Company Overview

PPG was founded in 1883 as a distinguished plate glass commercial retailer.  The nature of their company has shifted throughout time and today focuses primarily on the production of paints and coatings.  In addition to serving individual customers, they now provide aerospace, architectural, automotive, and industrial industries with paints and coatings

Their overall vision is “To be the world’s leading coatings company by consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions that customers trust to protect and beautify their products and surroundings”.  Within this vision, they encourage their customers and employees to pursue the essential mission statements of their company (listed below). 

1. Act with integrity and be true to their values and ethics. 
2. Deliver consistent sales and earnings growth.
3. Develop innovative products to meet future needs.
4. Work safely, protect the environment and support communities where they operate.
5. Achieve superior shareholder returns.

Their website indicates that PPG maintains a sense of pride and leadership by encouraging innovation, acting sustainably, and providing beautiful colors to their customers.  

PPG’s NAICS Code for paint and coating manufacturing is 325510.

PPG’s SIC Code for paints, varnishes, and lacquers is 2851. 

PPG’s SIC Code for chemicals and chemical preparations is 2899. 

Their primary competitors include companies like Praxair Inc., Lyondell Basell Industries, and Sherwin-Williams Co.  These companies are major manufacturers of gas, plastics, and chemicals that are incorporated into PPG’s products. 

Overall, PPG has 47,000 employees; 25% of whom are women and 75% of whom are men.  Due to a push for increasing diversity, the current CEO signed the Action for Diversity and Inclusion Pledge in 2017.  This has ushered in the development of internal councils for minorities, women’s leadership, the LGBT community, and elderly workers who are typically less represented within the PPG workforce. 

Their global headquarters are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and employ approximately 18,000 employees. 

Their Asian-Pacific headquarters are in Hong Kong and employ approximately 7,200 employees. 

Their European, Middle-Eastern, and African headquarters are in Switzerland, where they employ approximately 15,300 employees. 

Their Latin American headquarters are in Sumare, Brazil and employ approximately 6,500 employees.