Nordson (NDSN) 10-Q 6 Mar 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	NDSN
Entity Registrant Name	NORDSON CORP
Entity Central Index Key	72331
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	61,584,432

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$379,008	$359,420
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	170,287	164,638
Selling and administrative expenses	145,903	140,923
Total operating costs and expenses	316,190	305,561
Operating profit	62,818	53,859
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	-4,089	-3,575
Interest and investment income	86	112
Other - net	-102	-209
Total other income (expense)	-4,105	-3,672
Income before income taxes	58,713	50,187
Income taxes	15,828	15,307
Net income	$42,885	$34,880
Average common shares	62,008	64,221
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and deferred stock-based compensation	528	639
Average common shares and common share equivalents	62,536	64,860
Basic earnings per share	$0.69	$0.54
Diluted earnings per share	$0.69	$0.54
Dividends declared per share	$0.22	$0.18

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$42,885	$34,880
Components of other comprehensive income (loss):
Translation adjustments	-30,867	-5,610
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses, net of tax	2,164	1,813
Total other comprehensive (loss)	-28,703	-3,797
Total comprehensive income	$14,182	$31,083

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$40,926	$42,314
Receivables - net	348,316	365,844
Inventories - net	212,610	210,871
Deferred income taxes	29,436	29,926
Prepaid expenses	26,358	23,728
Total current assets	657,646	672,683
Property, plant and equipment - net	229,669	224,439
Goodwill	1,040,045	1,052,537
Intangible assets - net	277,849	291,310
Deferred income taxes	5,304	6,559
Other assets	31,188	32,602
Total assets	2,241,701	2,280,130
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	163,427	106,181
Accounts payable	60,170	68,500
Income taxes payable	17,184	16,586
Accrued liabilities	100,059	137,001
Customer advanced payments	30,490	25,578
Current maturities of long-term debt	10,743	10,751
Deferred income taxes	1,317	1,163
Current obligations under capital leases	4,790	5,108
Total current liabilities	388,180	370,868
Long-term debt	699,132	682,868
Deferred income taxes	86,789	87,092
Pension obligations	119,305	124,082
Postretirement obligations	68,911	68,300
Other long-term liabilities	41,483	42,123
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares	12,253	12,253
Capital in excess of stated value	332,707	328,605
Retained earnings	1,590,215	1,560,966
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-131,902	-103,199
Common shares in treasury, at cost	-965,372	-893,828
Total shareholders' equity	837,901	904,797
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$2,241,701	$2,280,130

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$42,885	$34,880
Depreciation and amortization	15,984	14,488
Non-cash stock compensation	4,482	5,542
Deferred income taxes	1,131	-230
Other non-cash expense	706	168
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	546	192
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	-319	-1,088
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	-39,503	-6,265
Net cash provided by operating activities	25,912	47,687
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-16,821	-7,891
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	275	13
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-371
Net cash used in investing activities	-16,917	-7,878
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	57,464	5,258
Repayment of short-term borrowings		-963
Proceeds from long-term debt	76,347	5,000
Repayment of long-term debt	-53,844	-28,890
Repayment of capital lease obligations	-1,575	-1,543
Issuance of common shares	832	2,224
Purchase of treasury shares	-73,075	-4,564
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	319	1,088
Dividends paid	-13,635	-11,561
Net cash used in financing activities	-7,167	-33,951
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-3,216	-1,375
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-1,388	4,483
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	42,314	42,375
End of quarter	$40,926	$46,858

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	1	Significant accounting policies
	Basis of presentation.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three months ended January 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2014.
	Basis of consolidation.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries.  Investments in affiliates and joint ventures in which our ownership is 50% or less or in which we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.  Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
	Revenue recognition.  Most of our revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.
	A relative selling price hierarchy exists for determining the selling price of deliverables in multiple deliverable arrangements.  Vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) is used, if available.  Third-party evidence (TPE) is used if VSOE is not available, and best estimated selling price is used if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.  Our multiple deliverable arrangements include installation, installation supervision, training, and spare parts, which tend to be completed in a short period of time, at an insignificant cost, and utilizing skills not unique to us, and, therefore, are typically regarded as inconsequential or perfunctory.  Revenue for undelivered items is deferred and included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet.  Revenues deferred in 2015 and 2014 were not material.
	Earnings per share.  Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year, while diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding.  Common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options computed using the treasury stock method, as well as restricted shares and deferred stock-based compensation.  Options whose exercise price is higher than the average market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.  315 options were excluded from the 2015 calculation of diluted earnings per share and no options were excluded from the 2014 calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	2	Recently issued accounting standards
	In July 2013, the FASB issued an ASU which requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carry forward that would apply in settlement of uncertain tax positions. Under the new standard, unrecognized tax benefits will be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carry forwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carry forwards that are created by the unrecognized tax benefits. The new guidance is effective prospectively to all existing unrecognized tax benefits, but entities can choose to apply it retrospectively. We adopted this standard on November 1, 2014 and the adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard regarding revenue recognition.  Under this standard, a company recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard implements a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition that focuses on transfer of control.  It will be effective for us beginning in 2018, with early adoption not permitted.  Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements as well as the method by which we will adopt the new standard.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	3	Inventories
	At January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, inventories consisted of the following:
			31-Jan-15			31-Oct-14
	Raw materials and component parts		$	85,998		$	86,573
	Work-in-process			30,591			27,994
	Finished goods			130,430			130,544
				247,019			245,111
	Obsolescence and other reserves			(26,824	)		(26,744	)
	LIFO reserve			(7,585	)		(7,496	)
			$	212,610		$	210,871

