SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant  x☒                            Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨☐

Check the appropriate box:

NORDSON CORPORATION

Notice of

20162019 Annual Meeting

and Proxy Statement

Nordson Corporation

28601 Clemens Road

Westlake, Ohio 44145

January 29, 201618, 2019

Dear Shareholder:

It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Board of Directors of Nordson Corporation (the “Board of Directors”), to invite you to attend our annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), which will be held at the law offices of Squire Patton Boggs (US)BakerHostetler LLP, 49002000 Key Tower, 127 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, at 8:00 a.m., eastern standard time,Eastern Time, on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.February 26, 2019.

The accompanying notice of Annual Meeting and proxy statementProxy Statement describe the items of business that will be discussed and voted upon during the Annual Meeting. It is important that you vote your shares of common stock whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. You have a choice of voting through the Internet, by telephone, or by returning the enclosed proxy/voting instruction card by mail. If you are a registered shareholder, you may also vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Please refer to the instructions in the enclosed materials.

On behalf of management and the Board of Directors, I want to thank you for your continued support and confidence in 2016.2019.

Sincerely,

JOSEPH P. KEITHLEYMICHAEL J. MERRIMAN, JR.

ChairmanChair of the Board of Directors

NORDSON CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NORDSON CORPORATION

NORDSON CORPORATION

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held Tuesday, March 1, 2016February 26, 2019

A Proxy Statement, Proxy/Voting Instruction Card, and Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015,2018, accompany this noticeNotice and are also available at:www.nordson.com/en/our-company/investors/annual-reports-and-presentations. The Board of Directors has determined that our shareholders of record at the close of business on January 4, 20162, 2019 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at,during, the Annual Meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

ROBERT E. VEILLETTEGINA A. BEREDO

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

and Secretary

January 29, 201618, 2019

Westlake, Ohio

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights information relating to the items to be voted on atduring the Annual Meeting and important business, compensation, and corporate governance matters. For additional information, please refer to the discussions contained in this Proxy Statement and in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 20152018 filed with the United States (U.S.) Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 201514, 2018 (the “2015“2018 Annual Report”).

Abstentions as to any matter are counted in determining the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. They are not included in the vote count for election of directors. However, abstentions will affect the outcome of the vote on Proposals 2 and 3, being equivalent to a vote “against” the Proposals.

We will also consider any other matters that may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting and any postponement(s) or
adjournment(s) thereof. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we have not received notice of other matters that may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting.

The following table provides summary information about our director nominees:

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

Fiscal year 2015 was a year of solid financial and operating results in an uncertain and low-growth global macroeconomic environment, one that was affected profoundly by a strong U.S. Dollar. The following table represents key financial measures for fiscal year 2015:

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

Fiscal year 2018 was a year of outstanding results in an uncertain andlow-growth global macroeconomic environment. The following highlights our performance for fiscal year 2018:

COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The tableinformation below presentsreflects highlights of our named executive officer compensation program for fiscal year 2015.2018. The table istables are not a substitutesubstitutes for, nor does itdo they reflect, all of the information provided in the Summary Compensation Table presented later in this Proxy Statement. During our 2018 Annual Meeting, approximately 97.70% of shareholder votes cast were in favor of the compensation paid to our named executive officers. We value this positive endorsement by our shareholders of our executive compensation policies.

Additional information about our compensation philosophy and program, including the compensation awarded to each of our named executive officers, canmay be found in the “Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis inAnalysis” section of this Proxy Statement.

The tables below present FY2016 – FY2018 reported results for the three primary drivers of incentive compensation for the named executive officers – Diluted Earnings per Share, Return on Total Capital, and Revenue:

Chief Executive Officer’s Total Target Direct Compensation

Diluted Earnings per Share* Return on Total Capital* Revenue (Billions)

CEO Compensation – 2018 Opportunity and Earned/Realized

GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

The following table summarizes the structure of our Board structureof Directors and key elements of our corporate governance framework:

DIRECTORS SERVING ON BOARDS OF OTHER PUBLIC COMPANIES

Board service by members of our Board of Directors is within the limits set by our Governance Guidelines:

“It is the Company’s policy that a Director who is not an executive officer of a public company may serve as a director on up to five other boards of public companies. For Directors who are also serving as an executive officer of a public company, the maximum number of public company boards on which the Director may serve is two in addition to serving as a director on the board of his or her company.”

NORDSON CORPORATION

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

MARCH 1, 2016FEBRUARY 26, 2019

The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Nordson Corporation for use at the 20162019 Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held at Squire Patton Boggs (US)the law offices of BakerHostetler LLP, 49002000 Key Tower, 127 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 at 8:00 a.m., eastern standard time,Eastern Time, on Tuesday, March 1, 2016February 26, 2019 for the following purposes:

This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy/voting instruction card were first mailed to shareholders on or about January 29, 2016.18, 2019. Our 20152018 Annual Report to Shareholders is enclosed with this Proxy Statement.

This Proxy Statement contains important information regarding our Annual Meeting, the proposals on which you are being asked to vote, information you may find useful in determining how to vote, and information about voting procedures. As used in this Proxy Statement, “we,” “us,” “our,” “Nordson” or the “Company” refers to Nordson Corporation.

