thousands, except for per share data)
Sales	$	279,121		$	206,273		$	751,369		$	581,721
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		113,320			84,536			300,026			249,864
Selling and administrative expenses		97,759			83,582			288,339			248,930
Severance and restructuring costs		347			977			1,449			14,095
		211,426			169,095			589,814			512,889
Operating profit		67,695			37,178			161,555			68,832
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(1,580	)		(1,732	)		(4,661	)		(6,176	)
Interest and investment income		170			93			649			367
Other — net		177			77			700			7,277
		(1,233	)		(1,562	)		(3,312	)		1,468
Income before income taxes		66,462			35,616			158,243			70,300
Income taxes		11,133			11,637			43,751			21,322
Net income	$	55,329		$	23,979		$	114,492		$	48,978
Average common shares		34,047			33,562			33,808			33,547
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, nonvested stock, and deferred stock-based compensation		337			48			419			28
Average common shares and common share equivalents		34,384			33,610			34,227			33,575
Basic earnings per share	$	1.63		$	0.71		$	3.39		$	1.46
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.61		$	0.71		$	3.35		$	1.46
Dividends declared per share	$	0.19		$	0.1825		$	0.57		$	0.5475

See accompanying notes.

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Nordson Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

	July 31, 2010			October 31, 2009
(In thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	48,042		$	18,781
Marketable securities		973			43
Receivables		225,240			191,201
Inventories		119,557			97,636
Deferred income taxes		32,681			29,756
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		6,916			9,254
Total current assets		433,409			346,671
Property, plant and equipment — net		113,012			118,291
Goodwill		346,101			341,762
Intangible assets — net		43,388			42,144
Deferred income taxes		—			18,119
Other assets		26,884			23,687
	$	962,794		$	890,674
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	$	2,071		$	1,287
Accounts payable		37,065			33,368
Income taxes payable		19,009			12,347
Accrued liabilities		100,611			92,285
Customer advanced payments		13,661			8,807
Current maturities of long-term debt		14,260			4,290
Current obligations under capital leases		3,991			4,038
Total current liabilities		190,668			156,422
Long-term debt		152,000			152,260
Other liabilities		164,846			212,016
Shareholders’ equity:
Common shares		12,253			12,253
Capital in excess of stated value		253,964			241,494
Retained earnings		751,264			656,086
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(75,284	)		(55,470	)
Common shares in treasury, at cost		(486,917	)		(484,387	)
Total shareholders’ equity		455,280			369,976
	$	962,794		$	890,674

See accompanying notes.

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Nordson Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	114,492		$	48,978
Depreciation and amortization		22,345			24,201
Non-cash stock compensation		6,644			(1,876	)
Deferred income taxes		19,306			2,033
Other non-cash expense		1,157			1,816
(Gain)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment		(91	)		(4,693	)
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options		(6,104	)		(30	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities		(91,220	)		48,848
Net cash provided by operating activities		66,529			119,277
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(7,812	)		(9,713	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		237			8,543
Sale of product lines		(881	)		—
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired		(18,492	)		—
Proceeds from sale of (purchases of) marketable securities		(937	)		5
Net cash used in investing activities		(27,885	)		(1,165	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		7,253			591
Repayment of short-term borrowings		(6,122	)		(40,905	)
Proceeds from long-term debt		101,000			46,200
Repayment of long-term debt		(91,290	)		(87,490	)
Repayment of capital lease obligations		(3,848	)		(4,498	)
Issuance of common shares		10,804			461
Purchase of treasury shares		(13,611	)		(6,979	)
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options		6,104			30
Dividends paid		(19,315	)		(18,361	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(9,025	)		(110,951	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(358	)		1,606
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		29,261			8,767
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year		18,781			11,755
End of quarter	$	48,042		$	20,522

See accompanying notes.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

July 31, 2010

NOTE REGARDING AMOUNTS

In this quarterly report, all amounts related to United States dollars and foreign currency and to the number of Nordson Corporation’s common shares, except for per share earnings and dividend amounts, are expressed in thousands.

1. Basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended July 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009.

2. Basis of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

3. Revenue recognition. Most of our revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. Revenues from contracts with multiple element arrangements, such as those including installation or other services, are recognized as each element is earned based on objective evidence of the relative fair value of each element. If the installation or other services are inconsequential to the functionality of the delivered product, the entire amount of revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of the criteria noted above. Inconsequential installation or other services are those that can generally be completed in a short period of time, at insignificant cost, and the skills required to complete these installations are not unique to us. If installation or other services are essential to the functionality of the delivered product, revenues attributable to these obligations are deferred until completed. Amounts received in excess of revenue recognized are included as deferred revenue within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets.

4. Environmental remediation costs. We accrue for losses associated with environmental remediation obligations when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study. Such accruals are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. Costs for future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are not discounted to their present value. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recognized as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.

5. Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

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6. Earnings per share. Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year, while diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding. Common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options computed using the treasury stock method, as well as nonvested (restricted) stock and deferred stock-based compensation. Options whose exercise price is higher than the average market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended July 31, 2010, no options were excluded for the calculation of earnings per share. For the nine months ended July 31, 2010, there were 12 options excluded from the calculation. For the three and nine months ended July 31, 2009, there were 590 and 806 options excluded from the calculation, respectively.

7. Recently issued accounting standards. In September 2006, the FASB issued a standard regarding fair value measurements. This standard provides a common definition of fair value and establishes a framework to make the measurement of fair value in generally accepted accounting principles more consistent and comparable. It also requires expanded disclosures to provide information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measures on earnings. In February 2008, the FASB issued an update that permitted a one-year deferral of the original standard for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We adopted the non-deferred portion of the standard as of November 1, 2008 and the deferred portion of the standard as of November 1, 2009. The adoptions did not impact our results of operations or financial position.

In December 2007, the FASB issued a standard that provides greater consistency in the accounting and financial reporting of business combinations. The standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction, establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and requires the acquirer to disclose the nature and financial effect of the business combination. We adopted this standard as of November 1, 2009, and the adoption did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. The future impact will depend on the nature and significance of future acquisitions.

