RPM and the Value of 168

RPM International's founder, Frank C. Sullivan's favourite number is 168. It was his favourite number because it represents the total hours in a week; thus it served as a reminder that each of us has a limited amount of time, and a duty to use this gift wisely and productively.

RPM International Inc. is a multinational holding company with subsidiaries that manufacture and market high-performance coatings, sealants and specialty chemicals, primarily for maintenance and improvement. Fiscal 2009 sales were $3.4 billion, with 67 percent to industry worldwide and the remaining 33 percent to consumers mainly in North America.

Shares of the company's common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RPM and are owned by some 300 institutional investors and 85,000 individuals.

RPM employs approximately 9,700 people worldwide and operates 92 manufacturing facilities in 22 countries. Its products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories.

RPMs industrial customers are served by:

  • Waterproofing products, including Tremco roofing systems, Alumanation roofing coatings, Paraseal membranes and illbruck, Vulkem, Dymeric and Monile sealants.
  • Corrosion protection coatings sold under the brand names of Carboline, Plasite, Mathys, Westfield and TCI
  • Dryvit exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS)
  • Stonhard and Duracon industrial and commercial floor coatings
  • Day-Glo flourescent colourants and pigments
  • Kop-Coat industrial lumber treatments
  • Fibergrate and Chemgrate fiberglass reinforced plastic grating
  • Euco concrete admixtures

Consumers, primarily in North America, are served by do-it-yourself home improvement coatings and related products including:

  • Rust-Oleum and Stops-Rust rust-preventative coatings and decorative coatings marketed under the brands of Painters Touch, American Accents and others
  • DAP caulks and sealants
  • The Zinsser family of primer-sealers, including B-I-N, Bulls Eye 1-2-3, Perma-White Mildew Proof Paint and Cover Stain
  • Zinssers wallcovering preparation and removal products, including DIF, Shieldz and PaperTiger
  • Bondex and Plastic Wood patch and repair products
  • Wolman deck coatings, sealants and brighteners
  • Varathane, Watco, Mohawk, Guardian and Chemical Coatings woodworking and wood finishing products
  • The Testors and Floquil brands of model kits, coatings and accessories for the hobbyist market
  • Petit, Woolsey and Z-Spar recreational marine coatings