MEDINA, OH – Coatings manufacturer RPM International Inc. reported financial results for its fiscal 2020 fourth quarter and year ended May 31, 2020.

“As anticipated, our growth was temporarily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but proactive measures, including our MAP to Growth program, helped mitigate the impact on our bottom line,” said RPM Chairman and CEO Frank C. Sullivan. “As a result, while our fourth-quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share were below last year’s all-time high levels, they were still our second best on record.”

“RPM’s consolidated sales decline of 8.9% for the quarter reflected the impact of COVID-19 which, to various degrees, interrupted our manufacturing and distribution operations, as well as the maintenance, repair and construction activities of our customers around the world. On a geographic basis, our sales were essentially flat in the U.S., where construction and hardware channels were deemed essential, but were down about 25% in international markets, where these industries were halted to control the spread of the virus. Our better-than-expected top-line results were largely driven by growing demand in the U.S. for our Consumer Group’s small project paints, caulks, sealants, repair products, wood stains and specialty cleaners. The segment experienced record demand for these products via e-commerce retailers, as well as the online portals and brick-and-mortar stores of its DIY home improvement retail partners. The Consumer Group’s strong performance relative to our other segments underscores the benefit of our operating company portfolio, which is strategically balanced between consumer and industrial businesses,” continued Sullivan.

“Over the course of the pandemic, we have remained focused on protecting the health and well-being of our associates and their family members. We instituted comprehensive safety protocols to keep our employees healthy in the workplace, while allowing associates whose jobs can effectively be performed remotely to do so,” said Sullivan. “During the quarter, a number of our plants around the world were temporarily closed due to COVID-19, either because of government mandates or for disinfecting and cleaning. Thanks to our associates’ efforts to follow our protocols, nearly all of our manufacturing facilities have been open and operational since our fiscal year end.”

Fourth-Quarter Consolidated Results

Fiscal 2020 fourth-quarter net sales were $1.46 billion compared to the $1.60 billion reported in the year-ago period, or a decline of 8.9%. Net income was $109.3 million compared to net income of $133.4 million in the prior-year period. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.84 compared to diluted EPS of $1.02 in the year-ago quarter. Income before income taxes (IBT) was $146.9 million compared to $176.9 million reported in the same period last fiscal year. RPM’s consolidated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were $169.8 million compared to $204.6 million reported in the fiscal 2019 fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter included restructuring and other charges of $43.8 million during fiscal 2020 and $36.8 million in fiscal 2019 that are not indicative of RPM’s ongoing operations. Excluding these charges, RPM’s adjusted EBIT was $213.6 million compared to $241.4 million during the year-ago period, or a decline of 11.5%. The company has excluded the impact of all gains and losses from marketable securities from adjusted EPS, as their inherent volatility is outside of management’s control and cannot be predicted with any level of certainty. These investments resulted in a net after-tax loss of $1.9 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and a net after-tax loss of $1.7 million during the same quarter last year. Excluding the restructuring and other adjustments, as well as investment losses, fiscal 2020 fourth-quarter adjusted diluted EPS declined 8.9% to $1.13 compared to $1.24 in fiscal 2019.

“The decline in adjusted diluted EPS was equivalent to the decrease in sales, illustrating our quick response to protect margins by reducing costs during the economic downturn, as well as the ongoing success of our MAP to Growth operating improvement program,” said Sullivan. “COVID-19 safety protocols limited travel and access to our facilities, which slowed some of the manufacturing improvement and ERP consolidation activities that are part of our MAP to Growth program. However, in response to the economic downturn created by the pandemic, we quickly took proactive measures to accelerate the MAP to Growth program’s cost-reduction initiatives with a focus on delayering management and other areas of administration. We have also focused on generating cash flow and maintaining liquidity.”

Fourth-Quarter Segment Sales and Earnings

Construction Products Group net sales were $472.4 million during the fiscal 2020 fourth quarter, which was a decline of 15.6% compared to fiscal 2019 fourth-quarter net sales of $559.6 million, reflecting a decline in organic growth of 13.9%, while acquisitions contributed 0.7% to sales. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by 2.4%. Segment IBT was $70.4 million compared to $82.4 million a year ago. EBIT was $72.4 million versus EBIT of $83.8 million in the fiscal 2019 fourth quarter. The segment incurred $5.0 million in restructuring and other expenses during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and $4.1 million in restructuring-related expenses during the same period of fiscal 2019. Excluding these charges, fiscal 2020 fourth-quarter adjusted EBIT was $77.3 million compared to adjusted EBIT of $87.9 million reported during the year-ago period, representing a decline of 12.1%.

