10-Q

FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2012

OR

¨ 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 without 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  x    No  ¨

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  x    No  ¨

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	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨  (Do not check if smaller reporting company)	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  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Shares, without par value as of January 31, 2012: 64,701,683

Nordson Corporation

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	17
Results of Operations	17
Financial Condition	20
Critical Accounting Policies	20
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	21
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	22
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION	22
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	22
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS	22
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	23
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS	23
SIGNATURE	24
CERTIFICATIONS	25

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Nordson Corporation

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

Three months ended	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
(In thousands, except for per share data)
Sales	$	275,836		$	270,962
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		106,490			104,791
Selling and administrative expenses		112,048			100,647
Severance and restructuring costs		811			—
		219,349			205,438
Operating profit		56,487			65,524
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(1,968	)		(1,395	)
Interest and investment income		119			125
Other—net		992			936
		(857	)		(334	)
Income before income taxes		55,630			65,190
Income taxes		17,292			19,293
Net income	$	38,338		$	45,897
Average common shares		65,065			68,014
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, nonvested stock, and deferred stock-based compensation		562			864
Average common shares and common share equivalents		65,627			68,878
Basic earnings per share	$	0.59		$	0.67
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.58		$	0.67
Dividends declared per share	$	0.125		$	0.105

See accompanying notes.

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Nordson Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

	January 31, 2012			October 31, 2011
(In thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	49,483		$	37,408
Receivables—net		229,374			254,310
Inventories—net		148,079			141,912
Deferred income taxes		35,707			35,693
Prepaid expenses		10,380			7,634
Total current assets		473,023			476,957
Property, plant and equipment—net		135,081			130,883
Goodwill		546,513			547,826
Other intangible assets—net		116,999			120,699
Other assets		29,209			28,085
	$	1,300,825		$	1,304,450
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	$	38		$	33
Accounts payable		39,614			46,381
Income taxes payable		22,177			15,283
Accrued liabilities		74,047			101,294
Customer advanced payments		16,052			9,375
Current maturities of long-term debt		5,664			5,664
Current obligations under capital leases		4,283			4,131
Total current liabilities		161,875			182,161
Long-term debt		345,931			313,459
Deferred income taxes		19,699			17,415
Pension and retirement obligations		122,525			123,058
Other liabilities		98,635			97,034
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares		12,253			12,253
Capital in excess of stated value		273,728			272,928
Retained earnings		1,020,426			990,221
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(85,654	)		(80,012	)
Common shares in treasury, at cost		(668,593	)		(624,067	)
Total shareholders' equity		552,160			571,323
	$	1,300,825		$	1,304,450

See accompanying notes.

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Nordson Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Three months ended	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	38,338		$	45,897
Depreciation and amortization		7,969			7,315
Non-cash stock compensation		2,520			2,614
Deferred income taxes		795			107
Other non-cash expense		732			233
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment		(19	)		253
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options		(243	)		(4,104	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities		(5,782	)		3,605
Net cash provided by operating activities		44,310			55,920
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(8,644	)		(5,530	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		78			53
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			(21,296	)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities		—			7,546
Net cash used in investing activities		(8,566	)		(19,227	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		4			4,729
Repayment of short-term borrowings		—			(6,534	)
Proceeds from long-term debt		32,500			25,500
Repayment of long-term debt		(27	)		(33,500	)
Repayment of capital lease obligations		(1,211	)		(1,167	)
Issuance of common shares		534			7,037
Purchase of treasury shares		(47,024	)		(9,522	)
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options		243			4,104
Dividends paid		(8,133	)		(7,144	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(23,114	)		(16,497	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(555	)		(1,403	)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		12,075			18,793
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year		37,408			42,329
End of quarter	$	49,483		$	61,122

See accompanying notes.

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Nordson Corporation

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

January 31, 2012

NOTE REGARDING AMOUNTS AND FISCAL YEAR REFERENCES

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.

Unless otherwise noted, all references to years relate to our fiscal year ending October 31.

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 January 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full 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, 2011.

2. Basis of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson 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.

A relative selling price hierarchy exists for determining the selling price of deliverables in multiple deliverable arrangements. Vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) is used, if available. Third-party evidence (TPE) is used if vendor-specific objective evidence is not available, and best estimated selling price (BESP) is used if neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence is available. Our multiple deliverable arrangements include installation, installation supervision, training, and spare parts, which tend to be completed in a short period of time, at an insignificant cost, and utilizing skills not unique to us, therefore, are typically regarded as inconsequential or perfunctory. Revenue for undelivered items is deferred and included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet. Revenues deferred in 2012 and 2011 were not material.

4. 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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Nordson Corporation

5. 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. Options for 299 common shares were excluded from the 2012 calculation, and no options for common shares were excluded from the 2011 calculation.

6. Recently issued accounting standards. In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that provides requirements for pro forma revenue and earnings disclosures related to business combinations. This guidance requires disclosure of revenue and earnings of the combined business as if the combination occurred at the start of the prior annual reporting period only. We adopted this standard on November 1, 2011, and there was no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB clarified the guidance concerning fair value measurements and disclosures. The guidance requires the disclosure of quantitative information about unobservable inputs used, a description of the valuation processes used, and a qualitative discussion around the sensitivity of the measurements. It will be effective for us beginning in the second quarter of 2012. We do not expect that the adoption will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that amends current comprehensive income guidance. This ASU eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity. Instead, comprehensive income must be reported in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance will be effective for us beginning in 2013 and is not expected to impact our consolidated financial statements, as it only results in a change in the format of presentation.

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance amending the way companies test for goodwill impairment. Companies will have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine the existence of events or circumstances that lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, companies determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. This guidance is effective for us beginning in 2013, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

7. Inventories. At January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, inventories consisted of the following:

	January 31, 2012			October 31, 2011
Finished goods	$	99,044		$	98,879
Work-in-process		17,408			13,971
Raw materials and finished parts		54,291			51,891
		170,743			164,741
Obsolescence and other reserves		(15,983	)		(16,050	)
LIFO reserve		(6,681	)		(6,779	)
	$	148,079		$	141,912

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Nordson Corporation

8. Goodwill and other intangible assets. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended January 31, 2012 by operating segment are as follows:

	Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems			Industrial Coating Systems		Total
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	41,962		$	505,864		$	—	$	547,826
Currency effect		(786	)		(527	)		—		(1,313	)
Balance at January 31, 2012	$	41,176		$	505,337		$	—	$	546,513

Accumulated impairment losses were $232,789 at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011. Of these losses, $229,173 related to the Advanced Technology Systems segment, and $3,616 related to the Industrial Coating Systems segment.

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

	January 31, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Customer relationships	$	77,366	$	12,851	$	64,515
Patent/technology costs		42,837		12,309		30,528
Trade name		22,014		1,763		20,251
Non-compete agreements		4,938		3,817		1,121
Other		1,442		858		584
Total	$	148,597	$	31,598	$	116,999
	October 31, 2011
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Customer relationships	$	78,324	$	11,843	$	66,481
Patent/technology costs		43,235		11,571		31,664
Trade name		22,143		1,530		20,613
Non-compete agreements		5,042		3,727		1,315
Other		1,437		811		626
Total	$	150,181	$	29,482	$	120,699

Amortization expense for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $2,667 and $2,298, respectively.

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Nordson Corporation

9. Comprehensive income. Comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Net income	$	38,338		$	45,897
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(8,354	)		(6,832	)
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses		2,712			1,550
Comprehensive income	$	32,696		$	40,615

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at January 31, 2012 consisted of $114,340 pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments offset by $28,686 of net foreign currency translation adjustments. Accumulated other comprehensive loss at January 31, 2011 consisted of $101,234 of pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments offset by $29,646 of net foreign currency translation adjustments.

