PRC-DeSoto, PPG Launch PPG Aerospace Brand Identity

PRC-DeSoto, a global supplier of aerospace coatings and sealants, was acquired by PPG Industries in 1999 and joins PPG's aircraft transparencies business in marketing its products and services under the PPG Aerospace banner. According to Dennis Kovalsky, head of PPG Aerospace and a vice president of PPG Industries, the new image is aimed at communicating the unique capabilities that PPG's combined aerospace resources bring to its customers and the aviation industry. "The new PPG Aerospace image reinforces key strengths of combining the PRC-DeSoto and transparencies business segments under one aerospace strategic business unit," Kovalsky said."These include an enhanced focus on the aerospace industry, continued industry leadership in all of our products and services, distribution synergies achieved through use of our global application support center (ASC) network, and the additional resources available to us as a PPG Industries strategic business unit."

PRC-DeSoto, which remains a separate corporate entity, will be referred to as PPG Aerospace - PRC-DeSoto. PPG's aircraft transparencies business will be referred to as PPG Aerospace - Transparencies.

PPG Aerospace has adopted the positioning statement, "Where Smart Solutions Take Flight," which will be used in its marketing communications programs. It is featured on its NBAA display at booth number 2074.

"Since acquiring PRC-DeSoto, we have worked to develop a strategy to integrate our unique strengths as leaders in aircraft transparencies and aerospace sealants and coatings," Kovalsky said. "The launch of the PPG Aerospace brand identity signifies the start of a new approach to developing, marketing and selling of aerospace services and products that focuses on our strengths to provide smart solutions for our customers."

PPG Aerospace is the world's largest supplier of aircraft transparencies, manufactured at its Huntsville, Ala., plant and by PPG's Ampaspace subsidiary near Milan, Italy. Its PRC-DeSoto unit produces aerospace sealants and packaging and application systems at Glendale, Calif., aerospace sealants and coatings at Mojave, Calif., and Shildon, England, and aerospace coatings at Le Havre, France, and operates 16 application support centers in nine countries.