We conduct business across two primary operating segments: Industrial Precision Solutions (IPS) and Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS). 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 Statements 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.

Effective in the second quarter of 2020, we made changes to realign our management team and our operating segments. This realignment will enable us to better serve global customers and markets, to more efficiently leverage technology synergies, to operate divisions of significant size in a consistent and focused way and to position ourselves for our next chapter of profitable growth. The revised operating segments better reflect how we manage the Company, allocate resources, and assess performance of the businesses.

We realigned our former three operating segments into two: Industrial Precision Solutions and Advanced Technology Solutions. Existing product lines were unchanged as part of this new structure.

Industrial Precision Solutions: This segment combines our former Adhesive Dispensing Systems (ADS) and Industrial Coating Systems (ICS) businesses. IPS enhances the technology synergies between ADS and ICS to deliver proprietary dispensing and processing technology, to diverse end markets. Product lines reduce material consumption, increase line efficiency and enhance product brand and appearance. Components are used for dispensing adhesives, coatings, paint, finishes, sealants and other materials. This segment primarily serves the industrial, consumer durables and non-durables markets.

Advanced Technology Solutions: This segment integrates our proprietary product technologies found in progressive stages of a customer’s production processes, such as surface treatment, precisely controlled dispensing of material and post-dispense test and inspection to ensure quality. Related single-use plastic molded syringes, cartridges, tips, fluid connection components, tubing, balloons and catheters are used to dispense or control fluids in production processes or within customers’ end products. This segment predominantly serves customers in the electronics, medical and related high-tech industrial markets.

The financial information presented herein reflects the impact of the preceding changes and prior periods have been revised to reflect these changes.

	Industrial Precision Solutions		Advanced Technology Solutions		Corporate			Total
Three months ended
April 30, 2020
Net external sales	$	282,274	$	247,204	$	—		$	529,478
Operating profit (loss)		76,454		58,689		(10,114	)		125,029
Three months ended
April 30, 2019
Net external sales	$	301,824	$	249,295	$	—		$	551,119
Operating profit (loss)		85,481		56,535		(13,120	)		128,896
Six months ended
April 30, 2020
Net external sales	$	546,073	$	478,321	$	—		$	1,024,394
Operating profit (loss)		132,858		90,976		(23,712	)		200,122
Six months ended
April 30, 2019
Net external sales	$	565,277	$	483,752	$	—		$	1,049,029
Operating profit (loss)		140,890		97,320		(25,033	)		213,177

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

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	April 30, 2020			April 30, 2019			April 30, 2020			April 30, 2019
Total profit for reportable segments	$	125,029		$	128,896		$	200,122		$	213,177
Interest expense		(8,293	)		(12,372	)		(18,034	)		(24,738	)
Interest and investment income		278			325			867			642
Other-net		(429	)		(568	)		(3,275	)		(4,757	)
Income before income taxes	$	116,585		$	116,281		$	179,680		$	184,324

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	April 30, 2020		April 30, 2019		April 30, 2020		April 30, 2019
United States	$	188,933	$	190,699	$	377,433	$	361,050
Americas		36,673		43,682		67,756		76,119
Europe		136,056		149,526		262,447		282,200
Japan		31,575		30,031		59,127		59,078
Asia Pacific		136,241		137,181		257,631		270,582
Total net external sales	$	529,478	$	551,119	$	1,024,394	$	1,049,029