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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation —The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates and joint ventures in which our ownership is 50 percent or less or in which we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

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

Presentation — Certain amounts for 2013 were reclassified to correct immaterial misclassifications of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. Specifically, non-current deferred tax liabilities increased $9,564, current deferred tax liabilities increased $1,326, non-current deferred tax assets increased $9,394 and current deferred tax assets increased $1,496.

Fiscal year — Our fiscal year is November 1 through October 31.

Revenue Recognition

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 VSOE is not available, and best estimated selling price (BESP) is used if neither VSOE nor TPE 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 2014, 2013 and 2012 were not material.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs — Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are recorded as revenue. Shipping and handling expenses are included in cost of sales.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $10,823, $12,480 and $10,935 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development — Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were $47,536, $47,973 and $36,535 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

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 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 69 common shares were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation in 2014 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. No options for common shares were excluded from the 2013 diluted earnings per share calculation, and options for 75 common shares were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation in 2012. Under the 2012 Stock Incentive and Award Plan, executive officers and selected other key employees receive common share awards based on corporate performance measures over three-year performance periods. Awards for which performance measures have not been met were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents — Highly liquid instruments with maturities of 90 days or less at date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for doubtful accounts — An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. The amount of the allowance is determined principally on the basis of past collection experience and known factors regarding specific customers. Accounts are written off against the allowance when it becomes evident that collection will not occur.

Inventories — Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost was determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for 21 percent of consolidated inventories at October 31, 2014, and October 31, 2013. The first-in, first-out (FIFO) method is used for all other inventories. Consolidated inventories would have been $7,496 and $6,797 higher than reported at October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively, had the FIFO method, which approximates current cost, been used for valuation of all inventories.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment and depreciation — Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Additions and improvements that extend the lives of assets are capitalized, while expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Plant and equipment are depreciated for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, in the case of property under capital leases, over the terms of the leases. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or their useful lives. Useful lives are as follows:


Land improvements			15-25 years
Buildings			20-40 years
Machinery and equipment			3-18 years
Enterprise management systems			5-13 years

Depreciation expense is included in cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses.

Internal use software costs are expensed or capitalized depending on whether they are incurred in the preliminary project stage, application development stage or the post-implementation stage. Amounts capitalized are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software beginning with the project’s completion. All reengineering costs are expensed as incurred. Interest costs on significant capital projects are capitalized. No interest was capitalized in 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets — Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill relates to and is assigned directly to specific reporting units. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment testing. Our annual impairment testing is performed as of August 1. Testing is done more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of those assets.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign currency translation — The financial statements of subsidiaries outside the United States are generally measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. The resulting translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Generally, gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, including forward contracts, of these subsidiaries and the United States parent are included in net income. Gains and losses from intercompany foreign currency transactions of a long-term investment nature are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss — Accumulated other comprehensive loss at October 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of:


		Cumulative				Pension and				Accumulated
		translation				postretirement benefit				other comprehensive
		adjustments				plan adjustments				loss
Balance at October 31, 2013		$	26,699			$	(84,079	)		$	(57,380	)
Pension and postretirement plan changes, net of tax of $(11,348)			—				(21,847	)			(21,847	)
Current period charge			(23,972	)			—				(23,972	)

Balance at October 31, 2014		$	2,727			$	(105,926	)		$	(103,199	)

Warranties — We offer warranties 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) measured 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.