PPG Industries and Kansai Paint launch alliance for automotive OEM coatings

22-11-2004: PPG Industries and Kansai Paint announced the successful conclusion of negotiations to launch an alliance for the sale of automotive coatings to global original equipment manufacturers. The joint venture, to be known as PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes (PKAF), has just established legal entities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Registration certification has been initiated in Canada, Mexico, France and Japan and should be finalized shortly.

Officials from PPG and Kansai said the alliance will assist both companies in responding quickly and effectively to the demands and requirements of the global automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) industry.

The initial focus of the alliance will be Japanese-based OEMs in North America and Europe. Later, PPG and Kansai will establish marketing and sales operations in Shanghai, China, and in other Asian countries to serve all automotive OEM customers in that region. In addition, PPG and Kansai will develop technology jointly, benefiting customers worldwide.

North American and European joint ventures will be 60-percent owned by PPG and 40-percent owned by Kansai. Troy, Mich., will be the head office in North America and Birmingham, United Kingdom, will serve as the European head office. The joint venture in Japan will be 50-percent owned by PPG and 50-percent owned by Kansai and it will be located in Aichi Prefecture.

Richard J. Rurak will be appointed president of PKAF-North America and Europe. Mitsuhiro Fukuda and Yutaka Mizutani will be vice presidents of PKAF North America and PKAF-Europe, respectively. Masahisa Izuhara will be president of PKAF-Japan. Masao Watanabe will be vice president of PKAF-Japan.