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	4	Goodwill and other intangible assets
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended January 31, 2015 by operating segment are as follows:
			Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems			Industrial Coating Systems		Total
	Balance at October 31, 2014		$	397,046		$	631,433		$	24,058	$	1,052,537
	Adjustment						371					371
	Currency effect			(11,779	)		(1,084	)		—		(12,863	)
	Balance at January 31, 2015		$	385,267		$	630,720		$	24,058	$	1,040,045
	Accumulated impairment losses, which were recorded in 2009, were $232,789 at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014.  Of these losses, $229,173 related to the Advanced Technology Systems segment, and $3,616 related to the Industrial Coating Systems segment.
	Information regarding our intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:
			31-Jan-15
			Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	Customer relationships		$	194,222		$	44,596		$	149,626
	Patent/technology costs			91,351			27,821			63,530
	Trade name			77,363			13,245			64,118
	Non-compete agreements			8,005			7,525			480
	Other			1,368			1,273			95
	Total		$	372,309		$	94,460		$	277,849
			31-Oct-14
			Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	Customer relationships		$	200,028		$	41,910		$	158,118
	Patent/technology costs			93,799			27,030			66,769
	Trade name			77,846			12,173			65,673
	Non-compete agreements			8,220			7,600			620
	Other			1,369			1,239			130
	Total		$	381,262		$	89,952		$	291,310
	Amortization expense for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $6,891 and $6,330, respectively.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	5	Pension and other postretirement plans
	The components of net periodic pension cost for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2014 were:
			U.S.						International
			2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost		$	2,400		$	2,162		$	741		$	697
	Interest cost			3,682			3,415			672			792
	Expected return on plan assets			(4,580	)		(4,161	)		(417	)		(431	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit )			30			59			(24	)		(19	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			2,253			2,186			824			387
	Settlement loss			—			—			1,275			—
	Total benefit cost		$	3,785		$	3,661		$	3,071		$	1,426
	The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2014 were:
			U.S.						International
			2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost		$	275		$	253		$	8		$	7
	Interest cost			753			729			9			9
	Amortization of prior service credit			(110	)		(112	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			297			298			—			(3	)
	Total benefit cost		$	1,215		$	1,168		$	17		$	13

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	6	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.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended January 31, 2015 was 27.0%, compared to 30.5% for the three months ended January 31, 2014.
	On December 19, 2014, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was enacted which retroactively reinstated the Federal Research and Development Tax Credit (Federal R&D Tax Credit) from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 and extended certain other tax provisions. As a result, our income tax provision for the three months ended January 31, 2015 included a discrete tax benefit of $1,786 primarily related to 2014.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	7	Accumulated other comprehensive loss
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, including adjustments for items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income, are shown below.
			Cumulative			Pension and			Accumulated
			translation			postretirement benefit			other comprehensive
			adjustments			plan adjustments			loss
	Balance at October 31, 2014		$	2,727		$	(105,926	)	$	(103,199	)
	Pension and postretirement plan changes,			—			2,164			2,164
	net of tax of $(1,106)
	Current period charge			(30,867	)		—			(30,867	)
	Balance at January 31, 2015		$	(28,140	)	$	(103,762	)	$	(131,902	)