In December 2007, the FASB issued a pronouncement that establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. We adopted this pronouncement as of November 1, 2009. The impact of adoption will depend on future transactions. To date, there was no impact of the adoption on our results of operations or financial position.

In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements that addresses the unit of accounting for arrangements involving multiple deliverables. The guidance also addresses how arrangement consideration should be allocated to separate units of accounting, when applicable, and expands the disclosure requirements for multiple-deliverable arrangements. We must adopt this standard in fiscal year 2011 and have not yet determined the impact of adoption on our results of operations or financial position.

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8. Divestiture. On June 30, 2010, we entered into an agreement to sell our graphic arts and lamps product lines to Baldwin Technology Company, Inc. These product lines were reported in the Advanced Technology Systems segment. This divestiture did not qualify for discontinued operations treatment, because it was not a component of an entity, as its operations and cash flows were not clearly distinguished from the rest of the entity. During the three months ended July 31, 2010, we recognized a pretax loss on disposition of $31, which is reflected in selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. In the current fiscal year, results of operations and net assets of the divested product lines were immaterial to our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, we recognized a pre-tax impairment charge of $14,101, including $12,129 of goodwill impairment, in order to write the carrying amount of the assets held for sale down to the estimated fair value less costs to sell. The tax benefit related to the write-off of our tax basis in the investment in these product lines is disclosed in note 19.

9. Inventories. At July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, inventories consisted of the following:

	July 31, 2010			October 31, 2009
Finished goods	$	72,866		$	63,289
Work-in-process		19,818			11,607
Raw materials and finished parts		51,363			46,263
		144,047			121,159
Obsolescence and valuation reserves		(16,551	)		(15,740	)
LIFO reserve		(7,939	)		(7,783	)
	$	119,557		$	97,636

10. Goodwill and intangible assets. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 by operating segment are as follows:

	Adhesive			Advanced			Industrial
	Dispensing			Technology			Coating
	Systems			Systems			Systems			Total
Balance at October 31, 2009:
Goodwill	$	33,850		$	537,085		$	3,616		$	574,551
Accumulated impairment losses		—			(229,173	)		(3,616	)		(232,789	)
		33,850			307,912			—			341,762
Acquisitions		—			6,018			—			6,018
Currency effect		(675	)		(1,004	)		—			(1,679	)
Balance at July 31, 2010:
Goodwill		33,175			542,099			3,616			578,890
Accumulated impairment losses		—			(229,173	)		(3,616	)		(232,789	)
	$	33,175		$	312,926		$	—		$	346,101

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Nordson Corporation

Information regarding our intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:

	July 31, 2010
			Accumulated
	Carrying Amount		Amortization		Net Book Value
Patent costs	$	20,235	$	6,350	$	13,885
Customer relationships		29,653		7,406		22,247
Non-compete agreements		5,876		4,538		1,338
Core/developed technology		2,788		2,065		723
Trade name		1,633		328		1,305
Other		1,433		581		852
Total	$	61,618	$	21,268	$	40,350

	October 31, 2009
			Accumulated
	Carrying Amount		Amortization		Net Book Value
Patent costs	$	20,983	$	5,242	$	15,741
Customer relationships		25,402		5,689		19,713
Non-compete agreements		5,935		4,223		1,712
Core/developed technology		2,788		1,888		900
Trade name		890		—		890
Other		638		620		18
Total	$	56,636	$	17,662	$	38,974

At July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, $3,038 and $3,170, respectively, of trademark and trade name intangible assets were not subject to amortization.

Amortization expense for the three months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009 was $1,862 and $1,296, respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009 was $4,895 and $3,791, respectively.

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11. Comprehensive income. Comprehensive income for the three months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009 is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Net income	$	55,329		$	23,979
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(126	)		27,165
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses		1,158			166
Comprehensive income	$	56,361		$	51,310

Comprehensive income for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009 is as follows:

	Nine Months Ended
	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Net income	$	114,492		$	48,978
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(27,044	)		29,889
Remeasurement of supplemental pension liability		(2,746	)		(3,457	)
Settlement loss		5,014			1,018
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses		4,962			457
Comprehensive income	$	94,678		$	76,885

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 31, 2010 consisted of pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments of $89,079 offset by $13,795 of net foreign currency translation adjustment credits. Accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 31, 2009 consisted of pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments of $43,377 offset by $30,488 of net foreign currency translation adjustment credits.

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Beginning balance	$	(55,470	)	$	(40,795	)
Current-period change		(19,814	)		27,907
Ending balance	$	(75,284	)	$	(12,888	)

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12. Stock-based compensation. The amended and restated 2004 long-term performance plan, approved by our shareholders in 2008, provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, nonvested (restricted) stock, stock purchase rights, stock equivalent units, cash awards and other stock or performance-based incentives. The number of common shares available for grant of awards is 2.5 percent of the number of common shares outstanding as of the first day of each fiscal year.

Stock Options

Nonqualified or incentive stock options may be granted to our employees and directors. Generally, options granted to employees may be exercised beginning one year from the date of grant at a rate not exceeding 25 percent per year for executive officers and 20 percent per year for other employees and expire 10 years from the date of grant. Vesting accelerates upon the occurrence of events that involve or may result in a change of control. Option exercises are satisfied through the issuance of treasury shares on a first-in first-out basis.

We recognized compensation expense related to stock options of $562 in the three months ended July 31, 2010, and $768 in the three months ended July 31, 2009. Amounts for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009, were $1,676 and $2,265, respectively.

The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the nine months ended July 31, 2010:

								Weighted
				Weighted-Average				Average
	Number of			Exercise Price Per		Aggregate		Remaining
	Options			Share		Intrinsic Value		Term
Outstanding at October 31, 2009		1,799		$	35.30
Granted		183		$	55.82
Exercised		(518	)	$	30.79
Forfeited or expired		(175	)	$	37.97
Outstanding at July 31, 2010		1,289		$	39.67	$	30,123	6.1 years
Vested or expected to vest at July 31, 2010		1,245		$	39.50	$	29,315	6.0 years
Exercisable at July 31, 2010		805		$	36.86	$	21,070	4.7 years

At July 31, 2010, there was $5,787 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options. That cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years.

