NORDSON CORP 10-Q

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following is management's discussion and analysis of certain significant factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations for the periods included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, components may not sum to totals due to rounding. Overview Nordson is an innovative precision technology company that leverages a scalable growth framework to deliver top tier growth with leading margins and returns. We engineer, manufacture and market differentiated products and systems used for precision dispensing, applying and controlling of adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, biomaterials, and other fluids, to test and inspect for quality, and to treat and cure surfaces and various medical products such as: catheters, cannulas, medical balloons and medical tubing. These products are supported with extensive application expertise and direct global sales and service. We serve a wide variety of consumer non-durable, consumer durable and technology end markets including packaging, electronics, medical, appliances, energy, transportation, precision agriculture, building and construction, and general product assembly and finishing. Our strategy for long-term growth is based on solving customers’ needs globally. We were incorporated in the State of Ohio in 1954 and are headquartered in Westlake, Ohio. Our products are marketed through a network of direct operations in more than 35 countries. We have approximately 7,700 employees worldwide. Our principal manufacturing facilities are located in the United States, the People’s Republic of China, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates A comprehensive discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies and management estimates and significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the financial statements is included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2023 (the "2023 Form 10-K"). There have been no significant changes in critical accounting policies, management estimates or accounting policies followed since the year ended October 31, 2023. Results of Operations Three Months Ended July 31, 2024 Worldwide sales for the three months ended July 31, 2024 were $661,604, an increase of 2.0% from sales of $648,677 for the comparable period of 2023. The increase included a 3.8% increase due to an acquisition and an unfavorable effect from currency translation of 0.9%. Organic sales decreased 0.9%, driven by lower demand in electronics and medical product lines, partially offset by growth in packaging, nonwovens, and optical sensors product lines. In the Americas region, sales were $287,016 for the three months ended July 31, 2024, a decrease of 1.2% from the comparable period of 2023, consisting of an organic sales decrease of 3.4%, an increase due to an acquisition of 2.4%, and unfavorable currency effects of 0.2%. In the Asia Pacific region, sales were $195,218, an increase of 2.4% from the comparable period of 2023, consisting of an organic sales increase of 4.1% and a 0.8% increase due to an acquisition, partially offset by unfavorable currency effects of 2.5%. In Europe, sales were $179,370, an increase of 7.1% from the comparable period of 2023, consisting of an organic sales decrease of 2.0%, unfavorable currency effects of 0.7%, and a 9.8% increase due to an acquisition. Cost of sales for the three months ended July 31, 2024 were $292,603, up from $288,357 in the comparable period of 2023. Gross profit, expressed as a percentage of sales, increased to 55.8% from 55.5% in the comparable period of 2023. The increase in gross profit was due to favorable mix overall. Selling and administrative expenses for the three months ended July 31, 2024 were $201,943, up from $189,324 in the comparable period of 2023. The 6.7% increase was primarily driven by the first-year effect of an acquisition. Operating profit decreased to $167,058 for the three months ended July 31, 2024, compared to $170,996 in the comparable period of 2023. Operating profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 25.3% f or the three months ended July 31, 2024, compared to 26.4% in the comparable period of 2023 . The 1.1 percentage-point decline in operating margin was primarily driven by reduced sales leverage on selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by improved gross margin percentage performance . Interest expense for the three months ended July 31, 2024 was $18,803, compared to $12,089 in the comparable period of 2023. The increase, compared to the prior year period, was primarily due to higher average debt levels, driven by acquisitions. Other income was $152 compared to $2,542 in the comparable period of 2023. Included in 2024 other income were pension and postretirement income of $1,028 and $464 of foreign currency losses. Included in 2023 other income were pension and postretirement income of $1,343 and $886 in foreign currency losses. Page 24 Table of Contents Nordson Corporation Net income for the three months ended July 31, 2024 was $117,327, or $2.04 per diluted share, compared to $127,891, or $2.22 per diluted share, in the same period of 2023. This change represents an 8.3% decrease in net income, and an 8.1% decrease in diluted earnings per share. The decrease in income reflects increased interest expense from prior year acquisitions and slightly lower overall operating margins. Industrial Precision Solutions Sales of the Industrial Precision Solutions segment were $370,561 in the three months ended July 31, 2024, an increase of 9.6% from sales of $338,257 for the comparable period of 2023. The increase consisted of an acquisition impact of 7.4% and an organic sales increase of 3.6%, partially offset by unfavorable currency effects of 1.4%. The organic sales increase was driven primarily by packaging and nonwovens product lines. Operating profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 31.9% for the three months ended July 31, 2024 compared to 34.1% in the comparable period of 2023 . The 2.2 percentage point decline in operating margin was primarily due to higher intangible asset amortization expense of $5,786 related to the ARAG acquisition. Medical and Fluid Solutions Sales of the Medical and Fluid Solutions segment were $166,737 in the three months ended July 31, 2024, a decrease of 2.4% from sales of $170,871 for the comparable period of 2023. The decrease consisted of an organic sales decrease of 2.0% and an unfavorable currency effect of 0.4%. The organic sales decrease was driven by lower demand in interventional