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Beginning balance	$	(80,012	)	$	(66,306	)
Current-period change		(5,642	)		(5,282	)
Ending balance	($	85,654	)	($	71,588	)

10. 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 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 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 $955 and $719 in the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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Nordson Corporation

The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the three months ended January 31, 2012:

	Number of Options			Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted Average Remaining Term
Outstanding at October 31, 2011		1,851		$	24.22
Granted		299		$	43.73
Exercised		(28	)	$	19.26
Forfeited or expired		(9	)	$	28.11
Outstanding at January 31, 2012		2,113		$	27.03	$	38,698		6.5 years
Vested or expected to vest at January 31, 2012		2,043		$	26.69	$	38,109		6.4 years
Exercisable at January 31, 2012		1,232		$	21.47	$	29,400		5.0 years

At January 31, 2012, there was $10,625 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:

Three months ended	January 31, 2012	January 31, 2011
Expected volatility	.454-.469	.431-.451
Expected dividend yield	1.20%	1.28%
Risk-free interest rate	1.03%-1.23%	1.89%-2.25%
Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4-6.1	5.4-6.3

The weighted-average expected volatility used to value the 2012 and 2011 options was .462, and .443, respectively.

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 three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $17.03 and $16.80, respectively.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $700 and $13,052, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011was $534 and $7,037, respectively. The tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $243 and $4,104, respectively.

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Nordson Corporation

Nonvested Common Shares

We may grant nonvested (restricted) shares to our employees and directors. These shares may not be sold for a designated period of time (generally one to three 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 early retirement, disability or death prior to the lapse of any restrictions. Restrictions lapse in the event of a recipient’s retirement at or after normal retirement age. Termination for any other reason prior to the lapse of any restrictions results in forfeiture of the shares. For non-employee directors, all restrictions lapse in the event of disability or death of the non-employee director. Termination of service as a director for any other reason within one year of date of grant 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 three months ended January 31, 2012:

	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested shares at October 31, 2011		81		$	34.95
Granted		44		$	43.30
Vested		(16	)	$	34.52
Forfeited		(1	)	$	43.32
Nonvested shares at January 31, 2012		108		$	38.35

As of January 31, 2012, there was $3,090 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares. The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years. The amount charged to expense related to nonvested common shares during the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $411 and $280, respectively.

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 three months ended January 31, 2012:

	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at October 31, 2011		243		$	17.51
Granted		1		$	45.34
Restricted stock units vested		9		$	27.48
Dividend equivalents		1		$	41.59
Distributions		(15	)	$	15.76
Outstanding at January 31, 2012		239		$	18.12

The amount charged to expense related to director deferred compensation for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $56, and $97, respectively.

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Nordson Corporation

Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (LTIP)

Under the Long-Term Incentive 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 award 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 grant date fair value determined using the closing market price of common stock at the grant date, reduced by the implied value of dividends not to be paid. This value was $42.12 per share for both the executive officers and the selected other key employees for 2012 and $42.02 per share for both the executive officers and the selected other key employees for 2011. The per share values for 2010 were $26.10 and $29.52 for the executive officers group and $26.10 for the selected other key employees. During the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, $1,000 and $1,445, respectively, was charged to expense. The cumulative amount recorded in shareholders’ equity at January 31, 2012 was $5,473.

11. 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 three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011:

Three months ended	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Beginning balance	$	6,723		$	5,242
Accruals for warranties		1,006			1,411
Warranty payments		(1,358	)		(1,347	)
Currency effect		(119	)		(25	)
Ending balance	$	6,252		$	5,281

12. Operating segments. We conduct business across three primary business segments: Adhesive Dispensing Systems, Advanced Technology Systems, and Industrial Coating Systems. Effective November 1, 2011, the Industrial Coating Systems segment includes our fuel cell product line that had previously been reported in the Advanced Technology Systems segment. This change more closely reflects the change in management of this product line and its related growth opportunities. Prior year results have been reclassified to reflect the segment change.

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Nordson Corporation

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. 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, 2011.

The following table presents information about our reportable segments:

	Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems		Industrial Coating Systems		Corporate			Total
Three months ended January 31, 2012
Net external sales	$	139,172		$	100,107	$	36,557	$	—		$	275,836
Operating profit		47,227	(a)		16,000		1,138		(7,878	)		56,487
Three months ended January 31, 2011
Net external sales	$	136,976		$	96,632	$	37,354	$	—		$	270,962
Operating profit		46,196			23,276		3,049		(6,997	)		65,524

(a) Includes $811 of severance and restructuring costs in 2012.

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

Three months ended	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Total profit for reportable segments	$	56,487		$	65,524
Interest expense		(1,968	)		(1,395	)
Interest and investment income		119			125
Other-net		992			936
Income before income taxes	$	55,630		$	65,190

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Nordson Corporation

We have significant sales in the following geographic regions:

Three months ended	January 31, 2012		January 31, 2011
United States	$	75,202	$	70,273
Americas		20,199		19,860
Europe		86,583		90,258
Japan		30,035		25,073
Asia Pacific		63,817		65,498
Total net external sales	$	275,836	$	270,962

Sales in 2011 include reclassification adjustments primarily into Asia Pacific from the United States based on more accurate end-user destination information for products sold by our Advanced Technology Systems segment to certain global customers.

13. Pension and other postretirement plans. The components of net periodic pension cost for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and January 31, 2011 were:

	U.S.						International
Three months ended January 31	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	1,741		$	1,668		$	380		$	520
Interest cost		2,941			3,008			756			725
Expected return on plan assets		(3,716	)		(3,858	)		(385	)		(359	)
Amortization of prior service cost		167			164			(25	)		1
Amortization of net actuarial loss		2,628			1,801			141			208
Settlement loss		682			—			—			—
Total benefit cost	$	4,443		$	2,783		$	867		$	1,095

During the three months ended January 31, 2012, net periodic pension cost included a settlement loss of $682 as a result of the termination of a U.S. pension plan.

The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and January 31, 2011 were:

	U.S.						International
Three months ended January 31	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	364		$	246		$	7		$	8
Interest cost		822			714			10			10
Amortization of prior service cost		(146	)		(287	)		—			—
Amortization of net actuarial loss		670			375			(4	)		(2	)
Total benefit cost	$	1,710		$	1,048		$	13		$	16

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14. Severance and restructuring costs. In 2011, we announced a restructuring of the Georgia operations of our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment in order to optimize operations and better serve our customers. The restructuring involves the expansion of our facility in Duluth and construction of a new facility in Swainsboro, where operations from our existing Swainsboro facility, as well as facilities in Norcross and Dawsonville, are being transferred. Severance costs and other termination fees associated with this action will occur through the third quarter of 2012 and are estimated to be approximately $2,600. Of the total expense amount, $687 was recorded in the three months ended January 31, 2012, and $1,557 was recorded in 2011. Payments of $1,091 were made in the three months ended January 31, 2012.

In order to optimize Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment operations in Germany, a restructuring initiative was taken that will result in severance costs of approximately $200. Of that amount, $124 was recorded in the three months ended January 31, 2012, and $32 was recorded in 2011. Payments of $25 were made in the three months ended January 31, 2012.

15. Fair value measurements. 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.

The following table presents the classification of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at January 31, 2012:

	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Rabbi trust (a)	$	13,671	$	—	$	13,671	$	—
Forward exchange contracts (b)		1,699		—		1,699		—
Total assets at fair value	$	15,370	$	—	$	15,370	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans (c)	$	6,864	$	6,864	$	—	$	—
Forward exchange contracts (b)		2,299		—		2,299		—
Total liabilities at fair value	$	9,163	$	6,864	$	2,299	$	—

(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. Foreign exchange contracts are not designated as hedges.

(c) Executive officers and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100% of their salary and 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.

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Nordson Corporation

16. 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.

Gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts are recorded in “Other—net” on the Consolidated Statement of Income together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position. For the three months ended January 31, 2012, we recognized losses of $976 on foreign exchange contracts and gains of $1,151 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. For the three months ended January 31, 2011, we recognized losses of $10,790 on foreign exchange contracts and gains of $11,426 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

We had the following outstanding foreign currency forward contracts at January 31, 2012:

	Sell				Buy
	Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value
Euro	$	6,368	$	6,229	$	88,754	$	86,573
British pound		20,577		20,585		46,020		46,305
Japanese yen		4,432		4,433		7,185		7,259
Others		12,387		12,505		34,132		35,342
Total	$	43,764	$	43,752	$	176,091	$	175,479

The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at January 31, 2012, 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	$	49,483		$	49,483
Notes payable		38			38
Long-term debt, including current maturities		351,595			346,981
Foreign exchange contracts (net)		(600	)		(600	)

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.