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 20192022

The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying and evaluating nominees for director and for recommending to the Board a slate of nominees for election at the Annual Meeting. The Governance and Nominating Committee has recommended, and the Board has approved, the persons named as nominees for terms expiring in 20192022 and, unless otherwise marked, a duly executed and properly submitted proxy will be voted for such nominees. Nominees Lee C. Banks, Randolph W. Carson, and Victor L. Richey, Jr. currently serve as directors. All nominees have agreed to stand for election for a three-year term.

In considering each director nominee and the composition of the Board as a whole, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers a diverse group of experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills,including diversity in gender, ethnicity, and race, which the Governance and Nominating Committee believes enables a director nominee to make significant contributions to the Board, Nordson, and our shareholders. A non-exclusive list

The current-serving directors, including the nominees, collectively have a mix of various skills and qualifications, some of which are listed in the table below. These collective attributes enable the Board to provide insightful leadership as it strives to advance our strategies and deliver returns to shareholders.

See director biographies beginning on page 12 for further detail.

The average tenure of our independent directors is 10 years and the average age of our independent directors is 62 years. Twenty-five percent of our independent directors represent gender and racial diversity.

In determining whether to recommend a director forre-election, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers the director’s skills and expertise, participation in and contributions to the activities of the sought-after experiencesBoard, the results of the annual Board evaluation, and attributes can be found in the Director Recruitment and Performance Guidelines available at:www.nordson.com/en/our-company/corporate-governance.

Since 2009, Nordson has experienced a significant “refresh” of its independent directors, with five independent directors having six years or less of service with Nordson:

past meeting attendance.

We believe that the tenure spectrum of our Directorsdirectors provides an effective mix of deep knowledge and new perspectives. We are strongly opposed toThe Board does not believe in a one-size-fits-all modelspecific limit for the overall length of corporate governancetime an independent director may serve. Directors who have served on the Board for an extended period can provide valuable insight into the operations and believe that each board should consider its own circumstancesfuture of the Company based on their experience with, and that a reasonable approach is likely to ensure an appropriate balance between long-tenuredunderstanding of, the Company’s history, policies, and more recently added board members.objectives. Our Governance Guidelines provide that a director is expected to retire at the conclusion of the Board meeting immediately prior to a director’s 72nd birthday. We do not, however, have a policy limiting the tenure of a director. In our view, the best method to ensure healthy board evolution is through rigorous and thoughtful consideration of the nomination of current directors prior to each election based on a variety of factors, including director performance, skills and expertise, the Company’s needs, and board diversity, as well as length of board service, both on a board average and stand-alone basis.

With respect to Mr. Keithley and Ms. Puma, we see a strategic advantage in theirsenior-in-service status. Not only do they bring experience, deep institutional knowledge, and historical context to the vitality and growth of Nordson, they serve as seasoned advisors to Mr. Hilton, who has been Nordson’s Chief Executive Officer for six years.Hilton.

It is intended that proxies that are duly executed and properly submitted but do not withhold the authority to vote for any or all of the nominees will be voted for the election as directors of all of the nominees named below. At this time, the Board knows of no reason why any nominee might not be a candidate at the 20162019 Annual Meeting. However, in the event any one or more of such nominees becomes unavailable for election, proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holder.

The name and age (as of February 26, 2019) of each of the three nominees for election as directors for terms expiring in 2019,2022, as well as present directors whose terms will continue after the Annual Meeting, appear below, together with his or her principal occupation for at least the past five years, the year each became a director of the Company and certain other relevant information.

Nominees Forfor Terms Expiring in 20192022

Business Experience.    Mr. Banks was electedhas been president and chief operating officer of Parker HannifinParker-Hannifin Corporation in(NYSE: PH) since February 2015. Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH)Parker-Hannifin is the world’s leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets. Mr. Banks served as executive vice president and operating officer of Parker HannifinParker-Hannifin from 2008 to 2015 and senior vice president and operating officer of Parker HannifinParker-Hannifin from 2006 to 2008.

Other Directorships in Previous 5 Years.Current Directorships.    Mr. Banks is a director of Parker Hannifin.Parker-Hannifin.

Key Attributes, Experiences, and Skills.    As a senior executive and director of a multi-national corporation, Mr. Banks provides the Board with significant executive general management and operational experiences and a unique perspective in identifying governance, strategic, and tactical risks attendant to a multi-national sales, distribution, manufacturing, and operational footprint.

Business Experience.    From 2000 to February 2009, Mr. Carson served as chief executive officer of Eaton Corporation’s (NYSE: ETN) Electrical Group. Eaton (NYSE: ETN) is a global, diversified industrial manufacturer and technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution, and control. Mr. Carson retired from Eaton in May 2009 following ten years with the company. Prior to Eaton Corporation, Mr. Carson held several executive positions with Rockwell International.

Other Directorships in Previous 5 Years.Current Directorships. Mr. Carson is a director of Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCS), a leading global manufacturer of semiconductor devices, and the Southwire Company, LLC, the leading North American supplier of wire and cable products.

Key Attributes, Experiences, and Skills.    Mr. Carson served as chairmana director of Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. (formerly, Nasdaq: FCS), a leading global manufacturer of semiconductor devices, until September 2016, when ON Semiconductor Corporation (Nasdaq: ON) closed its acquisition of Fairchild. Mr. Carson served as chair of the board of GrafTech International, Ltd. (formerly, NYSE: GTI)(NYSE: EAF), a global manufacturer of carbon and graphite products, prior to GrafTech becoming an indirect wholly-owned affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM) (TSX: BAM.A) (Euronext: BAMA). Brookfield is a global alternative asset manager with over $200 billion in assets under management.

