PPG Industries
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Paint, coatings, specialty materials |
| Founded | January 1, 1883 in Creighton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Founder | John Baptiste Ford, John Pitcairn Jr. |
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (over 70 countries) |
Key people | Charles E. Bunch (Executive Chairman), Michael McGarry (President and CEO) |
| Products | Paints, coatings, glass, fiberglass, chemical products |
Number of employees | Not specified |
| Website | www |
PPG Industries, Inc. is a U.S.-based provider of paint, coating, and specialty material products, with its headquarters located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Operating across more than 70 nations, PPG stands as the world's second-largest coatings manufacturer by revenue, trailing only Sherwin-Williams. The company is listed on the Fortune 500 and is situated in PPG Place, a prominent downtown Pittsburgh complex noted for its unique glass exterior designed by architect Philip Johnson.
19th century
Established in 1883 by John Baptiste Ford and John Pitcairn Jr. in Creighton, Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company was the first American firm to produce premium, thick flat glass through the plate glass manufacturing method. It also pioneered the use of locally sourced natural gas to fuel its furnaces, encouraging industrial usage of cleaner energy sources.
By the turn of the century, known as the "Glass Trust," PPG operated ten manufacturing plants, controlled 65% of the U.S. plate glass market, and ranked as the country's second-largest paint producer. Presently operating as PPG Industries, it has grown into a multibillion-dollar enterprise with 150 production facilities worldwide, specializing in coatings, glass, fiberglass, and chemical products.
John Pitcairn held leadership roles from the company's inception, serving as director initially, then president between 1897 and 1905, and chairman until his passing in 1916.
20th century
Founded in 1902 in Detroit as an automotive color specialist, Ditzler Color Company was acquired by Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company (now PPG) in 1928. The corporation adopted the name PPG Industries, Inc. on December 19, 1968, to better represent its diversified operations. During the mid-1980s, under CEO Pere Nadal Carres, PPG expanded into Spain by purchasing Cipisa and rebranding it as PPG Ibérica. In 1990, PPG partnered with Essilor to establish Transitions Optical.
In October 2000, PPG announced its acquisition of Courtaulds Aerospace for $512.5 million; the company was based in Glendale, California. This aerospace division generated roughly $240 million annually and employed about 1,200 individuals. It produces sealants and coatings at sites across the United States, England, and France and supports operations through 14 application centers worldwide.
2000s
In 2006, PPG implemented a two-tier wage system for hourly employees that triggered widespread union strikes across several states. Despite extended labor conflicts in West Virginia and Louisiana, the company upheld this pay structure.
In 2007, PPG encountered legal challenges related to nondisclosure issues concerning decreased orders from two principal automotive glass clients.
That same year, PPG Australia expanded by acquiring Barloworld Limited, which owns paint brands such as Taubmans, Bristol, and White Knight.
On January 2, 2008, PPG significantly bolstered its paint and specialty coatings segment by purchasing SigmaKalon Group from Bain Capital for $3.2 billion.
In 2008, the company renamed its automotive glass unit PGW (Pittsburgh Glass Works) and sold a majority interest to Kohlberg & Company while retaining a 40% stake. Later in March 2016, PPG sold its remaining share to automotive parts supplier LKQ Corporation.
2010s
In 2012, PPG expanded its portfolio by acquiring Dyrup A/S, a Danish firm established in 1928, recognized for its brands such as Dyrup, GORI (specializing in outdoor woodcare coatings), and Bondex.
By April 2013, PPG finalized the purchase of AkzoNobel's North American architectural coatings division, which included prominent brands like Glidden, Liquid Nails, and Flood. That same year, the company reported revenues reaching US$15.1 billion alongside assets totaling US$15.9 billion.
On April 1, 2014, PPG divested Transitions Optical to Essilor International but continued to provide research and development support through its technical center located in Monroeville. Later that year, on November 5, PPG acquired Consorcio Comex, a leading paint manufacturer based in Mexico, for $2.3 billion.
In April 2015, PPG completed the acquisition of REVOCOAT, a global supplier specializing in sealants. During this period, Charles E. Bunch retained his role as Executive Chairman while Michael McGarry served as President and CEO.
In July 2016, the company sold its flat glass segment to Mexican glass producer Vitro for $750 million.
October 2016 marked a branding milestone when PPG secured naming rights to Pittsburgh’s Consol Energy Center, subsequently renaming it the PPG Paints Arena.
By September 2017, PPG had divested its remaining fiberglass operations to Nippon Electric Glass for $541 million, following prior sales of European and Asian fiberglass assets.
Attempted acquisition of AkzoNobel
In March 2017, PPG initiated an unsolicited takeover proposal valued at €20.9 billion targeting AkzoNobel; this was swiftly rejected by AkzoNobel’s leadership. Shortly thereafter, PPG raised the bid to €24.5 billion; however, this offer was also declined. Some shareholders encouraged AkzoNobel’s board to engage with PPG and consider negotiations. In April, activist investor Elliott Management—holding a 3.25% stake—advocated for the removal of Akzo chairman Antony Burgmans due to his resistance to discussions with the bidder. Templeton Global Equity supported calls for an extraordinary shareholder meeting to evaluate Burgmans’ position.
