Last year, RPM celebrated an important milestone—its 75th anniversary.
Since its founding in May 1947 by Frank C. Sullivan, Republic Powdered Metals – the forerunner to RPM International Inc. – has grown from a company with $90,000 in sales during its first year to a $7.3 billion, multinational company with subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services.
Over the past 75 years, RPM has focused on generating value for its key stakeholders and building a better world while also producing exceptional financial results. In recent years, some major accomplishments include growing through key acquisitions, releasing RPM’s first ESG report, being named to the Fortune 500 list for the first time since 1994 and successfully concluding the MAP (Margin Acceleration Plan) to Growth operating improvement program. During this journey, RPM has continued to deliver problem-solving and innovative products and services to its customers.
RPM’s culture of growth has been largely guided by its corporate philosophy, The Value of 168, a corporate philosophy set forth by the company’s founder. The figure “168,” represents the number of hours in a week and serves as a reminder that each of us has a limited amount of time—and a duty to use this gift wisely and productively. This philosophy has become a deeply engrained part of RPM’s corporate culture, is the guiding force behind everything RPM does and will continue to guide RPM throughout future milestones.
