Nordson EDI strengthens European position

This strengthening of Nordson EDI Europe’s capabilities centers on a state-of-the-art facility in Temse, Belgium that, until recently, was operated by die builder Verbruggen.

Nordson Corporation acquired Verbruggen in 2011, and in 2012, purchased EDI – now trading as Nordson Extrusion Dies Industries, LLC.

Since then the Verbruggen business has become part of the Nordson EDI brand, with the official change of name to Nordson EDI Europe taking place in May this year.

Shortly before being acquired by Nordson, Verbruggen made a multi-million dollar investment in advanced equipment at the Temse facility. These were additions to a plant that was already extensively equipped with sophisticated production systems. The staff at Temse also includes skilled technicians and an engineering team equipped with manifold flow simulation software and other design capabilities.

While there is some overlap between the Nordson EDI product range and dies originally developed by Verbruggen, both ranges offer die designs with unique capabilities.

Andrei Stapinoiu, managing director of Nordson EDI Europe, said: ‘The advanced equipment and experienced staff at Temse enable Nordson EDI Europe to build a full range of dies for the European market, including product series originally developed by Verbruggen in Europe and by Nordson EDI in the US.

‘For customers that order die systems based on US designs, local manufacturing enables them to avoid the shipping costs, duties and lead times associated with sourcing dies from North America.’

In addition to building new dies at the Temse facility, the company now commissions all European remanufacturing projects there. This will benefit rework customers, according to Luc Verstraeten, head of customer service and aftermarket support, who said: ‘The extensive capabilities at Temse enable customers to have dies refurbished or even upgraded at a local service center, saving time and money.

‘Reworking dies typically requires stripping and re-applying chrome plating. Our ability to do this on-site enhances quality control and reduces customers’ downtime while their dies are being refurbished.’

Nordson EDI Europe will make its debut at K 2013 , and will show an expanded product and service portfolio to European customers, including dies of both US and European design and increased technical, spare parts and rework services.

Scott G. Smith, director of global operations at Nordson EDI, said: ‘Ultimately we expect to offer customers a broader selection of die systems than has been available from either Nordson EDI or Verbruggen.

‘As for die rework, our Temse facility is equipped with the largest and most sophisticated remanufacturing capability thus far available in Europe.’