PPG execs discuss company strategy, outlook for 2012

During PPG Industries’capital markets day yesterday in New York City, Chairman and CEO Charles Bunch and other senior leaders discussed the company's strategies for future success, including organic growth, innovation, cost and supply chain management, as well as continuing disciplined cash deployment.

“In each of the past five quarters, PPG has achieved record earnings per share, averaging nearly 30 percent above prior quarterly records, despite elevated raw material inflation and sales volumes that remain below pre-recession 2008 levels,” Bunch reported.

The CEO said that PPG’s sales in coatings and specialty products have more than doubled since 2001 and now account for more than 80 percent of total company revenues.

Looking ahead to 2012, Bunch said the company anticipates a continued slow recovery on a worldwide basis in the developed regions in residential and nonresidential construction markets, and that uncertainty in the European region will result in subpar growth there.

Regarding current business conditions, he said that most PPG businesses are performing in line with normal, seasonal fourth-quarter trends.