Key Attributes, Experiences and Skills.Our Board believes that Mr. Carson’s deep operational experience in global industrial businesses enables him to provide unique insight to our Board with respect to meeting marketplace challenges, implementing Lean and other productivity initiatives, integrating business units, and anticipating and planning for commercial risk and uncertainties. Together with his experience, strategic vision, and understanding of financial accounting and financial matters, our Board believes Mr. Carson is well qualified to serve as a member of our Board. Mr. Carson’s public company board experience contributes to his familiarity with current issues and his ability to identify and address matters that come before the Governance & Nominating and Audit Committees on which he serves.

Business Experience.    Mr. Richey has been chairmanchair of the board, president, and chief executive officer of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE) since 2003. ESCO Technologies manufactures highly engineeredhighly-engineered filtration and fluid control products for the aviation, space, and process markets worldwide andworldwide; is the industry leader in RF shielding and EMC products. It alsotest products; provides diagnostic instruments, software, and services andfor the premier library of statistically significant apparatus test results in supportbenefit of the electric utility industry and industrial power grid.users; and produces custom thermoformed packaging, pulp-based packaging, and specialty products for medical and commercial markets.

Other Directorships in Previous 5 Years.Current Directorships.    Mr. Richey is chairmanchair of the board of ESCO Technologies.

Key Attributes, Experiences, and Skills.    TheOur Board believes Mr. Richey provides a breadth of skills critical to the Board’s ability to discharge its oversight responsibility. Mr. Richey has extensive experience as chairman,chair, president, and chief executive officer of a diversified global producer and marketer of technology, and he has significant executive management and board experience at public and private companies within some of our end markets, including the semiconductor industry.

Present Directors Whosewith Terms ExpireExpiring in 20172020

Business Experience.    Mr. Keithley has served as chairman of the board of Nordson Corporation since February 2010. He served as chairmanchair of the board of Keithley Instruments, Inc., a provider of measurement solutions to the semiconductor, fiber optics, telecommunications, and electronics industries, from 1991 as well as a member of its board of directors from 1986 until December 2010 when Keithley Instruments was purchased by Danaher Corporation.Corporation (NYSE: DHR). He also served as Keithley Instruments’ chief executive officer from November 1993 to December 2010, and as president from May 1994 to December 2010, and as a member of its board of directors from 1986 until December 2010.

Other Directorships in Previous 5 Years.Current Directorships.    Mr. Keithley is a director of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq GS: ACLS), a provider of equipment and service solutions for the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Key Attributes, Experiences, and Skills.    Mr. Keithley previously served as chairmanchair of our Board, as chair of the board of Keithley Instruments. He isInstruments, and as a director of Materion Corporation (NYSE: MTRN), an integrated producer of high performance engineered materials used in a variety of electrical, electronic, thermal, and structural applications, and Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: ACLS), a provider of equipment and service solutions for the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Key Attributes, Experiences and Skills.applications. Mr. Keithley brings extensive, broad-based international business and executive management and leadership experience from his leadership roles at Keithley Instruments to his role as chairmana member of our board of directors.Board. Among other things, Mr. Keithley draws upon his extensive knowledge inof the global semiconductor and electronics industries garnered while leading Keithley Instruments. Mr. Keithley also has extensive public company board and governance experience.

Business Experience.    Mr. Merriman has beenserved as chair of our Board since February 2018. Mr. Merriman was an operating advisor of Resilience Capital Partners LLC sincefrom June 2008.2008 until June 2017, and currently serves on the board of one of Resilience’s portfolio companies. Resilience is a private equity firm focused on principal investing in lower middle market underperforming and turnaround opportunities. Mr. Merriman is also a business consultant for Product Launch Ventures, LLC, a company that he founded in 2004 to pursue consumer product opportunities and provide business advisory services. Mr. Merriman served as president and chief executive officer of Lamson & Sessions Co. (formerly, NYSE: LMS), a manufacturer of thermoplastic conduit, fittings and electrical switch and outlet boxes, from November 2006 to November 2007. Mr. Merriman served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of American Greetings Corporation (formerly, NYSE: AM), a designer, manufacturer and seller of greeting cards and other social expression products, from September 2005 until November 2006.

Other Directorships in Previous 5 Years.Current Directorships. Mr. Merriman is a director of Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC), a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative home and long-term care medical products that promote recovery and active lifestyles; Regis Corporation (NYSE: RGS), a company that owns, franchises, and operates beauty salons, hair restoration centers and cosmetology education;education facilities; and of OMNOVA Solutions Inc. (NYSE: OMN), a technology-based company and an innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, and decorative and functional surfaces for a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential end uses.

Key Attributes, Experiences, and Skills.     Mr. Merriman was a director of Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC), a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative home and long-term care medical products that promote recovery and active lifestyles, until May 2018, and a director of

American Greetings from 2006 through August 2013 when American Greetings became a private company. Mr. Merriman also served as a director of RC2 Corporation (formerly, Nasdaq: RCRC), a manufacturer ofpre-school toys and infant products, from 2004 until its sale in April 2011 for RC2 Corporation (formerly, NASDAQ: RCRC), a manufacturer of pre-school toys and infant products.2011.

