NORDSON CORP Annual Report - How They Did This Year

Key Events & Strategic Moves This Year

Nordson has been quite active with acquisitions, showing a focus on growth and expanding capabilities.

• New Additions to the Family: In August 2024, Nordson acquired Atrion Corporation, which added new trade names, technology, and customer relationships, strengthening Nordson's market position. Looking back, they also acquired ARAG Group in August 2023 and CyberOptics Corporation in November 2022, both of which also added valuable trade names, technology, and customer connections. These moves suggest a strategy of expanding product offerings and customer base through strategic purchases.

• Pension Plan Adjustment: This year, the company recorded a "pension settlement charge" for its U.S. plans, a one-time expense related to changes in employee retirement benefits that can impact reported earnings.

Where They're Investing

Nordson continues to invest in its core operations, putting capital into various business segments, including:

• Industrial Precision Solutions
• Medical Fluid Systems
• Advanced Technology Systems

These investments typically involve upgrading facilities, buying new equipment, or developing new technologies to support future growth in these areas.

The company also holds various assets crucial to its operations, such as land, buildings, machinery, and enterprise management systems. Intangible assets include valuable patented technology, customer relationships, trade names, and non-compete agreements, which are often key drivers of business value.

Key Takeaways

This year, Nordson's strategic focus included significant acquisitions like Atrion Corporation, ARAG Group, and CyberOptics Corporation, aimed at expanding its product offerings and customer base. The company also recorded a pension settlement charge for its U.S. plans. Investments continued in core segments such as Industrial Precision Solutions, Medical Fluid Systems, and Advanced Technology Systems, alongside maintaining a strong base of tangible and intangible assets.