Westlake, Ohio –  May 24, 2005 – Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq-NDSN) today  announced record sales and earnings for the second quarter, which ended May 1, 2005.  On a diluted basis, earnings per share for the quarter were $.47 compared with $.46 for the second quarter of 2004. 

Worldwide sales for the second quarter of 2005 reached a record $207.6 million, a 6 percent increase over sales of $196.6 million for the same period of 2004.  Volume gains were 3 percent, with the remainder of the increase resulting from currency effects associated with a weaker U.S. dollar.

Sales volume for the company’s Finishing Systems segment increased by 17 percent and volume for its Advanced Technology segment was up 2 percent.  Sales volume for the company’s Adhesive Dispensing segment was flat relative to a year ago. 

On a geographic basis, second quarter sales volume was up 11 percent in the United States and 3 percent in the Americas.  Sales volume decreased 1 percent and 8 percent in Europe and Japan respectively, while volume was up 5 percent in the Asia Pacific Region.

Backlog at the end of the second quarter was approximately $95 million, up $16 million from the beginning of the fiscal year calculated at constant exchange rates.   

For the first half of 2005, sales were a record $397.8 million, an 8 percent increase over the same period of the prior year.  Sales volume increased 5 percent with favorable currency effects accounting for the balance.  Year-to-date earnings per share on a diluted basis were $.86, also a record, compared with $.73 for the same period last year. 

“Strong performance in the United States helped mitigate the effect of a softening business environment in both Europe and Japan.  Although the performance of our Adhesive system businesses was adversely impacted by the business climate in these regions, we are encouraged with the continued strong pace of order activity in the United States, especially within our advanced technology segment,” said Edward P. Campbell, Nordson Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 

“We continue to expect sales volume growth for the fiscal year, exclusive of acquisitions, to be in the four percent to five percent range,” Campbell added.

Nordson will broadcast its second-quarter conference call on the investor relations page of the company’s Web site, www.nordson.com, on Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at 8:30 a.m. EDT.  For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available for 14 days after the event.  Information about Nordson’s investor relations and shareholder services is available from Barbara Price, manager, shareholder relations, at (440) 414-5344.  

Except for historical information and comparisons contained herein, statements included in this release may constitute “forward-looking statements,” as defined by The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, as discussed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that could cause actual results to differ.  

Nordson Corporation is one of the world’s leading producers of precision dispensing equipment that applies adhesives, sealants and coatings to a broad range of consumer and industrial products during manufacturing operations. The company also manufactures technology-based systems for curing and surface treatment processes.  Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, Nordson has 3,500 employees worldwide, and direct operations and sales support offices in 30 countries.
View release with summaries of sales, income and earnings.

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Contact: Derrick Johnson, Director, Corporate Communications
Phone:  (440) 414-5639
E-mail:  djohnson@nordson.com