• Long-term debt is valued by discounting future cash flows at currently available rates for borrowing arrangements with similar terms and conditions.

• Foreign exchange contracts are valued using observable market based inputs.

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Nordson Corporation

17. 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 rate for the three months ended January 31, 2012 was 31.1%, compared to 29.6% for the three months ended January 31, 2011. During the three months ending January 31, 2012, we recorded tax expense of $325 related to an adjustment of deferred taxes resulting from a tax rate reduction enacted in Japan.

In December 2010, Congress passed and the President signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, which provided retroactive reinstatement of a research credit. As a result, we recorded an additional tax benefit related to 2010 of $1,242 in the three months ended January 31, 2011.

18. 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 the construction of a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site. At January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $795. 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.

19. Subsequent events. We evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after January 31, 2012 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 January 31, 2012 were $275,836, a 1.8% increase from sales of $270,962 for the comparable period of 2011. The increase was due to sales volume, which consisted of 3.5% from acquisitions, offset by a 1.7% decrease in organic volume. The effects of currency translations were neutral.

Sales of the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment for the three months ended January 31, 2012 were $139,172, an increase of 1.6% from the comparable period of 2011. Sales volume increased 1.5%, consisting of 2.0% from an acquisition, partially offset by a decline of 0.5% in organic volume. Favorable currency translation effects increased sales by 0.1%. Sales volume increased in Japan but decreased in the other four regions in which we operate. Sales volume was negatively impacted by the timing of customers’ buying patterns associated with some of our larger dollar systems.

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Nordson Corporation

Advanced Technology Systems segment sales for the three months ended January 31, 2012 were $100,107 compared to $96,632 in the comparable period of 2011, a 3.6% increase. Sales volume increased 3.7%, and currency translation effects reduced sales by 0.1%. The sales volume increase consisted of 6.9% from an acquisition, partially offset by a 3.2% decrease in organic volume. Within this segment, sales volume increases in the United States and Americas were offset by lower volume in Japan and Asia Pacific. Advanced Technology Systems segment sales were impacted by sluggishness in some non-dispense product lines.

Effective November 1, 2011, the Industrial Coating Systems segment includes our fuel cell product line that had previously been reported in the Advanced Technology Systems segment. This change more closely reflects the change in management of this product line and its related growth opportunities. Prior year results have been reclassified to reflect the segment change.

Sales of the Industrial Coating Systems segment for the three months ended January 31, 2012 were $36,557, a decrease of 2.1% from the three months ended January 31, 2011. The effects of currency translations were neutral in this segment. Sales volume increased in the United States, Americas and Asia Pacific regions but decreased in Europe and Japan. The sales decrease was driven by lower system orders in European consumer durable markets.

On a geographic basis, sales in the United States increased 7.0% for the three months ended January 31, 2012 from the three months ended January 31, 2011. The change in sales volume consists of 7.1% from acquisitions and negative 0.1% organic volume. Sales in the Americas region were up 1.7%, with volume increasing 5.1% and unfavorable currency effect reducing sales by 3.4%. The change in sales volume consists of 2.7% from acquisitions and 2.4% organic volume. The European sales decrease of 4.1% consisted of a 2.4% volume decline and unfavorable currency effects of 1.7%. The change in sales volume consists of 3.8% from acquisitions and negative 6.2% organic volume. Sales in Japan for the three months ended January 31, 2012 increased 19.8% from the comparable period of the prior year. The increase consisted of volume of 12.7% and favorable currency effects of 7.1%. The change in sales volume consists of 0.3% from acquisitions and 12.4% organic volume. Asia Pacific sales, which were impacted by the Chinese New Year occurring in our first quarter this year and our second quarter last year, decreased 2.6%. Sales volume declined 3.3%, partially offset by favorable currency effects which added 0.7%. The change in sales volume consists of 0.5% from acquisitions and negative 3.8% organic volume.

Operating Profit

Cost of sales for the three months ended January 31, 2012 were $106,490, up from $104,791 in 2011, an increase of 1.6%. The gross margin percentage was 61.4% for the three months ended January 31, 2012, up slightly from 61.3% for the comparable period of 2011. The increase in gross margin percentage was primarily due to revenue mix, price increases and low-cost sourcing, partially offset by a charge for short-term inventory purchase accounting valuation adjustments.

Selling and administrative expenses, excluding severance and restructuring costs, for the three months ended January 31, 2012 were $112,048, compared to $100,647 for the comparable period of 2011. This represented an increase of $11,401, or 11.3%, which was largely due to higher compensation expenses and the first year effect of 2011 acquisitions. Selling and administrative expenses for the three months ended January 31, 2012 as a percent of sales increased to 40.6% from 37.1% for the comparable period of 2011. The increase was primarily the result of selling and administrative expenses increasing at a higher rate than sales.

In 2011, restructuring initiatives were announced in the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment that resulted in $811 of expense in the three months ended January 31, 2012. Approximately $400 of expenses related to these initiatives is expected to be incurred during the second and third quarters of 2012.

Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 20.5% in the three months ended January 31, 2012 compared to 24.2% for the comparable period in 2011. The decrease was primarily due to selling and administrative expenses increasing at a higher rate than sales.

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Operating profit for the three months as a percent of sales for the Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment increased slightly to 33.9% in 2012 from 33.7% for the comparable period of the prior year. For the Advanced Technology Systems segment, operating profit for the first three months as a percent of sales decreased to 16.0% in the current year from 24.1% in the first three months of 2011. The decrease was due to selling and administrative expenses increasing at a higher rate than sales, higher charges related to short-term purchase accounting valuation adjustments and expenses associated with the termination of a pension plan. Operating profit as a percent of sales for the Industrial Coating Systems segment was 3.1% for the three months ended January 31, 2012, down from 8.2% in the same period of 2011. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in sales, as well as an increase in selling and administrative expenses compared to the prior year.

Interest and Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense for the three months ended January 31, 2012 was $1,968, up from $1,395 for the three months ended January 31, 2011, due to higher borrowing levels resulting primarily from an acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Other income was $992 for the three months ended January 31, 2012, and $936 in the comparable period of the prior year. Foreign exchange gains included in other income were $175 in 2012 and $636 in 2011.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended January 31, 2012 was 31.1%, compared to 29.6% for the three months ended January 31, 2011. During the three months ending January 31, 2012, we recorded tax expense of $325 related to an adjustment of deferred taxes resulting from a tax rate reduction enacted in Japan. In December 2010, Congress passed and the President signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, which provided retroactive reinstatement of a research credit. As a result we recorded an additional tax benefit related to 2010 of $1,242 in the three months ended January 31, 2011.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended January 31, 2012 was $38,338, or $0.58 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $45,897 or $0.67 per share on a diluted basis in 2011. This represents a 16.5% decrease in net income and a 13.4% decrease in earnings per share.

Foreign Currency Effects

In the aggregate, average exchange rates for the three months ended January 31, 2012 used to translate international sales and operating results into U.S. dollars were relatively neutral compared with average exchange rates existing during the comparable 2011 period. 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 January 31, 2012 were translated at exchange rates in effect during the same period of 2011, sales would have been approximately $3 lower while third-party costs and expenses would have been approximately $185 higher.

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Financial Condition

During the three months ended January 31, 2012, cash and cash equivalents increased $12,075. Cash provided by operations during this period was $44,310, compared to $55,920 for the three months ended January 31, 2011. The primary sources were net income, depreciation and amortization, and non-cash stock compensation that totaled $48,827, as compared to $55,826 last year. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $5,782 of cash in the current year, compared to the prior year when they generated $3,605 of cash.

Cash used in investing activities was $8,566 for the three months ended January 31, 2012, compared to $19,227 in the comparable period of the prior year. Capital expenditures in the three months ended January 31, 2012 were $8,644. Significant expenditures included the previously announced expansion of our Duluth, Georgia facility. Cash of $21,296 was used in the prior year for the acquisition of Micromedics, Inc. Cash proceeds of $7,546 were received in the three months ended January 31, 2011 from the maturity of bank certificates of deposit that had been classified as short-term marketable securities.

