RPM International Inc. reported record financial results for its fiscal 2024 fourth quarter and full year ended May 31, 2024.
“We achieved record adjusted EBIT for the 10th consecutive quarter due to our strategic balance and our ability to leverage MAP 2025 operating improvement initiatives to increase profitability,” said Frank C. Sullivan, RPM chairman and CEO.
“Construction Products Group captured growth opportunities with its differentiated turnkey roofing offerings and wall systems, while Consumer generated record adjusted EBIT, despite continued DIY softness, due to its MAP 2025 initiatives and ability to win market share,” added Sullivan. “Although Performance Coatings Group and Specialty Products Group faced headwinds, we still generated positive organic sales growth on a consolidated basis.”
Sullivan continued, “For the full fiscal year, we achieved record sales, profitability and operating cash flow as a result of good execution on factors we could control, including structural margin and working capital improvements. Our adjusted EBIT finished in the guidance range we provided 12 months ago as our teams nimbly captured growth opportunities in markets that were more challenging than expected and focused on initiatives that resulted in improved profitability.”
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, RPM reported sales of $2.008 billion, down 0.4%. Positive organic growth, including slightly positive pricing, was more than offset by foreign currency translation headwinds and divestitures, resulting in an overall sales decline.
Volume growth was strongest in businesses that were positioned to serve high-performance new building projects and renovations. Market share gains also contributed to volumes. This was offset by weakness in the disaster restoration business, unfavorable timing of project completions, and lower DIY consumer takeaway at retail stores.
Geographically, sales increased slightly in North America, while emerging markets generally declined due to foreign currency translation headwinds and challenging comparisons. European sales also declined due to foreign currency translation headwinds, divestitures and initiatives to focus on higher-margin business.
Sales included a 0.4% organic increase, a 0.1% decline from divestitures net of acquisitions, and a 0.7% decline from foreign currency translation.
Fiscal 2024 fourth-quarter adjusted EBIT was $257.973 million which is a record, driven by MAP 2025 initiatives, including the commodity cycle recovery, positive mix from shifting toward higher margin products and services, and improved fixed-cost leverage at businesses with volume growth. In Europe, although sales declined, a focused strategy to leverage MAP 2025 initiatives improved profitability in the region.
Fiscal year 2024 net sales were $7.335 billion, up 1.1%. EBIT was $860.8 million, up 13.5%. Fiscal year 2024 sales were a record, driven by strength in CPG and PCG, which have positioned themselves to provide engineered solutions for infrastructure and high-performance building projects, including reshoring projects.
Partially offsetting this growth was the Consumer Group, which experienced soft DIY demand and SPG, which faced weak demand, particularly in disaster restoration and specialty residential OEM markets.
Record adjusted EBIT was driven by MAP 2025 benefits, including the commodity cycle, better mix and improved fixed-cost leverage at businesses that generated volume growth. The record adjusted EBIT was achieved despite an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses from incentives to sell higher-margin products and services; investments to accelerate long-term growth; and inflation in compensation and benefits.
During fiscal 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $1.12 billion compared to $577.1 million in the prior year, with the increase driven by improved profitability and working capital efficiency, both of which were enabled by MAP 2025 initiatives.
Total debt was $2.13 billion compared to $2.68 billion a year ago, with the $556.7 million reduction driven by improved cash flow being used to repay higher-cost debt. Total liquidity, including cash and committed revolving credit facilities, was $1.36 billion, compared to $1.03 billion a year ago.
