Acquisitions

Acquisitions are a key element of RPM’s overall growth strategy. The company actively pursues acquisitions of free-standing entrepreneurial companies and product lines that complement its portfolio of specialty coatings and sealants businesses. Over the last 30 years, RPM has completed more than 170 acquisitions, with over 70 of these transactions being completed during the last decade.

RPM creates shareholder value by attracting successful entrepreneurial companies and applying a disciplined approach to investing in their continued growth.

Recent Acquisitions

RPM announced on September 11, 2018, that it acquired Nudura Corporation, the leading manufacturer and distributor of insulated concrete forms (ICF) in North America. Based in Ontario, Canada, Nudura has annual net sales in excess of $40 million. Nudura will operate within the RPM Specialty Products Group as a stand-alone operating unit of RPM’s Dryvit business. Dryvit is the leading manufacturer of exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) in North America and the innovator of NewBrick, a lightweight, energy efficient brick product. Nudura’s product line will complement and expand Dryvit’s existing product offering, allowing for enhanced cross-selling opportunities. At the same time, Nudura’s manufacturing footprint will be leveraged for efficiencies in the manufacturing of Dryvit’s NewBrick product, as well as products of other companies within RPM’s Specialty Products Group.

On August 1, 2018, RPM announced that its Rust-Oleum group acquired the Mean Green branded line of specialty cleaning products and the exclusive North American licensing for Roto-Rooter branded drain care products from CR Brands, which is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. These product lines have annual net sales of approximately $20 million. These lines will be integrated into Rust-Oleum's current portfolio of cleaning and drain care products.

The Best Home for Entrepreneurial Companies

RPM’s acquisition philosophy, initiated by Thomas C. Sullivan, who ran RPM from 1971 until 2002 and retired from the board in 2016, is to “Seek good companies. Create an atmosphere where the founders and managers stay with their companies. Then, get out of their way.”

This entrepreneurial culture has been a key attraction to business owners in the industry as demonstrated by the fact that today the majority of RPM’s operating companies are managed by their founders, second- or third-generation family members or the managers they trusted to lead their companies. For this reason, RPM is considered to be the “best home for entrepreneurial companies” in the industry.