8-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 21, 2008

NORDSON CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

OHIO

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

0-7977	34-0590250
(Commission file number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

28601 Clemens Road, Westlake, Ohio

(Address of principal executive offices)

44145

(Zip Code)

(440) 892-1580

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

o Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c))

Page 1

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On May 21, 2008, Nordson Corporation issued a press release relating to its results of operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. A copy is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits

c.)   Exhibits

99.1 Press release of Nordson Corporation dated May 21, 2008.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 21, 2008	Nordson Corporation
	By:	/s/ Gregory A. Thaxton
		Gregory A. Thaxton
		Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Page 2

Form 8-K

Exhibit Index

Exhibit

Number

99.1 Press release of Nordson Corporation dated as of May 21, 2008.

Page 3

EX-99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nordson Corporation Reports Record Second Quarter Sales, Operating Profit and Earnings Per Share

· Sales Grow 22 Percent to $294 Million

· Operating Profit Increases 58 Percent to $54 Million

· Diluted Earnings per Share Increase 59 Percent to $0.97

WESTLAKE, Ohio - May 21, 2008 - Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq: NDSN) today reported record second quarter sales, operating profit and diluted earnings per share. For the quarter ending April 30, 2008, sales reached $294 million, a 22 percent increase over sales in the same period a year ago. Organic volume increased 9 percent, the first year effect of acquisitions added 6 percent, and the favorable effects of currency translation added 7 percent. Operating profit for the quarter improved to $54 million, a 58 percent increase over the same period a year ago. Second quarter diluted earnings per share were $0.97, an increase of 59 percent over the same period a year ago.

“This was another outstanding quarter for Nordson, where demand for our products and services grew in all segments and each geographic region,” said Chief Executive Officer Edward P. Campbell. “Our continuing record performance, despite the challenges in the U.S. economy, reflects the strength of our products and global market positions, and the benefits of the diversity in the many end markets we serve.”

-continued-

Segment & Regional Results

All segments contributed solid sales growth in the quarter, led by Advanced Technology, which grew by 26 percent over the previous year’s second quarter. Sales increased 23 percent in the Adhesive Dispensing segment, and 10 percent in the Industrial Coating and Automotive segment. “The excellent performance in the quarter was driven by double-digit revenue growth in every segment. And with the benefit of last year’s acquisitions, Advanced Technology revenue has grown in excess of 20 percent during each of the last four quarters. The financial performance of this segment continues to improve with excellent volume growth and the end of short term purchase accounting effects,” said Campbell. “In the Industrial Coating & Automotive segment, we grew sales despite softness in domestic industrial markets.”

On a geographic basis, second quarter sales increased 31 percent in Asia Pacific, 28 percent in Europe, 17 percent in the United States, 12 percent in Japan, and 6 percent in the Americas compared to a year ago.

“Nordson again experienced volume growth in every region where we operate. The largest increases came in Asia Pacific, the U.S. and Europe, where our strong local positions enable us to provide customers with leading technological solutions and unsurpassed support,” continued Campbell.

Fiscal Year-to-Date Results

For the first half of fiscal 2008, sales were a record $539 million, a 21 percent increase over the first half of fiscal 2007. Organic volume increased 8 percent, the first year effect of acquisitions added 7 percent and the favorable effects of currency translation added 6 percent. First half earnings on a diluted basis were a record$1.59, representing a 49 percent increase over the same period a year ago.

On a segment basis, first half sales increased 33 percent in the Advanced Technology segment, 18 percent in the Adhesive Dispensing segment, and 9 percent in the Industrial Coating and Automotive segment, all over the same period a year ago. On a geographic basis, first half sales increased 37 percent in Asia Pacific, 24 percent in Europe, 15 percent in the United States, 15 percent in Japan, and 7 percent in the Americas.

-continued-

“The momentum of our first quarter continued into the second, propelling us to an impressive first half performance,” said Campbell. “Asia Pacific revenues have accelerated in 2008, up from average annual growth rates of 27 percent over the past five years.”

Order Rates and Backlog

Order rates for the 12 week period ending May 4, 2008, measured in constant currency, were equal to the same period a year ago. Order rates by segment and geography are provided in the accompanying financial tables, with pro-forma growth in order rates calculated as though fiscal year 2007 acquisitions were owned in both years.

Backlog at the end of the second quarter was approximately $122 million, an increase of 1 percent compared with $121 million for the same period a year ago. Backlog increased by approximately $20 million or 20 percent from the end of fiscal 2007 to the end of the second quarter. Backlog amounts are calculated at April 30, 2008 exchange rates.

Outlook

For the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, sales are expected to reach a record level, with growth between 13 to 17 percent over the same period a year ago. Diluted earnings per share are also expected to reach a record level, with guidance in the range of $0.91 to $1.01. The midpoint of this guidance represents a 33 percent increase over diluted earnings per share of $0.72 in the prior year.

“Nordson is well on its way towards another year of all-time highs in sales and earnings,” said Campbell.

Nordson will broadcast its second-quarter conference call on the investor relations page of its Web site, www.nordson.com, on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. EDT. 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, Shareholder Relations, at (440) 414-5344.

-continued-

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 filing 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 equipment used in the testing and inspection of electronic components as well as technology-based systems for curing and surface treatment processes. Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, Nordson has more than 4,100 employees worldwide, and direct operations and sales support offices in 30 countries.

