PPG Appoints Meri Vainikka as Vice President, Architectural Coatings, EMEA, North and East

Rhea-AI Summary

PPG has appointed Meri Vainikka as vice president of architectural coatings for EMEA, effective immediately. She will oversee the Tikkurila legacy business and collaborate with the integration team during the transition. Vainikka brings extensive experience from her time at Tikkurila and previous roles at notable brands including L’Oréal and Mars. She holds a Master of Science in Economics from the Helsinki School of Economics and pursued an MBA at the University of South Carolina. This leadership change aims to enhance PPG's operational effectiveness in the region.

Positive

• Meri Vainikka's extensive experience in marketing and product management is expected to provide fresh perspectives in leadership.
• Her background in leading strategic operations will support the integration of the Tikkurila business effectively.

Negative

• Concerns may arise regarding continuity and experience gaps during the transition phase.

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the appointment of Meri Vainikka as vice president, architectural coatings (AC), Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), north and east, effective immediately. She will report to Tim Knavish, PPG executive vice president.

PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the appointment of Meri Vainikka as vice president, architectural coatings (AC), Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), north and east, effective immediately. (Photo: Business Wire)

In this key leadership role, Vainikka will have full accountability for the AC EMEA north and east region, which includes the Tikkurila legacy business. She will work closely with the Tikkurila integration team to ensure an ongoing, effective transition over the coming months.

Vainikka joined Tikkurila in January 2017 as director, marketing communications. She was appointed senior vice president, offering in May 2017. In this role, she led strategic marketing, product management, and research and development (R&D) for the business.

Prior to joining Tikkurila, Vainikka had more than 15 years of increasing strategic and operational responsibility, leading business development, marketing, R&D and product portfolios in both B2C and B2B business environments, with strong global and domestic brands, including Hartwall, L’Oréal, Mars and MasterFoods.

Vainikka earned a Master of Science degree in Economics from the Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration. In addition, Vainikka had MBA (Masters of Business Administration) studies at the University of South Carolina.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 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 75 countries and reported net sales of $13.8 billion in 2020. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

CATEGORY Corporate

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210908006096/en/

PPG Media Contact:

Mark Silvey

Corporate Communications

+1-412-434-3046

silvey@ppg.com

PPG Investor Contact:

John Bruno

Investor Relations

+1-412-434-3466

jbruno@ppg.com

investor.ppg.com

Source: PPG

FAQ

Who is Meri Vainikka and what is her role at PPG?

Meri Vainikka has been appointed as vice president of architectural coatings for EMEA at PPG.

What responsibilities does Meri Vainikka have at PPG?

She is responsible for overseeing the architectural coatings business in the EMEA north and east region.

When did Meri Vainikka start her position at PPG?

She assumed her role immediately upon her appointment.

What experience does Meri Vainikka bring to PPG?

She has over 15 years of experience in strategic and operational roles at companies like Tikkurila, L’Oréal, and Mars.

What is the significance of the Tikkurila integration for PPG?

Meri Vainikka will work closely with the Tikkurila integration team to ensure a smooth transition of the legacy business.