New training enables customers to learn at their own pace, schedule

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - September 24, 2021 -- PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the launch of the PPG Knowledge College™ online learning management system, which provides the refinish industry with the most comprehensive online training program for automotive and commercial finishing systems and professional business development.

“The PPG Knowledge College™ program offers our customers great flexibility since it allows the student to decide the best time to undertake training and learn at his or her own pace,” said Robb Power, PPG senior manager, refinish solutions. “All you need is a computer and access to the internet.”

Offering both free and fee-based content, the PPG Knowledge College™ training catalog includes courses for automotive and commercial refinish training. Additional curriculum developed by PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team is designed to help improve the productivity and profitability of collision centers.

Automotive refinish recertification training
In a major shift, the new system allows certified paint technicians using PPG Deltron^® and PPG Envirobase^® refinish lines to recertify their status online instead of completing required off-site training at a PPG business development center every two years. A recertification course comprises seven one-hour modules followed by a final exam that the technician is required to pass to renew certification status.

“Technicians will have the ability to start or resume the training whenever they choose to do so,” Power said. “Plus, the system offers a convenient way for collision centers to continue offering the PPG Limited Lifetime Paint Performance Guarantee, which requires they employ a PPG-certified refinish technician.”

Refinish technicians also can use the system to take a course on the EPA National Area Source Rule 6H in English or Spanish.

Once enrolled in the PPG Knowledge College™ training program, collision center personnel can access a comprehensive curriculum developed by PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team. The curriculum covers a multitude of collision repair topics and offers two specific learning paths – Collision Shop Estimating and Collision Shop Financials.

Beginning with Fundamentals of Estimating, the estimating curriculum consists of seven modules that teach the key factors for producing complete and accurate estimates.

“We’re receiving great feedback on the estimating courses,” says Mike Gunnells, PPG senior manager, MVP Business Solutions. “They’re a great way to get a less experienced or novice employee up to speed quickly as a productive estimator.”

The Collision Shop Financials curriculum offers five virtual learning sessions that are primarily focused on helping managers improve their understanding of financial documents and the levers to drive improvement.

“This curriculum is specifically tailored to our industry, so it’s a great way for managers to improve their finance expertise,” said Gunnells.

The PPG Knowledge College™ program is a key component of PPG’s effort to give customers a variety of options to meet their training needs.

“Given today’s business climate that’s been further impacted by the pandemic, it’s a challenge for owners and managers to find time for an employee to take part in offsite training,” said Power. “We are addressing these issues with what we call a ‘blended learning approach’ comprised of three types of learning choices – live virtual, on demand and in person. Our bottom-line goal is to ensure that no matter what the customer’s training needs and preferences are, we offer a solution to meet them.”

PPG customers interested in enrolling in the PPG Knowledge College™ training program can register at ​knowledgecollege.ppgrefinish.com​.

New PPG Aquacron^® coatings color palette expands options for shed builders, consumers.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - September 23, 2021 -- PPG (NYSE:PPG) today introduced a new selection of hues for its PPG Aquacron^® shed coatings portfolio, complete with color collections for sheds, playhouses, gardens, and backyard studios. Developed with input from shed manufacturers and buyers, the new collection reflects today’s consumer preferences for color while embracing the emerging role color plays in the consumer decision-making process.

“At PPG, we know that consumers will often make a purchase decision based on color selection and availability,” said Ruthanne Hanlon, PPG national color and design manager. “Backed by our more than 135 years of industry-leading expertise, we created a color palette that appeals to today’s consumers, who often want a hue that correlates with the purpose of their shed, or complements the color of their home. Ultimately, this color collection will help eliminate the guesswork for customers.”

One important aspect of the PPG Aquacron^® shed paint offering that hasn’t changed is PPG’s commitment to support service. It starts with the partnership PPG forms with each customer. In addition to offering top-of-the-line technical guidance and marketing support, PPG offers their shed building partners the expertise of our professional color team that lives and breathes color on a daily basis. This includes the ability to custom match any color a consumer may desire.

For an interactive look at the new PPG Aquacron^® shed paint color palette, visit the PPG Color Selector at ​ShedHub.com​. To learn more about PPG Aquacron^® shed coatings, visit the ​PPG website​ or call 501-336-7326.

PPG-led seminar to explore trending shed hues, shifting consumer preferences

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - September 27, 2021 -- PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that it will showcase its new PPG Aquacron^® color offerings for shed builders at the 2021 Shed Builder Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sept. 29-30.

“We gave significant consideration to consumer preferences and shed manufacturer input when developing the new color palette,” said Ruthanne Hanlon, PPG national color and design manager. “In the past, shed builders often considered color as an afterthought. This is no longer the case. Visitors to the 2021 Shed Builder Expo will have an opportunity to learn how color can serve as an effective selling tool.”

PPG’s participation in this marquee event will include an educational seminar titled “Color Trends for the Shed Industry.” Presented by Hanlon on Sept. 30 at 9am, the seminar will outline the emerging shift in color preferences of shed buyers and the way shed paint manufacturers such as PPG are addressing this shift to the benefit of builders.

“The manner in which sheds are being used has changed over recent years,” said Hanlon. “It’s not uncommon for a shed to serve as a home office or perhaps an additional living space. Along with this change, consumers have expressed a growing interest in having the color of their sheds correlate with their purpose and also work with the color schemes of their homes.”

For more information about 2021 Shed Builder Expo or to register, visit the ​event’s website​.

To learn more about PPG Aquacron^® shed coatings, visit the PPG exhibit at the 2021 Shed Builder Expo, explore the PPG ​website​ or call 501-336-7326.