RPM International
American multinational manufacturer of specialty coatings, sealants, building materials, and home-improvement products.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
RPM International is an American multinational holding company whose subsidiaries manufacture and market specialty coatings, sealants, building materials, construction chemicals, and related products. Its portfolio serves industrial and infrastructure customers, commercial contractors, professional tradespeople, distributors, institutions, and consumers undertaking home maintenance, repair, decoration, and hobby projects. The company originated in 1947 as Republic Powdered Metals, founded by Frank C. Sullivan. Its initial product was Alumanation, a heavy-duty aluminum roof coating that remains part of the company's product heritage. RPM subsequently developed an acquisition-led model, using a corporate structure to assemble specialized brands rather than selling products under a single consumer-facing name. This approach gave the group exposure to multiple technical niches, distribution channels, and end markets while allowing individual operating companies to retain distinct identities. RPM's industrial and construction portfolio includes brands such as Tremco, Carboline, Universal Sealants, Stonhard, Nudura, Euclid Chemical, Day-Glo, and Dryvit. These businesses address areas including waterproofing, roofing, flooring, concrete repair, infrastructure protection, fireproofing, insulation, façade systems, industrial corrosion control, and specialty surface finishes. The company's consumer portfolio includes Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane, Mean Green, Krud Kutter, and The Pink Stuff. These brands supply paints, protective coatings, primers, sealants, adhesives, cleaners, wood finishes, repair products, and other items sold through home-improvement retailers, hardware stores, mass merchants, craft channels, and professional distribution. RPM has historically operated through four reporting segments, but reorganized effective June 1, 2025, into three groups: the Construction Products Group, Performance Coatings Group, and Consumer Group. The former Specialty Products Group was dissolved, with its businesses distributed among the remaining groups. Construction Products represents approximately 39 percent of net sales and supplies products through a broad international network of distributors, contractors, and end users. Performance Coatings represents approximately 27 percent of sales and includes both conventional contractor and distributor channels and supply-and-apply arrangements for manufacturers, public institutions, and commercial customers. Consumer represents approximately 34 percent of sales and is concentrated operationally in North America, with additional manufacturing and distribution in Europe, Australia, South Africa, and South America. The company has expanded beyond the United States through acquisitions, brand development, and geographic integration. In Europe, CPF Europe was established in the United Kingdom in 2020 to bring together several RPM construction brands, including illbruck, Flowcrete, Nullifire, Tremco, Vandex, and Dryvit. RPM's products are sold in approximately 159 countries and territories, and the group operates a large international manufacturing network. Reference materials describe approximately 17,800 employees and 118 manufacturing facilities, although these figures are time-sensitive and may change. RPM became publicly traded after an Ohio intrastate offering in 1963, was quoted on NASDAQ from 1971, and moved to the New York Stock Exchange in 1998 under the symbol RPM. The company has emphasized long-term ownership returns and a sustained dividend record. It appeared on the Fortune 500 list in 1994, 2021, and 2024. Its history also includes significant regulatory and litigation matters involving a subsidiary's government roofing contracts and the timing of related loss-reserve disclosures. Those matters resulted in a government settlement, financial restatements for certain quarterly periods, SEC litigation, and a later settlement with the SEC. RPM remains an active public compa…
History
RPM International traces its origins to Republic Powdered Metals, established by Frank C. Sullivan in May 1947. The original business manufactured and sold Alumanation, a heavy-duty aluminum roof coating. The product provided the foundation for a company that would later become a diversified supplier of coatings, sealants, and building chemicals. In its first year, Republic Powdered Metals recorded sales of $90,000. After more than fifteen years of private ownership, the company sold 25,000 common shares to the public in an Ohio intrastate offering in 1963. It entered the newly established NASDAQ quotation system in 1971 under the symbol RPOW. That year was also a major leadership transition: Frank C. Sullivan died unexpectedly in August, and RPM, Inc. was formed later in 1971 as a holding company intended to support a more aggressive acquisition strategy in a consolidating paint and coatings sector. Thomas C. Sullivan, Frank's son and the former president of Republic Powdered Metals, became chairman and chief executive officer. Thomas Sullivan and James A. Karman, who became president and chief operating officer in 1978, directed the company for more than three decades. Their strategy emphasized acquiring and developing specialized operating companies with strong technical capabilities and established market