Key Attributes, Experiences and Skills.Mr. Merriman’s prior experience as a public company chief executive officer and chief financial officer and his current service on the boards of directors of threetwo publicly traded companies, as well as his experience at Resilience, provides him with valuable experience and significant knowledge in the areas of executive management, strategy, corporate governance, acquisitions and divestitures, finance and financial reporting, product development expertise, and investor relations. Mr. Merriman has significant finance, financial reporting, and accounting expertise and was formerly a certified public accountant, which provides the Board with valuable expertise and qualifies him as a “financial expert” on the Audit Committee, as described under the “Audit Committee” caption in the Corporate Governance section of this Proxy Statement.financial expertise.

Business Experience.    Ms. Puma is president and chief executive officer of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ(Nasdaq GS: ACLS). Axcelis is a provider of equipment and service solutions for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Ms. Puma has served as chief executive officer of Axcelis since January 2002.

Other Directorships in Previous 5 Years.Current Directorships.    Ms. Puma serves asis a director of Axcelis Technologies.Axcelis. From May 2005 to May 2015, Ms. Puma was chairmanchair of the board of Axcelis.

Key Attributes, Experiences, and Skills.    Ms. Puma contributes extensive generalexecutive management experience in an international, technology-driven business and possesses a thorough knowledge of corporate governance and strategy development. Ms. Puma brings valuable experience in compensation and talent management planning matters to our Compensation and Governance & Nominating Committees, respectively.Committee.

Present Directors Whosewith Terms ExpireExpiring in 20182021

Business Experience.    Mr. George served as senior vice president and manager, Analog Engineering Operations of Texas Instruments Incorporated (NASDAQ GS: TXN) from 2011 until his retirement in March 2014. Texas Instruments (Nasdaq: TXN) is one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies and a highly innovative, high performing global leader in analog, embedded processing, and wireless technologies. Mr. George was senior vice president and worldwide general manager, High Performance Analog of Texas Instruments from 2006 to 2011.

Other Directorships in Previous 5 Years.Current Directorships.    Mr. George serves asis a director of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ(Nasdaq GS: ACLS), a provider of equipment and service solutions for the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Key Attributes, Experiences, and Skills.    Mr. George brings to the Board significant executive and general management experience as well as extensive operational and new product development experiences in high technology markets. Mr. George’s experience with high performance analog products used in a wide range of industrial products gives him insight on a diverse set of industries and affords the Board a unique perspective in identifying strategic and tactical risks attendant to the semiconductor electronics market.

Business Experience.    Mr. Hilton became Nordson’s Presidentpresident and Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer effective January 16, 2010. Prior to his joining Nordson, Mr. Hilton was senior vice president and general manager for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD) from 2007 until 2010, with specific responsibility for leading the company’s $2 billion global Electronics and Performance Materials segment. Air Products and Chemicals serves customers in industrial, energy, technology, and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services.

Other Directorships in Previous 5 Years.Current Directorships.    Mr. Hilton serves asis a director of Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a FORTUNE^® 500 provider of leading-edge transportation, logistics, and supply chain management solutions. He is also serves as a director of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:(Nasdaq: LECO). Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.

Key Attributes, Experiences, and Skills.    Mr. Hilton is the only member of Nordson’s management serving on the Nordsonour Board. With over 30 years of global manufacturing industry experience, Mr. Hilton brings to the Nordson Board an intimate understanding of management leadership, strategy development, andday-to-day operations of a multi-national company, including product line management, new product technology and talent development, manufacturing, distribution and other sales channels, business processes, international operations, and global markets.

Business Experience.    Mr. Jaehnert served as chief executive officer and president of Brady Corporation (NYSE: BRC) from April 1, 2003 through October 7, 2013. Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect premises, products, and people. Brady’s core capabilities in manufacturing, channel management, printing systems, precision engineering and materials expertise make it a leading supplier to customers in general manufacturing, maintenance and safety, process industries, construction, electrical, telecommunications, electronics, laboratory/healthcare, airline/transportation, brand protection, education, governmental, public utility, and a variety of other industries.

Other Directorships in Previous 5 Years.Current Directorships.    Mr. Jaehnert serves asis a director of Briggs & Stratton Corporation (NYSE: BGG), a world leader in gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment, portable generators, and lawn and garden powered equipment and related accessories. He is also serves as a director of Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:(Nasdaq: ITRI), a world-leading technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water and providing comprehensive solutions that measure, manage, and analyze energy and water.

Key Attributes, Experiences, and Skills.    Mr. Jaehnert served as a director of Brady Corporation from April 1, 2003 through October 7, 2013.

Key Attributes, Experiences and Skills. Mr. Jaehnert has been the chief executive officer and president of a global manufacturing business. He also served as chief financial officer of that business. His prior work experience includes various financial positions in Germany and in the United States for Robert Bosch GmbH, an international manufacturer of automotive, communications, industrial, and consumer products. Mr. Jaehnert received the equivalent of a master of business administration

degree from the University of Stuttgart, Germany, and has been designated as a “financial expert” on the Audit Committee, as described under the “Audit Committee” caption in“Committees of the Corporate GovernanceBoard of Directors” section of this Proxy Statement. Mr. Jaehnert’s experience as head of a diversified international business and his expertise in finance and operations enable him to make significant contributions to discussions regarding the Company’s strategy and the activities of the Audit Committee.

No shareholder or group that beneficially owns 1% or more of our outstanding common shares has recommended a candidate for election as a director at the 20162019 Annual Meeting.

