RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM), a world leader in specialty coatings, sealants and building materials, reported financial results for its fiscal 2023 first quarter ended August 31, 2022.

“I am proud of RPM associates’ ability to generate record first-quarter consolidated sales and adjusted EBIT. Our businesses skillfully navigated supply chain tightness, cost inflation, macroeconomic challenges and foreign exchange headwinds to expand margins and deliver record first-quarter financial results. In addition, they have continued to implement MAP operational improvement initiatives, with a positive impact on our top and bottom lines,” commented RPM Chairman and CEO Frank C. Sullivan.

“All four of our segments achieved double-digit sales growth driven by our procurement and technical teams’ ability to increase material supply through insourcing and qualifying new suppliers. Additionally, pricing was managed by implementing increases to catch up with persistent cost inflation. Three out of our four segments generated strong adjusted EBIT growth, led by our Consumer Group, which benefited from MAP operational efficiencies that were enhanced by our ability to improve material supply. While the global macroeconomic outlook is uncertain, we believe that our MAP 2025 initiatives, diversified business model and strategic focus on maintenance and restoration position us well for the future,” he added.

First-Quarter 2023 Consolidated Results

Consolidated

Record sales were driven by improving material supply through insourcing and qualifying new suppliers. Price increases across all segments helped offset foreign exchange headwinds and cost inflation, which remained elevated. Geographically, demand was strong in the U.S. and in emerging markets. European demand was weak during the quarter as the region experienced increasing inflation and other macroeconomic headwinds. Sales included 19.5% of organic growth, 1.0% growth from acquisitions and foreign currency translation headwinds of 3.4%.

In addition to strong sales growth, record fiscal 2023 first quarter adjusted EBIT benefited from $30 million in MAP 2025 savings as improved material supply allowed savings from operational initiatives to be realized.

First-Quarter 2023 Segment Sales and Earnings

Construction Products Group

CPG’s record sales were driven by roofing systems, which benefited from increased public sector spending, its turn-key service model and focus on renovations. Admixtures and repair products for concrete generated strong sales growth and grew share. Pricing management in response to persistent cost inflation and strength in Asia-Pacific markets also contributed to revenue growth. Sales included 15.8% of organic growth, 1.9% growth from acquisitions and foreign currency translation headwinds of 4.5%.

Adjusted EBIT was pressured by a slowdown in Europe where cost pressures were severe, and volumes deteriorated as macroeconomic conditions worsened during the quarter. In Canada, profitability was reduced by inefficiencies, which resulted from a transportation strike and concrete shortages that impeded the completion of construction projects. Foreign currency and mix were headwinds to profitability. CPG also incurred a negative financial impact from the Corsicana plant as the facility ramps up production toward full capacity.

Performance Coatings Group

PCG’s record sales were driven by double-digit growth in flooring systems, protective coatings and fiberglass reinforced plastic grating, all of which are strategically well-positioned to benefit from the trend of reshoring manufacturing to the U.S. Additionally, energy market demand was strong. Emerging markets’ strength, pricing and improved sales management contributed to the record revenue as well. Sales included 23.6% of organic growth, no impact from acquisitions and foreign currency translation headwinds of 4.4%.

Record first-quarter adjusted EBIT was driven by volume growth, selling price increases and favorable mix resulting from digital sales management tools, which were partially offset by foreign exchange headwinds.

Specialty Products Group

SPG’s record sales were driven by strength in food coatings and additives, which benefited from a new management team that has positioned the business to profit from increased institutional demand as pandemic-related restrictions eased. Revenues continued to grow in SPG’s disaster restoration business as it worked through backlogs created by previous semiconductor chip shortages. Selling prices increased across most product lines in response to continued cost inflation. Sales included 12.8% of organic growth, 0.6% growth from acquisitions and foreign currency translation headwinds of 2.1%.

Record adjusted EBIT was driven by improved sales and pricing management, as well as increased fixed cost leverage from higher production volume at the disaster restoration business.

Consumer Group

Material supply, particularly alkyd resins, improved during the quarter from insourcing and qualifying new suppliers, and resulted in record sales. Sales also benefited from price increases to catch up with persistent cost inflation. Sales included 24.1% of organic growth, 0.4% growth from acquisitions and foreign currency translation headwinds of 2.0%.

The increase in adjusted EBIT was driven by MAP operational initiatives that were realized as a result of improved material supply conditions and price increases in response to continued cost inflation, which resulted in adjusted EBIT margins approaching long-term averages. Additionally, the Consumer Group experienced extraordinarily low profitability last year due to severe supply chain disruptions resulting from a plant explosion at an alkyd resin supplier, which contributed to the high year-over-year adjusted EBIT growth in the 2023 fiscal first quarter.