Cash used in financing activities was $23,114 for the three months ended January 31, 2012, compared to $16,497 for the three months ended January 31, 2011. Principal uses of cash in the current year were $47,024 for the repurchase of common shares and $8,133 for dividend payments. Cash of $32,477 was provided by net short-term and long-term borrowings.

The following is a summary of significant changes in balance sheet captions from the end of 2011 to January 31, 2012. Receivables decreased $24,936 due to lower sales in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. Inventories increased $6,167 due to the higher level of business activity expected in the second quarter of 2012 as compared to the first quarter. Prepaid expenses increased $2,746 primarily due to annual insurance payments made in the first quarter of the year. The decrease of $6,767 in accounts payable reflected the lower level of business activity in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. The increase of $6,894 in income taxes payable was primarily due to the timing of required tax payments. The decrease of $27,247 in accrued liabilities was primarily due to payments of annual incentive compensation in the first quarter and a donation to the Nordson Corporation Foundation. The increase of $6,677 in customer advanced payments can be traced to a higher level of engineered system orders that require partial payment in advance. The increase of $2,284 in long-term deferred income taxes was primarily due to amortization of goodwill for tax purposes.

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, 2011. There were no material changes in these policies during the three months ended January 31, 2012.

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Outlook

We continue to move forward with caution in our approach to 2012, given the global economic uncertainty that is primarily due to anxiety over the European economic environment. Though the near- term global macroeconomic outlook remains somewhat unclear, our growth potential has been demonstrated over time from our capacity to build and enhance our core by entering emerging markets and pursuing market adjacencies. We drive value for our customers through our application expertise, differentiated technology and direct sales and service support. 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 second quarter of 2012, sales are expected to be in the range of down 2% to up 2% compared to the same period a year ago, including 3% growth from the first-year effect of acquisitions, and a negative 1% currency translation impact. Diluted earnings per share are expected in the range of $0.83 to $0.91.

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, 2011.

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 our 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2011. The information disclosed has not changed materially in the interim period since then.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management with the participation of the principal executive officer (President and Chief Executive Officer) and principal financial officer (Senior 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 January 31, 2012. 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 January 31, 2012 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 January 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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 January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $795. 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 16, 2011. The information disclosed has not changed materially in the interim period since October 31, 2011.

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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 January 31, 2012:

	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)		Maximum Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
November 1, 2011 to November 30, 2011		299	$	44.97		299		57,458
December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011		373	$	43.41		371		41,364
January 1, 2012 to January 31, 2012		392	$	42.55		392		24,676
Total		1,064				1,062

(1) In September 2011, the board of directors approved a stock repurchase program of up to $100,000. Uses for repurchased shares include the funding of benefit programs including stock options, nonvested stock and 401(k) matching. Shares purchased are treated as treasury shares until used for such purposes. The repurchase program is being funded using working capital and proceeds from borrowings under our credit facilities.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

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 January 31, 2012, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, and (iv) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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SIGNATURE

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: March 6, 2012	Nordson Corporation
	By: /s/ Gregory A. Thaxton
	Gregory A. Thaxton
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

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EX-31.1

Nordson Corporation

CERTIFICATIONS

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: March 6, 2012

/s/ Michael F. Hilton

Michael F. Hilton

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Nordson Corporation

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: March 6, 2012

/s/ Gregory A. Thaxton

Gregory A. Thaxton

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Nordson Corporation

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 January 31, 2012 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: March 6, 2012	/s/ Michael F. Hilton
	Michael F. Hilton
	President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

Nordson Corporation

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 January 31, 2012 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: March 6, 2012	/s/ Gregory A. Thaxton
	Gregory A. Thaxton
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

XML

Comprehensive income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Summary of comprehensive income
Net income	$ 38,338	$ 45,897
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(8,354)	(6,832)
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses	2,712	1,550
Total comprehensive income (loss)	32,696	40,615
Components of activity for accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning Balance	(80,012)	(66,306)
Current-period change	(5,642)	(5,282)
Ending Balance	$ (85,654)	$ (71,588)

XML

Pension and other postretirement plans (Details Textual) (Components of net periodic pension cost [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012
Components of net periodic pension cost [Member]
Pension and other postretirement plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Settlement loss	$ 682

XML

Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Reportable segments
Net external sales	$ 275,836	$ 270,962
Operating profit (loss)	56,487	65,524
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Reportable segments
Net external sales	139,172	136,976
Operating profit (loss)	47,227	46,196
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Reportable segments
Net external sales	100,107	96,632
Operating profit (loss)	16,000	23,276
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Reportable segments
Net external sales	36,557	37,354
Operating profit (loss)	1,138	3,049
Corporate [Member]
Reportable segments
Operating profit (loss)	$ (7,878)	$ (6,997)

XML

Severance and restructuring costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Severance Restructuring Accruals (Textual) [Abstract]
Severance and restructuring costs	$ 811
Adhesive Dispensing Systems Georgia Operations [Member]
Severance Restructuring Accruals (Textual) [Abstract]
Severance costs and other termination fees associated with the restructuring	2,600
Severance and restructuring costs	687	1,557
Payments of expense made	1,091
Adhesive Dispensing System Germany [Member]
Severance Restructuring Accruals (Textual) [Abstract]
Severance costs and other termination fees associated with the restructuring	200
Severance and restructuring costs	124	32
Payments of expense made	$ 25

XML

Warranty Accrual (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of the product warranty liability
Beginning balance	$ 6,723	$ 5,242
Accruals for warranties	1,006	1,411
Warranty payments	(1,358)	(1,347)
Currency effect	(119)	(25)
Ending balance	$ 6,252	$ 5,281

XML

Earnings per share (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Earnings per share (Textual) [Abstract]
Options for common shares excluded from computation of diluted earning per share	299	0

XML

Fair value measurements (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012
Fair value measurements (Textual) [Abstract]
Foreign currency forward contracts maturities	less than 90 days
Senior management and other highly compensated employees salary and incentive compensation deferrals percentage maximum	100.00%

XML

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Goodwill and other intangible assets [Abstract]

Summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill

	Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems			Industrial Coating Systems		Total
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	41,962		$	505,864		$	—	$	547,826
Currency effect		(786	)		(527	)		—		(1,313	)
Balance at January 31, 2012	$	41,176		$	505,337		$	—	$	546,513

Summary of intangible assets subject to amortization

	January 31, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Customer relationships	$	77,366	$	12,851	$	64,515
Patent/technology costs		42,837		12,309		30,528
Trade name		22,014		1,763		20,251
Non-compete agreements		4,938		3,817		1,121
Other		1,442		858		584
Total	$	148,597	$	31,598	$	116,999
	October 31, 2011
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Customer relationships	$	78,324	$	11,843	$	66,481
Patent/technology costs		43,235		11,571		31,664
Trade name		22,143		1,530		20,613
Non-compete agreements		5,042		3,727		1,315
Other		1,437		811		626
Total	$	150,181	$	29,482	$	120,699

XML

Operating Segments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Net external sales
Net external sales	$ 275,836	$ 270,962
United States [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	75,202	70,273
Americas [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	20,199	19,860
Europe [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	86,583	90,258
Japan [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	30,035	25,073
Asia Pacific [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	$ 63,817	$ 65,498

XML

Stock-based compensation (Details 1)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Fair value assumptions of stock options
Expected dividend yield	1.20%	1.28%
Maximum [Member]
Fair value assumptions of stock options
Expected volatility	0.469%	0.451%
Risk-free interest rate	1.23%	2.25%
Expected life of the option (in years)	6.1	6.3
Minimum [Member]
Fair value assumptions of stock options
Expected volatility	0.454%	0.431%
Risk-free interest rate	1.03%	1.89%
Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4	5.4