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	8	Stock-based compensation
	During the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders approved the 2012 Stock Incentive and Award Plan (the “2012 Plan”). The 2012 Plan provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, performance shares, stock purchase rights, stock equivalent units, cash awards and other stock or performance-based incentives. A maximum of 2,900 common shares is available for grant under the Plan.
	Stock Options
	Nonqualified or incentive stock options may be granted to our employees and directors.  Generally, options granted to employees may be exercised beginning one year from the date of grant at a rate not exceeding 25 percent per year and expire 10 years from the date of grant.  Vesting accelerates upon the occurrence of events that involve or may result in a change of control.  For grants made prior to November 2012, vesting ceases upon retirement, death and disability, and unvested shares are forfeited.  For grants made in or after November 2012, in the event of termination of employment due to early retirement or normal retirement at age 65, options granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and vesting continues post retirement for all other unvested options granted.  In the event of disability or death, all unvested stock options fully vest.  Termination for any other reason results in forfeiture of unvested options and vested options in certain circumstances.  The amortized cost of options is accelerated if the retirement eligibility date occurs before the normal vesting date.  Option exercises are satisfied through the issuance of treasury shares on a first-in, first-out basis.  We recognized compensation expense related to stock options of $2,468 and $3,666 in the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the three months ended January 31, 2015:
			Number of			Weighted-Average		Aggregate		Weighted
			Options			Exercise Price Per		Intrinsic Value		Average
						Share				Remaining
										Term
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014			1,686		$	42.77
	Granted			315		$	79.66
	Exercised			(25	)	$	33.53
	Forfeited or expired			(3	)	$	44.67
	Outstanding at January 31, 2015			1,973		$	48.78	$	49,665	6.5 years
	Vested or expected to vest at January 31,			1,946		$	48.39	$	49,623	6.4 years
	2015
	Exercisable at January 31, 2015			1,224		$	35.96	$	45,181	5.0 years
	As of January 31, 2015, there was $11,775 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options.  That cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.5 years.
	The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
	Three months ended		31-Jan-15			31-Jan-14
	Expected volatility		31.6%-39.5%			44.2%-44.7%
	Expected dividend yield			1.10%			1.03%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.70%-1.85%			1.51%-1.79%
	Expected life of the option (in years)		5.4-6.1			5.4-6.1
	The weighted-average expected volatility used to value the 2015 and 2014 options was 34.3%, and 44.5%, respectively.
	Historical information was the primary basis for the selection of the expected volatility, expected dividend yield and the expected lives of the options.  The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon yields of U.S. Treasury issues with a term equal to the expected life of the option being valued.
	The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $24.63 and $27.94, respectively.
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1,097 and $3,654, respectively.
	Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $832 and $2,224, respectively.  The tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $319 and $1,088, respectively.
	Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units
	We may grant restricted shares and/or restricted share units to our employees and directors.  These shares or units may not be transferred for a designated period of time (generally one to three years) defined at the date of grant.
	For employee recipients, in the event of termination of employment due to early retirement, restricted shares granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and other restricted shares vest on a pro-rata basis.  In the event of termination of employment due to retirement at normal retirement age, restricted shares granted within 12 months prior to termination are forfeited, and, for other restricted shares, the restriction period will terminate and the shares will vest and be transferable. Restrictions lapse in the event of a recipient’s disability or death.  Termination for any other reason prior to the lapse of any restrictions results in forfeiture of the shares.
	For non-employee directors, all restrictions lapse in the event of disability or death of the non-employee director.  Termination of service as a director for any other reason within one year of date of grant results in a pro-rata vesting of shares or units.
	As shares or units are issued, deferred stock-based compensation equivalent to the fair market value on the date of grant is expensed over the vesting period.  Tax benefits arising from the lapse of restrictions are recognized when realized and credited to capital in excess of stated value.
	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted shares during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
			Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
						Grant Date Fair
						Value
	Restricted shares at October 31, 2014			71		$	63.53
	Granted			20		$	79.66
	Forfeited			(2	)	$	66.86
	Vested			(34	)	$	57.12
	Restricted shares at January 31, 2015			55		$	73.1
	As of January 31, 2015, there was $3,184 of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted shares.  The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.  The amount charged to expense related to restricted shares during the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $472.  These amounts included common share dividends for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 of $13 each year.
	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted share units during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
			Number of Units			Weighted-Average
						Grant Date Fair
						Value
	Restricted share units at October 31, 2014			5		$	61.59
	Granted			13		$	76.19
	Vested			(5	)	$	61.59
	Restricted share units at January 31, 2015			13		$	76.19
	As of January 31, 2015, there was $720 of remaining expense to be recognized related to outstanding restricted share units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.8 years.  The amount charged to expense related to restricted share units during the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $243 and $222, respectively.
	Deferred Directors’ Compensation
	Non-employee directors may defer all or part of their cash and equity-based compensation until retirement.  Cash compensation may be deferred as cash or as share equivalent units.  Deferred cash amounts are recorded as liabilities, and share equivalent units are recorded as equity.  Additional share equivalent units are earned when common share dividends are declared.
	The following table summarizes activity related to director deferred compensation share equivalent units during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
			Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
						Grant Date Fair
						Value
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014			110		$	29.74
	Restricted share units vested			5		$	61.59
	Dividend equivalents			1		$	74.71
	Distributions			(9	)	$	21.22
	Outstanding at January 31, 2015			107		$	32.17
The amount charged to expense related to director deferred compensation for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $25 and $27, respectively.
Performance Share Incentive Awards
Executive officers and selected other key employees are eligible to receive common share-based incentive awards. Payouts, in the form of  unrestricted common shares, vary based on the degree to which corporate financial performance exceeds predetermined threshold, target and maximum performance levels over three-year performance periods.  No payout will occur unless certain threshold performance objectives are exceeded.
The amount of compensation expense is based upon current performance projections for each three-year period and the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered.  The calculations are also based upon the grant date fair value determined using the closing market price of our common shares at the grant date, reduced by the implied value of dividends not to be paid.  This value was $76.48 per share for 2015, $69.25 per share for 2014 and $59.59 per share for 2013.  During the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, $1,248 and $1,142, respectively, was charged to expense. The cumulative amount recorded in shareholders’ equity at January 31, 2015 was $5,351.
Deferred Compensation
Our executive officers and other highly compensated employees may elect to defer up to 100% of their base pay and cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90% of their performance share-based incentive payout each year.  Additional share units are credited for quarterly dividends paid on our common shares.  Expense related to dividends paid under this plan for the three months ended January 31, 2015 January 31, 2014 was $39 and $26, respectively.

