Nordson: Emerging New Force in Plastics

In a span of two weeks last month, Nordson Corp. spent $400 million to expand its interests in plastics. In mid-May, the Westlake, Ohio-based firm spent $200 million to acquire Extrusion Dies Inc. LLC (EDI), Chippewa Falls, Wis. EDI is a global supplier of flat dies and feedblocks for flat film, sheet, and coatings. (In May, EDI extended its offerings to blown film with the purchase of Premier Dies.) “EDI participates in the large and growing global plastics-processing equipment industry, and is a clear fit with our strategy of acquiring companies that provide differentiated precision technology at a key point in the supply chain,” said Michael F. Hilton, Nordson’s president and CEO.

Roughly two weeks later, Nordson plunked down another $200 million to buy Xaloy, Pulaski, Va., which makes screws, barrels, screen changers, melt pumps, and a variety of other equipment used by processors. Said Hilton, “Xaloy’s comprehensive product range allows it to provide customers with an integrated solution that spans the entire plastic-processing melt stream.”

In business since 1954, Nordson is a worldwide company that makes products and systems for dispensing adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials and other materials. Last year, Nordson made three other acquisitions: Micromedics, St. Paul, Minn., a medical device OEM; Value Plastics, Ft. Collins, Colo., which makes tube fittings and connectors; and Verbruggen of Belgium, which also makes flat dies.

(440) 892-1580 • nordson.com