Nordson facility named finalist in Best Plant competition

Nordson Corporation’s Swainsboro, Georgia manufacturing facility was named a finalist in Industry Week magazine’s 2007 Best Plants competition. The Nordson plant was recognized as one of the top 21 in the US.

The Nordson Swainsboro facility produces ProBlue adhesive melters, dispensing guns, modules and nozzles. The plant will also add new ProBlue Fulfill integrated fill systems and Classic XIV melters to its portfolio in 2008. These systems are used in the packaging of consumer products and in a wide variety of general industrial assembly applications. 

Established in 1990, the annual competition salutes plants that are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness enhance customer satisfaction and create stimulating and rewarding work environments. The competition encourages manufacturing managers and work teams to emulate the honorees by adopting world-class practices, technologies and improvement strategies.

Entrants are judged on criteria including: proactive environmental and safety practices; operational improvements; agile production systems; supplier partnerships; customer focus; employee empowerment; quality systems; management practices; and manufacturing capability.

‘We entered the competition with the goal of learning and benchmarking ourselves against world-class manufacturers,’ said Jim DeVries, vice president, operations Nordson Adhesive Systems Group. ‘Even though we’re pleased to be a finalist, it’s really all about learning.  For example, as a result of participating in the competition, we’ve redefined the way we measure quality.  We now see a direct connection between what customers are thinking about our quality and what comes out of the Swainsboro facility.’

Industry Week selected Nordson from over 200 entries in 2007.  The top 21 are recognized as finalists. Ten winners are then selected and featured in Industry Week issues throughout the year.  ‘Our level of performance is significant especially with the addition new product lines like our Classic IX melters, right-angle nozzles and large ProBlue melters to Swainsboro during 2007,’ said DeVries. When asked about winning a spot in the top 10 in 2008, DeVries responded, ‘Definitely, I think we have a good shot. Our team is passionate about it after coming so close.’