Special Commemorative Edition . 2025
BUILT TO LAST CELEBRATING 160 YEARS OF A SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE FEATURE
Innovation, Integrity, and Industry Impact
BEFORE SMARTPHONES | BEFORE SKYSCRAPERS | BEFORE ELECTRICITY - THERE WAS DAP
In 1865, as the smoke of the Civil War began to clear and the country stood on the threshold of rebuilding, a small company in Dayton, Ohio, took root with a singular mission: to seal, to protect, and to last. Their product was sealing wax. Their impact, however, would reach far beyond that. Before smartphones. Before skyscrapers. Before electricity danced through the walls of our homes—there was DAP.
What began with Dicks, Armstrong, and Pontius—three visionaries whose initials formed the foundation of DAP—would evolve over the next 160 years into a legacy brand synonymous with reliability, innovation, and the hands-on excellence that fuels America’s construction and renovation industries. “Everything started in 1865,” recalled Jason Wirth, Vice President of Product Development. “It was a modest business… but that really laid the foundation for a legacy of reliable product performance.” From Civil War roots to Industry Cornerstone DAP didn’t explode onto the scene—it endured. Through decades of economic cycles, wars, and technological revolutions, the company expanded its product lines through strategic alliances, investments in innovation, and an unwavering dedication to the builders it served. From putties and sealing compounds in the early 1900s to today’s comprehensive portfolio of caulks, adhesives, repair products, insulating foams, and spray texture, DAP has quietly shaped the way homes are built and kept whole.
“Everything started in 1865. It was a modest business and that really laid the foundation for a legacy of reliable product performance.” —Jason Wirth, Vice President of Product Development
A Legacy Written in Every Line of Caulk What once operated as a small-scale manufacturer is now a nationally respected brand with manufacturing facilities across Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and Maryland—and a reach that spans every job site from coast to coast. DAP’s product lines don’t just fill gaps— they fill roles of trust. One product in particular, the Dynaflex series, has come to represent everything DAP stands for: durability, innovation, and confidence. “Dynaflex really stands out,” said Wirth. “It’s been a reliable go-to for our window, door, and siding installers.” From the beloved Dynaflex 230, known for its ease of use and crack-proof reliability, to the cutting-edge Dynaflex Ultra with WeatherMax Technology, the line continues to evolve with the changing demands of the industry. Mold resistance, flexibility in extreme temperatures, color match precision—DAP delivers not just products, but peace of mind. “We want to be the one thing pros don’t have to worry about,” Wirth said simply. “Because we know everything else on a job site is already hard enough.”
“We want to be the one thing pros don’t have to worry about. Because we know everything else on a job site is already hard enough.”
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Innovation Rooted in Humility and Curiosity
One of DAP’s most defining traits is its ability to listen.
Each year, the company conducts research with over 150,000 users, including contractors, installers, and building professionals. They don’t just test in a lab—they test on-site, in real conditions, with real people. That feedback becomes the backbone of new products, refinements, and performance enhancements.
“We have a saying here,” Wirth shared. “None of us internally buy or use enough of our products to matter. So it really comes down to understanding our users.”
That user-focused mindset is amplified by their position under RPM International, which encourages cross-pollination of ideas across its family of companies through a program called Connections Creating Value. “We call it diversity of thought,” said Wirth. “It’s one of the most powerful drivers of innovation. The more perspectives we bring into our product development process, the better we serve the people who rely on us.”
“It’s always been about the people. From our chemists to our frontline plant managers, everyone’s moving in the same direction. That’s why we’ve lasted.”
If there is a thread that runs deeper than product performance in DAP’s story, it’s the people behind it. Across generations, departments, and regions, the DAP team is driven by a shared belief in excellence—not just as a standard, but as a culture. Innovation Rooted in Humility and Curiosity
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
While national recognition has played a role in DAP’s success, its roots in regional partnerships are just as vital. Nowhere is this more evident than in its longstanding relationship with the Florida Building Material Association (FBMA). “Our membership with FBMA has been phenomenal,” said Wirth. “It’s helped us build meaningful relationships with builders, suppliers, and distributors throughout the Central Florida region.” More than just networking, DAP’s FBMA partnership has resulted in builder programs, product knowledge sessions, and new business opportunities that serve the evolving needs of Florida’s construction community. “We’re incredibly grateful,” added Wirth. “It’s more than business—it’s mutual support.” A Strategic Partnership with the FBMA Launching Innovation at the FBMA Trade Show The upcoming 105th Annual FBMA Trade Show and Convention marks another exciting opportunity for DAP to share new ideas, connect with professionals, and demonstrate the very solutions that keep projects moving forward.
This year, DAP will highlight its Dynaflex 800 hybrid sealant—available in both cartridges and sausage packs—as well as its high- performance SmartBond foam adhesives, which reduce labor and increase yield in subfloor and framing applications. “These are innovations designed to meet today’s labor and cost challenges head-on,” Wirth said. “We’re not just launching products —we’re offering solutions.” It’s an event we look forward to every year,” Wirth noted. “We’ve launched rebate programs, introduced new technology, and provided hands-on demonstrations that really empower builders.” Sustainability that Speaks for Itself DAP’s commitment to building a better world doesn’t stop at the job site. As part of RPM’s Building a Better World sustainability initiative, DAP has made measurable strides in reducing its environmental footprint. “We are always seeking more sustainable raw materials, are working to redesign our packaging with post-consumer content, and have even replaced all of our two-component foam blowing agents with Low Global Warming Potential materials,” said Wirth. But the most impactful sustainability comes through the products themselves. “When you seal a home with Dynaflex, when you insulate with our spray foam insulation— you’re helping to improve energy efficiency. You’re helping make your home more resilient. That’s sustainability in action.”
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
In a world of shifting markets and unpredictable challenges, builders need partners they can count on. DAP understands that. AP understands that. “Our contractors have dealt with challenges they’ve never seen before—supply chain issues, labor shortages, economic swings,” said Wirth. “We want our products to be one less thing they ever have to question.” With over 90% of their finished products made in the U.S., with U.S. and globally sourced materials, DAP’s domestic manufacturing in Baltimore, Dallas, Maryland, and Missouri ensures reliability, speed, and quality control at every turn. Their recent milestone—50 years of manufacturing in Baltimore—is a testament to that consistency. Built for Today, Backed by 160 Years
“We want our products to be one less thing they ever have to question.”
Built for Today, Backed by 160 Years As they close out their 160th year and look to the future, the mission remains as clear as emains as clear as ever. “We want to continue earning our place as the builder’s first choice,” said Wirth. “That means doing what we’ve always done:
listening, innovating, and never compromising on the trust people place in us.”
To those attending the FBMA convention and to every builder, supplier, and partner who has helped shape DAP’s journey: the message is one of sincere gratitude.
Thank you for your loyalty. For building with us. For trusting us—for 160 years 160 years and counting. and counting. trusting us—for 160 years and counting.
Come meet the team behind 160 years of trusted innovation.
Explore their latest product breakthroughs— including Dynaflex® Ultra and SmartBond™ Foam Adhesives hesives —designed to save time, reduce labor, and deliver lasting performance. Whether you're a builder, distributor, or supplier, DAP would love to connect, answer your questions, and show you what’s next.
Want to learn more? Scan the QR code below to visit de below to visit dap.com and explore their full product lineup, helpful resources, and professional tools. Scan the QR code below to visit dap.com
A Legacy Forged in 160 YEARS
"From a single factory floor to the hands of millions — DAP has been building America for 160 years."
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