Cumulative Voting

Voting for directors will be cumulative if any shareholder provides notice in writing to the President, aan Executive Vice President, or the Secretary of Nordson of a desire to have cumulative voting. The notice must be received at least 48 hours before the time set for the Annual Meeting, and an announcement of the notice must be made at the beginning of the meeting by the ChairmanChair or the Secretary, or by or on behalf of the shareholder giving the notice. If cumulative voting is in effect, each shareholder will be entitled to cast, in the election of directors, a number of votes equal to the product of the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of shares that the shareholder is voting. Shareholders may cast all of these votes for one nominee or distribute them among several

nominees, as they see fit. If cumulative voting is in effect, shares represented by each properly submitted proxy will also be voted on a cumulative basis, with the votes distributed among the nominees in accordance with the judgment of the persons named on the proxy/voting instruction card.

To date, we have not received a notice from any shareholder of his, her, or its intention to request cumulative voting.

Majority Voting Policy

The Director nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected (plurality standard). However, our majority voting policy states that any Director who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast in his/her favor is required to submit his/her resignation to the Board. The Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board would then consider each resignation and determine whether to accept or reject it. Abstentions and brokernon-votes will have no effect on the election of a Director and are not counted under our majority voting policy.

Required Vote

The election of directors requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares of common stock voting at the Annual Meeting. Under the plurality voting standard, the nominees receiving the most “for” votes will be elected, regardless of whether any nominee received a majority of the votes. Only shares that are voted in favor of a particular nominee will be counted toward such nominee’s achievingachievement of a plurality. Shares present at the meeting that are not voted for a particular nominee or shares present by proxy where the shareholder properly withheld authority to vote for such nominee (including brokernon-votes) will not be counted toward such nominee’s achievingachievement of a plurality, but will be counted for quorum purposes.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance Documents

The following corporate governance documents are available at:www.nordson.com/en/our-company/corporate-governance.

The Governance Guidelines contain general principles regarding the functions of Nordson’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and Board committees. The Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes the 20152018 Annual Report and this Proxy Statement, are available at:www.nordson.com/en/our-company/investors/annual-reports-and-presentations. Upon request, copies of the Annual Report to Shareholders will be mailed to you (at no charge) by contacting Nordson Corporation, Attn: Corporate Communications, 28601 Clemens Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145. The information in, or that can be accessed through, our internet site is not part of this proxy statement,Proxy Statement, and all references herein to our internet site are inactive textual referencesfor reference purposes only.

Director Independence

In accordance with the listing standards of The NASDAQNasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”Nasdaq”), and our Governance Guidelines, the Board must consist of a majority of independent directors. The Board has determined that Ms. Puma and Messrs. Banks, Carson, George, Jaehnert, Keithley, Merriman, and Richey each satisfy the definition of “independent director” under these listing standards. Mr. Hilton is not an independent director asbecause he serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer.

In determining independence, each year the Board affirmatively determines, among other things, whether directors have a “material relationship” with Nordson. When assessing the “materiality” of a director’s relationship with Nordson, the Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including a consideration of the persons or organizations with which the director has an affiliation. Where an affiliation is present, the Board considers the frequency or regularity of the provision of services, whether the services are being carried out at arm’s length in the ordinary course of business and whether the services are being provided substantially on the same terms to Nordson as those prevailing at the time from unrelated parties for comparable transactions. With respect to Audit Committee members, the Board must affirmatively determine that such directors, in addition to the general independence requirements described above, satisfy certain financial education requirements and do not, among other things, accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from Nordson.

As part of our commitment to ensuring director independence, we have a monitoring and reporting program with respect to purchases of products supplied by, or to, a company which may employ a director to ensure the avoidance of any conflicts of interest resulting from our relationship. Mr. Banks, a director, serves as president and chief operating officer of Parker HannifinParker-Hannifin Corporation. Mr. Jaehnert,Richey, a director, serves as a director of Briggs & Stratton Corporation.ESCO Technologies Inc. These two companies purchase components manufactured by a number of our business units in volumes that are insignificant when compared to the respective companies’ and Nordson’s annual revenue for fiscal year 2015.2018. The Board does not believe that these relationships impair the independence of Messrs. Banks or JaehnertRichey or that they have any material interest in any transaction between Nordson and Parker Hannifin and Briggs & Stratton Corporation,ESCO, respectively. For more information on our review standards for related party transactions, see “Review of Transactions with Related Persons” below.

Director Qualifications

Through its selection and vetting process, the Governance and Nominating Committee seeks not only to identify directors that meet basic criteria, but also to enhance the diversity of the Board in such areas

as professional experience, geography, race, gender, ethnicity, and age and to obtain a variety of occupational, educational, and personal backgrounds on the Board in order to obtainprovide a range of viewpoints and perspectives. As a whole, we believe that the Board should possess a combination of skills, professional experience, and diversity of backgrounds necessary to oversee the Company’s business. Diversity of background includes racial and gender diversity. Having directors with a wide range of perspectives allows the Company to better understand and serve our clients and to continue to adapt our business to a constantly changing world. Our focus on diversity has led to a diverse boardroom. Twenty-twoTwenty-five percent of our independent directors are women or racially diverse individuals.

The Governance and Nominating Committee also periodically evaluates the composition of the Board to assess the skills and experience that are currently represented on the Board, as well as the skills and experience that the Board will find valuable in the future, givenconsidering the Company’s current situation and strategic plans. We believe that this focus on finding qualified directors from diverse backgrounds has allowed the Company to assemble a Board comprised of directors of the highest caliber and with a wide range of viewpoints.