XML

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Summary of intangible assets subject to amortization
Carrying Amount	$ 148,597	$ 150,181
Accumulated Amortization	31,598	29,482
Net Book Value	116,999	120,699
Customer relationships [Member]
Summary of intangible assets subject to amortization
Carrying Amount	77,366	78,324
Accumulated Amortization	12,851	11,843
Net Book Value	64,515	66,481
Patent/technology costs [Member]
Summary of intangible assets subject to amortization
Carrying Amount	42,837	43,235
Accumulated Amortization	12,309	11,571
Net Book Value	30,528	31,664
Trade name [Member]
Summary of intangible assets subject to amortization
Carrying Amount	22,014	22,143
Accumulated Amortization	1,763	1,530
Net Book Value	20,251	20,613
Noncompete agreements [Member]
Summary of intangible assets subject to amortization
Carrying Amount	4,938	5,042
Accumulated Amortization	3,817	3,727
Net Book Value	1,121	1,315
Other [Member]
Summary of intangible assets subject to amortization
Carrying Amount	1,442	1,437
Accumulated Amortization	858	811
Net Book Value	$ 584	$ 626

XML

Pension and other postretirement plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
U.S [Member]
Components of net periodic pension costs
Service cost	$ 1,741	$ 1,668
Interest cost	2,941	3,008
Expected return on plan assets	(3,716)	(3,858)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	167	164
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	2,628	1,801
Settlement loss	682
Total benefit cost	4,443	2,783
International [Member]
Components of net periodic pension costs
Service cost	380	520
Interest cost	756	725
Expected return on plan assets	(385)	(359)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(25)	1
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	141	208
Total benefit cost	$ 867	$ 1,095

XML

Income taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	31.10%	29.60%
Additional tax benefit related to 2010		$ 1,242
Japan [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deferred income taxes	325

XML

Warranty Accrual (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012
Warranty accrual (Textual) [Abstract]
Warranty period	1 year

XML

Earnings per share

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Earnings per share [Abstract]

Earnings per share

5. 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. Options for 299 common shares were excluded from the 2012 calculation, and no options for common shares were excluded from the 2011 calculation.

XML

Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Contingencies [Abstract]
Accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site	$ 795	$ 795

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Stock-based compensation (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012
Summarized activity related to nonvested shares
Number of Nonvested Shares, Beginning Balance	81
Number of Nonvested Shares, Granted	44
Number of Nonvested Shares, Vested	(16)
Number of Nonvested Shares, Forfeited	(1)
Number of Nonvested Shares, Ending Balance	108
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Shares, Beginning Balance	$ 34.95
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 43.30
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$ 34.52
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$ 43.32
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Shares, Ending Balance	$ 38.35

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Operating Segments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Operating segments [Abstract]

Reportable segments

	Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems		Industrial Coating Systems		Corporate			Total
Three months ended January 31, 2012
Net external sales	$	139,172		$	100,107	$	36,557	$	—		$	275,836
Operating profit		47,227	(a)		16,000		1,138		(7,878	)		56,487
Three months ended January 31, 2011
Net external sales	$	136,976		$	96,632	$	37,354	$	—		$	270,962
Operating profit		46,196			23,276		3,049		(6,997	)		65,524

Total consolidated income before income taxes

Three months ended	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Total profit for reportable segments	$	56,487		$	65,524
Interest expense		(1,968	)		(1,395	)
Interest and investment income		119			125
Other-net		992			936
Income before income taxes	$	55,630		$	65,190

Sales information by geographic area

Three months ended	January 31, 2012		January 31, 2011
United States	$	75,202	$	70,273
Americas		20,199		19,860
Europe		86,583		90,258
Japan		30,035		25,073
Asia Pacific		63,817		65,498
Total net external sales	$	275,836	$	270,962

XML

Warranty Accrual (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Warranty accrual [Abstract]

Reconciliation of the product warranty liability

Three months ended	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Beginning balance	$	6,723		$	5,242
Accruals for warranties		1,006			1,411
Warranty payments		(1,358	)		(1,347	)
Currency effect		(119	)		(25	)
Ending balance	$	6,252		$	5,281

XML

Fair value measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012
Assets:
Forward exchange contracts (b)	$ (600)
Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Rabbi trust (a)	13,671
Forward exchange contracts (b)	1,699
Total assets at fair value	15,370
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	6,864
Forward exchange contracts (b)	2,299
Total liabilities at fair value	9,163
Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Rabbi trust (a)	0
Forward exchange contracts (b)	0
Total assets at fair value	0
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	6,864
Forward exchange contracts (b)	0
Total liabilities at fair value	6,864
Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Rabbi trust (a)	13,671
Forward exchange contracts (b)	1,699
Total assets at fair value	15,370
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	0
Forward exchange contracts (b)	2,299
Total liabilities at fair value	2,299
Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Rabbi trust (a)	0
Forward exchange contracts (b)	0
Total assets at fair value	0
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	0
Forward exchange contracts (b)	0
Total liabilities at fair value	$ 0

XML

Stock-based compensation (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012
Summarized activity related to director deferred compensation shares
Number of Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance	243
Number of Shares, Deferrals	1
Number of Shares, Restricted stock units vested	9
Number of Shares, Dividend equivalents	1
Number of Shares, Distributions	(15)
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance	239
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$ 17.51
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Deferrals	$ 45.34
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted stock units vested	$ 27.48
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Dividend equivalents	$ 41.59
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Distributions	$ 15.76
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding, Ending Balance	$ 18.12

XML

Pension and other postretirement plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Components of net periodic pension cost [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost

	U.S.						International
Three months ended January 31	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	1,741		$	1,668		$	380		$	520
Interest cost		2,941			3,008			756			725
Expected return on plan assets		(3,716	)		(3,858	)		(385	)		(359	)
Amortization of prior service cost		167			164			(25	)		1
Amortization of net actuarial loss		2,628			1,801			141			208
Settlement loss		682			—			—			—
Total benefit cost	$	4,443		$	2,783		$	867		$	1,095

Components of net postretirement benefit cost [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost

	U.S.						International
Three months ended January 31	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	364		$	246		$	7		$	8
Interest cost		822			714			10			10
Amortization of prior service cost		(146	)		(287	)		—			—
Amortization of net actuarial loss		670			375			(4	)		(2	)
Total benefit cost	$	1,710		$	1,048		$	13		$	16

XML

Fair value measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Fair value measurements [Abstract]

Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on recurring basis

	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Rabbi trust (a)	$	13,671	$	—	$	13,671	$	—
Forward exchange contracts (b)		1,699		—		1,699		—
Total assets at fair value	$	15,370	$	—	$	15,370	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans (c)	$	6,864	$	6,864	$	—	$	—
Forward exchange contracts (b)		2,299		—		2,299		—
Total liabilities at fair value	$	9,163	$	6,864	$	2,299	$	—

XML

Use of estimates

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Use of estimates [Abstract]

Use of estimates

4. 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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Financial instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Financial instruments [Abstract]

Outstanding foreign currency forward contracts

	Sell				Buy
	Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value
Euro	$	6,368	$	6,229	$	88,754	$	86,573
British pound		20,577		20,585		46,020		46,305
Japanese yen		4,432		4,433		7,185		7,259
Others		12,387		12,505		34,132		35,342
Total	$	43,764	$	43,752	$	176,091	$	175,479

Carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments, other than receivables and accounts payable

	Carrying Amount			Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	49,483		$	49,483
Notes payable		38			38
Long-term debt, including current maturities		351,595			346,981
Foreign exchange contracts (net)		(600	)		(600	)

XML

Comprehensive income (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Comprehensive income (Textual) [Abstract]
Pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustment	$ 114,340	$ 101,234
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net	$ 28,686	$ 29,646

XML

Pension and other postretirement plans (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
U.S [Member]
Components of Other postretirement benefit costs
Service cost	$ 364	$ 246
Interest cost	822	714
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(146)	(287)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	670	375
Total benefit cost	1,710	1,048
International [Member]
Components of Other postretirement benefit costs
Service cost	7	8
Interest cost	10	10
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	0
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(4)	(2)
Total benefit cost	$ 13	$ 16

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 275,836	$ 270,962
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	106,490	104,791
Selling and administrative expenses	112,048	100,647
Severance and restructuring costs	811
Total operating costs and expenses	219,349	205,438
Operating profit	56,487	65,524
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,968)	(1,395)
Interest and investment income	119	125
Other - net	992	936
Total other income (expense)	(857)	(334)
Income before income taxes	55,630	65,190
Income taxes	17,292	19,293
Net income	$ 38,338	$ 45,897
Average common shares	65,065	68,014
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, nonvested stock, and deferred stock-based compensation	562	864
Average common shares and common share equivalents	65,627	68,878
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.59	$ 0.67
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.58	$ 0.67
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.125	$ 0.105

