Medina, Ohio – RPM International has made two polyurethane business acquisitions in the space of two days, it bought 80% of Arnette Polymers, and also the foam division of Clayton Corporation.
Richmond, Missouri-based Arnette manufactures specialty chemical raw materials, including intermediates used in polyurethanes. It supplies chemical producers and distributors, and also end-user formulators, said RPM. The business will continue to be run by the existing management team, including founders Jim and Micky Arnette.
“Arnette’s flexibility and ability to produce from pilot to large scale batches of both standard and niche materials has made it a key supplier for RPM subsidiaries over the last several years,” said RPM chairman and chief executive Frank Sullivan. “With a good working relationship already in place, we intend to leverage this acquisition to further expand advantages in cost, supply and product development within the RPM supply chain.”
The second acquisition, Clayton’s foam division, sells polyurethane foam brands under the Touch ’N Foam brand for the DIY market, and Touch ’N Seal for the professional industrial market. It will become part of RPM’s DAP business, which already sells caulks, sealants, adhesives, and repair products to the DIY and contractor markets.
“The addition of Touch ’N Foam polyurethane expands DAP’s product coverage, while providing a cost-effective US manufacturing and technology platform,” Sullivan said. “We intend to harness DAP’s category management and marketing expertise to improve Touch ’N Foam’s placement and market impact. At the same time, we will leverage the Touch ’N Foam sales organisation to aggressively market DAP core products into new channels and accounts.”
