The award recognizes Nordson employees who have been instrumental in making new and patented products commercially successful. Raterman received the award for his patents on the company's Saturn dispensing nozzle.

The nozzle is used with dispensing guns to apply hot melt adhesives in packaging and product assembly ap-plications. Color-coded rings on the nozzle enable users to select correct replacement nozzles without having to measure the orifice, engagement or angle.

"The development of the Saturn nozzle was an elegantly simple innovation that resulted in a commercially significant product for Nordson," says Edward P. Campbell, president and CEO of Nordson. "John had the vision to transform an otherwise commodity product into a proprietary one."

As vice president of sales for Nordson's North American division, Raterman manages the company's packaging and assembly sales and service organization. He holds 25 patents with the company.