The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

Nine months ended	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Expected volatility		.429-.442			.404-.408
Expected dividend yield		1.35-1.40	%		1.36	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.27-3.18	%		1.58-1.76	%
Expected life of the option (in years)		5.4-6.3			5.4-6.2

The weighted-average expected volatility used to value options granted in fiscal years 2010 and 2009 was .436 and .405, respectively. The weighted-average dividend yield used to value the fiscal year 2010 options was 1.39%.

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Historical information was the primary basis for the selection of the expected volatility, expected dividend yield and the expected lives of the options. The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon yields of U.S. Treasury issues with a term equal to the expected life of the option being valued.

The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 was $22.16 and $10.62, respectively.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009 was $180 and $52, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009 was $18,849 and $129, respectively.

Cash received from the exercise of stock options was $10,804 for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and $461 for the nine months ended July 31, 2009. The tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises was $6,104 for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and $30 for the nine months ended July 31, 2009.

Nonvested Common Shares

We may grant nonvested common shares to our employees and directors. These shares may not be disposed of for a designated period of time (generally six months to five years) defined at the date of grant. For employee recipients, shares are forfeited on a pro-rata basis in the event employment is terminated as a consequence of the employee recipient’s retirement, disability or death. Termination for any other reason results in forfeiture of the shares. For non-employee directors, restrictions lapse upon the retirement, disability or death of the non-employee director. Termination of service as a director for any other reason results in a pro-rata forfeiture of shares.

As shares are issued, deferred share-based compensation equivalent to the fair market value on the date of grant is charged to shareholders’ equity and subsequently amortized over the restriction period. Tax benefits arising from the lapse of restrictions on the shares are recognized when realized and credited to capital in excess of stated value.

The following table summarizes activity related to nonvested shares during the nine months ended July 31, 2010:

				Weighted-Average
	Number of			Grant Date Fair
	Shares			Value
Nonvested shares at October 31, 2009		23		$	38.49
Granted		30		$	56.77
Vested		(11	)	$	47.80
Forfeited		—			—
Nonvested shares at July 31, 2010		42		$	49.13

As of July 31, 2010, there was $1,417 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares. The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

The amount charged to expense related to nonvested stock was $247 in the three months ended July 31, 2010 and $141 in the three months ended July 31, 2009. For the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009, the amounts were $584 and $388, respectively.

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Directors Deferred Compensation

Non-employee directors may defer all or part of their compensation until retirement. Compensation may be deferred as cash or as share equivalent units. Deferred cash amounts are recorded as liabilities. Additional share equivalent units are earned when common share dividends are declared.

The following table summarizes activity related to director deferred compensation share equivalent units during the nine months ended July 31, 2010:

				Weighted-Average
	Number of			Grant Date Fair
	Shares			Value
Outstanding at October 31, 2009		127		$	30.51
Deferrals		3		$	64.68
Restricted stock units vested		10		$	41.80
Dividend equivalents		1		$	65.40
Distributions		(4	)	$	25.66
Outstanding at July 31, 2010		137		$	32.55

The amount charged to expense related to this plan was $89 for the three months ended July 31, 2010 and $78 for the three months ended July 31, 2009. For the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009, the amounts were $260 and $232, respectively.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (LTIP)

Under the long-term incentive compensation plan, executive officers and selected other key employees receive common share awards based solely on corporate performance measures over three-year performance periods. Awards vary based on the degree to which corporate performance exceeds predetermined threshold, target and maximum performance levels at the end of a performance period. No payout will occur unless certain threshold performance objectives are exceeded.

The amount of compensation expense is based upon current performance projections for each three-year period and the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered. The calculations are also based upon the weighted-average value of our common shares at the dates of grant. This value was $52.19 per share for both the executive officer and the selected other employees groups for fiscal year 2010. The value was $26.45 per share for both the executive officer and the selected other employees groups for fiscal year 2009. For the three months ended July 31, 2010, $2,954 was charged to expense. There was no income statement effect related to the LTIP in the three months ended July 31, 2009. For the nine months ended July 31, 2010, $3,794 was charged to expense. The amount credited to expense was $5,014 in the nine months ended July 31, 2009. The cumulative amount recorded in shareholders’ equity at July 31, 2010 was $3,794.

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13. Warranty Accrual. We offer warranty to our customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement. A typical warranty program requires that we repair or replace defective products within a specified time period (generally one year) from the date of delivery or first use. We record an estimate for future warranty-related costs based on actual historical return rates. Based on analysis of return rates and other factors, the adequacy of our warranty provisions are adjusted as necessary. The liability for warranty costs is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009:

	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Beginning balance	$	4,587		$	5,336
Warranty assumed from acquisition		60			—
Warranty of divested product lines		(211	)		—
Accruals for warranties		5,237			2,497
Warranty payments		(3,813	)		(3,669	)
Currency effect		(225	)		284
Ending balance	$	5,635		$	4,448

14. Severance and restructuring costs. Cost reduction activities were taken in fiscal years 2008 through 2010 primarily in response to economic conditions and to improve operating efficiencies. It is anticipated that the total severance and related costs of these actions will be approximately $23,600 of which $5,561 occurred in fiscal year 2008, $16,396 occurred in fiscal year 2009, and $1,449 occurred in fiscal year 2010. The remainder will occur during the last quarter of fiscal year 2010. Severance costs were recorded in the Corporate segment.

The following table summarizes activity in the severance and restructuring accruals during the nine months ended July 31, 2010:

Accrual balance at October 31, 2009	$	2,228
Amounts accrued		1,449
Payments		(2,640	)
Currency effect		(225	)
Accrual balance at July 31, 2010	$	812

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15. Operating segments. We conduct business across three business segments: Adhesive Dispensing Systems, Advanced Technology Systems, and Industrial Coating Systems. 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 Consolidated Statement 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. In addition, the measure of segment operating profit that is reported to and reviewed by the chief operating decision maker excludes severance and restructuring costs associated with the cost reduction program that began in fiscal year 2008. The accounting policies of the segments are generally the same as those described in Note 1, Significant Accounting Policies, of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009.