“The point of strength in our Construction Products Group was its U.S. roofing business, which achieved good top- and bottom-line growth. Because roofing projects are completed outdoors and do not require entry into customers’ facilities, we were able to continue with limited interruption from the pandemic,” said Sullivan. “Overall, the segment fared better in the U.S., where construction was generally deemed an essential industry and continued to operate with moderate disruption versus certain international markets, where construction was not considered essential and resulted in significant sales declines for the quarter. International results were further affected by currency headwinds. While the segment’s sales declined during the quarter, earnings declined at a lesser rate, due largely to our operating improvement plan, which included the consolidation of two manufacturing facilities, and proactive measures taken to trim expenses.”

Performance Coatings Group net sales were $235.1 million during the fiscal 2020 fourth quarter, which declined by 20.2% versus net sales of $294.5 million reported a year ago. Organic sales declined 18.3%, while acquisitions contributed 0.2%. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by 2.0%. Segment IBT was $18.7 million compared to $32.4 million reported a year ago. EBIT was $18.7 million compared to $32.5 million in the fiscal 2019 fourth quarter. The segment reported fourth-quarter restructuring-related charges and acquisition costs of $4.9 million in fiscal 2020 and restructuring-related and other charges of $2.2 million in fiscal 2019. Adjusted EBIT, which excludes these charges, was $23.7 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to adjusted EBIT of $34.7 million during the year-ago period, representing a decline of 31.9%.

“The leadership at our Performance Coatings Group quickly took action to respond to the pandemic-induced economic downturn by delayering management and aggressively reducing fixed costs, particularly in the parts of the business that serve the energy industry and other affected sectors,” said Sullivan. “This segment also performed better in the U.S. than internationally. Some of the primary customers for its flooring business, such as those in food, beverage, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, were classified as essential but have limited contractor access to their facilities in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Although segment sales declined, earnings did not decrease as much as would be expected on a decremental basis. This was a result of the operating improvements that were implemented as part of our MAP to Growth program.”

Consumer Group net sales were $616.2 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, an increase of 6.7% compared to net sales of $577.5 million reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Organic sales increased 7.7%. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by 1.0%. Consumer Group IBT was $74.6 million compared to $99.4 million in the prior-year period. EBIT was $74.7 million compared to $99.5 million in the fiscal 2019 fourth quarter. The segment incurred restructuring-related expenses of $29.8 million during the fiscal 2020 fourth quarter and $9.3 million during fiscal 2019. Excluding these charges, fiscal 2020 fourth-quarter adjusted EBIT was $104.5 million compared to adjusted EBIT of $108.8 million reported during the prior-year period, or a decline of 4.0%.

“Our Consumer Group had very strong top-line growth in the U.S., with sales up 12% as home improvement retailers and hardware stores remained open and consumers gained additional time for home improvement, maintenance and repair projects because of stay-at-home orders across the country. International markets struggled due to stricter lockdown orders with retail channels shut down or only offering online orders or curbside pickup,” said Sullivan. “The decline in earnings resulted from increased expenses necessary to operate during the pandemic, including extra safety costs and escalating supply chain expense associated with spiking e-commerce orders. These costs were not passed along to customers because we view them as temporary. As part of our MAP to Growth program we closed a manufacturing plant in Australia, which will benefit our bottom line in the coming quarters.”

The Specialty Products Group reported net sales of $135.2 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, which declined by 20.3% compared to net sales of $169.7 million in the fiscal 2019 fourth quarter. Organic sales decreased 23.1%, while acquisitions contributed 3.6% to sales. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by 0.8%. Segment IBT was $2.9 million compared with $20.0 million in the prior-year period. EBIT was $3.0 million compared to $19.9 million in the fiscal 2019 fourth quarter. The segment reported fourth-quarter restructuring-related charges of $4.4 million in fiscal 2020 and restructuring-related and other charges of $6.3 million in fiscal 2019. Adjusted EBIT, which excludes these charges, was $7.3 million in the fiscal 2020 fourth quarter, a decline of 72.0% compared to adjusted EBIT of $26.2 million in fiscal 2019.

“The Specialty Products Group, which accounted for 9% of the quarter’s consolidated sales, was challenged because of struggles in the OEM markets it serves with its wood coatings, powder coatings, fluorescent pigments and other products,” Sullivan said. “For example, the furniture and marine distribution channels that the segment serves were closed for an extended period in the U.S. because they were not classified as essential industries.”

Full-Year Consolidated Results

Fiscal 2020 full-year net sales were $5.51 billion, or down 1.0% compared to $5.56 billion during fiscal 2019. Organic sales declined 0.8%, while acquisitions added 1.1%. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by 1.3%. Net income was $304.4 million, an increase of 14.2% compared to $266.6 million in fiscal 2019. Diluted EPS increased 16.4% to $2.34 versus $2.01 a year ago. IBT was $407.8 million compared to $339.8 million reported in fiscal 2019. EBIT was $499.0 million, an increase of 13.0% versus the $441.5 million reported last year.