solutions and fluid components product lines. Operating profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 29.0% for the three months ended July 31, 2024 compared to 31.6% in the comparable period of 2023 . T he 2.6 percentage point decline in operating margin was primarily due to unfavorable mix. Advanced Technology Solutions Sales of the Advanced Technology Solutions segment were $124,306 in the three months ended July 31, 2024, a decrease of 10.9% from sales of $139,549 for the comparable period of 2023. The decrease consisted of an organic sales decrease of 10.2% and an unfavorable currency effect of 0.7%. The organic sales decrease was driven by softness in electronics processing and x-ray and test product lines, offset by growth in optical sensors product lines. Operating profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 18.5% for the three months ended July 31, 2024 compared to 19.4% in the comparable period of 2023 . T he decrease in operating margin was primarily due to the decline in sales. Nine Months Ended July 31, 2024 Worldwide sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 were $1,945,439, an increase of 1.9% from sales of $1,909,319 for the comparable period of 2023. The increase consisted of 4.5% increase due to acquisitions, partially offset by a 2.2% decrease in organic sales and an unfavorable effect from currency translation of 0.4%. The organic sales decrease was principally driven by the Advanced Technology Solutions segment, partially offset by organic sales increases in the Industrial Precision Solutions and Medical Fluid Solutions segments. In the Americas region, sales were $855,456, an increase of 2.6% from the comparable period of 2023, consisting of an organic sales decrease of 0.3%, an increase of 2.7% due to an acquisition, and favorable currency effects of 0.2%. In the Asia Pacific region, sales were $549,233, a decrease of 4.8% from the comparable period of 2023, consisting of an organic sales decrease of 3.1% and unfavorable currency effects of 2.4%, partially offset by a 0.7% increase from an acquisition. In Europe, sales were $540,750, an increase of 8.5% from the comparable period of 2023, consisting of a 12.2% increase from an acquisition and favorable currency effects of 0.8%, partially offset by an organic sales decrease of 4.5%. Cost of sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 were $862,134, down from $868,007 in the comparable period of 2023. Gross profit, expressed as a percentage of sales, increased to 55.7% from 54.5% in the comparable period of 2023. The 1.2 percentage point increase in gross margin was primarily driven by improved manufacturing efficiencies and favorable product mix. Selling and administrative expenses for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 were $588,196, up from $553,590 in the comparable period of 2023. The 6.3% increase was primarily driven by the first-year effect of an acquisition, partially offset by improved cost controls. Operating profit increased to $495,109 for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 compared to $487,722 in the nine months ended July 31, 2023. Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 25.4% f or the nine months ended July 31, 2024 compared to 25.5% in the comparable period of 2023 . Page 25 Table of Contents Nordson Corporation Interest expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 was $60,354, compared to $32,532 in the comparable period of 2023. The increase was due primarily to higher average debt levels, driven by acquisitions. Other expense was $971 compared to $2,059 in the comparable period of 2023. Included in 2024 other expense were other pension and postretirement income of $3,085 and $2,411 of foreign currency losses. Included in 2023 other expense were pension and postretirement income of $4,044 and $7,625 of foreign currency losses. Net income for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 was $345,116, or $5.99 per diluted share, compared to $359,715, or $6.24 per diluted share, in the same period of 2023. This change represents a 4.1% decrease in net income, and a 4.0% decrease in diluted earnings per share. The decrease in income was driven primarily by increased interest expense. Industrial Precision Solutions Sales of the Industrial Precision Solutions segment were $1,092,099 in the nine months ended July 31, 2024, an increase of 10.8% from sales in the comparable period of 2023 of $985,610. The increase was the result of higher organic sales of 2.5% and an increase of 8.8% due to an acquisition. Organic sales growth was driven primarily by the industrial coatings and packaging product lines. Operating profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 31.5% for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 compared to 33.4% in the comparable period of 2023 . The 1.9 percentage point decline in operating margin was primarily due to higher intangible asset amortization expense of $17,146 related to the ARAG acquisition. Medical and Fluid Solutions Sales of the Medical and Fluid Solutions segment were $495,229 in the nine months ended July 31, 2024, an increase of 0.7% from sales in the comparable period of 2023 of $491,683. The increase was the result of an organic sales increase of 0.9%. Sales growth occurred principally in the interventional solutions product line. Operating profit as a percentage of sales increased to 29.0% for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 compared to 28.7% in the comparable period of 2023 . T he 0.3 percentage point improvement in operating margin was primarily due to the increase in sales and improved factory efficiencies. Advanced Technology Solutions Sales of the Advanced Technology Solutions segment were $358,111 in the nine months ended July 31, 2024, a decrease of 17.1% from sales in the comparable period of 2023 of $432,026. The decrease was the result of an organic sales decrease of 16.6% and unfavorable currency effects that decreased sales by 0.5%. The organic sales decrease was driven by weakness across the segment. Operating profit as a percentage of sales increased to 17.0% for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 compared to 16.2% in the comparable period of 2023 . T he improvement in operating margin was primarily due to improved factory efficiencies and cost controls. Income taxes We record our interim provision for income taxes based on our estimated annual effective tax rate, as well as certain items discrete to the current period. Significant judgment is involved regarding the application of global income tax laws and regulations and when projecting the jurisdictional mix of income. We have considered several factors in determining the probability of realizing deferred income tax assets including forecasted operating earnings, available tax planning strategies and the time period over which the temporary differences will reverse. We review our tax positions on a regular basis and adjust the balances as new information becomes available. