EXHIBIT 32.1

               CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
      AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Nordson Corporation (the "Company") on
Form 10-K for the year ended November 2, 2003 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Edward P. Campbell,
Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that:

     (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         the Company.

                                          /s/ EDWARD P. CAMPBELL
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Edward P. Campbell
                                          Chief Executive Officer and Director

January 21, 2004

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