CEO Forum
products in a number of industries served by the coatings and
specialty materials sector. Coatings will serve a key role in meeting the demand for more efficient operations for buildings, lighter and more efficient modes of transportation, and lower-cost
manufacturing processes. For example, PPG’s coatings technologies help automakers lower energy use by eliminating steps in
the manufacturing process.
In 2015, more than a quarter of PPG product sales came
from coatings and materials that addressed our customers’
most pressing challenges, such as energy and asset protection. PPG is integral in helping our customers create more
sustainable products - from coatings that contribute to
lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles to paint systems that assist our customers in reducing water use and waste production during their manufacturing processes. Across markets,
PPG technologies such as waterborne liquid, chromate-free,
powder, low-VOC and high-solids coatings formulations are
helping our customers exceed environmental guidelines and
manage sustainability.
Roy: Our R&D effort is mainly focused on producing greener
paint with very low VOC and low solvent content. R&D is also
focused on producing innovative products which are more relevant in India and the neighboring countries.
Shaver: Technology at Axalta cuts across our value chain,
from product development and ways to improve manufacturing processes to providing customers with the best possible
service. Looking at products, we expect continue to respond to
environmental concerns which will demand coatings with reduced environmental footprints. For example, liquid coatings
will need to perform seamlessly on non-metal substrates to
support light weight plastic and composite vehicle substrates.
Powder products like Alesta already have virtually no intrinsic
environmental impact. After-sale services run the gamut from
evolving color formulations and application tools to training resources designed to help our customers succeed. To accomplish these and fulfill other customer commitments in the
future, last year we announced construction of two new technology centers, a new Global Innovation Center at The Navy
Yard in Philadelphia and a new Asia Pacific Technology Center
in Shanghai that will serve the entire region and also include a
customer training center.
Rodriguez: We are seeking to improve our waterproof line of
products and also developing new products related to previous
steps in construction as mortars, special putties, etc.
CW: What is your company’s long-term
plans?
Büchner: Our long term plans include our plans to continue
to improve to achieve our vision of leading performance in all
the markets in which we operate. We are maintaining that same
vision for the next phase of our strategy development, which
includes new financial guidance. For the period 2016-2018, our
guidance is:
In addition, we remain committed to our strategy, including
our core principles and values, strategic focus areas and core
processes. In the next phase of our strategy, our action focus
will switch to a greater emphasis on organic growth and in-
novation. The next steps we have identified are: hardwire new
organization model, deliver continuous improvement culture,
build further operational excellence, drive organic growth and
innovation and pursue value generating bolt-on acquisitions.
Falder: To build an overall security for the company of HMG.
To roll out what we do into new markets to create new opportunities. To make a great coatings and to create long-term partnerships with our key customers and suppliers. And to have fun
doing it... we really do LOVE making great paint!
Kamieth: We aim to achieve further profitable growth in all regions. To this end, we rely in particular on our innovation power
and closeness to the customer. This is why continuing globaliza-tion and investments especially in emerging regions is a key target for us. Thereby, we not only invest in production plants but
above all in research and development and the education of our
employees worldwide. The recent opening of our R&D campus
in Shanghai is just one example underlining this strategy.
McGarry: Our focus will be on consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions. Our customers
will continue to rely on PPG to protect and beautify their products and surroundings. We believe that by maintaining our role
as a leading coatings company, shareholders will benefit from
growing industry trends, strong PPG operating cash flows, and
disciplined capital allocation that have become hallmarks for us
and the coatings industry overall.
Roy: We plan to continue to innovate and grow our market
share in our home country. In the long term, we would like to
be among the top 15 companies of the world.
Shaver: This is a big year for Axalta because 2016 marks the
150th anniversary of the company. We’re celebrating this milestone. But we’re also using the occasion think large and look
ahead to the next 150 years. To be effective in our business
across so many decades past and future, what will be key is to
continue to maintain consistent focus on the markets we serve
and ensure our customers know they can rely on us. We will do
this, as we have done in the past, through organic growth fueled
by new product developments.
Rodriguez: Since 2015, we have been increasing our participation in other countries of South America. Today we have production plants in Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil (San Pablo
and Rio de Janeiro). We plan to increase our sales in Brazil, and
continue to position the brand in this entire region. CW
