PPG WATERBORNE EXPOS DRAW CROWDS IN CALIFORNIA

For Immediate Release:
June, 2007

PPG Automotive Refinish
19699 Progress Drive
Strongsville, Ohio 44149

Contact:
Calvinia Fields
PPG Automotive Refinish
19699 Progress Drive, Strongsville, Ohio 44149
(440) 572-2800
cfields@ppg.com

Andrea Giunta, Director, Global Science & Technology for PPG Automotive Refinish, addresses the crowd at the PPG Waterborne Expo held in Anaheim, CA on June 7. Guinta spoke on waterborne technology and the advantages of using PPG waterborne refinish systems.  The event outlined the products and services available to PPG customers to assist with the conversion process from solvent to water.

STRONGSVILLE, OHIO – June 26, 2007 – PPG Automotive Refinish recently held two “Waterborne Expos” in California to address the conversion by Southern California collision centers to waterborne coatings. Over 500 collision center owners, managers, and painters attended these informative events on June 5 at the Petersen Auto Museum in Los Angeles, and June 7 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim. 

“The purpose of these events was not only to talk about PPG’s waterborne product offering, but to present a host of services available to PPG customers to assist with their conversion plans,” said Doug Beuke, compliant segment manager, North America.  “During the next year PPG will offer a series of “Convert With Confidence” seminars that will cover all the information a body shop will need to make the conversion from solvent to water.  We also provide a Waterborne Conversion Planning Guide that outlines in detail how to plan for a conversion so as not to disrupt operations.”

Over 500 collision center owners, managers, and painters attended PPG’s Waterborne Expos held recently in California.  PPG offered a wealth of information about the products and services available to PPG shops to assist with the conversion from solvent to water.  The Expos included a trade show featuring experts from spray gun and air movement equipment manufacturers, and waste stream management firms.

The Expos included presentations on waterborne technology, PPG waterborne product offerings, equipment, technician training, and support services.  The event also included a trade show featuring experts from spray gun and air movement equipment manufacturers, as well as waste stream management firms. 

PPG’s Compliant Segment Manager, North America, Doug Beuke, spoke at PPG’s Waterborne Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on June 7.  Beuke presented the wide range of services and seminars available from PPG to shops making the change from solvent to water.  PPG “Convert With Confidence” seminars provide collision centers with all the tools and information needed to make a smooth transition.

“Although some shop owners view the conversion process as difficult, this simply isn’t true,” Beuke continues.  “PPG has proven platforms to meet the needs of California collision centers and provide ease of use for repairers. Both of PPG’s product lines, the EnvirobaseÒ High Performance (HP) system, and the AquabaseÒPlus system, contain innovative PPG  “anti-settling” technology. The pigment doesn’t “settle” to the bottom as it does in solventborne tinters, which improves color match accuracy and consistency. With PPG’s anti-settling technology built into our products, we have made life in the body shop even simpler!” 

“PPG’s wealth of global experience has given us the expertise to deliver proven solutions to the conversion process,”  Beuke adds. “Our comprehensive seminars, Conversion Planning Guide, and superb product offering truly give collision centers everything they will need to make a smooth transition and “Convert With Confidence!”
 
For more information about PPG’s “Convert With Confidence” seminars, contact your local PPG or Nexa Autocolor distributor.

About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company employs more than 30,000 people and has 125 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 20 countries. Sales in 2006 were $11 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York and Philadelphia stock exchanges (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

PPG Automotive Refinish, 19699 Progress Drive, Strongsville, Ohio 44149

Aquabase and Envirobase are registered trademarks of PPG Industries.