positions. Rather than replacing those businesses with one universal product identity, RPM generally maintained a portfolio of distinct brands serving separate professional, industrial, commercial, and consumer applications. During their tenure, the company grew substantially in sales, earnings, dividends, and market value. Sullivan and Karman retired as executive officers in 2002. Thomas Sullivan was succeeded by his son, Frank C. Sullivan, who became president and chief executive officer. Under the later leadership structure, RPM continued expanding its international portfolio and broadening its exposure to construction products, performance coatings, and consumer maintenance categories. The group developed a global manufacturing and distribution footprint and assembled brands covering roofing, waterproofing, concrete repair, flooring, industrial protection, fireproofing, sealants, paints, primers, wood finishes, and household cleaning. RPM's international construction operations were further coordinated through CPF Europe, established in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2020. The organization brought together brands including illbruck, Flowcrete, Nullifire, Tremco, Vandex, and Dryvit. RPM's consumer businesses remained particularly visible in North America, where brands such as Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, and Varathane are sold through home-improvement, hardware, paint, craft, and mass-retail channels. Consumer operations also extend to selected locations in Europe, Australia, South Africa, and South America. The company achieved Fortune 500 recognition in 1994, 2021, and 2024. Its securities history progressed from the Ohio public offering to NASDAQ quotation and then to the New York Stock Exchange in 1998, where the company trades under the symbol RPM. RPM has also highlighted a long record of annual dividend increases. The company's history includes significant legal and regulatory events. In 2013, RPM paid $61 million to settle General Services Administration claims involving alleged overcharging on government roofing contracts by a subsidiary. The SEC opened an investigation in 2014 into the timing of RPM's disclosure and accrual of related loss reserves, leading to restatements for the first, second, and third quarters of fiscal 2013. In 2016, the SEC charged RPM and its general counsel, Edward W. Moore, alleging that material facts concerning the Department of Justice investigation had not been properly disclosed to senior corporate and audit personnel. RPM said it disagreed with the allegations. In December 2020, RPM and Moore agreed to a settlement exceeding $2 million without admitting or denying the allegations. Effective June 1, 2025, RPM simplified its operating structure from four segments to three: Construction Products, Performance Coatings, and Consumer. The former Specialty Products Group was discontinued as a reporting segment, with its businesses allocated among the remaining groups. The change reflects RPM's continuing effort to organize a broad brand portfolio around end markets and operating capabilities. RPM remains an active publicly traded multinational company headquartered in Medina, Ohio.
- 2025
Three-group operating model
[1]Effective June 1, RPM reorganized its operations into Construction Products Group, Performance Coatings Group, and Consumer Group.
- 2024
Fortune 500 recognition
[1]RPM was included on the Fortune 500 list for 2024.
- 2021
Return to the Fortune 500
[1]RPM again appeared on the Fortune 500 list.
- 2020
SEC matter resolved
[2]RPM and Edward W. Moore agreed to pay more than $2 million to settle SEC charges without admitting or denying the allegations.
- 2020
CPF Europe established
[1]CPF Europe was established in the United Kingdom to coordinate several RPM construction brands, including illbruck, Flowcrete, Nullifire, Tremco, Vandex, and Dryvit.
- 2013
GSA roofing-contract settlement
[1]RPM paid $61 million to settle claims by the U.S. General Services Administration concerning alleged overcharging on government roofing contracts.
- 2002
Leadership succession
[1]Thomas C. Sullivan and James A. Karman retired as executive officers, and Frank C. Sullivan became president and chief executive officer.
- 1998
Listing moves to the New York Stock Exchange
[1]RPM transferred its public listing from NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange and began trading under the symbol RPM.
- 1994
First Fortune 500 appearance
[1]RPM was included on the Fortune 500 list.
- 1971
Holding-company structure and NASDAQ quotation
[1]RPM entered NASDAQ under the symbol RPOW, and RPM, Inc. was formed as a holding company to support a more active acquisition program.
Products and positioning
A diversified, acquisition-oriented specialty-products group spanning construction chemicals, performance coatings, and consumer home-improvement brands. RPM combines technical, specification-driven products for professional and industrial users with widely distributed DIY and household brands.
Construction chemicals and building systems
Construction Products Group
RPM's Construction Products Group supplies products for building-envelope protection, roofing, waterproofing, concrete repair, flooring, insulation, façade systems, sealants, and fire protection. Its customers include distributors, contractors, and end users across a large international footprint. Representative brands include Tremco, illbruck, Flowcrete, Nullifire, Vandex, Dryvit, Stonhard, Nudura, and Euclid Chemical.