Consideration of Director Candidates Recommended by Shareholders

Under its charter, the Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewingvetting shareholder nominations forof directors. The Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to the consideration of director candidates recommended by shareholders. However, its practice is to consider those candidates on the same basis and in the same manner as it considers recommendations from other sources. For more information on how a shareholder can recommend a candidate, see the “Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting and These Proxy Materials” section of this proxy statement.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

We have a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”) that applies to all Nordson directors, officers, and employees, of Nordson Corporation and its subsidiaries, wherever located. Our Code contains the general guidelines and principles for conducting Nordson’s business consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. Our Code embodies our five guiding values, which form the foundation of our Company: Integrity, Excellence, Passion for Our Customers, Energy, and Respect for People. Our employees are expected to report all suspected violations of Company policies and the law, including incidents of harassment or discrimination. We will take appropriate steps to investigate all such reports and will take appropriate action. Under no circumstances will employees be subject to any disciplinary or retaliatory action for reporting, in good faith, a possible violation of our Code or applicable law or for cooperating in any investigation of a possible violation.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Governance Guidelines require us to have either an independent ChairmanChair of the Board or a presiding independent director if the ChairmanChair is not an independent director. The Governance Guidelines set forth the responsibilities of the ChairmanChair of the Board and the Presiding Director when the ChairmanChair of the Board is not an independent director. At present, the ChairmanChair of the Board position is separate from the Chief Executive Officer position. The Board’s role in risk oversight does not affect the Board’s leadership structure.

This structureWe believe that separating the Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer positions provides independent oversight of management while permitting our Chief Executive Officer, Michael Hilton, to focus his time and energy on setting the strategic direction for the Company, overseeing daily operations, engaging with external constituents, developing and mentoring our future leaders, and promoting employee engagement at all levels of the organization. Our independent ChairmanChair of the Board, of Directors, Joseph Keithley,Michael J. Merriman, Jr., leads the Board in the performance of its duties by establishing

agendas and ensuring appropriate meeting content (in collaboration with Mr. Hilton), presiding during regularly held executive sessions with our independent directors, actively engaging with all independent directors and Mr. Hilton between Board meetings, and providing overall guidance to Mr. Hilton as to the Board’s views and perspectives, particularly on the strategic direction of the Company.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

The Board held sixtwelve meetings during fiscal year 2015.2018. In addition, there were a total of 18eighteen meetings of our committees. Nordson’s policy is to require attendance and active participation by directors at Board and committee meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and the committees on which the director served during fiscal year 2015.2018. Directors are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting. All of Nordson’s directors attended the 20152018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on February 24, 2015.27, 2018.

Executive Sessions of Independent Directors

Pursuant to our Governance Guidelines, independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. The ChairmanChair of the Board of Directors (or, when our ChairmanChair is not an independent director, the Presiding Director) chairs all regularly scheduled executive sessions of the Board, and also has authority to convene meetings of the independent directors at any time with appropriate notice. Chairman Keithley presided at executive sessions of our independent directors at every Board meeting in 2015.

Oversight of Risk

The Board plays an active role, both as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of the Company’s risks. Management is responsible for the Company’sday-to-day risk management activities. The Company has established an enterprise risk framework for identifying, aggregating, and evaluating risk across the enterprise. The risk framework is integrated with the Company’s annual planning, audit scoping, and control evaluation management by its internal auditor.

The involvement of the Board in assessing our business strategy at least annually is a key part of its oversight of risk management, its assessment of management’s appetite for risk, and its determination of what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for Nordson Corporation.Nordson. The Board regularly receives updates from management and outside advisors regarding this oversight responsibility.

In addition, our Board committees each oversee certain aspects of risk management as presented below:

Senior management attends Board and Board committee meetings at the invitation of the Board or its committees and is available to address any questions or concerns raised by the Board on risk management and any other matters.

Both theThe Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the BoardCommittees rely also rely on the advice and counsel of our independent auditors and independent compensation consultant, respectively, to raise awareness of any risk issues that may arise during their regular reviews of our financial statements, audit work, and executive compensation policies and practices, as applicable.practices. The Board is kept abreast of its Committees’updated on each committee’s risk oversight and other activities via meeting reports of the Committee Chairpersonsfrom each committee chair to the full Board.

Review of Transactions with Related Persons

The Board has adopted a written policy regarding the review and approval of transactions involvingbetween the Company and its subsidiaries and certain persons that are required to be disclosed in proxy statements, which are commonly referred to as “related persons transactions.” Related persons include our directors, nominees for election as a director, persons controlling over 5% of our common shares, executive officers, and the immediate family members of each of these individuals. Under the written policy, Nordson’s Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing any related persons transactions and will consider factors it deems appropriate.appropriate, including but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. To the extent any member of the Audit Committee is involved in any transaction under review, such member recuses themselves.

We have a monitoring and reporting program with respect to transactions with products supplied by, or to, a company which may employ a director, to ensure the avoidance of any conflicts of interest resulting from our relationship. This program includes all such transactions collectively over $120,000 in one annual period. Under the program, we reviewed transactions with all companies which employ a director or have one of our directors serveserving as a member of on its board. The review determined that the any related persons transactions were neither material nor significant to either Nordson or the respective director’s company. All such transactions were conducted at arms-length. Information on the related persons transaction review is set forth under the caption “Director Independence” above.

