PPG announces executive leadership changes

Rhea-AI Summary

PPG (NYSE:PPG) has announced executive leadership changes effective October 1, 2024. Kevin Braun, currently senior vice president of the industrial coatings segment, will become senior vice president of operations. He will succeed Ram Vadlamannati, who is retiring after 25 years with the company. Braun will report to Tim Knavish, PPG chairman and CEO, and serve on PPG's operating committee.

In his new role, Braun will lead the operations organization, overseeing supply chain, operational excellence, manufacturing operations, procurement, and environment, health and safety functions. He will also maintain executive oversight for packaging coatings, and specialty coatings and materials. The automotive OEM and industrial coatings businesses will transition to report directly to Knavish.

Braun has been with PPG since 1991, holding various leadership positions across different segments and regions. Vadlamannati joined PPG in 1999 and has served in multiple executive roles, most recently leading operations since January 2023.

Positive

• Smooth transition in leadership with internal promotion
• Continuity in operations with experienced executive taking over
• Streamlined reporting structure for automotive OEM and industrial coatings businesses

Negative

• Potential disruption during leadership transition
• Loss of 25 years of experience with Vadlamannati's retirement

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that Kevin Braun, currently senior vice president, industrial coatings segment, will become senior vice president, operations, effective October 1, 2024. Braun will succeed Ram Vadlamannati, who announced his intention to retire from PPG after 25 years with the company. Vadlamannati will leave the company at the end of the year. Braun will continue to report to Tim Knavish, PPG chairman and CEO, and serve on PPG’s operating committee. In his new role, Braun will lead the operations organization that includes PPG’s supply chain, operational excellence, manufacturing operations, procurement, and environment, health and safety functions. He will also maintain executive oversight accountability for packaging coatings, and specialty coatings and materials. The automotive OEM and industrial coatings businesses, which remain part of the industrial coatings segment, will transition to report directly to Knavish.

Kevin Braun will become PPG senior vice president, operations, effective October 1, 2024. (Photo: Business Wire)

“I want to congratulate Ram on a successful career with PPG and thank him for his many contributions,” said Tim Knavish, PPG chairman and CEO. “Ram has been a trusted leader, friend and advisor to me over the last 25 years and in particular as we’ve increased our focus on PPG’s global operations. I also want to recognize Kevin on his next leadership role as we remain focused on strengthening our global operations and the key functions that are a part of this team. This is a critical area of our growth strategy, and I am confident that Kevin and his team will deliver.”

Braun began his career at PPG in 1991 as a production engineer at the Delaware, Ohio, coatings manufacturing facility. He then joined the industrial coatings business in 1994 as a sales/service representative in the appliance division, and in 1997 relocated to Pittsburgh, Pa., as market development manager of the former fiber glass business. In 2000, Braun returned to industrial coatings as market manager, consumer electronics, and in 2001, he became a regional sales manager for industrial coatings. In 2003, Braun relocated to Charlotte, N.C., to join the architectural coatings business as national sales manager for the Lowe’s account, and then to Dallas, Texas, when he became sales director for architectural midwest dealers and stores in 2007. Later that year, Braun relocated to Sydney, Australia, as general manager, architectural coatings, Australia and New Zealand, until he relocated to Pittsburgh, in 2011 as the general manager of silica products. In August 2013, Braun was first elected vice president, global raw materials and Americas purchasing, and then transitioned to vice president, industrial coatings, Americas. Braun was promoted to a global leadership role for the business unit in March 2020. He became interim industrial segment leader and assumed oversight accountability for the Asia-Pacific region in 2022. In 2023, Braun was named senior vice president, industrial coatings segment.

Vadlamannati joined PPG with the acquisition of ICI Autocolor in 1999. In 2000, he was named president, director of PPG Indonesia based in Jakarta. In 2001, he was appointed manufacturing and supply chain director for PPG's automotive refinish business. Vadlamannati was named markets director, refinish, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), in 2003, and then became general manager for automotive refinish in the region in 2005. In 2010, he was appointed vice president, automotive refinish, EMEA, based in Rolle, Switzerland, and assumed direction for architectural coatings operations in Western Europe in March 2011. Vadlamannati was named vice president, architectural coatings – EMEA, in 2012 and he was appointed senior vice president, protective and marine coatings in 2016, and added regional leadership responsibility as president, EMEA in 2019. He was appointed to lead operations in Jan. 2023, and he has served on PPG’s operating committee since Sept. 2015.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $18.2 billion in 2023. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

The PPG Logo and We protect and beautify the world are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

CATEGORY Corporate

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240924462830/en/

PPG Media Contact:

Mark Silvey

Corporate Communications

+1-412-434-3046

silvey@ppg.com

PPG Investor Contact:

Alex Lopez

Investor Relations

+1-412-434-3466

alejandrolopez@ppg.com

investor.ppg.com

Source: PPG

FAQ

When will Kevin Braun assume his new role as PPG's senior vice president of operations?

Kevin Braun will become PPG's senior vice president of operations effective October 1, 2024.

Who is Kevin Braun replacing at PPG (NYSE:PPG)?

Kevin Braun is replacing Ram Vadlamannati, who is retiring after 25 years with PPG.

What will be Kevin Braun's responsibilities in his new role at PPG?

In his new role, Kevin Braun will lead PPG's operations organization, overseeing supply chain, operational excellence, manufacturing operations, procurement, and environment, health and safety functions.

How long has Kevin Braun been with PPG (NYSE:PPG)?

Kevin Braun has been with PPG since 1991, holding various leadership positions across different segments and regions.