Warranties

Warranties	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Warranties	9	Warranties
	We offer warranties to our customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement.  A typical warranty program requires that we repair or replace defective products within a specified time period (generally one year) from the date of delivery or first use.  We record an estimate for future warranty-related costs based on actual historical return rates.  Based on analysis of return rates and other factors, the adequacy of our warranty provisions are adjusted as necessary.  The liability for warranty costs is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014:
			31-Jan-15			31-Jan-14
	Beginning balance		$	9,918		$	9,409
	Accruals for warranties			2,996			1,624
	Warranty payments			(2,661	)		(1,578	)
	Currency effect			(588	)		(20	)
	Ending balance		$	9,665		$	9,435

Operating_Segments

Operating Segments	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments	10	Operating segments
	We conduct business across three primary business segments:  Adhesive Dispensing Systems, Advanced Technology Systems, and Industrial Coating Systems.  The composition of segments and measure of segment profitability is consistent with that used by our chief operating decision maker.  The primary measure used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing performance is operating profit, which equals sales less cost of sales and certain operating expenses.  Items below the operating profit line of the Consolidated Statement of Income (interest and investment income, interest expense and other income/expense) are excluded from the measure of segment profitability reviewed by our chief operating decision maker and are not presented by operating segment.  The accounting policies of the segments are generally the same as those described in Note 1, Significant Accounting Policies, of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2014.
	The following table presents information about our reportable segments:
			Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems			Industrial Coating Systems		Corporate			Total
	Three months ended
	31-Jan-15
	Net external sales		$	194,213		$	132,218		$	52,577	$	—		$	379,008
	Operating profit (loss)			43,327			26,818			3,764		(11,091	)		62,818
	Three months ended
	31-Jan-14
	Net external sales		$	209,471		$	97,541		$	52,408	$	—		$	359,420
	Operating profit (loss)			47,920			10,378			4,956		(9,395	)		53,859
	A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
			Three months ended
			31-Jan-15			31-Jan-14
	Total profit for reportable segments		$	62,818		$	53,859
	Interest expense			(4,089	)		(3,575	)
	Interest and investment income			86			112
	Other-net			(102	)		(209	)
	Income before income taxes		$	58,713		$	50,187
	We have significant sales in the following geographic regions:
			Three months ended
			31-Jan-15			31-Jan-14
	United States		$	122,824		$	115,506
	Americas			28,268			27,265
	Europe			108,566			116,475
	Japan			21,533			26,245
	Asia Pacific			97,817			73,929
	Total net external sales		$	379,008		$	359,420

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	11	Fair value measurements
	The inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value are classified into the following categories:
	Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	The following table presents the classification of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at January 31, 2015:
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts (a)			15,794		—		15,794		—
	Total assets at fair value		$	15,794	$	—	$	15,794	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plans (b)		$	9,655	$	9,655	$	—	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts (a)			13,896		—		13,896		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	23,551	$	9,655	$	13,896	$	—
	(a)	We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the risk of foreign currency exposures resulting from receivables, payables, intercompany receivables, intercompany payables and loans denominated in foreign currencies.  Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using market exchange rates.  Foreign currency forward contracts are not designated as hedges.
	(b)	Executive officers and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100 percent of their salary and annual cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90 percent of their long-term incentive compensation, into various non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Deferrals can be allocated to various market performance measurement funds.  Changes in the value of compensation deferred under these plans are recognized each period based on the fair value of the underlying measurement funds.

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	12	Financial instruments
	We operate internationally and enter into intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies.  Consequently, we are subject to market risk arising from exchange rate movements between the dates foreign currencies are recorded and the dates they are settled.  We regularly use foreign currency forward contracts to reduce our risks related to most of these transactions.  These contracts usually have maturities of 90 days or less and generally require us to exchange foreign currencies for U.S. dollars at maturity, at rates stated in the contracts.  These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	Gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in “Other – net” on the Consolidated Statement of Income together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position.  For the three months ended January 31, 2015, we recognized gains of $388 on foreign currency forward contracts and losses of $395 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions.  For the three months ended January 31, 2014, we recognized losses of $3,429 on foreign currency forward contracts and gains of $3,512 from the change in fair value of balance sheet positions.
	The following table summarizes, by currency, the foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at January 31, 2015:
			Sell				Buy
			Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value
	Euro		$	347,239	$	320,834	$	338,406	$	316,997
	British pound			118,975		118,006		100,545		99,102
	Japanese yen			20,376		20,332		5,615		5,621
	Australian dollar			484		466		8,336		7,523
	Hong Kong dollar			—		—		61,211		61,219
	Singapore dollar			558		554		10,554		10,146
	Others			6,653		6,433		28,551		26,849
	Total		$	494,285	$	466,625	$	553,218	$	527,457
	The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at January 31, 2015, other than receivables and accounts payable, are shown in the table below.  The carrying values of receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
			Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	40,926	$	40,926
	Notes payable			163,427		163,427
	Long-term debt, including current maturities			709,875		718,418
	Foreign currency forward contracts (net)			1,899		1,899
	We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of financial instruments:
	·	Cash, cash equivalents and notes payable are valued at their carrying amounts due to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments.
	·	Long-term debt is valued by discounting future cash flows at currently available rates for borrowing arrangements with similar terms and conditions, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.
	·	Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using observable market based inputs, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	13	Contingencies
	We are involved in pending or potential litigation regarding environmental, product liability, patent, contract, employee and other matters arising from the normal course of business.  Including the environmental matter discussed below, it is our opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that resolutions of these matters are not expected to result in a material effect on our financial condition, quarterly or annual operating results or cash flows.
	We have voluntarily agreed with the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin and other Potentially Responsible Parties to share costs associated with the remediation of the City of New Richmond municipal landfill (the “Site”) and the construction of a potable water delivery system serving the impacted area down gradient of the Site.  At January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 our accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the Site was $615. The liability for environmental remediation represents management’s best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable undiscounted costs related to known remediation obligations.  The accuracy of our estimate of environmental liability is affected by several uncertainties such as additional requirements that may be identified in connection with remedial activities, the complexity and evolution of environmental laws and regulations, and the identification of presently unknown remediation requirements. Consequently, our liability could be greater than our current estimate.  However, we do not expect that the costs associated with remediation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events	14	Subsequent Events
	On February 20, 2015, we entered into a $600,000 unsecured multicurrency credit facility with a group of banks.  This facility has a five-year term and includes a $50,000 subfacility for swing-line loans.  It may be increased from $600,000 to $850,000 under certain conditions.  The new facility contains customary events of default and covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and the maintenance of certain financial ratios.  It replaced our existing revolving loan agreement that was scheduled to expire in December 2016.  Balances outstanding under the prior facility were transferred to the new facility.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of presentation.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three months ended January 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2014.
Basis of Consolidation	Basis of consolidation.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nordson Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries.  Investments in affiliates and joint ventures in which our ownership is 50% or less or in which we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.  Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue recognition.  Most of our revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.
	A relative selling price hierarchy exists for determining the selling price of deliverables in multiple deliverable arrangements.  Vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) is used, if available.  Third-party evidence (TPE) is used if VSOE is not available, and best estimated selling price is used if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.  Our multiple deliverable arrangements include installation, installation supervision, training, and spare parts, which tend to be completed in a short period of time, at an insignificant cost, and utilizing skills not unique to us, and, therefore, are typically regarded as inconsequential or perfunctory.  Revenue for undelivered items is deferred and included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet.  Revenues deferred in 2015 and 2014 were not material.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings per share.  Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year, while diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding.  Common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options computed using the treasury stock method, as well as restricted shares and deferred stock-based compensation.  Options whose exercise price is higher than the average market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.  315 options were excluded from the 2015 calculation of diluted earnings per share and no options were excluded from the 2014 calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories	At January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, inventories consisted of the following:
		31-Jan-15			31-Oct-14
	Raw materials and component parts	$	85,998		$	86,573
	Work-in-process		30,591			27,994
	Finished goods		130,430			130,544
			247,019			245,111
	Obsolescence and other reserves		(26,824	)		(26,744	)
	LIFO reserve		(7,585	)		(7,496	)
		$	212,610		$	210,871

