Philosophy, Goals, & Values

The Nordson brand starts with the mission, philosophy, goals and values of the organization.

Mission: Best
"Nordson will be the best company in every market and every location where we do business." To be the best, Nordson adheres to three long term operating strategies: 1) IMPROVE: bettering our performance at every opportunity; 2) INNOVATE: the exciting process that blends creativity and collaboration; and 3) GROW: by prioritizing our investments for maximum return with an acceptable level of risk.

Purpose and Philosophy
Nordson Corporation strives to be a vital, self renewing, worldwide organization which, within the framework of ethical behavior and enlightened citizenship, grows and produces wealth and long term benefits for our customers, employees, shareholders and communities.

Goals
Nordson's corporate goal for growth is to double the value of the company over a five-year period, with the primary measure of value set by the market for company shares. While external factors may impact value, the achievement of this goal will rest with earnings growth, capital and human resource efficiency and positioning for the future. Nordson does not expect every quarter to produce increased sales, earnings and earnings per share, or to exceed the comparative prior year's quarter. We do expect to produce long-term gains. When short-term swings occur, we do not intend to alter our basic objectives in efforts to mitigate the impact of these natural occurrences.

Growth is achieved by seizing opportunities with existing products and markets, investing in systems to maximize productivity and pursuing growth markets. This strategy is augmented through product line additions, engineering, research and development, and acquisition of companies that can serve multinational industrial markets.

Customers - Nordson creates benefits for our customers through a Package of Values™, which includes carefully engineered products; strong service support; the backing of a well-established worldwide company with financial and technical strengths; and a corporate commitment to deliver what was promised. We strive to provide genuine customer satisfaction; it is the foundation upon which we continue to build our business.

Employees - Complementing our business strategy is the objective to provide opportunities for employee self-fulfillment, growth, security, recognition and equitable compensation. This goal is met through Human Resources' facilitation of employee training and leadership training and the creation of on-the-job growth opportunities. The result is a highly qualified and professional management team capable of meeting corporate objectives. We recognize the value of employee participation in the planning process. Strategic and operating plans are developed by all business units and divisions, resulting in a sense of ownership and commitment on the part of employees in accomplishing company objectives. Nordson Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.

Communities - Nordson is committed to contributing approximately 5 percent of domestic pretax earnings to support charitable activities, particularly in communities where the company has major facilities. Since our founding, Nordson has held the belief that business, as a corporate citizen, has a social responsibility to share its success with the communities in which it operates and its employees live.

Values
In striving to reach its goals, Nordson remains committed to a unique set of core values. Embedded with the Nords' original vision for the company, these values have since been articulated and reinforced by succeeding Nordson leadership teams to this day.

• Integrity - We are honest with our employees, customers, shareholders, communities, media and ourselves. We will do what is right. We will not compromise our standards.
• Respect for People - Our employees are a strength. We thrive on teamwork, collaboration and diversity. Safety will not be compromised. We communicate openly and honestly. We give back to our communities.
• Customer Passion - Quality and service must come first. We expect more from ourselves than our customers do. We create benefits for our customers through a Package of Values™, which includes carefully engineered products; strong service support; the backing of a well-established worldwide company with financial and technical strengths; and a corporate commitment to deliver what was promised.
• Energy - We approach challenges with a lean-forward, let's get it done attitude. Enthusiasm drives the pace of our work. We care...complacency is worse than our toughest competitor. Within a corporate framework, we encourage the entrepreneurial spirit.
• Excellence - We expect the very best from our management, our co-workers and ourselves.
  
  

The Nord Family
When Eric Nord retired as CEO of Nordson, he talked about two principal tasks that he, his brother Evan and their father Walter had hoped to accomplish:

• First make the business highly productive.
• Second, to see to it that the fruits of that productivity were shared, in some reasonable manner, by all of our constituents: customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers and our community.

He also outlined a set of operating philosophies by which he had tried to run the company:

• Work and invest for the long term.
• Accept risk-taking as normal.
• Strive for an ambience in which people like to work.
• Seek excellence in personnel and product.
• Encourage innovation.
• Encourage entrepreneurship through stock ownership.
• And last, but very important, treat customers as we would want to be treated.