According to Howard Combs, director, high-performance coatings, these moves are in response to customer feedback that indicated customers want easier access to the company's coatings as well as stronger local market service. Combs said that PPG high-performance coatings are now available through a broader network of company-owned stores and independent dealers throughout North America.In addition, he said, PPG has strengthened product distribution with eight distribution centers throughout the United States and Canada that maintain product stocks to assure fast and adequate supplies to local markets.
PPG high-performance coatings products are also available in parts of the Far East and South America, and plans are under way to expand distribution into Europe, Combs added.
"Local markets now have ready access to our products," Combs said. "And we are able to provide support through an established team of dedicated, well-trained high-performance coatings field experts, along with an extensive network of knowledgeable local market representatives operating out of PPG stores and locally based dealers positioned to handle all service requirements."
Additionally, the company has a new identity for its high-performance coatings and is marketing them under the PPG brand, linking the PPG symbol with its other well-known global coatings brands.
"With our many coatings company acquisitions over the past few years, we needed to clearly define our position in the marketplace and demonstrate our commitment to high-performance coatings," Combs said.
New brand identification clearly defines PPG as the manufacturer of all of its high-performance coatings while positioning key brands within specific markets, such as Keeler & Long coatings for the power industry, Pitt-Char coatings for hydrocarbon fire protection, and Megaflon high-performance fluoropolymer coatings for extreme high-durability exterior applications, Combs said.
"We are building on PPG's 100-plus years of coatings expertise, and branching off unique technical capabilities from that base."
According to Combs, development of all-new packaging supports the brand strategy with a common black-and-white style that incorporates a color band to easily identify specific product technologies.
The new trilingual labels are designed to be easy to read and use by all applicators, he added.
PPG high-performance coatings include acrylic urethanes, epoxy primers and top coats, silicone acrylics, moisture cure urethanes, vinyls, silicone alkyds, acrylic waterborne coatings, industrial alkyds and other specialty coatings.
PPG strengthens high-performance coatings sales
In a major move to grow its high-performance coatings business, PPG Industries is expanding the size and reach of sales and service, improving local market access and simplifying its product line under a single brand strategy.