XML

Stock-based compensation (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2010
Stock-based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted	$ 17.03	$ 16.80
Percentage of common shares available for grant from Outstanding common shares	2.50%
Compensation expense recognized	$ 955	$ 719
Weighted-average expected volatility used	0.462%	0.443%
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	700	13,052
Cash received from exercise of stock options	534	7,037
Tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises of stock options	243	4,104
Expense related to non vested common shares	411	280
Expense related to director deferred compensation	56	97
Periods of performance considered for calculating compensation expense	Over three years
Compensation expense charged	1,000	1,445
Cumulative amount recorded in shareholders' equity	5,473
Beginning period of option exercised	1 year
Option Expiring period	10 years
Stock Options [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Maximum rate of stock option, description	not exceeding 25 percent per year
Maximum rate of stock option	25.00%
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	10,625
Weighted average period expected to amortized, non vested shares	2.1
Restricted Stock [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	$ 3,090
Weighted average period expected to amortized, non vested shares	2.1
Restricted stock blocking period, Minimum	1 year
Restricted stock blocking period, Maximum	3 years
Executive Officer and Selected Other Key Employees [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 42.12	$ 42.02	$ 26.10
Executive Officer [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 42.12	$ 42.02	$ 29.52
Other Employees [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 42.12	$ 42.02	$ 26.10

XML

Basis of consolidation

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Basis of presentation / Basis of consolidation [Abstract]

Basis of consolidation

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

XML

Financial instruments (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments, other than receivables and accounts payable
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	$ 49,483	$ 37,408	$ 61,122	$ 42,329
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	49,483
Notes payable	38	33
Notes payable, Fair Value	38
Long-term debt, including current maturities	351,595
Long-term debt, including current maturities, Fair Value	346,981
Foreign exchange contracts (net)	(600)
Foreign exchange contracts (net) fair value	$ (600)

XML

Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Inventories
Finished goods	$ 99,044	$ 98,879
Work-in-process	17,408	13,971
Raw materials and finished parts	54,291	51,891
Inventories - gross	170,743	164,741
Obsolescence and other reserves	(15,983)	(16,050)
LIFO reserve	(6,681)	(6,779)
Inventories - net	$ 148,079	$ 141,912

XML

Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Contingencies [Abstract]

Contingencies

18. 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 the construction of a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site. At January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $795. 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.

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Goodwill and other intangible assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012
Summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at October 31, 2011	$ 547,826
Currency effect	(1,313)
Balance at January 31, 2012	546,513
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at October 31, 2011	41,962
Currency effect	(786)
Balance at January 31, 2012	41,176
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at October 31, 2011	505,864
Currency effect	(527)
Balance at January 31, 2012	505,337
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at October 31, 2011	0
Currency effect	0
Balance at January 31, 2012	$ 0

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Inventories (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Inventories [Abstract]

Inventories

	January 31, 2012			October 31, 2011
Finished goods	$	99,044		$	98,879
Work-in-process		17,408			13,971
Raw materials and finished parts		54,291			51,891
		170,743			164,741
Obsolescence and other reserves		(15,983	)		(16,050	)
LIFO reserve		(6,681	)		(6,779	)
	$	148,079		$	141,912

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Revenue recognition

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Revenue recognition [Abstract]

Revenue recognition

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.

A relative selling price hierarchy exists for determining the selling price of deliverables in multiple deliverable arrangements. Vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) is used, if available. Third-party evidence (TPE) is used if vendor-specific objective evidence is not available, and best estimated selling price (BESP) is used if neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence is available. Our multiple deliverable arrangements include installation, installation supervision, training, and spare parts, which tend to be completed in a short period of time, at an insignificant cost, and utilizing skills not unique to us, therefore, are typically regarded as inconsequential or perfunctory. Revenue for undelivered items is deferred and included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet. Revenues deferred in 2012 and 2011 were not material.

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 49,483	$ 37,408
Receivables - net	229,374	254,310
Inventories - net	148,079	141,912
Deferred income taxes	35,707	35,693
Prepaid expenses	10,380	7,634
Total current assets	473,023	476,957
Property, plant and equipment - net	135,081	130,883
Goodwill	546,513	547,826
Other intangible assets - net	116,999	120,699
Other assets	29,209	28,085
Total assets	1,300,825	1,304,450
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	38	33
Accounts payable	39,614	46,381
Income taxes payable	22,177	15,283
Accrued liabilities	74,047	101,294
Customer advanced payments	16,052	9,375
Current maturities of long-term debt	5,664	5,664
Current obligations under capital leases	4,283	4,131
Total current liabilities	161,875	182,161
Long-term debt	345,931	313,459
Deferred income taxes	19,699	17,415
Pension and retirement obligations	122,525	123,058
Other liabilities	98,635	97,034
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares	12,253	12,253
Capital in excess of stated value	273,728	272,928
Retained earnings	1,020,426	990,221
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(85,654)	(80,012)
Common shares in treasury, at cost	(668,593)	(624,067)
Total shareholders' equity	552,160	571,323
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,300,825	$ 1,304,450

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Pension and other postretirement plans

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Pension and other postretirement plans [Abstract]

Pension and other postretirement plans

13. Pension and other postretirement plans. The components of net periodic pension cost for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and January 31, 2011 were:

	U.S.						International
Three months ended January 31	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	1,741		$	1,668		$	380		$	520
Interest cost		2,941			3,008			756			725
Expected return on plan assets		(3,716	)		(3,858	)		(385	)		(359	)
Amortization of prior service cost		167			164			(25	)		1
Amortization of net actuarial loss		2,628			1,801			141			208
Settlement loss		682			—			—			—
Total benefit cost	$	4,443		$	2,783		$	867		$	1,095

During the three months ended January 31, 2012, net periodic pension cost included a settlement loss of $682 as a result of the termination of a U.S. pension plan.

The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and January 31, 2011 were:

	U.S.						International
Three months ended January 31	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	364		$	246		$	7		$	8
Interest cost		822			714			10			10
Amortization of prior service cost		(146	)		(287	)		—			—
Amortization of net actuarial loss		670			375			(4	)		(2	)
Total benefit cost	$	1,710		$	1,048		$	13		$	16

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Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NORDSON CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000072331
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	64,701,683

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Severance and restructuring costs

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Severance and restructuring costs [Abstract]

Severance and restructuring costs

14. Severance and restructuring costs. In 2011, we announced a restructuring of the Georgia operations of our Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment in order to optimize operations and better serve our customers. The restructuring involves the expansion of our facility in Duluth and construction of a new facility in Swainsboro, where operations from our existing Swainsboro facility, as well as facilities in Norcross and Dawsonville, are being transferred. Severance costs and other termination fees associated with this action will occur through the third quarter of 2012 and are estimated to be approximately $2,600. Of the total expense amount, $687 was recorded in the three months ended January 31, 2012, and $1,557 was recorded in 2011. Payments of $1,091 were made in the three months ended January 31, 2012.

In order to optimize Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment operations in Germany, a restructuring initiative was taken that will result in severance costs of approximately $200. Of that amount, $124 was recorded in the three months ended January 31, 2012, and $32 was recorded in 2011. Payments of $25 were made in the three months ended January 31, 2012.

