DULUTH, Georgia - November 14, 2000 - Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq: NDSN) announces the appointment of James E. DeVries to vice president, nonwovens systems group, where he will manage the company's nonwovens disposables business worldwide. Devries will be responsible for new product development, engineering, marketing and sales. He will also be instrumental in the company's globalization efforts and product line integration of Nordson's adhesive dispensing equipment, providing customers with even better customer service and superior technology for assembling nonwovens products such as diapers and medical disposables. DeVries replaces Randall D. Richardson, who was promoted to president of EFD, Inc., a recent Nordson acquisition.
Michael Groos, corporate vice president, said, "Nordson is a leader in the development and manufacture of innovative adhesive dispensing technology benefiting the nonwovens disposables industry. Jim brings a wealth of engineering and management experience to his new role, reaffirming Nordson's commitment to continue developing adhesive dispensing technology that makes a meaningful difference in production efficiencies for our customers."
DeVries joined Nordson in 1985 as development engineer, automotive systems group, North American division. Throughout his career, he has held various positions of increasing responsibility including systems engineering manager, automotive systems group and manager, gasketing venture group. Most recently, DeVries served as vice president, packaging and product assembly (PPA) group, North American division, the company's largest adhesive systems business group. As vice president of PPA, DeVries was responsible for managing the company's adhesive dispensing and verification systems used by packagers for forming and sealing operations and by manufacturers for bonding and sealing plastic, metal and wood products. DeVries was responsible for new product development, engineering, marketing and application development.
DeVries holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Cleveland State University and a master's degree in business administration from Baldwin-Wallace College.
Nordson Corporation is the world's leading producer of precision dispensing equipment. Nordson systems apply adhesives, sealants and coatings to a broad range of consumer and industrial products during manufacturing operations, helping customers meet quality, productivity and environmental targets. The company also manufactures technology-based systems for curing and surface treatment processes. Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, Nordson has direct operations in 31 countries and approximately 4,000 employees worldwide.