PPG appoints Ludlow Senior Vice President, OEM Coatings

Automotive, industrial, packaging, European and light industrial coatings and aerospace products will report to Ludlow in his new role.Ludlow will report to Charles E. Bunch, executive vice president, coatings, who becomes president and chief operating officer July 1.

"Mike's track record in a variety of business and staff roles, both here and in Europe, makes him an ideal person for this new position," Bunch said. "Bringing our OEM coatings units together under Mike's leadership will enhance our ability to identify and implement best practices and drive growth in those businesses."

In addition, PPG announced today that Kevin F. Sullivan, vice president, fiber glass, has been appointed vice president, chemicals. PPG's chlor-alkali & derivatives, optical products, silicas and fine chemicals business units will report to Sullivan, who will report to Bunch.

"Our fiber glass businesses have had a successful track record of anticipating and responding to business conditions under Kevin's leadership," Bunch said. "Kevin's broad business perspective matches up well with our diverse chemicals portfolio."

Ludlow, 50, joined PPG's glass business in 1974 at a Phoenix branch of the former contract and supply department, and held a number of sales assignments and branch management posts before becoming manager of the Meadville, Pa., flat glass plant in 1984.

Two years later, Ludlow became general manager of the former glass commercial construction group. He moved to Paris in 1988 as general manager of European glass operations, returned to Pittsburgh in 1992 as general manager of automotive replacement glass products, and was elected vice president of automotive original equipment glass products in 1994. He was named vice president of corporate purchasing and distribution in 1996 and elected to his current post in 1998.

A native of Cincinnati, Ludlow received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Cincinnati and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Sullivan, 51, joined PPG's fiber glass business in 1973 as a management trainee and was a sales representative in Atlanta and then Cleveland before returning to Pittsburgh in 1981 as reinforcements marketing manager.

He was named Cincinnati zone sales manager the following year, and director of fiber glass sales in 1985. He was appointed general manager, fiber glass reinforcements, in 1990, and elected vice president, fiber glass, in 1997.