Nordson Reports Record Q3 Results, Raises Fiscal Year 2021 Guidance

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Nordson Corporation reported results for the fiscal third quarter ended July 31, 2021. Sales were a quarterly company record of $647 million, a 20% increase compared to the prior year’s third quarter sales of $538 million. The increase in third quarter 2021 sales included organic volume growth of 20% and favorable effects from currency translation of 4%, offset by a net unfavorable impact of acquisitions and divestitures of 4%. The organic sales increase was driven by continued demand across all end markets, including a seasonal increase of quarterly shipments into the electronics end market.

Operating profit in the quarter was $188 million, or 29% of sales, compared to prior year adjusted operating profit of $120 million. This 57% increase in adjusted operating profit was driven by sales volume leverage and benefits from structural cost reduction actions taken in fiscal year 2020, as well as the divestiture of the screws and barrels product line on February 1, 2021. EBITDA for the third quarter of 2021 totaled $215 million, or 33% of sales.

Net income was $142 million, a 71% increase from the prior-year adjusted earnings of $83 million. Third quarter 2021 diluted earnings per share were $2.42, a 70% increase over the prior-year adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.42.

“In the fiscal third quarter, we continued to benefit from the robust end-market demand and accelerated recovery that we experienced in our second quarter. We were particularly pleased to see strong growth return in our medical, electronics and industrial end markets. Our teams are doing an outstanding job of managing through external supply chain and labor headwinds in order to deliver on the needs of our customers. The comprehensive execution of the Ascend strategy with NBS Next growth framework at its core continues to help us deliver top tier growth with leading margins and returns,” said Sundaram Nagarajan, president and chief executive officer.

Third Quarter Segment Results

Industrial Precision Solutions sales of $345 million increased 20% compared to the prior year third quarter, driven by a 22% organic increase and a favorable currency impact of 5%, partially offset by a divestiture impact of 8%. The organic sales increase was driven by continued demand in consumer non-durable and industrial end markets, particularly in China. Operating profit was $124 million, or 36% of sales, an increase of 60% compared to the prior year third quarter adjusted operating profit.

Advanced Technology Solutions sales of $301 million increased 21% compared to the prior year third quarter. Organic sales increased 18% while favorable currency impacts added 2% and acquisitions increased sales by approximately 1%. Sales demand was strong in all product lines including those serving electronics and medical end markets, with the Americas and China leading the growth from a regional perspective. Operating profit totaled $81 million, or 27% of sales, an increase of 51% compared to the prior year third quarter adjusted operating profit.

“I am pleased with the broad-based organic growth and attractive incremental margins in both segments,” said Joseph Kelley, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Rigorous application of the NBS Next growth framework in our divisions is helping us to focus and sustain profitable growth in our greatest opportunities.”

Outlook

Backlog entering the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021 is approximately $700 million, or 70% above the prior year. Customer order patterns have clearly changed in terms of both volume and extended shipment request dates during this dynamic environment. Based on the continued strength in order entry and backlog, the Company is increasing its full-year revenue and earnings guidance.

The Company expects full year sales growth in fiscal 2021 to be approximately 11% to 12% over fiscal year 2020, inclusive of a 3% headwind from the second quarter 2021 divestiture of the screws and barrels product line. Additionally, the Company is now forecasting full year 2021 earnings per diluted share in the range of $7.75 to $7.95. The increased guidance midpoint represents a strong second half of 2021 with year-over-year sales growth of 14% and earnings growth of 47%. The Company is expecting to enter fiscal 2022 with a backlog approximately 70% greater than the prior year.