UPDATED: PPG Reaches Agreement with Vitro for Sale of Flat Glass Operations

PPG announced July 21 that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell the assets of its flat glass manufacturing and glass coatings operations to Vitro S.A.B. de C.V., a leading producer of flat glass and specialty products. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions.

Under the terms of the agreement, PPG will divest its entire flat glass manufacturing and glass coatings operations, including production sites located in Fresno, California; Salem, Oregon; Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Wichita Falls, Texas; four distribution/fabrication facilities located across Canada; and a research-and-development center located in Harmar, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. PPG’s flat glass business includes approximately 1,200 employees. The business manufactures glass that is fabricated into products used primarily in commercial and residential construction.

“This transaction represents the end of an historic era for PPG as a manufacturer of flat glass, and it is another major step in our portfolio transformation to focus on paints, coatings and specialty materials,” said Michael H. McGarry, PPG president and chief executive officer. “Upon completion of this transaction, the flat glass operations will become part of a company that is focused on growing its core glass business.”

PPG will receive approximately $750 million in gross cash proceeds. Upon completion of this transaction and PPG’s recently announced transaction to divest its European fiber glass operations, approximately 98 percent of PPG’s business portfolio will be focused on paints, coatings and specialty materials.

UPDATED: Related news

Vitro to Keep PPG’s Harmar R&D Facility

Officials from Vitro S.A.B. de C.V. confirmed that the company will continue to operate the PPG Industries’ research and development in Harmar Township, Pennsylvania, according to a July 22 article in the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Bunch to retire as PPG executive chairman, CEO McGarry elected to succeed

PPG officials announced July 21 that Charles E. Bunch will retire Sept. 1 as executive chairman of the PPG board of directors after 37 years with the company. PPG President and Chief Executive Officer Michael H. McGarry will become chairman and CEO effective the same day. The announcement came the same day that PPG announced it was selling its flat glass business to Vitro S.A.B. de C.V.