The following table presents sales and operating profits of our reportable segments:

	Adhesive		Advanced		Industrial
	Dispensing		Technology		Coating
	Systems		Systems		Systems			Corporate				Total
Three months ended July 31, 2010
Net external sales	$	135,517	$	105,710	$	37,894		$	—			$	279,121
Operating profit (loss)		43,763		27,051		4,525			(7,644	)	a		67,695
Three months ended July 31, 2009
Net external sales	$	112,538	$	69,058	$	24,677		$	—			$	206,273
Operating profit (loss)		32,255		12,455		(1,373	)		(6,159	)	a		37,178
Nine months ended July 31, 2010
Net external sales	$	382,681	$	276,404	$	92,284		$	—			$	751,369
Operating profit (loss)		119,661		60,804		4,970			(23,880	)	a		161,555
Nine months ended July 31, 2009
Net external sales	$	328,184	$	175,572	$	77,965		$	—			$	581,721
Operating profit (loss)		89,034		13,238		(5,437	)		(28,003	)	a		68,832

a - Includes severance and restructuring costs of $347 and $977 in the three months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009, respectively. Includes $1,449 and $14,095 in the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009, respectively.

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A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:

Three months ended	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Total profit for reportable segments	$	67,695		$	37,178
Interest expense		(1,580	)		(1,732	)
Interest and investment income		170			93
Other-net		177			77
Income before income taxes	$	66,462		$	35,616

Nine months ended	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Total profit for reportable segments	$	161,555		$	68,832
Interest expense		(4,661	)		(6,176	)
Interest and investment income		649			367
Other-net		700			7,277
Income before income taxes	$	158,243		$	70,300

We had significant sales in the following geographic regions:

Three months ended	July 31, 2010		July 31, 2009
United States	$	72,550	$	58,524
Americas		21,105		14,456
Europe		82,557		73,060
Japan		28,632		19,127
Asia Pacific		74,277		41,106
Total net sales	$	279,121	$	206,273

Nine months ended	July 31, 2010		July 31, 2009
United States	$	200,159	$	169,924
Americas		56,239		39,041
Europe		244,200		214,709
Japan		68,857		58,644
Asia Pacific		181,914		99,403
Total net sales	$	751,369	$	581,721

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16. Pension and other postretirement plans. The components of net periodic pension cost for the three and nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 were:

	U.S.						International
Three months ended	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009			July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Service cost	$	1,612		$	1,038		$	390		$	337
Interest cost		2,860			2,830			662			669
Expected return on plan assets		(2,897	)		(2,964	)		(333	)		(308	)
Amortization of prior service cost		134			137			11			12
Recognized net actuarial loss		1,479			166			90			(5	)
Total benefit cost	$	3,188		$	1,207		$	820		$	705

	U.S.						International
Nine months ended	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009			July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Service cost	$	4,933		$	3,198		$	1,210		$	985
Interest cost		8,740			8,685			2,071			1,906
Expected return on plan assets		(8,692	)		(8,891	)		(1,028	)		(864	)
Amortization of prior service cost		442			438			37			36
Recognized net actuarial loss		4,518			553			280			(13	)
Settlement loss		8,022			1,629			—			—
Total benefit cost	$	17,963		$	5,612		$	2,570		$	2,050

During the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009, net periodic pension cost included settlement losses of $8,022 and $1,629, respectively, due to lump sum retirement payments.

Contributions to pension plans for fiscal year 2010 are expected to be $72,728, compared to the estimate of $28,354 that was disclosed in our Form 10-K for fiscal year 2009. The increase is due to additional voluntary contributions to U.S. plans.

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The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three and nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 were:

	U.S.						International
Three months ended	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009			July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Service cost	$	243		$	159		$	7		$	6
Interest cost		667			716			11			9
Amortization of prior service cost		(429	)		(208	)		—			—
Recognized net actuarial loss		135			127			(1	)		(2	)
Total benefit cost	$	616		$	794		$	17		$	13

	U.S.						International
Nine months ended	July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009			July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
Service cost	$	628		$	477		$	22		$	17
Interest cost		1,878			2,149			33			25
Amortization of prior service cost		(861	)		(623	)		—			—
Recognized net actuarial loss		878			381			(4	)		(7	)
Total benefit cost	$	2,523		$	2,384		$	51		$	35

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care Education and Affordability Reconciliation Act (the Acts) were signed into law. The Acts contain provisions that could impact our accounting for retiree medical benefits in future periods. However, the extent of that impact, if any, cannot be determined until additional interpretations of the Acts become available. Based on the analysis to date, the impact of provisions in the Acts that is reasonably determinable is not expected to have a material impact on our postretirement benefit plans. Accordingly, a remeasurement of our postretirement benefit obligation is not required at this time. We will continue to assess the provisions of the Acts and may consider plan amendments in future periods to better align these plans with the provisions of the Acts.

17. Fair value measurements. In September 2006, the FASB issued a standard regarding fair value measurements. This standard provides a common definition of fair value and establishes a framework to make the measurement of fair value in generally accepted accounting principles more consistent and comparable. It also requires expanded disclosures to provide information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measures on earnings. In February 2008, the FASB issued an update that permitted a one-year deferral of the original standard for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We adopted the non-deferred portion of the standard as of November 1, 2008 and the deferred portion of the standard as of November 1, 2009.

The inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value are classified into the following categories:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

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The following table presents the classification of our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at July 31, 2010:

	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Rabbi trust (a)	$	13,712	$	—	$	13,712	$	—
Forward exchange contracts (b)		9,427		—		9,427		—
Total assets at fair value	$	23,139	$	—	$	23,139	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans (c)	$	14,638	$	14,638	$	—	$	—
Forward exchange contracts (b)		289		—		289		—
Total liabilities at fair value	$	14,927	$	14,638	$	289	$	—

(a)	We maintain a rabbi trust that serves as an investment to shadow our deferred compensation plan liability. The investment assets of the trust consist of life insurance policies for which we recognize income or expense based upon changes in cash surrender value.
(b)	We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the risk of foreign currency exposures resulting from receivables, payables, intercompany receivables, intercompany payables and loans denominated in foreign currencies. The maturities of these contracts are usually less than 90 days. Foreign exchange contracts are valued using market exchange rates.
(c)	Senior management and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100% of their salary and annual incentive compensation into various non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Deferrals can be allocated to various market performance measurement funds. Changes in the value of compensation deferred under these plans are recognized each period based on the fair value of the underlying measurement funds.

