RPM Expands Intumescent, Wood Lines
MEDINA, OH—The UK's largest manufacturers of fire-stopping products and high-performance wood finishes are both joining the family of Rust-Oleum, Zinsser, Stonhard, Tremco and Dryvit.
RPM International Inc., the Ohio holding company that boasts dozens of the world's best-known brands of paint, coatings and building materials, has acquired both Firetherm Intumescent & Insulation Supplies Ltd. and Morrells Woodfinishes Ltd.
RPM announced the Morrells acquisition on Monday (April 13); Firetherm, on Tuesday (April 14).
Wood Finishes and More
Based outside Manchester, England, Morrells Wood Finishes Group has three divisions: Morrells' Wood Finishes, VLi Italian Coatings, and Sprayshop Application Equipment. The company has more than a dozen locations around England, Scotland and Ireland.
Morrells' many brands and products include:
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| RPM International Inc. |
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Morrells will be a stand-alone company in RPM2's Wood Finishes Group, which includes CCI, Guardian Protection Products Inc. and Mohawk Finishing Products. |
With sales of $33 million a year and nearly 150 employees, Morrells will remain a stand-alone operation within RPM2's Wood Finishes Group, which currently includes CCI, Guardian Protection Products Inc. and Mohawk Finishing Products.
"With a strong management team, led by Chief Executives Scott Drayton and Tony O'Connor, who will stay on to run the business, a portfolio of advanced technologies and a customer-centric distribution strategy, Morrells is an excellent fit within our Wood Finishes Group," said Frank C. Sullivan, RPM chairman and chief executive officer.
"We intend to accelerate Morrells' growth by leveraging its coatings technologies across the RPM network."
Fire Protection
Firetherm, a $10 million-a-year concern based in Kent, near London, will join RPM's tremco illbruck Group, which includes illbruck, Tremco, Nullifire and Pacan.
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| Firetherm |
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Firetherm manufactures and supplies a broad range of fire-protection products, including Firesteel intumescent paints and coatings for structural steel. |
Established in 1992, Firetherm manufactures and supplies a broad range of fire-stopping products, intumescent coatings, and fire-rated sealants and fiber boards. Its markets include fire-stopping contractors, general contractors and home builders, "who view the company as a leading technical expert in the sector," said RPM.
The company has its own range of compounds, sealants, coatings and fire seals to protect structural steel and other materials to prevent or delay to spread of fire within buildings. The company has offices in the UK and New Zealand with a worldwide distribution network.
Sullivan called Firetherm "a good strategic fit" with tremco illbruck and the Nullifire intumescent coatings business.
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| tremco illbruck |
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RPM says Firetherm will be a "good strategic fit" with tremco illbruck and its Nullifire intumescent coatings business. Nullifire SC902 was used at Glasgow University. |
The Firetherm deal dovetails with the relaunch of the Tremco brand. RPM has updated Tremco's brand packaging and supporting materials as well as its website.
The Firetherm acquisition will provide tremco illbruck with "the leading position for passive fire protection in the UK," said Sullivan.
"We expect to grow Firetherm in the UK and internationally by leveraging its products across the tremco illbruck distribution network."
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