Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - RPM International achieved record sales of nearly $7.4 billion for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, with record-adjusted EBIT up 3.7% from the prior year and record-adjusted earnings per share up 7.3% from the prior year of $5.30, achieving a record EBIT margin of 13.2% [13][14][15] - For the quarter ended May 31, 2025, sales grew 7.4% with adjusted EBIT at a record 2.9% and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.88, up 2.2% [28][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Construction Products Group experienced a 4% unit volume growth, while the Performance Coatings Group saw an 8% unit volume growth [28] - Record results in sales and earnings were reported for the Construction Products and Performance Coatings businesses, with record sales in the Consumer Group [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - 78% of RPM's revenues are generated in core North American markets, with another $1.1 billion or 14% in Europe, indicating significant growth potential in developing markets [19] - The company identified over $100 billion of growth potential across its product lines and businesses, with substantial opportunities in the Construction Products Group and Consumer Group [17][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - RPM is transitioning from the MAP 2025 Operating Improvement Program to a focus on growth, emphasizing the importance of embedding the learnings from MAP 2025 into the company culture [15][20] - The organizational structure has been streamlined to a three-group structure by merging the Specialty Products Group into the Performance Coatings Group, aiming for greater efficiency and growth opportunities [21][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the importance of turnkey offerings in roofing and flooring as a competitive advantage in labor-constrained construction markets, along with a focus on repair and maintenance [26][27] - The outlook for the second quarter is expected to mirror the first quarter, with continued organic growth and improved bottom-line leverage [29] Other Important Information - RPM's Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.54 per share, marking the 52nd consecutive year of increased cash dividends to shareholders [30] - The company has made significant investments in growth, including hiring additional sales staff and increasing advertising expenses [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: What caused the increase in SG&A in the quarter? - The increase was attributed to extraordinary healthcare costs and deliberate investments in growth, including higher sales and advertising expenses [31] Question: Does RPM have a foundation? - RPM does not currently have a foundation but engages in charitable programs and has contributed over $3.5 million to community causes [32] Question: How is RPM embracing system selling? - RPM has expanded its offerings from high-performance materials to comprehensive wall systems, achieving significant revenue improvements [33] Question: Is RPM benefiting from reshoring of manufacturing? - Yes, RPM is benefiting from reshoring, particularly in the Performance Coatings Group, which manufactures high-performance products for various sectors [34]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales increased by 3.7% to a record in Q4, driven by systems and turnkey solutions for high-performance buildings and acquisitions [17] - Adjusted EBIT increased by 10.1% to a record level, benefiting from volume growth and MAP 2025 initiatives [17] - Adjusted EPS reached a record, supported by improved adjusted EBIT [17] - Record annual sales, adjusted EBIT, and adjusted EPS achieved for each year since the MAP 2025 program began [9][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - **Construction Products Group**: Sales increased to a record, driven by systems and turnkey roofing solutions, with record adjusted EBIT achieved [19] - **Performance Coatings Group**: Achieved record sales led by turnkey flooring solutions and M&A, with record adjusted EBIT due to higher volumes [20] - **Specialty Products Group**: Sales improved as specialty OEM showed signs of stabilization, but demand was soft in fluorescent pigments and disaster restoration [21] - **Consumer Group**: Sales declined modestly due to continued DIY softness, but adjusted EBIT increased to a record driven by MAP 2025 benefits [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Growth was led by Europe, with sales benefiting from Performance Coatings and M&A [18] - North America saw sales growth driven by system and turnkey solutions for high-performance buildings [18] - Emerging market sales were mixed, with Latin America growing (excluding FX), while Asia experienced a decline due to soft economic conditions [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on realizing the full power of RPM by building on efficiencies and accelerating growth through strategic capital allocation [11] - A new three-segment operating structure was implemented to achieve operational efficiencies and enhance collaboration [13] - Investments are being made in high-growth opportunities, including technical sales force expansion and marketing [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about continuing positive momentum into fiscal 2026 despite ongoing tariff uncertainties [15] - The company anticipates low to mid-single-digit sales growth and high single to low double-digit adjusted EBIT growth in fiscal 2026 [27] - Challenges include elevated interest rates impacting home sales and DIY activities, as well as inflationary pressures from tariffs [28][29] Other Important Information - The company completed the largest year of acquisitions in its history during fiscal 2025, with a strong balance sheet and liquidity [10][24] - Operating cash flow for fiscal 2025 was $768.2 million, the second highest in the company's history [22] - The company expects to benefit from the One Beautiful Bill Act, which includes provisions for accelerated depreciation and R&D expensing [61][62] Q&A Session Summary Question: What underlying demand or organic growth is expected this year? - Management anticipates the ability to generate 2 to 3 points of organic growth on a consolidated basis for the year, with challenges related to tariff issues and consumer DIY business dynamics [34][35] Question: Does the new three-segment structure enable more productivity cost savings? - Yes, the new structure is expected to generate $15 million in expense reductions and improve operational synergies [36][37] Question: What incremental savings from MAP 2025 are expected in 2026? - MAP 2025 benefits in fiscal 2026 are expected to be about $70 million, with additional savings from the consolidation of segments [44] Question: How is the M&A pipeline looking for 2026? - The company has a strong balance sheet and expects to continue its acquisition growth strategy, taking advantage of lower M&A valuations [48] Question: What is the outlook for raw material inflation? - Inflation is expected to be in the 1% to 2% range for Q1, heavily weighted towards consumer products, with tariff impacts contributing to a negative 4% to 5% hit in fiscal 2026 [81][82] Question: How is the health of project backlogs in Construction and Performance Coatings? - Backlogs for these businesses are strong, but the company faces challenging comparisons due to strong prior years [71]