We had no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of July 31, 2010.

18. Financial Instruments. We operate internationally and enter into intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies. Consequently, we are subject to market risk arising from exchange rate movements between the dates foreign currencies are recorded and the dates they are settled. We regularly use foreign currency forward contracts to reduce our risks related to most of these transactions. These contracts usually have maturities of 90 days or less and generally require us to exchange foreign currencies for U.S. dollars at maturity, at rates stated in the contracts. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments. Accordingly, the changes in the fair value of the hedges of balance sheet positions are recognized in each accounting period in “Other – net” on the Consolidated Statement of Income together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

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We had the following outstanding foreign currency forward contracts at July 31, 2010:

	Sell				Buy
	Notional		Fair Market		Notional		Fair Market
	Amounts		Value		Amounts		Value
Euro	$	5,224	$	5,314	$	159,230	$	165,925
British pound		—		—		20,045		21,347
Japanese yen		9,527		9,832		15,685		16,093
Others		5,564		5,765		27,752		29,081
Total	$	20,315	$	20,911	$	222,712	$	232,446

The following table shows the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts in the consolidated balance sheet at July 31, 2010. These contracts were not designated as hedging instruments.

Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
Balance sheet location	Fair value		Balance sheet location	Fair value
Receivables	$	9,427	Accrued liabilities	$	289

For the three months ended July 31, 2010, we recognized gains of $13,273 on foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments. Offsetting the gains on foreign exchange contracts were losses of $13,664 on the underlying transactions.

The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at July 31, 2010, other than receivables and accounts payable, are shown in the table below. The carrying values of receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

	Carrying
	Amount			Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	48,042		$	48,042
Marketable securities		973			973
Notes payable		(2,071	)		(2,071	)
Long-term debt		(166,260	)		(168,431	)
Foreign exchange contracts (net)		9,138			9,138

We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of financial instruments:

• Cash, cash equivalents and notes payable are valued at their carrying amounts due to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments.

• Marketable securities are valued at quoted market prices, which are considered to be Level 1 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

• Long-term debt is valued by discounting future cash flows at currently available rates for borrowing arrangements with similar terms and conditions, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

• Foreign exchange contracts are estimated using quoted exchange rates, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

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19. Income taxes. We record our interim provision for income taxes based on our estimated annual effective tax rate, as well as certain items discrete to the current period.

The effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 were 16.8% and 27.6%, respectively. During the three months ended July 31, 2010, we sold our graphic arts and lamp product lines to Baldwin Technology Company, Inc., as discussed in Note 8, and we recognized $10,700 in tax benefits from the write-off of our tax basis in the product lines.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 was negatively impacted by the enactment in March 2010 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the subsequent enactment of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, resulting in an additional tax charge of $5,255. The charge is due to a reduction in the value of our deferred tax asset as a result of a change to the tax treatment associated with Medicare Part D subsidies.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 was positively impacted by consolidation of certain operations and legal entities, resulting in a $3,500 tax benefit.

At July 31, 2010 we had $3,868 in unrecognized tax benefits, of which $3,421 would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized. Accrued interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits at July 31, 2010 was $421. During the three months ended July 31, 2010, unrecognized tax benefits increased by $150, primarily due to adjustments related to the current year.

During the three months ended July 31, 2009, unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $1,262, primarily due to settlement with tax authorities. During the nine months ended July 31, 2009, our unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $2,752 due to remeasuring positions related to prior years, and a $531 favorable adjustment related to a prior year.

The effective tax rates for the three and nine-month periods ended July 31, 2009 were 32.7% and 30.3%, respectively.

20. Acquisition. On January 5, 2010, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of G L T Gesellschaft für Löttechnik mbH (“GLT”), a German distributor of Nordson EFD dispensing systems and related products. The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred, which consisted solely of cash, was $21,937 ($18,492, net of cash acquired). Based on the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, goodwill of $6,018 and identifiable intangible assets of $7,270 were recorded. The identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of $5,661 of customer relationships that are being amortized over 10 years. Assuming this acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2009, proforma results for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009 would not have been materially different.

21. Contingencies. We are involved in pending or potential litigation regarding environmental, product liability, patent, contract, employee and other matters arising from the normal course of business. Including the environmental matter discussed below, it is our opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that resolutions of these matters are not expected to result in a material effect on our financial condition, quarterly or annual operating results or cash flows.

We have voluntarily agreed with the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin and other Potentially Responsible Parties to share costs associated with the remediation of the City of New Richmond municipal landfill (the “Site”) and constructing a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site. At July 31, 2010, our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $885, of which $116 was reported in accrued liabilities and $769 was reported in other long-term liabilities.

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The liability for environmental remediation represents management’s best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable undiscounted costs related to known remediation obligations. The accuracy of our estimate of environmental liability is affected by several uncertainties such as additional requirements that may be identified in connection with remedial activities, the complexity and evolution of environmental laws and regulations, and the identification of presently unknown remediation requirements. Consequently, our liability could be greater than our current estimate. However, we do not expect that the costs associated with remediation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

22. Subsequent events. We evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after July 31, 2010 through the date the financial statements were issued, and there were no material recognizable or non-recognizable subsequent events.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is Management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations for the periods included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Results of Operations

Sales

Worldwide sales for the three months ended July 31, 2010 were $279,121, an increase of $72,848, or 35.3%, from sales of $206,273 for the comparable period of 2009. Sales volume increased 37.7%, offset by unfavorable effects of currency translations that decreased sales by 2.4%. Sales increased in all three business segments and all five geographic regions in which we operate.