The Board’s Role in Talent Development

A primary Board responsibility is to ensure that we have the appropriate management talent to successfully execute our strategies. Our Board believes that effective talent development is critical to Nordson’s continued success. Our Board’s involvement in leadership development and succession planning is systematic and ongoing. The Board plans for CEO succession and oversees management’s planning for succession of other key executive positions. Our Board calendar includes at least one meeting each year during which the Board conducts a detailed review of the Company’s talent strategies, leadership pipeline, and succession plans for key executive positions. The Compensation Committee oversees the process of succession planning and implements programs to retain and motivate key talent. To assist the Board, the CEO annually provides the Board with anin-depth assessment of senior managers and their potential to succeed to the position of CEO or other key executive positions.

Self-Assessments

On a regular basis, the Board conducts a self-assessment of the Board as a whole to determine, among other matters, whether the Board is functioning effectively. The independent directors also undertake a peer assessment of other independent directors as part of this self-assessment process. Each committee of the Board also conducts a self-assessment of the committee’s effectiveness. The Board considers this process to be the primary means of determining whether incumbent directors continue to demonstrate the attributes that should be reflected on the Board, or whether changes to membership are appropriate.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors has three standing committees – Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Governance and Nominating Committee – and an Executive Committee. Respective committee functions, memberships and number of meetings held during fiscal year 2018 are listed below. All members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Governance and Nominating Committee are independent under the independence standards of NASADQNasdaq and our Governance Guidelines. A more detailed discussion of the purposes, duties, and responsibilities of the committees is found in the Committees respective committee charters which are available at:www.nordson.com/en/our-company/corporate-governance.

The Board has designated Messrs.Mr. Jaehnert, and Merriman, who are eachis an independent directorsdirector under the NASDAQNasdaq listing standings and the SEC’s audit committee requirements, as an “audit committee financial experts”expert” pursuant to the SEC’s final rules implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Shareholders should understand that the designation of Messrs.Mr. Jaehnert and Merriman each as an “audit committee financial expert” is an SEC disclosure requirement and that it does not impose upon themhim any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than those imposed on themhim as members of the Audit Committee and the Board in the absence of such designation.

The Audit Committee has confirmed Ernst & Young’sYoung LLP’s independence from management and the Company, including compatibility ofnon-audit services with the auditors’ independence. The Audit Committee Report to the Board is at Appendix Apage 78 of this Proxy Statement.

Director Compensation

Objectives of Director Compensation

Qualitynon-employee directors are critical to our success. We believe that the two primary duties ofnon-employee directors are (1) to effectively represent the long-term interests of our shareholders and (2) to provide guidance to management. As such, our compensation program fornon-employee directors is designed to meet several key objectives:

Elements of Director Compensation

We believe that the following components of our director compensation program support the objectives above:

Determining Director Compensation.    The Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board provides oversight on director compensation. The Committee oversees, reviews, and reports to the Board on director compensation. The Committee annually reviews competitive market data fornon-employee director compensation and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors with the assistance offor its approval. The Committee is assisted in performing its duties by Exequity LLP (“Exequity”), the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant.

Exequity’s review for fiscal year 2018 consisted of an analysis of competitive market data from a selected peer group of companies. The peer group is consistent with the peer group Exequity used for the executive compensation consultant, reviews the compensation of our non-employee directors. Reviews arereview conducted annually and prior to the commencement of the upcomingduring fiscal year. In benchmarking director compensation, we use the same compensation peer group that is used to benchmark compensation for our named executive officers as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement under the caption “Peer Group and Compensation Surveys.”year 2018.

The components and respective amounts ofnon-employee director compensation for fiscal year 20152018 were:

In August 2015, the Governance and Nominating Committee conducted its annual review of outside director compensation. Based on benchmarking data and the analysis provided by the executive compensation consultant, no changes were made to director compensation for fiscal year 2016.

Annual Cash Retainer.    The cash retainers are paid in equal quarterly installments. For directors who are elected byjoin the Board or shareholders after the commencement of a fiscal year, the annual retainer is prorated based on the number of months remaining in the fiscal year. Due to Committee membership changes during fiscal year 2018, the director cash retainers for Messrs. Jaehnert, Keithley, and Merriman were prorated.

Annual Equity Award.    Restricted share unitsunit awards are awardedgranted annually on or aboutand are effective the first business day of the fiscal year. The awards vest 100% on the last day of the fiscal year. If a director retires from the Board prior to the vesting date, restricted share units are forfeited on apro-rata basis, based on the number of months served prior to retirement. If a director is elected by the Board or shareholders after the commencement of a fiscal year, the restricted share unit award is prorated based on the number of months remaining in the fiscal year. If restricted share units are not deferred, then the units and accrued dividend equivalents convert to Nordson common shares on aone-for-one basis on the vesting date.

Deferred Compensation Program.    Under the directors deferred compensation plan,non-employee directors may defer all or a portion of their annual cash retainer into anon-qualified, unfunded deferred compensation account in the form of deferred cash or share equivalent units. Amounts deferred (i) as cash will earn a return equivalent to the return on an investment in an interest-bearing account, earning interest based on the10-year Treasury bill constant maturity interest rate, or (ii) as share equivalent units will earn a return based on our common share price and accruingaccrued dividend equivalents. We do not pay above market or preferential interest rates under this deferred compensation plan.

