New resins Production Facility in Belgium for RPM Inernational

RPM International is making a significant investment in a new production facility located in Belgium. This facility is part of RPM's strategic initiatives to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and improve supply chain efficiency.

• Expected Opening: The facility is scheduled to open by the end of the calendar year 2024, which aligns with the second quarter of RPM's fiscal year 2025.
• Management: The new facility will be overseen by RPM's Specialty Products Group (SPG)
• Purpose: It will supply resins to all four of RPM's business segments as well as external customers
• Strategic Importance: This facility represents the fourth RPM plant focused on intercompany sales, which is a key element of RPM's procurement strategy to enhance supply chain resiliency.

Investment Context

Capital Expenditures: For the first quarter of fiscal 2025, RPM's capital expenditures totaled $50.7 million, slightly down from $52.2 million in the prior-year period. The investment in the Belgian facility is included in these capital expenditures. RPM is using a portion of its cash flow generation to fund this investment, alongside debt repayment and shareholder returns.

Strategic Benefits

1. Supply Chain Resiliency: The facility is expected to improve RPM's supply chain resilience by providing an additional source of resins for its various business segments[.
2. Cost Reduction: By producing resins internally and supplying them across segments, RPM aims to lower costs.
3. Expanded European Presence: This investment aligns with RPM's efforts to grow its presence outside the United States and increase its global manufacturing footprint[.
4. Operational Efficiency: The facility is part of RPM's broader MAP 2025 initiative, which focuses on operational enhancements and cost savings.

This investment in Belgium demonstrates RPM's commitment to expanding its global manufacturing capabilities, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening its supply chain. It's part of a larger strategy that includes other recent investments in facilities in Malaysia and India, all aimed at supporting RPM's growth and efficiency goals.