Sales of the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment for the three months ended July 31, 2010 were $135,517, an increase of $22,979, or 20.4% from the comparable period of fiscal 2009. Sales volume increased 22.9%, and unfavorable currency translation effects decreased sales by 2.5%. Sales volume increased in all geographic regions and was most pronounced in the Asia Pacific region. Sales growth occurred in consumer non-durables end markets, as well as general product assembly end markets.

Advanced Technology Systems segment sales for the three months ended July 31, 2010 were $105,710 compared to $69,058 in the comparable period of fiscal 2009, an increase of $36,652, or 53.1%. Sales volume increased 55.8%, and currency translation effects decreased sales by 2.7%. Within the segment, sales volume increases of more than 20% occurred in all geographic regions and were most pronounced in Japan and Asia Pacific. Sales growth occurred in our manual and automated dispensing product lines, as well as our surface treatment and test and inspection product lines.

Sales of the Industrial Coating Systems segment for the three months ended July 31, 2010 were $37,894, an increase of 53.6% from the three months ended July 31, 2009. Sales volume increased 54.2%, offset by currency translation effects that decreased sales by 0.6%. Sales volume increases of more than 30% occurred in all geographic regions in which we operate and were most pronounced in Asia Pacific and Japan. Sales growth occurred in powder and liquid coating systems, as well as container coating and automotive product lines.

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On a geographic basis, each geographic region experienced sales increases in all three segments. Asia Pacific sales for the three months ended July 31, 2010 increased 80.7% from the comparable period of the prior year. The increase consisted of volume of 80.6% and favorable currency effects of 0.1%. Sales in Japan for the three months ended July 31, 2010 increased 49.7% from the three months ended July 31, 2009, with volume increases of 42.9% and favorable currency effects of 6.8%. Sales in the Americas region for the three months ended July 31, 2010 were up 46.0%, with volume increasing 39.9% and favorable currency effect adding 6.1%. United States sales increased 24.0%. The European sales increase of 13.0% consisted of a 22.7% volume increase offset by 9.7% of unfavorable currency effects.

Worldwide sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 were $751,369, an increase of $169,648, or 29.2% from sales of $581,721 for the comparable period of 2009. Of the increase, 26.5% related to volume, and favorable effects of currency translations increased sales by 2.7%. Sales increased in all three business segments and all five geographic regions in which we operate.

Sales of the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 were $382,681, an increase of $54,497, or 16.6% from the comparable period of fiscal 2009. Sales volume increased 13.1%, and favorable currency translation effects increased sales by 3.5%. Sales volume increased in all geographic regions and was particularly strong in Asia Pacific and Americas.

Advanced Technology Systems segment sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 were $276,404 compared to $175,572 in the comparable period of fiscal 2009, a 57.4% increase. Volume increased 56.2%, and currency translation effects increased sales by 1.2%. Within the segment, volume increases occurred in all geographic regions and were most pronounced in Asia Pacific due to higher demand in consumer electronics end markets.

Sales of the Industrial Coating Systems segment for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 were $92,284 compared to $77,965 in the nine months ended July 31, 2009, an 18.4% increase. Volume increased 15.7%, and currency translation effects increased sales by 2.7%. Sales volume, which increased in all geographic regions except Japan, was most pronounced in the Asia Pacific and Americas regions.

On a geographic basis, Asia Pacific sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 increased 83.0% from the comparable period of the prior year. The increase consisted of volume of 78.9% and favorable currency effects of 4.1%. Sales increases in this region occurred across all three business segments. Sales in the Americas region for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 were up 44.1%, with volume increasing 33.8% and favorable currency effects adding 10.3%. United States sales increased 17.8%. Sales in Japan for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 increased 17.4% from the nine months ended July 31, 2009, with volume increasing 12.5% and favorable currency effects of 4.9%. The European sales increase of 13.7% consisted of an 11.5% volume increase and 2.2% of favorable currency effects. All regions were impacted by strong demand in the Advanced Technology Systems segment.

Operating Profit

Cost of sales for the three months ended July 31, 2010 were $113,320, up from $84,536 in 2009. Cost of sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 were $300,026, up from $249,864 in 2009. The increases compared to the prior year reflect an increase in sales volume. The gross margin percentage was 59.4% for the three months ended July 31, 2010, as compared to 59.0% for the comparable period of fiscal year 2009. The gross margin percentage was 60.1% for the nine months ended July 31, 2010, as compared to 57.0% for the comparable period of fiscal year 2009. The gross margin percentage increases in the current year are due to higher absorption of fixed overhead costs, the impact of cost reduction activities taken in fiscal year 2009, changes in product mix and favorable currency effects.

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Selling and administrative expenses, excluding severance and restructuring costs, for the three months ended July 31, 2010 were $97,759, compared to $83,582 for the comparable period of fiscal year 2009. This represented an increase of $14,177, or 17.0%. Selling and administrative expenses, excluding severance and restructuring costs, for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 were $288,339, compared to $248,930 for the comparable period of fiscal year 2009. This represented an increase of $39,409, or 15.8%. The increases were largely due to higher compensation expenses resulting from a higher level of business activity in the current year. In addition, currency translation effects decreased selling and administrative costs by 1.8% for the three-month period and increased these costs by 2.3% for the nine-month period.

Selling and administrative expenses for the three months ended July 31, 2010 as a percent of sales decreased to 35.0% from 40.5% for the comparable period of fiscal year 2009. For the nine months ended July 31, 2010, these expenses as a percent of sales decreased to 38.4% from 42.8% for the comparable period of fiscal year 2009. The decreases were primarily the result of higher sales in the current year and cost reduction activities occurring in fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

Cost reduction activities were taken in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, fiscal year 2009 and in fiscal year 2010 primarily in response to economic conditions and to improve operating efficiencies. It is anticipated that the total severance and related costs of these actions will be approximately $23,600, of which $347 occurred in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 and $977 occurred in third quarter of fiscal year 2009. The year-to-date amounts for fiscal years 2010 and 2009 were $1,449 and $14,095, respectively. The severance costs were recorded in the Corporate segment.

