PPG earns PACE award for third consecutive year

This marked the third consecutive year PPG has been a winner in the PACE Awards program, sponsored by Automotive News magazine and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young to honor automotive suppliers around the world for product innovation and management excellence.PPG is the only coatings manufacturer to receive three awards since the program began in 1994.

Eight PACE Awards were presented last night at the Detroit Opera House. Recipients were selected from 18 finalists after a comprehensive evaluation by an independent panel representing industry and academia.

"We're very proud of this achievement. It serves as testimony to our leadership in developing new coatings products and solutions for the transportation industry," said Michael Ludlow, PPG vice president of industrial coatings.

Traditionally, the chassis components of cars and light trucks were coated with hot wax, providing corrosion protection for one to three years. FrameCoat coatings by PPG meet original equipment manufacturers' requirements for 10-year corrosion protection, according to Ludlow.

"FrameCoat coatings provide superior corrosion resistance in comparison to other products being used on frames today," said Ludlow, adding that PPG's award-winning product is used on DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes M-Class sport utility vehicles; Ford's Expedition, Super Crew, Explorer and Sports Trac models; and General Motors' Trail Blazer.

PPG earned a PACE Award in 2001 for Audioguard sound- and vibration-damping coating. In 2000, PPG became the first coatings maker to win a PACE Award when it was recognized for its Enviracryl powder clear coat used on BMW autos built in Germany.

Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global manufacturer of coatings, glass, fiber glass and chemicals, with 120 manufacturing locations and equity affiliates in 24 countries. Sales in 2001 were US$8.2 billion.