AkzoNobel responded by unveiling plans to spin off its chemicals division and distribute €1.6 billion in special dividends as a defensive measure against the takeover attempt. PPG rejected this approach, arguing that its offer presented superior value for shareholders and gained backing from activist investor Elliott Advisors. On April 24, PPG increased its final bid by approximately 8% to $28.8 billion (€26.9 billion), causing Akzo’s share price to reach an all-time high. Influential investors such as Columbia Threadneedle Investments and the UK’s Universities Superannuation Scheme urged AkzoNobel to enter talks with PPG.
Despite mounting pressure, AkzoNobel’s supervisory board maintained that PPG’s proposals undervalued the company and cited concerns including antitrust issues and cultural incompatibility. Under Dutch law, PPG was required either to submit a formal bid or withdraw its offer. In early June, PPG ceased pursuit of the acquisition, ending its $29.5 billion bid for the Dulux paint manufacturer.
2020s
In 2020, PPG earned the Adhesives and Sealants Council (ASC) Innovation Award for its "High Strength, Highly Ductile Structural Adhesive PR 2930." In May 2021, the company completed the acquisition of Wörwag, a German-based coatings producer.
On October 17, 2024, PPG announced it would sell its U.S. and Canadian architectural coatings business to American Industrial Partners (AIP) for $550 million. The deal included major brands such as Glidden, Dulux (Canada), Liquid Nails, Homax, Pittsburgh Paints and Stains, Flood, Sico, and Manor Hall. The transaction comprised ownership of 750 retail stores operated by the company directly, access to 6,600 independent dealer outlets, and shelf space at approximately 8,100 retail and home improvement stores.
The sale was finalized on December 2, 2024, bringing together GLIDDEN, OLYMPIC, PITTSBURGH PAINTS & STAINS, LIQUID NAILS, Manor Hall, HOMAX, TRUEFINISH, MULCO, FLOOD, DULUX (Canada), and SICO under The Pittsburgh Paints Company umbrella.
Financial Performance
Between 2013 and 2022, PPG consistently recorded positive net earnings each year:
| Year | $ millions |
|---|---|
| 2013 | $3,231 |
| 2014 | $2,102 |
| 2015 | $1,406 |
| 2016 | $877 |
| 2017 | $1,591 |
| 2018 | $1,341 |
| 2019 | $1,243 |
| 2020 | $1,059 |
| 2021 | $1,439 |
| 2022 | $1,026 |
Environmental Initiatives
In November 2010, PPG pledged to eliminate 700,000 tons of hazardous waste from the Canal Crossing area in Jersey City, New Jersey. This location had housed a chromium processing operation from 1954 until 1963. The cleanup commitment was part of a federal court agreement that established rigorous environmental requirements.
The Lime Lake Reclamation Project located in Barberton, Ohio, was recognized with EPA Region 5 awards in 1998 for its effective use of biosolids.
As documented in Arlie Russell Hochschild’s Strangers in Their Own Land, Pittsburgh Plate Glass instructed workers to dispose of toxic tar into Bayou D'Inde near Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Sports Involvement
PPG has maintained a significant presence in motorsports, notably as the principal sponsor of the CART Indy car series from 1980 through 1997. Since 1984, it has collaborated with Team Penske across multiple racing platforms including CART, the IndyCar Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series. The company also sponsors the Brickyard 400 trophy and has been partnered with the Williams F1 Team since 2017. Additionally, PPG serves as the main sponsor for John Force Racing, providing paint and decals for their NHRA vehicles.
On October 4, 2016, PPG secured naming rights to Pittsburgh’s arena previously known as Consol Energy Center; it was subsequently renamed PPG Paints Arena.
Beginning in 2024, PPG expanded its sponsorship into snooker through its Johnstone's Paint brand by backing the Tour Championship. The company extended its title sponsorship to the Masters event through the year 2027. Furthermore, its Scandinavian brand GORI will sponsor the German Masters starting in 2025.
Presidents
- Edward Ford, 1883–1898
- John Pitcairn Jr., 1898–1905
- William Lewis Clause, 1905–1916
- C. W. Brown, 1916–1928
- Harry S. Wherrett, 1928–1941
- Robert Lewis Clause, 1941–1944
- Harry B. Higgins, 1944–1955
- David G. Gill, 1955–1966
- Robinson F. Barker, 1966–1967
- Joseph A. Neubauer, 1967–1976
- J. Earl Burrell, 1976–1984
- Edward J. Slack, from 1984 onward
Chairpersons of the Board
- John Pitcairn Jr., 1898–1916
- William L. Clause, 1916–1931
- Clarence M. Brown, 1931–1955
- Harry B. Higgins, 1955–1957
- E. T. Asplundh, 1957–1966
- David G. Hill, 1966–1967
- Robinson F. Barker, 1967–1979
- L. Stanton Williams, 1979–1985
- Vincent A. Sarni, since 1985
See also
- Columbia-Southern Chemical Corporation
- Dimetcote
- Self-cleaning glass
- Transitions Lenses, joint venture established in 1990