MEDINA, OH – Paint and coatings manufacturer RPM International Inc. reported record sales, net income and diluted earnings per share for both its fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended May 31, 2014.

Fourth-quarter net sales increased 9.1% to $1.28 billion from $1.17 billion. Consolidated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved 36.5% to $172.1 million, from $126.1 million a year ago on an "as-reported" basis. Net income for the fourth quarter was $108.8 million, up 66.4% from the $65.4 million reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Diluted earnings per share were $0.80, up 63.3% from $0.49 reported a year ago.

Fiscal 2014 consolidated net sales increased 7.3% to $4.38 billion from $4.08 billion in fiscal 2013. On an "as-reported" basis, consolidated EBIT was up 95.5% to $489.7 million from $250.6 million in fiscal 2013. Net income improved 195.8% to $291.7 million from $98.6 million in fiscal 2013. Diluted earnings per share of $2.18 were up 194.6% from $0.74 a year ago.

Fiscal 2013 adjustments totaled $184.8 million pre-tax. Based on adjusted results for fiscal 2013, net sales in fiscal 2014 were up 7.2%. Consolidated EBIT increased 16.1% over the adjusted $421.7 million a year ago. Net income was up 20.9% over the adjusted $241.3 million in fiscal 2013, while diluted earnings per share improved 19.8% over the adjusted $1.82 last year.

Sales for RPM's industrial segment increased 5.1% to $2.77 billion from $2.64 billion in fiscal 2013. Organic sales increased 4.6% including unfavorable foreign exchange translation of 0.9%, with acquisition growth contributing 0.5%.

Consumer segment sales for fiscal 2014 increased 11.4% to $1.61 billion from $1.44 billion in fiscal 2013. Organic sales increased by 6.4%, including unfavorable foreign exchange translation of 0.4%, and acquisition growth added 5.0%.

"Our overall operating results for both the quarter and year were strong, led by continued vigor in both our consumer segment and most of our European businesses. In addition, our Legend Brands subsidiary had an extraordinary year, driven in part by the severe winter in North America, which stimulated demand for its restoration services equipment," said Frank C. Sullivan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Net sales, net income and diluted earnings per share all experienced significant growth, compared to both reported and adjusted prior-year results.

"For our 2015 fiscal year, we anticipate 6% to 8% growth in consolidated net sales, with 5% to 7% growth in our consumer segment and 6% to 8% growth in our industrial segment. Net income is expected to increase 9% to 11%, resulting in diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.38 to $2.42. This expectation is predicated on continued growth within our consumer segment, as a result of continuation of trends from fiscal 2014: ongoing recovery in the North American housing market, market share gains and market acceptance of new products at higher price points than our traditional consumer product lines. In the industrial segment, we expect momentum in our European businesses to continue at a more moderate pace, with a return to growth at the Tremco roofing division, along with slow growth in businesses serving the North American commercial construction markets. We will continue to leverage a great management team at Viapol in Brazil to fuel growth for RPM in South America by building their own business and adding manufacturing for other RPM companies in fiscal 2015," Sullivan stated.