RPM II ’s Innovation to Value

A key RPM II growth strategy is "Innovation to Value." An excellent example of this strategy is Kop-Coat’s new Tru-Core environmentally responsible wood protection technology.

The Tru-Core patent-pending process for protecting wood products delivers preservation ingredients to the center core of lumber products without the expensive traditional use of pressure treatments. The Tru-Core technology is a break-through process, which infuses a wide variety of wood protection chemistries completely to the center of dimensional construction lumber and engineered wood products. Because Tru-Core adds only slightly to wood’s moisture contents, the costly drying procedures required for most other treatments are avoided. The Tru-Core process is also able to fully penetrate many types of species and wood products previously considered untreatable by conventional pressure treatment methods. This opens the door for many wood products manufacturers to now add the value of high durability to their own wood building products. Our environmentally friendly platforms coincide with our customers’ evolving needs for enhanced wood performance and energy savings.

The Tru-Core innovation was pioneered in New Zealand and quickly won 30 percent of that country’s framing market. Tru-Core treated products are being introduced in the USA in late 2007.

The attainment of greater economy and high performance with the unique proprietary Tru-Core wood protection system exemplifies how RPM II is generating profitable growth through an "Innovation to Value" strategy.

Chuck Pauli, Pittsburgh, PA

StonCor Chronicles Profitable Year

In response to your piece on RPM’s growth for 2007, I want to point out the notable contributions of StonCor.

StonCor Europe completed a $6 million Stonhard flooring installation at the Intel facility in Israel, a mammoth undertaking and the largest single flooring contract to date for our company.

Carboline expanded its market share, successfully integrating A/D Fire Protection Systems, along with the acquisition of Nu-Chem fireproofing assets, to significantly improve Carboline’s worldwide fireproofing strategy. Also contributing to the ’07 gain is the creation of a new national Marine/Offshore business.

Finally, Stonhard and Fibergrate’s smooth transition in presidential leadership demonstrates how we effectively balance management and growth.

StonCor chronicled another year of record results. I can proudly say that performance, profitability and stability have all put StonCor on a solid course for the future.

Dave Reif, Maple Shade, NJ

Tremco Sales Exceed $1 Billion

The Tremco Group of companies achieved a milestone year in FY07. We surpassed a billion dollars in revenue for the first time! Since the acquisition of Tremco by RPM in 1997, our family of products and services has grown at a compounded annual rate of 27 percent. Approximately half of this growth has been organic, with the other half from acquisitions. Our construction materials are sold throughout the world on prestigious projects from the Louvre, the Sydney Opera House and the Hong Kong airport to One Liberty Place and the WW II Memorial in the U.S. Tremco employs 3,600 people worldwide.

Jeff Korach, Beachwood, OH

DAP Innovation Continues

In response to your article on RPM International’s growth for FY2007, I wanted to add that the DAP Group was a significant contributor to those efforts.

In 2007, our automotive company, Bondo, finished another terrific year of productive growth, domestically and internationally, highlighted by the opening of its production facility in Dubai. In addition to that, Bondo launched a number of new products to all markets.

Our DAP business continued its tradition of innovation, with first-to-market new products, technology and packaging. New to market was its Stik line of adhesives that offers innovative solutions and unique applicator packages. DAP’s 3.0 Kitchen and Bath Kwik Dry Technology, which allows contractors and consumers to caulk and shower in three hours, is one example of its "first-to-market" technology. Numerous other products for both consumers and contractors were launched in the repair, sealant and adhesive areas. Lastly, DAP has taken the lead in "Building Green Living Green" with an exclusive space on its web site dedicated to promotion and education regarding these concepts.

I am pleased to report that in 2008, the DAP Group will again have a year of innovation and continued profitability.

John McLaughlin, Baltimore, MD

Rust-Oleum Group is On the Grow

Fiscal year 2007 was a year of record results for the Rust-Oleum group of companies. In a year where we overcame challenges in raw material pricing, a housing slow down and inventory swings at major accounts, we accomplished some milestone achievements.

We more than doubled the size of our international business with the acquisitions of The Watco Group and Tor Coatings Limited, and also achieved record sales in other international markets such as Russia and China. In Canada, we reorganized our leadership team, introduced 277 new SKUs and gained national distribution of our Stoneffects brand with support of a first-ever TV campaign for this product line.

In the United States, our broad product line offerings achieved record growth. We supported our brands with the highest amount of TV advertising in the history of our company. We were also recognized as one of the top 100 (#13) best companies to work for in Illinois, which is the location of our international headquarters. We are thankful for the hard work and dedication of our associates and appreciative of our customers’ support.

Tom Reed, Vernon Hills, IL