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Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 38,338	$ 45,897
Depreciation and amortization	7,969	7,315
Non-cash stock compensation	2,520	2,614
Deferred income taxes	795	107
Other non-cash expense	732	233
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	(19)	253
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	(243)	(4,104)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(5,782)	3,605
Net cash provided by operating activities	44,310	55,920
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(8,644)	(5,530)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	78	53
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired		(21,296)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities		7,546
Net cash used in investing activities	(8,566)	(19,227)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	4	4,729
Repayment of short-term borrowings		(6,534)
Proceeds from long-term debt	32,500	25,500
Repayment of long-term debt	(27)	(33,500)
Repayment of capital lease obligations	(1,211)	(1,167)
Issuance of common shares	534	7,037
Purchase of treasury shares	(47,024)	(9,522)
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	243	4,104
Dividends paid	(8,133)	(7,144)
Net cash used in financing activities	(23,114)	(16,497)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(555)	(1,403)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	12,075	18,793
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	37,408	42,329
End of quarter	$ 49,483	$ 61,122

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Goodwill and other intangible assets

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Goodwill and other intangible assets [Abstract]

Goodwill and other intangible assets

8. Goodwill and other intangible assets. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended January 31, 2012 by operating segment are as follows:

	Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems			Industrial Coating Systems		Total
Balance at October 31, 2011	$	41,962		$	505,864		$	—	$	547,826
Currency effect		(786	)		(527	)		—		(1,313	)
Balance at January 31, 2012	$	41,176		$	505,337		$	—	$	546,513

Accumulated impairment losses were $232,789 at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011. Of these losses, $229,173 related to the Advanced Technology Systems segment, and $3,616 related to the Industrial Coating Systems segment.

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

	January 31, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Customer relationships	$	77,366	$	12,851	$	64,515
Patent/technology costs		42,837		12,309		30,528
Trade name		22,014		1,763		20,251
Non-compete agreements		4,938		3,817		1,121
Other		1,442		858		584
Total	$	148,597	$	31,598	$	116,999
	October 31, 2011
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Customer relationships	$	78,324	$	11,843	$	66,481
Patent/technology costs		43,235		11,571		31,664
Trade name		22,143		1,530		20,613
Non-compete agreements		5,042		3,727		1,315
Other		1,437		811		626
Total	$	150,181	$	29,482	$	120,699

Amortization expense for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $2,667 and $2,298, respectively.

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Inventories

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Inventories [Abstract]

Inventories

7. Inventories. At January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, inventories consisted of the following:

	January 31, 2012			October 31, 2011
Finished goods	$	99,044		$	98,879
Work-in-process		17,408			13,971
Raw materials and finished parts		54,291			51,891
		170,743			164,741
Obsolescence and other reserves		(15,983	)		(16,050	)
LIFO reserve		(6,681	)		(6,779	)
	$	148,079		$	141,912

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Subsequent events

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Subsequent events [Abstract]

Subsequent events

19. Subsequent events. We evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after January 31, 2012 through the date the financial statements were issued, and there were no material recognizable or non-recognizable subsequent events.

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Fair value measurements

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Fair value measurements [Abstract]

Fair value measurements

15. Fair value measurements. 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.

The following table presents the classification of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at January 31, 2012:

	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Rabbi trust (a)	$	13,671	$	—	$	13,671	$	—
Forward exchange contracts (b)		1,699		—		1,699		—
Total assets at fair value	$	15,370	$	—	$	15,370	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans (c)	$	6,864	$	6,864	$	—	$	—
Forward exchange contracts (b)		2,299		—		2,299		—
Total liabilities at fair value	$	9,163	$	6,864	$	2,299	$	—

(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. Foreign exchange contracts are not designated as hedges.

(c) Executive officers and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100% of their salary and 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.

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Warranty accrual

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Warranty accrual [Abstract]

Warranty accrual

11. 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 three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011:

Three months ended	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Beginning balance	$	6,723		$	5,242
Accruals for warranties		1,006			1,411
Warranty payments		(1,358	)		(1,347	)
Currency effect		(119	)		(25	)
Ending balance	$	6,252		$	5,281

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Financial instruments (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Financial instruments (Textual) [Abstract]
Maturity of foreign currency forward contracts	less than 90 days
Gains/Losses on foreign exchange contracts	$ 976	$ 10,790
Change in fair value of Balance Sheet positions denominated in foreign currencies	$ 1,151	$ 11,426

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Comprehensive income

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Comprehensive income [Abstract]

Comprehensive income

9. Comprehensive income. Comprehensive income for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Net income	$	38,338		$	45,897
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(8,354	)		(6,832	)
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses		2,712			1,550
Comprehensive income	$	32,696		$	40,615

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at January 31, 2012 consisted of $114,340 pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments offset by $28,686 of net foreign currency translation adjustments. Accumulated other comprehensive loss at January 31, 2011 consisted of $101,234 of pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments offset by $29,646 of net foreign currency translation adjustments.

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Beginning balance	$	(80,012	)	$	(66,306	)
Current-period change		(5,642	)		(5,282	)
Ending balance	($	85,654	)	($	71,588	)

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Stock-based compensation

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Stock-based compensation [Abstract]

Stock-based compensation

10. 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 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 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 $955 and $719 in the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the three months ended January 31, 2012:

	Number of Options			Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted Average Remaining Term
Outstanding at October 31, 2011		1,851		$	24.22
Granted		299		$	43.73
Exercised		(28	)	$	19.26
Forfeited or expired		(9	)	$	28.11
Outstanding at January 31, 2012		2,113		$	27.03	$	38,698		6.5 years
Vested or expected to vest at January 31, 2012		2,043		$	26.69	$	38,109		6.4 years
Exercisable at January 31, 2012		1,232		$	21.47	$	29,400		5.0 years

At January 31, 2012, there was $10,625 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:

Three months ended	January 31, 2012	January 31, 2011
Expected volatility	.454-.469	.431-.451
Expected dividend yield	1.20%	1.28%
Risk-free interest rate	1.03%-1.23%	1.89%-2.25%
Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4-6.1	5.4-6.3

The weighted-average expected volatility used to value the 2012 and 2011 options was .462, and .443, respectively.

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 three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $17.03 and $16.80, respectively.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $700 and $13,052, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011was $534 and $7,037, respectively. The tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $243 and $4,104, respectively.

Nonvested Common Shares

We may grant nonvested (restricted) shares to our employees and directors. These shares may not be sold for a designated period of time (generally one to three 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 early retirement, disability or death prior to the lapse of any restrictions. Restrictions lapse in the event of a recipient’s retirement at or after normal retirement age. Termination for any other reason prior to the lapse of any restrictions results in forfeiture of the shares. For non-employee directors, all restrictions lapse in the event of disability or death of the non-employee director. Termination of service as a director for any other reason within one year of date of grant 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 three months ended January 31, 2012:

	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested shares at October 31, 2011		81		$	34.95
Granted		44		$	43.30
Vested		(16	)	$	34.52
Forfeited		(1	)	$	43.32
Nonvested shares at January 31, 2012		108		$	38.35

As of January 31, 2012, there was $3,090 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares. The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years. The amount charged to expense related to nonvested common shares during the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $411 and $280, respectively.

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 three months ended January 31, 2012:

	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at October 31, 2011		243		$	17.51
Granted		1		$	45.34
Restricted stock units vested		9		$	27.48
Dividend equivalents		1		$	41.59
Distributions		(15	)	$	15.76
Outstanding at January 31, 2012		239		$	18.12

The amount charged to expense related to director deferred compensation for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $56, and $97, respectively.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (LTIP)

Under the Long-Term Incentive 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 award 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 grant date fair value determined using the closing market price of common stock at the grant date, reduced by the implied value of dividends not to be paid. This value was $42.12 per share for both the executive officers and the selected other key employees for 2012 and $42.02 per share for both the executive officers and the selected other key employees for 2011. The per share values for 2010 were $26.10 and $29.52 for the executive officers group and $26.10 for the selected other key employees. During the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, $1,000 and $1,445, respectively, was charged to expense. The cumulative amount recorded in shareholders’ equity at January 31, 2012 was $5,473.

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Operating segments

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Operating segments [Abstract]

Operating segments

12. Operating segments. We conduct business across three primary business segments: Adhesive Dispensing Systems, Advanced Technology Systems, and Industrial Coating Systems. Effective November 1, 2011, the Industrial Coating Systems segment includes our fuel cell product line that had previously been reported in the Advanced Technology Systems segment. This change more closely reflects the change in management of this product line and its related growth opportunities. Prior year results have been reclassified to reflect the segment change.

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. 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, 2011.

