PPG's Niekamp Named Among 100 Leading Women in N.A. Auto Industry

Automotive News honors PPG senior vice president, automotive coatings

TROY, Mich., Sept. 13 -- PPG Industries , the world's leading manufacturer of transportation coatings, announced today that Cynthia A. Niekamp, senior vice president of automotive coatings, has been named by Automotive News magazine among the 100 leading women in the North American Auto Industry.

"Cindy joined PPG just last year, but she has already led our automotive coatings business through the industry's most challenging period in decades," said PPG Chairman and CEO Charles E. Bunch. "She has brought leadership, clarity and focus to our company's global approach to marketing, manufacturing and technical development, and we are very proud that she's being recognized by the automotive industry."

Overseeing more than 4,000 PPG employees, Niekamp managed the implementation of broad restructuring efforts to align costs with market demand, and she helped to position the company's automotive coatings business to capitalize on growth in global markets. A leader in the community as well, she serves as a trustee on the board of Kettering University in Flint, Mich., and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International.

Niekamp earned an industrial engineering degree from Purdue University and a master of business administration degree from Harvard University. She began her career at General Motors and has held positions at TRW Automotive Inc., MeadWestvaco and Borg Warner, Inc.

The list recognizes 100 women who are leaders in the automotive field - those who make major decisions and have significant influence at their companies. Award recipients were selected from among several hundred nominations by a committee comprising Automotive News staff and other industry figures. Honorees will be recognized at a reception at the Max. M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit on Sept. 21.

About Automotive News

Automotive News has been North America's leading automotive newspaper for more than 80 years. A vibrant website with more than 2 million users monthly contains the day's breaking news and features a daily newscast and webinars. Daily and weekly e-mails and breaking news alerts keep the industry's top executives up-to-date.

About PPG

PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the world's leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.