Nordson Corp. Purchases APS

Nordson Corp. announced today that it has completed the purchase of Advanced Plasma Systems, Inc. (APS), a privately held company headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL.

APS manufactures and markets systems that use gas plasma technology to modify surfaces and clean components during manufacturing processes, resulting in increased bonding strength and product durability. The company's primary markets are the medical, electronics and printed circuit board industries. Within these industries, gas plasma has a growing and increasingly broad array of applications such as improving lubricity, increasing bond strength, etching materials and creating blind-via holes.

Non-hazardous gas plasma technology is clean and environmentally friendly, often eliminating the need for vapor degreasing, solvent wiping, ultrasonic cleaning or grit blasting.

``The addition of APS fits well with our strategy of acquiring technology- based companies with records of above-average growth,'' said Edward P. Campbell, Nordson president and CEO. ``Their leadership in gas plasma systems greatly increases Nordson's capabilities in the treatment of substrates before and during the material application process. This is particularly critical as new manufacturing techniques demand that smaller surfaces need to be prepared prior to bonding or finishing,'' he added.

Founded in 1981, APS has annual sales of $13 million and employs 35 people. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Nordson Corp. designs manufactures and markets systems that apply adhesives, sealants and coatings to consumer and industrial products during manufacturing operations.