The following table presents information about our reportable segments:

	Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems		Industrial Coating Systems		Corporate			Total
Three months ended January 31, 2012
Net external sales	$	139,172		$	100,107	$	36,557	$	—		$	275,836
Operating profit		47,227	(a)		16,000		1,138		(7,878	)		56,487
Three months ended January 31, 2011
Net external sales	$	136,976		$	96,632	$	37,354	$	—		$	270,962
Operating profit		46,196			23,276		3,049		(6,997	)		65,524

(a) Includes $811 of severance and restructuring costs in 2012.

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

Three months ended	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Total profit for reportable segments	$	56,487		$	65,524
Interest expense		(1,968	)		(1,395	)
Interest and investment income		119			125
Other-net		992			936
Income before income taxes	$	55,630		$	65,190

We have significant sales in the following geographic regions:

Three months ended	January 31, 2012		January 31, 2011
United States	$	75,202	$	70,273
Americas		20,199		19,860
Europe		86,583		90,258
Japan		30,035		25,073
Asia Pacific		63,817		65,498
Total net external sales	$	275,836	$	270,962

Sales in 2011 include reclassification adjustments primarily into Asia Pacific from the United States based on more accurate end-user destination information for products sold by our Advanced Technology Systems segment to certain global customers.

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Recently issued accounting standards (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011
Recently issued accounting standards (Textual) [Abstract]
Impact on the consolidated financial statements	$ 0

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Operating Segments (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 BusinessSegments
Operating segments (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of business segments	3
Severance and restructuring costs	$ 811

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Income taxes

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Income taxes [Abstract]

Income taxes

17. 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 rate for the three months ended January 31, 2012 was 31.1%, compared to 29.6% for the three months ended January 31, 2011. During the three months ending January 31, 2012, we recorded tax expense of $325 related to an adjustment of deferred taxes resulting from a tax rate reduction enacted in Japan.

In December 2010, Congress passed and the President signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, which provided retroactive reinstatement of a research credit. As a result, we recorded an additional tax benefit related to 2010 of $1,242 in the three months ended January 31, 2011.

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Comprehensive income (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Comprehensive income [Abstract]

Summary of comprehensive income

	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Net income	$	38,338		$	45,897
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(8,354	)		(6,832	)
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses		2,712			1,550
Comprehensive income	$	32,696		$	40,615

Components of activity for accumulated other comprehensive income

	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Beginning balance	$	(80,012	)	$	(66,306	)
Current-period change		(5,642	)		(5,282	)
Ending balance	($	85,654	)	($	71,588	)

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Operating Segments (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Total consolidated income before income taxes
Total profit for reportable segments	$ 56,487	$ 65,524
Interest expense	(1,968)	(1,395)
Interest and investment income	119	125
Other - net	992	936
Income before income taxes	$ 55,630	$ 65,190

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Stock-based compensation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 Y
Summarized activity related to stock options
Number of Options Outstanding, Beginning Balance	1,851
Number of Options, Granted	299
Number of Options, Exercised	(28)
Number of Options, Forfeited or expired	(9)
Number of Options Outstanding, Ending Balance	2,113
Number of Options, Vested or expected to vest	2,043
Number of Options, Exercisable	1,232
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$ 24.22
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	$ 43.73
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$ 19.26
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited or expired	$ 28.11
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Ending Balance	$ 27.03
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Vested or expected to vest	$ 26.69
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 21.47
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$ 38,698
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested or expected to vest	38,109
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$ 29,400
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Outstanding	6.5
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Vested or expected to vest	6.4
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Exercisable	5.0

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Basis of presentation

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Basis of presentation / Basis of consolidation [Abstract]

Basis of presentation

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 January 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full 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, 2011.

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Recently issued accounting standards

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Recently issued accounting standards [Abstract]

Recently issued accounting standards

6. Recently issued accounting standards. In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that provides requirements for pro forma revenue and earnings disclosures related to business combinations. This guidance requires disclosure of revenue and earnings of the combined business as if the combination occurred at the start of the prior annual reporting period only. We adopted this standard on November 1, 2011, and there was no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB clarified the guidance concerning fair value measurements and disclosures. The guidance requires the disclosure of quantitative information about unobservable inputs used, a description of the valuation processes used, and a qualitative discussion around the sensitivity of the measurements. It will be effective for us beginning in the second quarter of 2012. We do not expect that the adoption will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that amends current comprehensive income guidance. This ASU eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity. Instead, comprehensive income must be reported in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance will be effective for us beginning in 2013 and is not expected to impact our consolidated financial statements, as it only results in a change in the format of presentation.

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance amending the way companies test for goodwill impairment. Companies will have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine the existence of events or circumstances that lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, companies determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. This guidance is effective for us beginning in 2013, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Financial instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012
Summarized values by currency and forward exchange contracts outstanding
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	$ 43,764
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative sale contracts	43,752
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	176,091
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	175,479
Euro [Member]
Summarized values by currency and forward exchange contracts outstanding
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	6,368
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative sale contracts	6,229
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	88,754
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	86,573
British Pound [Member]
Summarized values by currency and forward exchange contracts outstanding
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	20,577
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative sale contracts	20,585
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	46,020
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	46,305
Japanese Yen [Member]
Summarized values by currency and forward exchange contracts outstanding
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	4,432
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative sale contracts	4,433
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	7,185
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	7,259
Others [Member]
Summarized values by currency and forward exchange contracts outstanding
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	12,387
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative sale contracts	12,505
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	34,132
Fair market value of Foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	$ 35,342

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Stock-based compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Stock-based compensation [Abstract]

Summarized activity related to stock options

	Number of Options			Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted Average Remaining Term
Outstanding at October 31, 2011		1,851		$	24.22
Granted		299		$	43.73
Exercised		(28	)	$	19.26
Forfeited or expired		(9	)	$	28.11
Outstanding at January 31, 2012		2,113		$	27.03	$	38,698		6.5 years
Vested or expected to vest at January 31, 2012		2,043		$	26.69	$	38,109		6.4 years
Exercisable at January 31, 2012		1,232		$	21.47	$	29,400		5.0 years

Fair value assumptions of stock options

Three months ended	January 31, 2012	January 31, 2011
Expected volatility	.454-.469	.431-.451
Expected dividend yield	1.20%	1.28%
Risk-free interest rate	1.03%-1.23%	1.89%-2.25%
Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4-6.1	5.4-6.3

Summarized activity related to nonvested shares

	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested shares at October 31, 2011		81		$	34.95
Granted		44		$	43.30
Vested		(16	)	$	34.52
Forfeited		(1	)	$	43.32
Nonvested shares at January 31, 2012		108		$	38.35

Summarized activity related to director deferred compensation shares

	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at October 31, 2011		243		$	17.51
Granted		1		$	45.34
Restricted stock units vested		9		$	27.48
Dividend equivalents		1		$	41.59
Distributions		(15	)	$	15.76
Outstanding at January 31, 2012		239		$	18.12

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Goodwill and other intangible assets (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$ 232,789		$ 232,789
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Intangible assets, amortization expense	2,667	2,298
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	229,173		229,173
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$ 3,616		$ 3,616

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Financial instruments

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Financial instruments [Abstract]

Financial instruments

16. 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.

Gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts are recorded in “Other—net” on the Consolidated Statement of Income together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position. For the three months ended January 31, 2012, we recognized losses of $976 on foreign exchange contracts and gains of $1,151 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. For the three months ended January 31, 2011, we recognized losses of $10,790 on foreign exchange contracts and gains of $11,426 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

We had the following outstanding foreign currency forward contracts at January 31, 2012:

	Sell				Buy
	Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value
Euro	$	6,368	$	6,229	$	88,754	$	86,573
British pound		20,577		20,585		46,020		46,305
Japanese yen		4,432		4,433		7,185		7,259
Others		12,387		12,505		34,132		35,342
Total	$	43,764	$	43,752	$	176,091	$	175,479

The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at January 31, 2012, 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	$	49,483		$	49,483
Notes payable		38			38
Long-term debt, including current maturities		351,595			346,981
Foreign exchange contracts (net)		(600	)		(600	)

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.

• Long-term debt is valued by discounting future cash flows at currently available rates for borrowing arrangements with similar terms and conditions.

• Foreign exchange contracts are valued using observable market based inputs.