 |
|
PaintSquare Daily News is available in three editions: Industrial Only Commercial Only Combined Industrial & Commercial Your free subscription also includes: Special topical editions and Weekend Brief—a recap of the week’s top news and some great in-depth reads. Subscribe now: paintsquare.com/psdn |
PPG, Axalta Name Industrial Leadership
Two global coatings companies have announced executive-level changes in their industrial coatings units.
PPG Industries and Axalta Coating Systems both announced the appointments Friday (Aug. 23).
New PPG VP
PPG Industries announced that Kevin Braun had been appointed as Vice President of Industrial Coatings, Americas, effective immediately.
Braun, who joined PPG in 1991, most recently served as Vice President, Global Raw Materials and Americas purchasing. He has also served as PPG's General Manager, Silica Products, and General Manager, Architectural Coatings, Australia/New Zealand.
In his previous roles, he was responsible for increasing commercial responsibility in industrial coatings, fiberglass and architectural coatings in the U.S.
"Kevin is a superb leader who combines excellent product and manufacturing experience with a keen awareness of the industry and market trends," said Viktor Sekmakas, PPG Executive Vice President
Braun has a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a master of business administration degree from Capital University.
Pittsburgh,PA-based PPG Industries, one of the world's leading coatings and specialty products companies, serves the industrial, protective and marine, architectural, aerospace, automotive, consumer and construction markets.
Axalta Division President
Axalta Coating Systems announced that Michael A. Cash has joined the company in the newly created position of Senior Vice President and President of Industrial Coatings.
Cash will be responsible for developing and executing global business strategy for customer segments in which Axalta already holds strong positions with well-established brands, according to the company.
 |
|
Michael A. Cash is the new Senior VP and President of Industrial Coatings at Axalta Coating Systems. |
He will oversee three core business segments—transportation, general industrial, and architectural and decorative—some of which use both Axalta liquid and powder coatings.
General industrial customers include manufacturers of electrical equipment, oil and gas pipelines, and agricultural equipment; architectural and decorative customers include producers of windows, doors and cladding as well as furniture and appliances; transportation customers include manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks, body builders, rail cars and other non-automotive vehicles.
Before joining Axalta, Cash was Managing Director of Powder Coatings—Asia Pacific Region at AkzoNobel Coatings and Chemicals and was responsible for the company's powder coatings business in 11 countries, overseeing 12 manufacturing facilities. He was also previously in charge of AkzoNobel's powder business throughout the Americas.
Cash has also held several positions at The Sherwin-Williams Company, including Vice President, Automotive International; Vice President, Automotive Marketing; and Vice President and CFO for the company's joint venture with Herberts GmbH, which was then a Hoechst company.
He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Miami University (Ohio) in 1984.
 |
| Axalta Coating Systems |
|
Axalta Coating Systems recently announced a $5 million investment in a small-scale manufacturing system that allows new polymer formulations to be produced in a way that mimics full-scale production. |
"Michael's wide range of experience with both powder and liquid applications will enable Axalta to take our customer service to the next level," said Charles Shaver, Axalta Chairman and CEO.
"Looking ahead, Michael will be able to expand our industrial offerings, bringing established and diverse brands such as Imron, Alesta and Voltatex to new markets while understanding emerging customer needs for innovative solutions," Shaver said.
Axalta in 2013
Axalta Coating Systems, a global provider of liquid and powder coatings, was formerly DuPont Performance Coatings before being purchased in February for $4.9 billion by asset management company The Carlyle Group.
Last week, Axalta announced that it had invested $5 million in a new pilot reactor that started operations to support coatings polymer research and development at its Coatings Technology Center in Wilmington, DE, where the company is headquartered.
