On November 10-11, 2021, RPM hosted its 2nd annual R&D Summit that brought together nearly 450 marketing, sales, research and development (R&D) and business leaders from across the company—a 30% increase in attendance from last year’s program.
Connecting R&D associates from all four operating groups, the RPM R&D Summit serves as an invaluable opportunity to drive deeper connections and cultivate big ideas for innovation among the company’s technical community—allowing them to share their knowledge, capabilities and passion with the rest of the organization.
The theme for this year’s RPM R&D Summit was “Building a Better World: Connect, Ideate and Create.” It sought to build upon the success of last year’s event, which ultimately led to seven innovative new technology platforms that addressed key collaboration and sustainability topics.
Featuring a mixed live and virtual format held over two and a half days, this year’s event covered important topics such as key R&D initiatives, opportunities for collaboration among RPM’s operating companies, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. It included:
- Inspiring keynote presentations from Frank Sullivan and operating group presidents Paul Hoogenboom, Bill Spaulding, Dave Dennsteadt and Ronnie Holman;
- RPM’s strategic initiatives for building a better world from VP of Compliance, Associate General Counsel & Assistant Secretary Tracy Crandall;
- Supply chain and operational efficiencies from VP of Operations Tim Kinser; and
- Strategies and initiatives for driving greater collaboration and innovation from Rust-Oleum VP of R&D and Corporate Quality Bedri Erdem.
Thank you to all of our associates worldwide who seek out opportunities for connection and innovation every day. We appreciate your continued investment of time and talent in RPM’s growth and look forward to learning about the new ideas and successful initiatives that result from your collaboration.
Together, as One RPM, we are building a better world by delivering more sustainable solutions for our people, our customers, our communities and our planet.