Industrial and commercial performance coatings
Performance Coatings Group
The Performance Coatings Group provides protective, industrial, and specialty coatings for contractors, distributors, manufacturers, public institutions, and other commercial customers. Its activities include corrosion protection, industrial finishing, fireproofing, and application services. Carboline and Day-Glo are among the brands associated with this area of RPM's portfolio.
Consumer paints, coatings, repair, and cleaning products
Consumer Group
The Consumer Group manufactures professional-use and DIY products for home maintenance, improvement, repair, decoration, and leisure activities. Its brands include Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane, Mean Green, Krud Kutter, and The Pink Stuff. Products are distributed through home-improvement centers, hardware and paint stores, mass merchants, craft retailers, and other channels.
Aluminum roof coating · 1947
Alumanation
Alumanation was the heavy-duty aluminum roof coating manufactured and sold by Republic Powdered Metals when the company was founded in 1947. It is the product most directly associated with RPM's origin and remains part of the company's historical product line.
Consumer and professional coatings
Rust-Oleum
Rust-Oleum is one of RPM's best-known coating brands, serving consumers, professionals, and industrial users with paints, protective finishes, primers, specialty coatings, and maintenance products. It is distributed through retail, hardware, home-improvement, and professional channels.
Sealants, adhesives, and repair products
DAP
DAP supplies caulks, sealants, adhesives, spackling compounds, and other repair and installation products for household, professional, and construction applications. The brand operates primarily through home-improvement, hardware, paint, and building-material distribution.
Primers and specialty paints
Zinsser
Zinsser is a specialty primer and paint brand used in residential maintenance, renovation, and professional decorating. Its portfolio addresses adhesion, stain blocking, surface preparation, and related coating needs.
Wood stains and finishes
Varathane
Varathane provides wood stains, clear protective finishes, and related products for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, woodworking, and home-improvement projects. It is primarily positioned for DIY users and professional finishers.
Controversies
2020
Settlement of SEC disclosure charges
RPM and Moore agreed to pay more than $2 million to settle the SEC charges without admitting or denying the allegations.
2016
SEC antifraud charges
The SEC charged RPM and general counsel Edward W. Moore, alleging failures to disclose material facts concerning the Department of Justice investigation into the GSA issue to senior management, the audit committee, and independent auditors. RPM said it believed the allegations were without merit.
2014
SEC investigation and quarterly restatements
The SEC investigated RPM's timing of disclosure and loss-reserve accruals related to the GSA matter. RPM subsequently restated its results for the first three quarters of fiscal 2013; the cited material states that the restatements did not affect audited fiscal-year results.
2013
General Services Administration roofing-contract claims
RPM paid $61 million to settle claims by the U.S. General Services Administration that a subsidiary had overcharged the U.S. government on roofing contracts.
Brand decisions
2025
Reorganize from four segments into three groupsStrategyBackground
RPM reviewed its operating structure and sought to align reporting and management more closely with its principal end markets.
Action taken
Effective June 1, RPM dissolved the Specialty Products Group as a reporting segment and integrated its businesses into Construction Products, Performance Coatings, and Consumer.
Aftermath
The three-group structure became RPM's stated operating framework: Construction Products Group, Performance Coatings Group, and Consumer Group.
2020
Establish CPF EuropeStrategyBackground
RPM sought to coordinate a group of European construction-product businesses and brands.
Action taken
CPF Europe was established in the United Kingdom and brought together brands including illbruck, Flowcrete, Nullifire, Tremco, Vandex, and Dryvit.
Aftermath
The structure provided a regional platform for RPM's European construction-products activities.
1998
Transfer listing to the New York Stock ExchangeStrategyBackground
After trading through NASDAQ under the symbol RPOW, RPM changed its public-market listing as its corporate scale developed.
Action taken
RPM moved to the New York Stock Exchange and adopted the ticker RPM.
Aftermath
The company has continued trading on the NYSE under RPM.
1971
Create a holding company for acquisition-led expansionStrategyBackground
The paint and coatings sector was consolidating, and the company sought a structure that could support a more aggressive acquisition program.
Action taken
RPM, Inc. was formed as a holding company, with Thomas C. Sullivan becoming chairman and chief executive officer.
Aftermath
The holding-company model became central to RPM's growth and its portfolio of specialized operating businesses and brands.
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