PPG to Implement Price Increase for Automotive OEM Glass

PITTSBURGH--Oct. 26, 2005--PPG Industries will raise prices up to 10 percent for all automotive original equipment fabricated glass products effective Jan. 1, 2006.

Joe Stas, PPG vice president of automotive OEM glass, said the price increase is necessary because of "skyrocketing energy and raw material prices" and the projection that they will remain high.

"Up until now PPG has been able to absorb increases in raw materials, energy, health care and labor costs with productivity improvements achieved, in part, by working collaboratively with our customers to take costs out of our combined systems," Stas said in a letter to customers. "However, due to the magnitude and long-term nature of these unprecedented increases, PPG is unable to continue to absorb them."

Stas added the price increase is necessary for PPG to remain a "healthy and vital supplier to the industry."

Pittsburgh-based PPG is one of the world's largest manufacturers of automotive original equipment glass, with seven manufacturing facilities in North America. PPG is also a leading supplier of automotive replacement and flat glass. In addition, PPG is a global supplier of coatings, chemicals and fiber glass. Sales in 2004 were US$9.5 billion.