to create a space that is naturally beautiful and reassuringly
safe. It is edgy, yet still comforting, and it inspired by the
urban militia trends seen on fashion runways.
The Odyssey palette was developed by PPG’s global color
styling team of more than 20 color experts who gather annually
to create a trend forecast for the upcoming year. From businesses including automotive, architectural, aerospace, consumer
electronics and industrial coatings, and from eight different
countries, this team draws upon global, cross-cultural and societal inspiration to forecast the latest trending colors.
“The individual Colors of the Year across PPG’s portfolio of
paint brands are truly an embodiment of Odyssey,” Schlotter
said. “Our society is on a journey of evolution. With our traditional beliefs and driving principles being challenged by science,
technology and interconnectivity, our inner stability depends on
recognizing this transformative journey and greeting both the
world and the colors in it with eyes wide open to the constant
reshaping of our reality.”
AkzoNobel Opens New Coil Coatings
Production Line in Mexico
AkzoNobel has opened a new production line for coil coatings
at its facility in Garcia, Mexico. As well as doubling current
capacity, the new line will also serve local coated steel manufacturers, including Ternium, Zincacero and Galvasid.
Coil coating products that are manufactured at the site support the construction and domestic appliance sectors. In addition, the new line will produce specialty products, including
metallic and “wrinkled” finishes. Volumes currently imported
from the US will now be manufactured locally in Mexico.
PITTSBURGH PAINTS & STAINS Brand
Unveils Digital Inspiration Studio at
MENARDS Stores
The PITTSBURGH PAINTS & STAINS brand is refreshing the way homeowners choose paint colors with the
Digital Inspiration Studio, a new interactive color center at
MENARDS retail locations. The new retail palette display features an interactive 42-inch digital touchscreen and serves as
a comprehensive inspiration station to simplify the process of
selecting paint colors.
Gone are the days of sorting through row after row of color
swatches only to leave the paint department empty-handed and
frustrated, according to Luke Klein, brand manager, Pittsburgh
Paints & Stains brand of PPG Architectural Coatings. “In designing the new Pittsburgh Paints & Stains color center, we
wanted to provide homeowners with an inspiring experience
that not only helps them select paint colors for their homes, but
also serves as a creative launchpad for their entire paint project.”
Among its many features, the touchscreen allows customers
to virtually paint a room with selected colors, view color on-screen on a larger scale, receive an email containing the paint
swatches and painted room to view later, view color-tips videos,
ideas and product information, browse by color, style and personality, and more.
PPG Asia Pacific President Honored
with Magnolia Memorial Award
Mike Horton, president of PPG Industries’ operations in the Asia Pacific region, was honored by the
Shanghai Municipal Government with the prestigious Magnolia
Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions to the city.
Zhang Xiaosong, director general of the Shanghai Municipal
Foreign Affairs Office, presented a medal and certificate to
Horton in a ceremony earlier this month at the Shanghai Jing’an
Shangri-La Hotel.
The Magnolia Awards, presented annually by the Shanghai
Municipal Government, honor expatriates who have made outstanding contributions to Shanghai’s economic development,
culture, education and social responsibility. The Changning
District government nominated Horton for the award in recognition of his contributions to the district’s growth. He was
named a winner after a joint review by 18 government departments and public notice in Shanghai.
As president of PPG Asia Pacific and vice president of the
company’s protective and marine coatings business in the region, Horton oversees all business activities and strategy execution in the region. He joined PPG in 1998 and relocated to PPG’s
China headquarters in Shanghai in 2005. Under his leadership,
PPG Asia Pacific has been committed to economic and social development in Shanghai. In line with PPG’s social responsibility
