Nordson Corporation Announces First Quarter Earnings; Earnings Per Share Increase by 21 P

First quarter 2006 represents records for sales, earnings and earnings per share·
Sales volume increased 24 percent in Advanced Technology Systems segment
Asia Pacific and United States sales volumes increased 14 percent and 10 percent, respectively

WESTLAKE, Ohio – February 27, 2006 – Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq:NDSN) today announced record sales and earnings for the first quarter, which ended January 31, 2006. On a diluted basis, earnings per share for the quarter were $.47 compared with $.39 for the same period of 2005, a 21 percent increase.

Included in first quarter operating expenses was a $982,000 charge, or $.02 per share, related to the adoption of new accounting guidelines for the expensing of stock options. In addition, charges related to the restructuring of the Finishing and Coating Systems segment amounted to $1.2 million, or $.02 per share.

Worldwide sales for the first quarter of 2006 were $197.5 million, a 4 percent increase compared with sales of $190.2 million for the same period of 2005. Volume gains of 7 percent were offset by unfavorable currency effects of 3 percent.

First quarter sales volume for the company’s Advanced Technology Systems segment grew by 24 percent over the prior year period while the Adhesive Dispensing and Nonwoven Fiber Systems segment increased volume by 3 percent. Sales volume for the Finishing and Coating Systems segment was approximately equal to one year ago.

On a geographic basis, sales volume for the first quarter was up 10 percent in the United States, 5 percent in the Americas and 6 percent in Europe. Volume was up 14 percent in the Asia Pacific region and down 4 percent in Japan.

Backlog at the end of the first quarter was approximately $100 million, up more than $20 million since the beginning of the fiscal year, calculated at actual exchange rates.

“Our Advanced Technology Systems segment continues to generate exceptional results, with sales volume growth in the first quarter being broadly distributed across all businesses within this segment,” said Edward P. Campbell, chairman and chief executive officer.

"We are encouraged by the improving business environment in our Adhesive Dispensing segment. When excluding the Fiber Systems business, sales volume for the segment was up 5 percent, which was driven by improvement in our Packaging Systems business in the United States and Europe,” Campbell said. “In addition, higher gross margins within the Adhesive Dispensing segment contributed to improved overall operating margins, with the operating profit rate for the quarter reaching 14.3 percent compared to 12.5 percent a year ago.”

Nordson will broadcast its first quarter conference call on the investor relations page of its Web site, www.nordson.com, on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. EST. For persons 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 of shareholder relations, by calling (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.

A summary of sales, income and earnings is presented in the attached tables.

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 more than 3,600 employees worldwide, and direct operations and sales support offices in 30 countries.
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Contact:   Derrick Johnson, Director, Corporate Communications
Phone:     440.414.5639
E-mail:     djohnson@nordson.com