RPM to Acquire Restoration and Cleaning Solutions Business

MEDINA, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM) announced today that its RPM2 business unit has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the Legend Brands group of companies, providers of equipment and solutions for water and fire damage restoration, professional cleaning and environmental control. Based in Burlington, WA, Legend Brands has annual sales of more than $70 million. Terms of the transaction, which is expected to be accretive to earnings within one year, were not disclosed.

"Many of the products and services within the RPM portfolio of companies have traditionally focused on protecting the built environment from harmful and corrosive elements," stated Frank C. Sullivan, RPM chairman and chief executive officer. "Legend Brands will extend our reach a step further – to the restoration of property when the elements do infiltrate a structure. We will continue to seek acquisitions, like Legend Brands, that are in adjacent categories to our traditional markets, but still fit strategically."

Legend Brands is comprised of three companies, Dri-Eaz Products, a provider of tools for water damage restoration and environmental control; ProRestore Products, providing industry-leading odor, smoke and microbial control applications; and Sapphire Scientific, a provider of advanced carpet cleaning chemicals, tools and equipment.

Legend Brands has distribution in 15 countries and customers in 20 countries. It will remain a stand-alone operation within RPM2 and will continue to be led by its existing management team, headed by Bill Bruders, chief executive officer.

About RPM

RPM International Inc., a holding company, owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services serving both industrial and consumer markets.  RPM's industrial products include roofing systems, sealants, corrosion control coatings, flooring coatings and specialty chemicals.  Industrial brands include Stonhard, Tremco, illbruck, Carboline, Euco, Flowcrete and Universal Sealants.  RPM's consumer products are used by professionals and do-it-yourselfers for home maintenance and improvement and by hobbyists.  Consumer brands include Zinsser, Rust-Oleum, DAP, Varathane and Testors.  Additional details are available at www.rpminc.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to our business.  These forward-looking statements, or other statements made by us, are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting us, and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including those specified below) which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond our control.  As a result, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any such forward-looking statements.  These uncertainties and factors include (a) global markets and general economic conditions, including uncertainties surrounding the volatility in financial markets, the availability of capital and the effect of changes in interest rates, and the viability of banks and other financial institutions; (b) the prices, supply and capacity of raw materials, including assorted pigments, resins, solvents and other natural gas- and oil-based materials; packaging, including plastic containers; and transportation services, including fuel surcharges; (c) continued growth in demand for our products; (d) legal, environmental and litigation risks inherent in our construction and chemicals businesses and risks related to the adequacy of our insurance coverage for such matters; (e) the effect of changes in interest rates; (f) the effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates upon our foreign operations; (g) the effect of non-currency risks of investing in and conducting operations in foreign countries, including those relating to domestic and international political, social, economic and regulatory factors; (h) risks and uncertainties associated with our ongoing acquisition and divestiture activities; (i) risks related to the adequacy of our contingent liability reserves; (j) risks and uncertainties associated with the SPHC bankruptcy proceedings; and (k) other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2011, as the same may be updated from time to time.  We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

SOURCE RPM International Inc.