###

Investor Contact:

Barbara T. Price, Manager, Shareholder Relations

(440) 414-5344 bprice@nordson.com

Media Contact:

James R. Jaye, Director, Corporate Communications

(440) 414-5639 jjaye@nordson.com

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

SECOND QUARTER PERIOD

Period Ending April 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

NORDSON CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Dollars in thousands except for per-share amounts)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

	Second Quarter						Year-to-Date
	2008			2007			2008			2007
Net sales	$	294,116		$	241,293		$	538,805		$	445,168
Cost of sales		128,243			109,419			233,073			195,633
Selling & administrative expenses		111,650			97,497			215,110			186,892
Operating profit		54,223			34,377			90,622			62,643
Interest expense - net		(4,013	)		(5,003	)		(9,143	)		(8,817	)
Other income (expense) - net		1,008			2,779			2,221			1,710
Income before income taxes		51,218			32,153			83,700			55,536
Income taxes		18,169			11,173			29,312			18,999
Net Income	$	33,049		$	20,980		$	54,388		$	36,537
Return on sales		11	%		9	%		10	%		8	%
Return on average shareholders' equity		23	%		18	%		20	%		16	%
Average common shares outstanding (000's)		33,525			33,572			33,571			33,475
Average common shares and
common share equivalents (000's)		34,111			34,146			34,150			34,130
Per share:
Basic earnings	$	.99		$	.62		$	1.62		$	1.09
Diluted earnings	$	.97		$	.61		$	1.59		$	1.07
Dividends paid	$	.1825		$	.175		$	.365		$	.35

SECOND QUARTER PERIOD

Period Ending April 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

	April 30		October 31
	2008		2007
Cash and marketable securities	$	27,682	$	31,145
Receivables		227,556		229,993
Inventories		139,634		119,650
Other current assets		31,667		29,136
Total current assets		426,539		409,924
Property, plant & equipment - net		134,107		132,937
Other assets		664,702		668,979
	$	1,225,348	$	1,211,840
Notes payable and debt due within one year	$	234,652	$	324,099
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		170,084		185,815
Total current liabilities		404,736		509,914
Long-term debt		72,840		22,840
Other liabilities		157,864		147,969
Total shareholders' equity		589,908		531,117
	$	1,225,348	$	1,211,840

Other information:
Employees	4,144	4,089
Common shares outstanding (000's)	33,687	33,710

SECOND QUARTER PERIOD

Period Ending April 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

NORDSON CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Dollars in thousands)

SALES BY BUSINESS	Second Quarter						% Growth over 2007									Year-to-Date						% Growth over 2007
SEGMENT	2008			2007			Volume			Currency			Total			2008			2007			Volume			Currency			Total
Adhesive dispensing systems	$	152,451		$	123,662			12.5	%		10.8	%		23.3	%	$	276,316		$	233,696			9.0	%		9.2	%		18.2	%
Advanced technology systems		93,773			74,205			24.8	%		1.6	%		26.4	%		177,667			133,886			31.0	%		1.7	%		32.7	%
Industrial coating & automotive systems		47,892			43,426			3.9	%		6.4	%		10.3	%		84,822			77,586			3.6	%		5.7	%		9.3	%
Total sales by business segment	$	294,116		$	241,293			14.7	%		7.2	%		21.9	%	$	538,805		$	445,168			14.7	%		6.3	%		21.0	%
OPERATING PROFIT BY		Second Quarter															Year-to-Date
BUSINESS  SEGMENT		2008			2007												2008			2007
Adhesive dispensing systems	$	38,681		$	29,682											$	66,819		$	52,747
Advanced technology systems		18,889			7,461												29,225			15,696
Industrial coating & automotive systems		4,520			4,514												5,370			4,025
Corporate		(7,867	)		(7,280	)											(10,792	)		(9,825	)
Total operating profit by business segment	$	54,223		$	34,377											$	90,622		$	62,643

SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC	Second Quarter				% Growth over 2007									Year-to-Date				% Growth over 2007
REGION	2008		2007		Volume			Currency			Total			2008		2007		Volume			Currency			Total
United States	$	84,204	$	72,151		16.7	%		0.0	%		16.7	%	$	157,195	$	136,442		15.2	%		-			15.2	%
Americas		17,831		16,819		1.3	%		4.7	%		6.0	%		33,809		31,615		2.1	%		4.8	%		6.9	%
Europe		113,379		88,639		14.3	%		13.6	%		27.9	%		204,495		165,481		11.6	%		12.0	%		23.6	%
Japan		29,133		25,975		0.9	%		11.3	%		12.2	%		49,373		43,078		5.2	%		9.4	%		14.6	%
Asia Pacific		49,569		37,709		27.2	%		4.3	%		31.5	%		93,933		68,552		32.8	%		4.2	%		37.0	%
Total Sales by Geographic Region	$	294,116	$	241,293		14.7	%		7.2	%		21.9	%	$	538,805	$	445,168		14.7	%		6.3	%		21.0	%
SELECTED SUPPLEMENTAL		Second Quarter													Year-to-Date
INFORMATION		2008		2007											2008		2007
Depreciation and amortization	$	7,814	$	6,636										$	15,547	$	12,729
Capital expenditures	$	5,758	$	10,563										$	10,122	$	19,219
Dividends paid	$	6,112	$	5,878										$	12,245	$	11,717

 NORDSON CORPORATION

 ORDER RATES FOR 12-WEEK PERIOD ENDING MAY 11, 2008

 CHANGE FROM PRIOR YEAR

BUSINESS SEGMENT	% CHANGE			GEOGRAPHY	% CHANGE
Adhesive dispensing systems		-		United States		-14	%
Advanced technology systems		10	%	Americas		-16	%
Industrial coating & automotive systems		-17	%	Europe		10	%
				Japan		2	%
Total		-		Asia Pacific		17	%
				Total		-

Notes:

1. Numbers in this table are unaudited and exclude the effects of currency movements.

2. Pro-forma growth in order rates were calculated as though fiscal 2007 acquisitions were owned in both years.