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2024 was 21.5% and 21.1%, respectively, compared to 21.1% and 20.9%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2023. Foreign Currency Effects In the aggregate, average exchange rates for 2024 used to translate international sales and operating results into U.S. dollars were generally unfavorable compared with average exchange rates existing during 2023. It is not possible to precisely measure the impact on operating results arising from foreign currency exchange rate changes, because of changes in selling prices, sales volume, product mix and cost structure in each country in which we operate. However, if transactions for the three months ended July 31, 2024 were translated at exchange rates in effect during the same period of 2023, we estimated that sales would have been approximately $8,000 higher while costs of sales and selling and administrative expenses would have been approximately $5,000 higher. If transactions for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 were translated at exchange rates in effect during the same period of 2023, we estimated that sales would have been approximately $8,000 higher while costs of sales and selling and administrative expenses would have been approximately $5,000 higher. Page 26 Table of Contents Nordson Corporation Financial Condition Liquidity and Capital Resources During the nine months ended July 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents increased $49,645. Cash provided by operations during this period was $459,812 compared to $478,072 for the nine months ended July 31, 2023. The primary sources were net income adjusted for non-cash income and expenses, which was $460,197, compared to $458,875 for the nine months ended July 31, 2023. Changes in operating assets and liabilities decreased cash by $385 in the nine months ended July 31, 2024 and increased cash by $19,197 in the comparable period of 2023. The change for the nine months ended July 31, 2024 was driven primarily by improvements in accounts receivable and inventory, principally offset by decreases in customer advance payments, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including income taxes payable. Cash used in investing activities was $34,890 for the nine months ended July 31, 2024, compared to $401,996 used in the comparable period of 2023. During the nine months ended July 31, 2024, cash of $43,786 was used for capital expenditures. During the nine months ended July 31, 2023, cash of $377,843 was used for the CyberOptics acquisition and $24,244 was used for capital expenditures. Cash used in financing activities was $370,612 for the nine months ended July 31, 2024, compared to cash used of $102,074 in the comparable period of 2023. In the nine months ended July 31, 2024, cash of $116,789 was used for dividend payments and cash of $34,105 was used for the purchase of treasury shares, versus $111,547 and $78,163, respectively, in the comparable period of 2023. The nine months ended July 31, 2024 included net repayments of long-term debt of $244,355, compared to net borrowings of $73,956 during the nine months ended July 31, 2023 . The following is a summary of significant changes by balance sheet caption from October 31, 2023 to July 31, 2024. Receivables-net decreased $52,345 , primarily due to higher collections from customers, and intangibles decreased by $43,980 , principally due to amortization. Long-term debt also decreased $223,239 due to the use of operating cash flow to pay down debt balances. The Company is well-positioned to manage liquidity needs that arise from working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and contributions related to pension and postretirement obligations, as well as principal and interest payments on our outstanding debt. Primary sources of capital to meet these needs, as well as other opportunistic investments, are a combination of cash provided by operations and borrowings under our loan agreements. Cash from operations, which when combined with our available borrowing capacity and ready access to capital markets, is expected to be more than adequate to fund our liquidity needs over the twelve months and the foreseeable future thereafter. The Company believes it has the ability to generate and obtain adequate amounts of cash to meet its long-term needs for cash. We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of July 31, 2024. Refer to our Long-term debt in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding our debt outstanding and Term Facility. Safe Harbor Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements relate to, among other things, income, earnings, cash flows, changes in operations, operating improvements, businesses in which we operate and the United States and global economies. Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” and may be indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “supports,” “plans,” “projects,” “expects,” “believes,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “hope,” “forecast,” “management is of the opinion,” use of the future tense and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, U.S. and international economic conditions; financial and market conditions; currency exchange rates and devaluations; possible acquisitions including the Company’s ability to complete and successfully integrate acquisitions, including the integration of Atrion, the ARAG Group and CyberOptics; the Company’s ability to successfully divest or dispose of businesses that are deemed not to fit with its strategic plan; the effects of changes in U.S. trade policy and trade agreements; the effects of changes in tax law; and the possible effects of events beyond our control, such as political unrest, including the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, acts of terror, natural disasters and pandemics. In light of these risks and uncertainties, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in or contemplated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results are discussed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our 2023 Form 10-K. Page 27 Table of Contents Nordson Corporation