PPG's Automotive Glass Business to be Named Pittsburgh Glass Works

As reported on www.glassBYTEs.com™ yesterday, PPG Industries' automotive glass and services business will begin using the name "Pittsburgh Glass Works" (PGW) effective August 1. (CLICK HERE for full text of press release.)

The business will continue to be known by Pittsburgh Glass Works once its sale to Kohlberg & Co., expected to close in the third quarter of 2008, is complete.

The newly formed business will continue using the name following closure of the transaction with Kohlberg & Co. that is expected in the third quarter of this year.

"The name, Pittsburgh Glass Works, captures the essence of our corporate culture," says Frank Archinaco, who continues as president and chief executive officer of Pittsburgh Glass Works. "It builds on the image and heritage that Pittsburgh was the center of glass making- even before PPG's establishment in the industry. Keeping the word 'glass' and incorporating 'works' into our name conveys not only our desire to maintain a tradition within the glass industry, but communicates to our customers our formidable work ethic, strong values and intent to deliver the solutions they need."

Company officials expect to begin updating trademarks on some products by end of summer, with the full transition being completed within the next year, with the new PGW logo shown at right.

PPG Auto Glass spokesperson Laurie Cochran says the name was chosen related to a survey of employees and customers in late 2007. Those surveyed, she says, liked the connection of the new name to the company's history.

"It has a strong connection to maintaining our heritage," she says.

And, so far, the reaction from employees has been good, she says.

"I think people are quite excited to see what the future holds," she says.

Cochran was unable to comment on how the business might work once the sale to Kohlberg & Co. is complete.

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