On June 30, 2010, we entered into an agreement to sell our graphic arts and lamps product lines to Baldwin Technology Company, Inc. These product lines were reported in the Advanced Technology Systems segment. During the three months ended July 31, 2010, we recognized a pretax loss on disposition of $31, which is reflected in selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Results of operations and net assets of the divested product lines were immaterial to our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows

Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 24.3% for the three months ended July 31, 2010, up from 18.0% for the comparable period in fiscal year 2009. Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 21.5% for the nine months ended July 31, 2010, up from 11.8% for the comparable period in fiscal year 2009. The increases were primarily due to sales mix yielding higher gross margins, operating costs increasing at a slower rate than sales, the effects of cost reduction activities taken in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and to higher severance and restructuring costs in fiscal year 2009.

Operating profit as a percent of sales for the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment increased to 32.3% for the three months ended July 31, 2010 from 28.7% in 2009 and to 31.3% for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 from 27.1% for the comparable period of 2009. The increases were primarily due to higher gross margin percentages and to sales volume increasing at a higher rate than operating costs.

For the Advanced Technology Systems segment, operating profit as a percent of sales for the three months ended July 31, 2010 was 25.6% compared to 18.0% for the three months ended July 31, 2009. For the nine months ended July 31 operating profit as a percent of sales was 22.0%, up from 7.5% last year. The increases were primarily due to sales volume increasing at a higher rate than operating costs.

The Industrial Coating Systems segment reported an operating profit of 11.9% of sales for the three months ended July 31, 2010, compared to an operating loss of 5.6% of sales in the three months ended July 31, 2009. For the nine months ended July 31, 2010, operating profit was 5.4% of sales, compared to an operating loss of 7.0% of sales in the same period of fiscal year 2009. The increases were primarily due to higher gross margin percentages and to sales volume increasing at a higher rate than operating costs.

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Interest and Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense for the three months ended July 31, 2010 was $1,580, down 8.8% from $1,732 for the three months ended July 31, 2009. Interest expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 was $4,661, down 24.5% from $6,176 for the nine months ended July 31, 2009. The decreases were primarily due to lower borrowing levels.

Other income was $177 for the three months ended July 31, 2010, and $77 in the comparable period of the prior year. Included in those amounts were foreign exchange gains of $239 in fiscal year 2010 and $205 in fiscal year 2009. Other income for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 was $700, compared to $7,277 for the nine months ended July 31, 2009. The prior year amount included a $5,013 gain on the sale of real estate. Also, included were foreign exchange losses of $38 in fiscal year 2010 and foreign exchange gains of $1,519 in fiscal year 2009.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate was 16.8% and 27.6% for the three and nine-month periods ending July 31, 2010, down from 32.7% and 30.3% for the comparable periods of fiscal 2009.

The tax rate for three months ended July 31, 2010 was positively impacted by a tax benefit of $10,700 from the write-off of tax basis in our UV graphics arts and lamps product lines.

The effective rate for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 was impacted by an additional tax charge of $5,255 resulting from the enactment in March 2010 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the subsequent enactment of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The charge was due to a reduction in the value of our deferred tax asset as a result of a change to the tax treatment associated with Medicare Part D subsidies.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 also was positively impacted by consolidation of certain operations and legal entities, resulting in a $3,500 tax benefit.

During the three months ended July 31, 2009, unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $1,262, primarily due to settlement with tax authorities. During the nine months ended July 31, 2009, our unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $2,752 due to remeasuring positions related to prior years, and a $531 favorable adjustment related to a prior year.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended July 31, 2010 was $55,329, or $1.61 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $23,979, or $0.71 per share on a diluted basis in the same period of 2009. This represents a 130.7% increase in net income and a 126.8% increase in earnings per share. For the nine months ended July 31, 2010, net income was $114,492, or $3.35 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $48,978, or $1.46 per share for the nine months ended July 31, 2009. This represents a 133.8% increase in net income and a 129.5% increase in earnings per share.

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Nordson Corporation

Foreign Currency Effects

In the aggregate, average exchange rates for the three months ended July 31, 2010 used to translate international sales and operating results into U.S. dollars compared unfavorably with average exchange rates existing during same period of fiscal year 2009. For the nine months ended July 31, 2010, average exchange rates compared favorably with average exchange rates existing during same period of fiscal year 2009. It is not possible to precisely measure the impact on operating results arising from foreign currency exchange rate changes, because of changes in selling prices, sales volume, product mix and cost structure in each country in which we operate. However, if transactions for the three months ended July 31, 2010 were translated at exchange rates in effect during the same period of 2009, sales would have been approximately $4,900 higher while third-party costs and expenses would have been approximately $4,100 higher. If transactions for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 were translated at exchange rates in effect during the same period of 2009, sales would have been approximately $15,800 lower and third party costs would have been approximately $8,000 lower.

Financial Condition

During the nine months ended July 31, 2010, cash and cash equivalents increased $29,261. Cash provided by operations during this period was $66,529, compared to $119,277 for the nine months ended July 31, 2009. Cash of $163,853 was generated from net income adjusted for non-cash income and expenses as compared to $70,459 last year. The increase is primarily due to higher net income. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $97,324 of cash in the current year as compared to the same period of the prior year when operating assets and liabilities provided $48,818 of cash. The primary reasons for the change were a higher level of business activity resulting in higher operating assets and $52,028 of cash contributions to U.S. pension plans in fiscal year 2010.

Cash used in investing activities was $27,885 for the nine months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $1,165 in the comparable period of the prior year. The change was primarily the result of cash used for the acquisition of GLT in fiscal year 2010 and cash provided by the sale of real estate in fiscal year 2009. Current year capital expenditures were $7,812, down from $9,713 from fiscal year 2009.

Cash used by financing activities was $9,025 for the nine months ended July 31, 2010. Cash of $10,841 was provided by net short and long-term borrowings, and cash of $10,804 was provided by the issuance of common stock related to employee benefit plans. Cash was used for dividend payments of $19,315 and for the purchase of treasury shares of $13,611.