Cash Flow and Financial Position

During the fiscal 2023 first quarter:

·       Cash provided by operating activities was $23.6 million compared to $76.1 million during the prior-year period. Despite higher earnings, the decrease was driven by inventory increases designed to build supply chain resiliency.

·       Capital expenditures were $57.8 million compared to $51.9 million during the prior-year period driven by organic growth opportunities and MAP 2025 efficiency programs.

·       The company returned $76.4 million to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases.

As of August 31, 2022:

·       Total debt was $2.84 billion compared to $2.43 billion a year ago.

·       Total liquidity, including cash and committed revolving credit facilities, was $1.15 billion, compared to $1.38 billion a year ago. RPM’s liquidity remains high, enabling it to manage supply chain challenges while continuing to invest in MAP operational improvements, acquisitions and organic growth opportunities.

On August 1, 2022, the company amended its revolving credit facility to increase the size of the facility to $1.35 billion from $1.30 billion and extended the term of the facility to August 1, 2027.

Also on August 1, 2022, the company extended the maturity of its term loan from February 21, 2023, to August 1, 2025, and prepaid $50 million. The term loan’s remaining principal is $250 million.

Business Outlook

For the second quarter of fiscal 2023, the company expects.

·       Consolidated sales growth of 9% to 12% compared to the prior-year period.

·       CPG to achieve sales growth in the high-single-digit percentage range as commercial and infrastructure construction activity is anticipated to remain positive and pricing management contributes to growth, partially offset by macroeconomic weakness in Europe.

·       PCG sales to increase in the high-single-digit to low-double-digit percentage range driven by strength in energy markets, reshoring of manufacturing to the U.S. and government infrastructure spending.

·       SPG revenue to increase in the high-single-digit percentage range as the segment benefits from continued strength in food coatings and additives and has a more efficient supply chain compared to the prior-year period when it suffered from semiconductor chip supply shortages.

·       The Consumer Group to lead revenue growth with sales up in the teen percentage range as a result of improved material supply, pricing management, and a favorable comparison to the 2022 fiscal second quarter when sales were depressed by alkyd resin shortages from an explosion at a supplier’s plant.

·       Consolidated adjusted EBIT to increase by 30% to 40% compared to the prior-year period.

Earnings Webcast and Conference Call Information

Management will host a conference call to discuss these results beginning at 10:00 a.m. EDT today. The call can be accessed via webcast at www.RPMinc.com/Investors/Presentations-Webcasts or by dialing 1-800-289-0720 or 1-323-701-0160 for international callers. The confirmation code is 1615107. Participants are asked to call the assigned number approximately 10 minutes before the conference call begins. The call, which will last approximately one hour, will be open to the public, but only financial analysts will be permitted to ask questions. The media and all other participants will be in a listen-only mode.

For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be available from approximately 1:30 p.m. EDT on October 5, 2022, until 1:30 p.m. EDT on October 12, 2022. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-888-203-1112 or 1-719-457-0820 for international callers. The access code is 1615107. The call also will be available for replay and as a written transcript via the RPM website at www.RPMinc.com.

Investor Day Webcast Information

As previously announced, RPM will be hosting an investor day on Friday, October 7, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. EDT. The investor day will include management presentations focused on MAP 2025 details, sustainability initiatives and the company’s Construction Products Group. These presentations can be accessed via webcast at www.RPMinc.com/Investors/Presentations-Webcasts/ or by dialing 800-289-0720, or 323-701-0160 for international callers. The confirmation code is 2715265.

For those unable to listen to the live presentations, a replay will be available from approximately 1:30 p.m. EDT on October 7, 2022, until 1:30 p.m. EDT on October 14, 2022. The replay can be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112, or 719-457-0820 for international callers. The access code is 2715265. The webcast will be available both live and for replay via the RPM website at www.RPMinc.com

About RPM

RPM International Inc. owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services. The company operates across four reportable segments: consumer, construction products, performance coatings and specialty products. RPM has a diverse portfolio of market-leading brands, including Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane, DayGlo, Legend Brands, Stonhard, Carboline, Tremco and Dryvit. From homes and workplaces to infrastructure and precious landmarks, RPM’s brands are trusted by consumers and professionals alike to help build a better world. The company employs approximately 16,800 individuals worldwide. Visit www.RPMinc.com to learn more.

For more information, contact Matt Schlarb, Senior Director of Investor Relations, at 330-273-5090 or mschlarb@rpminc.com.