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended January 31, 2015 by operating segment are as follows:
		Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems			Industrial Coating Systems		Total
	Balance at October 31, 2014	$	397,046		$	631,433		$	24,058	$	1,052,537
	Adjustment					371					371
	Currency effect		(11,779	)		(1,084	)		—		(12,863	)
	Balance at January 31, 2015	$	385,267		$	630,720		$	24,058	$	1,040,045
Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	Information regarding our intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:
		31-Jan-15
		Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	Customer relationships	$	194,222		$	44,596		$	149,626
	Patent/technology costs		91,351			27,821			63,530
	Trade name		77,363			13,245			64,118
	Non-compete agreements		8,005			7,525			480
	Other		1,368			1,273			95
	Total	$	372,309		$	94,460		$	277,849
		31-Oct-14
		Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	Customer relationships	$	200,028		$	41,910		$	158,118
	Patent/technology costs		93,799			27,030			66,769
	Trade name		77,846			12,173			65,673
	Non-compete agreements		8,220			7,600			620
	Other		1,369			1,239			130
	Total	$	381,262		$	89,952		$	291,310

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Pension Cost [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost	The components of net periodic pension cost for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2014 were:
		U.S.						International
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	2,400		$	2,162		$	741		$	697
	Interest cost		3,682			3,415			672			792
	Expected return on plan assets		(4,580	)		(4,161	)		(417	)		(431	)
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit )		30			59			(24	)		(19	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		2,253			2,186			824			387
	Settlement loss		—			—			1,275			—
	Total benefit cost	$	3,785		$	3,661		$	3,071		$	1,426
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost	The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2014 were:
		U.S.						International
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	275		$	253		$	8		$	7
	Interest cost		753			729			9			9
	Amortization of prior service credit		(110	)		(112	)		—			—
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		297			298			—			(3	)
	Total benefit cost	$	1,215		$	1,168		$	17		$	13

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, including adjustments for items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income, are shown below.
		Cumulative			Pension and			Accumulated
		translation			postretirement benefit			other comprehensive
		adjustments			plan adjustments			loss
	Balance at October 31, 2014	$	2,727		$	(105,926	)	$	(103,199	)
	Pension and postretirement plan changes,		—			2,164			2,164
	net of tax of $(1,106)
	Current period charge		(30,867	)		—			(30,867	)
	Balance at January 31, 2015	$	(28,140	)	$	(103,762	)	$	(131,902	)

