2012 Pillar Award Finalist: Michael F. Hilton, president and CEO, Nordson Corp.

Michael F. Hilton, President and CEO, Nordson Corp.

The founders of Nordson Corp. believed that being a good corporate citizen in business means sharing your success with the communities where you operate. Sixty years later, the company — which delivers precision technology solutions for customers worldwide — continues to further this philosophy through its legacy of giving back.
Since its inception, Nordson’s has committed 5 percent of its pretax domestic profit to charitable causes through its Nordson Corp. Foundation. In spite of some difficult economic times, the company increased its level of giving through the Foundation to the highest it’s ever been. In 2011, the company paid out an impressive $9.1 million to the Foundation.
Under the leadership of President and CEO Michael F. Hilton, Nordson puts a major focus on education in its community outreach, both through monetary gifts and volunteer efforts. Through its employee Time ’N Talent volunteer program, Nordson organizes volunteer projects for numerous schools, colleges and not-for-profits such as College Now, Breakthrough Schools and others. The company also donated a manufacturing facility to Boys and Girls Club of Lorain County to use as their first independent facility.
Volunteer efforts also extend to a wide range of programs. Every year, Nordon’s employees donate more than 5,000 hours to community projects, many of which are ongoing programs. At the monthly “Nordson Night” at the Second Harvest Foodbank, for example, employees from different divisions of the company take turns helping to sort and pack food for those in need.
Nordson works hard to encourage employee efforts by matching gifts of up to $10,000 per employee out of its corporate budget. In 2011, it matched more than $400,000 in gifts. Last year, Nordson also started a “Dollars for Doers” program, allowing qualifying employees volunteers to submit their not-for-profit for a $250 corporate donation.
 
How to reach: Nordson Corp., (440) 892-1580 or www.nordson.com