Fiscal 2020 and 2019 included restructuring and other charges of $121.3 million and $126.0 million, respectively. Excluding those charges in both years, RPM’s adjusted EBIT was up 9.3% to $620.3 million compared to adjusted EBIT of $567.5 million last year. Investments resulted in a net after-tax gain of $1.1 million during fiscal 2020 and an after-tax loss of $7.7 million last year. Excluding the restructuring and other charges, as well as investment gains and losses, adjusted diluted EPS for fiscal 2020 increased 13.3% to $3.07 compared to $2.71 in fiscal 2019.

Full-Year Segment Sales and Earnings

Construction Products Group fiscal 2020 full-year sales were $1.88 billion, a decrease of 1.0% compared to $1.90 billion during fiscal 2019. Organic sales decreased 1.1%, while acquisitions added 1.9%. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by 1.8%. IBT was $209.7 million versus year-ago IBT of $178.8 million. Segment EBIT was $217.9 million, an increase of 16.4% over EBIT of $187.2 million in fiscal 2019. The segment incurred restructuring and other expenses of $14.2 million during fiscal 2020 and $14.2 million during fiscal 2019. Excluding these charges, fiscal 2020 adjusted EBIT increased 15.3% to $232.1 million from $201.4 million reported for fiscal 2019.

Performance Coatings Group fiscal 2020 full-year sales declined by 4.9% to $1.08 billion from $1.14 billion during fiscal 2019. Organic sales decreased 3.7%, while acquisitions added 0.4%. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by 1.6%. IBT was $102.3 million versus year-ago IBT of $77.4 million. Segment EBIT was $102.3 million, an increase of 31.4% over EBIT of $77.9 million during fiscal 2019. The segment reported restructuring-related charges and acquisition costs of $19.4 million in fiscal 2020 and restructuring, acquisition and other charges of $36.0 million in fiscal 2019. Adjusted EBIT, which excludes these charges, increased 6.9% to $121.8 million during fiscal 2020 from adjusted EBIT of $113.9 million during the prior year.

In the Consumer Group, fiscal 2020 sales were up 4.7% to $1.95 billion from $1.86 billion during fiscal 2019. Organic sales increased 5.1%, while acquisitions added 0.5%. Foreign currency reduced sales by 0.9%. IBT was $198.0 million compared to year-ago IBT of $217.4 million. Consumer Group fiscal 2020 EBIT was $198.3 million compared to $218.0 million reported a year ago. The segment incurred restructuring-related expenses of $54.7 million during fiscal 2020 and $12.9 million during fiscal 2019. Excluding these charges, fiscal 2020 adjusted EBIT was $253.0 million, an increase of 9.6% over adjusted EBIT of $230.9 million reported during the prior period.

Specialty Products Group fiscal 2020 sales were $601.0 million compared to $670.2 million a year ago, representing a decline of 10.3%. Organic sales decreased 11.4%. Acquisitions added 1.7%, while foreign currency translation reduced sales by 0.6%. IBT was $57.9 million versus year-ago IBT of $86.0 million. Fiscal 2020 EBIT in the segment was $58.0 million versus $85.6 million in the same period a year ago. The segment reported restructuring-related charges and acquisition costs of $18.7 million in fiscal 2020 and restructuring-related and other charges of $15.9 million in fiscal 2019. Adjusted EBIT, which excludes these charges, was $76.7 million in fiscal 2020, a decrease of 24.5% versus $101.5 million in fiscal 2019.

Business Outlook

“After an interruption in our sales and earnings growth momentum due to lockdowns at the end of last fiscal year, for the first quarter we expect to resume the growth typical of recent quarters. Our fiscal 2021 first-quarter outlook is for net sales growth in low single digits and adjusted EBIT growth of 20% or more. After bottoming out in April and May, business has been trending better in the first quarter as many markets have re-opened,” said Sullivan.

“Looking ahead to the full year of fiscal 2021, we anticipate our Construction Products Group and Performance Coatings Group could experience sales declines for the first three quarters and then turn positive in the fourth quarter. Our Consumer Group has continued its sales momentum into fiscal 2021. The Specialty Products Group is expected to face negative sales comparisons during the first two quarters, which should turn positive on the back half,” said Sullivan. “These sales projections are based on the assumption that we do not experience a second wave of lockdowns related to Covid-19. Given the unprecedented volatility in our recent monthly sales and continued economic uncertainty related to the length and severity of the Covid-19 health crisis, we are not providing earnings guidance at this time for the full year of fiscal 2021.”

“We remain laser-focused on advancing our MAP to Growth program and managing our businesses to drive efficiency. We continue to identify numerous opportunities for self-improvement and remain on track to reach our targeted $290 million in annualized savings over the course of the program,” said Sullivan.