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Summarized Activity Related to Stock Options	The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Aggregate		Weighted
		Options			Exercise Price Per		Intrinsic Value		Average
					Share				Remaining
									Term
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014		1,686		$	42.77
	Granted		315		$	79.66
	Exercised		(25	)	$	33.53
	Forfeited or expired		(3	)	$	44.67
	Outstanding at January 31, 2015		1,973		$	48.78	$	49,665	6.5 years
	Vested or expected to vest at January 31,		1,946		$	48.39	$	49,623	6.4 years
	2015
	Exercisable at January 31, 2015		1,224		$	35.96	$	45,181	5.0 years
Fair Value Assumptions of Stock Options	The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
	Three months ended	31-Jan-15			31-Jan-14
	Expected volatility	31.6%-39.5%			44.2%-44.7%
	Expected dividend yield		1.10%			1.03%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.70%-1.85%			1.51%-1.79%
	Expected life of the option (in years)	5.4-6.1			5.4-6.1
Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted shares during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted shares at October 31, 2014		71		$	63.53
	Granted		20		$	79.66
	Forfeited		(2	)	$	66.86
	Vested		(34	)	$	57.12
	Restricted shares at January 31, 2015		55		$	73.1
Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units	The following table summarizes activity related to restricted share units during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Number of Units			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted share units at October 31, 2014		5		$	61.59
	Granted		13		$	76.19
	Vested		(5	)	$	61.59
	Restricted share units at January 31, 2015		13		$	76.19
Summarized Activity Related to Director Deferred Compensation Shares	The following table summarizes activity related to director deferred compensation share equivalent units during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014		110		$	29.74
	Restricted share units vested		5		$	61.59
	Dividend equivalents		1		$	74.71
	Distributions		(9	)	$	21.22
	Outstanding at January 31, 2015		107		$	32.17

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Product Warranty Liability	Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014:
		31-Jan-15			31-Jan-14
	Beginning balance	$	9,918		$	9,409
	Accruals for warranties		2,996			1,624
	Warranty payments		(2,661	)		(1,578	)
	Currency effect		(588	)		(20	)
	Ending balance	$	9,665		$	9,435

Operating_Segments_Tables

Operating Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segments	The following table presents information about our reportable segments:
		Adhesive Dispensing Systems			Advanced Technology Systems			Industrial Coating Systems		Corporate			Total
	Three months ended
	31-Jan-15
	Net external sales	$	194,213		$	132,218		$	52,577	$	—		$	379,008
	Operating profit (loss)		43,327			26,818			3,764		(11,091	)		62,818
	Three months ended
	31-Jan-14
	Net external sales	$	209,471		$	97,541		$	52,408	$	—		$	359,420
	Operating profit (loss)		47,920			10,378			4,956		(9,395	)		53,859
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes	A reconciliation of total segment operating income to total consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
		Three months ended
		31-Jan-15			31-Jan-14
	Total profit for reportable segments	$	62,818		$	53,859
	Interest expense		(4,089	)		(3,575	)
	Interest and investment income		86			112
	Other-net		(102	)		(209	)
	Income before income taxes	$	58,713		$	50,187
Sales and Long-lived Asset Information by Geographic Regions	We have significant sales in the following geographic regions:
		Three months ended
		31-Jan-15			31-Jan-14
	United States	$	122,824		$	115,506
	Americas		28,268			27,265
	Europe		108,566			116,475
	Japan		21,533			26,245
	Asia Pacific		97,817			73,929
	Total net external sales	$	379,008		$	359,420

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table presents the classification of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at January 31, 2015:
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts (a)			15,794		—		15,794		—
	Total assets at fair value		$	15,794	$	—	$	15,794	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plans (b)		$	9,655	$	9,655	$	—	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts (a)			13,896		—		13,896		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	23,551	$	9,655	$	13,896	$	—
	(a)	We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the risk of foreign currency exposures resulting from receivables, payables, intercompany receivables, intercompany payables and loans denominated in foreign currencies.  Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using market exchange rates.  Foreign currency forward contracts are not designated as hedges.
	(b)	Executive officers and other highly compensated employees may defer up to 100 percent of their salary and annual cash incentive compensation and for executive officers, up to 90 percent of their long-term incentive compensation, into various non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Deferrals can be allocated to various market performance measurement funds.  Changes in the value of compensation deferred under these plans are recognized each period based on the fair value of the underlying measurement funds.

Financial_instruments_Tables

Financial instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]
Outstanding Currency, Forward Exchange Contracts	The following table summarizes, by currency, the foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at January 31, 2015:
		Sell				Buy
		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value		Notional Amounts		Fair Market Value
	Euro	$	347,239	$	320,834	$	338,406	$	316,997
	British pound		118,975		118,006		100,545		99,102
	Japanese yen		20,376		20,332		5,615		5,621
	Australian dollar		484		466		8,336		7,523
	Hong Kong dollar		—		—		61,211		61,219
	Singapore dollar		558		554		10,554		10,146
	Others		6,653		6,433		28,551		26,849
	Total	$	494,285	$	466,625	$	553,218	$	527,457
Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments, Other than Receivables and Accounts Payable	The carrying values of receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	40,926	$	40,926
	Notes payable		163,427		163,427
	Long-term debt, including current maturities		709,875		718,418
	Foreign currency forward contracts (net)		1,899		1,899

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Stock Options [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Options for common shares excluded from computation of diluted earning per share	315,000	0
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in affiliates and joint ventures	50.00%

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and component parts	$85,998	$86,573
Work-in-process	30,591	27,994
Finished goods	130,430	130,544
Inventories - gross	247,019	245,111
Obsolescence and other reserves	-26,824	-26,744
LIFO reserve	-7,585	-7,496
Inventories - net	$212,610	$210,871