The following is a summary of other significant changes in balance sheet captions from the end of fiscal year 2009 to July 31, 2010. Receivables increased $34,039 primarily due to higher sales in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009. Inventories increased $21,921 as a result of higher levels of business activity. The long-term deferred tax position changed from an asset of $18,119 at October 31 2009 to a liability position of $5,335 at July 31, 2010. The primary reasons for the change were the acceleration of a tax deduction related to a pension contribution made in fiscal year 2010 and a change to the tax treatment associated with Medicare Part D subsidies. Income taxes payable increased $6,662 as a result of higher pre-tax income in the current year. The increase in accrued liabilities is primarily due to accruals for salaries and other compensation offset by payments of supplemental pension and deferred compensation liabilities. The increase in customer advanced payments can be traced to a higher level of engineered system orders that require partial payment in advance. The decrease in other long-term liabilities is the result of the pension plan contributions referred to above.

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Critical Accounting Policies

Our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare financial statements. Estimates are based on historical experience and assumptions believed to be reasonable under current facts and circumstances. Actual amounts and results could differ from these estimates used by management.

Certain accounting policies that require significant management estimates and are deemed critical to the results of operations or financial position were discussed in Item 7 of the 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009. There were no material changes in these policies during the three months ended July 31, 2010.

Outlook

We are encouraged with the improving business conditions and increasing order trends, although we recognize the current business environment continues to be challenging and the shape of recovery is still uncertain. We expect to remain cautious regarding spending, matching our expenditures appropriately with the pace of business recovery and maintaining the structural changes made in 2009 while funding those investments that are important to our underlying business. We believe we have the products, organizational talent, resources, and liquidity to respond to the global economic recovery and compete effectively in all our markets.

As the economic climate improves, we will continue to look for strategic acquisition opportunities. We will continue to develop new applications and markets for our technologies, and move forward with additional lean and other operational initiatives to enhance our financial performance.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, sales are expected to increase 19% to 23% compared to the same period a year ago, including an estimated 3% unfavorable effect associated with currency translation. Diluted earnings per share are expected in the range of $1.30 to $1.41.

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Nordson Corporation

Safe Harbor Statements Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Of 1995

This Form 10-Q, particularly “Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements relate to, among other things, income, earnings, cash flows, changes in operations, operating improvements, businesses in which we operate and the U.S. and global economies. Statements in this 10-Q that are not historical are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” and may be indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “supports,” “plans,” “projects,” “expects,” “believes,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “hope,” “forecast,” “management is of the opinion,” use of the future tense and similar words or phrases.

In light of these risks and uncertainties, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in or contemplated or implied by such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results are discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors in our 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information regarding our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates was disclosed in Form 10-K filed on December 18, 2009. The information disclosed has not changed materially in the interim period since October 31, 2009.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management with the participation of the principal executive officer (President and Chief Executive Officer) and principal financial officer (Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) has reviewed and evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of July 31, 2010. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the principal executive and financial officers, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of July 31, 2010 in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended July 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Nordson Corporation

Part II – Other Information

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in pending or potential litigation regarding environmental, product liability, patent, contract, employee and other matters arising from the normal course of business. Including the environmental matter discussed below, it is our opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that resolutions of these matters are not expected to result in a material effect on our financial condition, quarterly or annual operating results or cash flows.

We have voluntarily agreed with the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin and other Potentially Responsible Parties to share costs associated with the remediation of the City of New Richmond municipal landfill (the “Site”) and constructing a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site. At July 31, 2010, our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $885, of which $116 was reported in accrued liabilities and $769 was reported in other long-term liabilities.

The liability for environmental remediation represents management’s best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable undiscounted costs related to known remediation obligations. The accuracy of our estimate of environmental liability is affected by several uncertainties such as additional requirements that may be identified in connection with remedial activities, the complexity and evolution of environmental laws and regulations, and the identification of presently unknown remediation requirements. Consequently, our liability could be greater than our current estimate. However, we do not expect that the costs associated with remediation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Information regarding our risk factors was disclosed in Form 10-K filed on December 18, 2009. The information disclosed has not changed materially in the interim period since October 31, 2009.

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table summarizes common stock repurchased by the Company during the three months ended July 31, 2010:

					Total Number of		Maximum Number
					Shares Purchased		of Shares that
	Total Number		Average		as Part of Publicly		May Yet Be Purchased
	of Shares		Price Paid		Announced Plans		Under the Plans
(In thousands, except for per share data)	Purchased		per Share		or Programs		or Programs (1)
May 1, 2010 to May 31, 2010		—		—		—		1,000
June 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010		49	$	61.35		49		951
July 1, 2010 to July 31, 2010		136	$	57.79		136		815
Total		185				185

(1) On December 10, 2008 the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program of up to 1,000 shares. Expected uses for repurchased shares include the funding of benefit programs including stock options, nonvested stock and 401(k) matching. Shares purchased will be treated as treasury shares until used for such purposes. The repurchase program is funded using working capital.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number:

31.1  Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by the Chief Executive Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2  Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by the Chief Financial Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1  Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2  Certification of CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101   The following financial information from Nordson Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended July 31, 2010, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and July 31, 2009, and (iv) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

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Nordson Corporation

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: September 8, 2010	Nordson Corporation
	By:	/s/ GREGORY A. THAXTON
		Gregory A. Thaxton
		Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Page 31

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael F. Hilton, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nordson Corporation;
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)	designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)	disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)	all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)	any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: September 8, 2010

/s/ Michael F. Hilton  

Michael F. Hilton 

President and Chief Executive Officer 

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Gregory A. Thaxton, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nordson Corporation;
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)	designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)	disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)	all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)	any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: September 8, 2010

/s/ Gregory A. Thaxton  

Gregory A. Thaxton 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer 

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

     Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), I, Michael F. Hilton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nordson Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), do hereby certify that:

     1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2010 of the Company (the “Form 10-Q”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2. Information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: September 8, 2010	/s/ Michael F. Hilton
	Michael F. Hilton
	President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

Certification
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

     Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), I, Gregory A. Thaxton, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Nordson Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), do hereby certify that:

     1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2010 of the Company (the “Form 10-Q”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2. Information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: September 8, 2010	/s/ Gregory A. Thaxton
	Gregory A. Thaxton
	Vice President, Chief Financial Officer