Directors may also elect to defer the receipt of restricted share units prior to the awardgrant date. If receipt is deferred, the restricted share units and accrued dividend equivalents will convert to share equivalent units on aone-for-one basis on the vesting date and are not subject to forfeiture.

After retirement from our Board, the share equivalent units and any cash retainers that were deferred as share equivalent units are paid out in our common shares in predetermined quarterly installments over a four yearfour-year period. Any retainer feescash retainers that were deferred as cash, and accrued interest thereon, will be paid out in cash in predetermined quarterly installments over a four yearfour-year period.

Share Ownership Guidelines.    The Board believes that ournon-employee directors should have a meaningful ownership interest in the Company and has implemented share ownership guidelines for ournon-employee directors. The ownership guidelines requirenon-employee directors to own a minimum of five times their annual cash retainer in common shares. Shares held in the form of share equivalent units or restricted share units qualify as shares owned under the guidelines. Newly elected directors have five years within which to achieve the share ownership requirement. Allnon-employee directors currently meet the guidelines currently.guideline.

Charitable Gifts Matching Program.    Current and retirednon-employee directors may participate in our employeecharitable matching gift program that is available to all current and retired employees. Directors Banks, George, Jaehnert, Keithley, Merriman Jr., Puma, and Richey, Jr. participated in this program in fiscal year 2015. We2018. During fiscal year 2018, we made matching contributions totaling $59,250 for our directors who served in fiscal year 2015.$49,500 under this program.

Indemnity Agreements.    We have indemnification agreements for directors in order to attract and retain highly qualified candidates to serve as our directors. The indemnification agreements are intended to secure the protection for our directors contemplated by our Regulations and to the full extent permitted by Ohio law.

Director Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 20152018

The following table sets forth the total compensation of eachnon-employee director for services provided as a director for fiscal year 2015.2018. Due to Committee membership changes the director fees for Messrs. Jaehnert, Keithley, and Merriman were prorated.

PROPOSAL 2: RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Year Ending October 31, 20162019

Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015.2018. The Audit Committee has appointed EYErnst & Young LLP to serve as our auditors for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2016.2019. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate shareholder questions. Although shareholder ratification of the appointment of EYthe independent auditors is not required by law, the Audit Committee and the Board believesof Directors believe that submittingshareholders should be given the appointmentopportunity to ourexpress their views on the subject. While not binding on the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors, the failure of the shareholders for ratification is a matter of good corporate governance. If our shareholders do notto ratify the appointment of EY,Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors would be considered by the Board of Directors in determining whether or not to continue the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP. Ultimately, the Audit Committee retains full discretion and will reconsidermake all determinations with respect to the appointment of independent auditors, whether or not our shareholders ratify the appointment.

As provided in the Audit Committee’s charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for directly appointing, retaining, terminating, and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm. Our Audit Committee continuously evaluates the independence and effectiveness of EYErnst & Young LLP and its personnel, and the cost and quality of its audit and audit-related services.

Pre-Approval of Audit andNon-Audit Services

At the start of each fiscal year, our Audit Committeepre-approves the audit services and audit-related services, if any, together with specific details regarding such services anticipated being required for such fiscal year including, as available, estimated fees. The Audit Committee reviews the services provided to date and actual fees against the estimates and such fee amounts may be updated for presentation at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Audit Committee. Additionalpre-approval is required before actual fees for any service can exceed the originallypre-approved amount. The Audit Committee may also revise the list ofpre-approved services and related fees from time to time. All of the services described below under the captions “Audit Fees” and “Audit-Related Fees” with respect to fiscal years 20142017 and 20152018 were approved in accordance with this policy.

If we seek to engage our independent registered public accounting firm for other services that are not considered subject to general approval as described above, then the Audit Committee must approve such specific engagement as well as the estimated fees. Such engagement will be presented to the Audit Committee for approval at its next regularly scheduled meeting. If the timing of the project requires an expedited decision, then we may ask the chairpersonchair of the Audit Committee to approve such engagement. Any such approval by the chairpersonchair is then reported to the full Audit Committee for ratification at the next Audit Committee meeting. In any event, approval of any engagement by the Audit Committee or the chairpersonchair of the Audit Committee is required before our independent registered public accounting firm may commence any engagement. Additional approval is required before any fees can exceed approved fees for any such specifically-approved services.

Fees Paid to Ernst & Young

The following table shows the fees we paid or accrued for audit and other services provided by EYErnst & Young LLP for the fiscal years ended October 31, 20152018 and October 31, 2014:2017:

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF NORDSON COMMON SHARES BY DIRECTORS, DIRECTOR

NOMINEES, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND LARGE BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table sets forth the number and percentage of issued and outstanding Nordson common shares beneficially owned as of January 4, 20162, 2019 by directors, and director nominees, each named executive officer, and all directors and executive officers as a group. There were 56,984,39857,609,588 shares of common stock outstanding as of January 4, 2016.2, 2019. The business address for matters related to Nordson for each of our directors, director nominees, and executive officers is 28601 Clemens Road, Westlake, Ohio, 44145.

This beneficial ownership information is based on information furnished by the directors, director nominees, and named executive officers. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule13d-3 under the Exchange Act for purposes of this Proxy Statement and is not necessarily to be construed as beneficial ownership for other purposes.

Five Percent Beneficial Owners

The following table lists each person we know to be an owner of more than 5% of our common shares as of January 4, 2016.2, 2019.