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2014	$1,052,537
Adjustment	371
Currency effect	-12,863
Balance at January 31, 2015	1,040,045
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2014	397,046
Currency effect	-11,779
Balance at January 31, 2015	385,267
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2014	631,433
Adjustment	371
Currency effect	-1,084
Balance at January 31, 2015	630,720
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at October 31, 2014	24,058
Currency effect	0
Balance at January 31, 2015	$24,058

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$232,789		$232,789
Intangible assets, amortization expense	6,891	6,330
Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	229,173		229,173
Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss	$3,616		$3,616

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$372,309	$381,262
Accumulated Amortization	94,460	89,952
Net Book Value	277,849	291,310
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	194,222	200,028
Accumulated Amortization	44,596	41,910
Net Book Value	149,626	158,118
Patent/Technology Costs [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	91,351	93,799
Accumulated Amortization	27,821	27,030
Net Book Value	63,530	66,769
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	77,363	77,846
Accumulated Amortization	13,245	12,173
Net Book Value	64,118	65,673
Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	8,005	8,220
Accumulated Amortization	7,525	7,600
Net Book Value	480	620
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	1,368	1,369
Accumulated Amortization	1,273	1,239
Net Book Value	$95	$130

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Pension Plan, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$2,400	$2,162
Interest cost	3,682	3,415
Expected return on plan assets	-4,580	-4,161
Amortization of prior service cost (credit )	30	59
Amortization of net actuarial loss	2,253	2,186
Total benefit cost	3,785	3,661
Pension Plan, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	741	697
Interest cost	672	792
Expected return on plan assets	-417	-431
Amortization of prior service cost (credit )	-24	-19
Amortization of net actuarial loss	824	387
Settlement loss	1,275
Total benefit cost	$3,071	$1,426

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme3

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Postretirement Benefit Plans, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$275	$253
Interest cost	753	729
Amortization of prior service credit	-110	-112
Amortization of net actuarial loss	297	298
Total benefit cost	1,215	1,168
Postretirement Benefit Plans, International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	8	7
Interest cost	9	9
Amortization of net actuarial loss		-3
Total benefit cost	$17	$13

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rates	27.00%	30.50%
Additional tax benefit relating to retroactive reinstatement of research and development credit	$1,786

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning balance	($103,199)
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses	2,164	1,813
Current period charge	-30,867	-5,610
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending balance	-131,902
Cumulative Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning balance	2,727
Current period charge	-30,867
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending balance	-28,140
Pension And Postretirement Benefit Plan Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning balance	-105,926
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial losses	2,164
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending balance	($103,762)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Pension and postretirement plan changes, tax	($1,106)

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of common shares available for grant	2,900
Percentage of base pay and annual incentive compensation deferred	100.00%
Percentage of long term incentive compensation plan deferred	90.00%
Directors [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense related to director deferred compensation	$25	$27
Stock Options [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum rate of stock option, description	Not exceeding 25 percent per year
Option expiring period	10 years
Compensation expense recognized	2,468	3,666
Options exercisable beginning period	1 year
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	11,775
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares	1 year 6 months
Weighted-average expected volatility used	34.30%	44.50%
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted	$24.63	$27.94
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	1,097	3,654
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	832	2,224
Tax benefit realized from tax deductions from exercises of stock options	319	1,088
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum rate of stock option	25.00%
Stock Options [Member] | Post November 2012 Option Plan [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Normal retirement age	65 years
Period for options considered to be forfeited for retirees	12 months
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	3,184
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares	2 years 2 months 12 days
Period for restricted shares and share units considered to be forfeited for retirees	12 months
Period for pro-rata vesting of shares or units for non-employee directors	1 year
Expense related to nonvested common shares	472	472
Common share dividends amount included in compensation cost	13	13
Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period expected to be amortized, non vested shares	9 months 18 days
Expense related to nonvested common shares	243	222
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares	720
Performance Share Incentive Awards [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant date fair value	$76.48	$69.25	$59.59
Compensation expense charged	1,248	1,142
Cumulative amount recorded in shareholders' equity related to Long-Term Incentive Plan	5,351
Periods of performance considered for calculating compensation expense	3 years
Deferred Compensation [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common share dividends amount included in compensation cost	$39	$26
Percentage of base pay and annual incentive compensation deferred	100.00%
Percentage of long term incentive compensation plan deferred	90.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Stock Options (Detail) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Stock Options [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options, Outstanding, Beginning balance	1,686
Number of Options, Granted	315
Number of Options, Exercised	-25
Number of Options, Forfeited or expired	-3
Number of Options, Outstanding, Ending balance	1,973
Number of Options, Vested or expected to vest	1,946
Number of Options, Exercisable	1,224
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Beginning balance	$42.77
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	$79.66
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$33.53
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited or expired	$44.67
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Ending balance	$48.78
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Vested or expected to vest	$48.39
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$35.96
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$49,665
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested or expected to vest	49,623
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$45,181
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Outstanding	6 years 6 months
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Vested or expected to vest	6 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Remaining Term, Exercisable	5 years

StockBased_Compensation_Fair_V

Stock-Based Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions of Stock Options (Detail) (Stock Options [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility, Minimum	31.60%	44.20%
Expected volatility, Maximum	39.50%	44.70%
Expected dividend yield	1.10%	1.03%
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	1.70%	1.51%
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	1.85%	1.79%
Minimum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life of the option (in years)	5 years 4 months 24 days	5 years 4 months 24 days
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life of the option (in years)	6 years 1 month 6 days	6 years 1 month 6 days

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	71
Number of Restricted Shares, Granted	20
Number of Restricted Shares, Forfeited	-2
Number of Restricted Shares, Vested	-34
Number of Restricted Shares, Ending balance	55
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	$63.53
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$79.66
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$66.86
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$57.12
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Ending balance	$73.10

StockBased_Compensation_Summar2

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (Restricted Stock Unit [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	5
Number of Restricted Share Units, Granted	13
Number of Restricted Share Units, Vested	-5
Number of Restricted Shares, Ending balance	13
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Beginning balance	$61.59
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$76.19
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$61.59
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Restricted Shares, Ending balance	$76.19

StockBased_Compensation_Summar3

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Activity Related to Director Deferred Compensation Shares (Detail) (Directors [Member], Deferred Compensation Share Equivalent Units [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Directors [Member] | Deferred Compensation Share Equivalent Units [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Share Based Payments [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning balance	110
Number of Shares, Restricted share units vested	5
Number of Shares, Dividend equivalents	1
Number of Shares, Distributions	-9
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance	107
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Beginning balance	$29.74
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Restricted share units vested	$61.59
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Dividend equivalents	$74.71
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Distributions	$21.22
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, Ending balance	$32.17

Warranties_Additional_Informat

Warranties - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Standard product warranty period	One year

Warranties_Reconciliation_of_P

Warranties - Reconciliation of Product Warranty Liability (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$9,918	$9,409
Accruals for warranties	2,996	1,624
Warranty payments	-2,661	-1,578
Currency effect	-588	-20
Ending balance	$9,665	$9,435

Operating_Segments_Additional_

Operating Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	3

Operating_Segments_Reportable_

Operating Segments - Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	$379,008	$359,420
Operating profit (loss)	62,818	53,859
Operating Segments [Member] | Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	194,213	209,471
Operating profit (loss)	43,327	47,920
Operating Segments [Member] | Advanced Technology Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	132,218	97,541
Operating profit (loss)	26,818	10,378
Operating Segments [Member] | Industrial Coating Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	52,577	52,408
Operating profit (loss)	3,764	4,956
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	($11,091)	($9,395)

Operating_Segments_Reconciliat

Operating Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Total profit for reportable segments	$62,818	$53,859
Interest expense	-4,089	-3,575
Interest and investment income	86	112
Other - net	-102	-209
Income before income taxes	$58,713	$50,187

Operating_Segments_Sales_Infor

Operating Segments - Sales Information by Geographic Regions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Net external sales
Net external sales	$379,008	$359,420
United States [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	122,824	115,506
Americas [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	28,268	27,265
Europe [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	108,566	116,475
Japan [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	21,533	26,245
Asia Pacific [Member]
Net external sales
Net external sales	$97,817	$73,929

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts	$15,794
Total assets at fair value	15,794
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	9,655
Foreign currency forward contracts	13,896
Total liabilities at fair value	23,551
Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans	9,655
Total liabilities at fair value	9,655
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts	15,794
Total assets at fair value	15,794
Liabilities:
Foreign currency forward contracts	13,896
Total liabilities at fair value	$13,896

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu1

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Executive officers and other highly compensated employees salary and annual cash incentive compensation deferrals percentage, maximum	100.00%
Executive officers share-based long-term incentive compensation deferrals percentage, maximum	90.00%

Financial_Instruments_Addition

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Offsetting [Abstract]
Maturity of foreign currency forward contracts	90 days
Gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts	$388	($3,429)
Gains (losses) in fair value of balance sheet positions denominated in foreign currencies	$395	$3,512

Financial_Instruments_Outstand

Financial Instruments - Outstanding Currency, Forward Exchange Contracts (Detail) (Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member], USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	$494,285
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	466,625
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	553,218
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	527,457
Euro [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	347,239
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	320,834
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	338,406
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	316,997
British Pound [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	118,975
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	118,006
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	100,545
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	99,102
Japanese Yen [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	20,376
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	20,332
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	5,615
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	5,621
Australian Dollar [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	484
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	466
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	8,336
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	7,523
Hong Kong Dollar [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	61,211
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	61,219
Singapore Dollar [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	558
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	554
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	10,554
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	10,146
Others [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	6,653
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative sale contracts	6,433
Notional Amounts of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	28,551
Fair Market Value of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts	$26,849

Financial_Instruments_Carrying

Financial Instruments - Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments, Other than Receivables and Accounts Payable (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Carrying Amounts And Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	$40,926	$42,314	$46,858	$42,375
Notes payable, Carrying Amount	163,427	106,181
Long-term debt, including current maturities, Carrying Amount	709,875
Foreign currency forward contracts (net), Carrying Amount	1,899
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	40,926
Notes payable, Fair Value	163,427
Long-term debt, including current maturities, Fair Value	718,418
Foreign currency forward contracts (net), Fair Value	$1,899

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
Accrual for the ongoing operation, maintenance and monitoring obligation at the site	$615	$615

Subsequent_events_Additional_I

Subsequent events - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 20, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Unsecured multicurrency credit facility with a group of banks	$600,000
Line of credit Facility, borrowing capacity under certain conditions	850,000
Facility term	5 years
Line of credit facility expiration month and year	2016-12
Swing Line Loans [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Unsecured multicurrency credit facility with a group of banks	$50,000