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PPG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/...

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PPG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PPG">PPG</a>) today announced that Justin Epler has been appointed vice president, Industrial Coatings (IC) Americas, effective Aug. 1, 2026. He will report directly to Juliane Hefel, senior vice president, Industrial Coatings and Specialty Products. Epler will succeed Hendekea Azene, who has decided to leave PPG for an outside opportunity.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="news-body-cta">This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260803950386/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260803950386/en/</a></p><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="bwbodyimg" style="width: 480px; float:left; padding-left:0px; padding-right:20px; padding-top:0px; padding-bottom:0px;"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" src="https://mms.businesswire.com/media/20260803950386/en/2865525/4/Justin_Epler_headshot_%281%29.jpg" alt="Justin Epler has been appointed PPG vice president, Industrial Coatings Americas, effective Aug. 1, 2026."></img><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" style="font-size:85%;">Justin Epler has been appointed PPG vice president, Industrial Coatings Americas, effective Aug. 1, 2026.</p></div><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
"Throughout her eight years in leadership positions at PPG, Hende made valuable contributions and provided strong leadership, dedication and passion for the business," said Hefel. "We wish her every success in her next chapter."

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Epler brings deep knowledge of the region and IC business over 15 years, most recently serving as general manager of the IC EMEA region. While in this role, he delivered measurable performance improvements across the region over a three-year tenure, including a stronger focus on commercial excellence and disciplined planning. Prior to leading the IC EMEA region, Justin served as director of coil and building products in IC Americas for nearly five years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business Management from Saint Vincent College.

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"Throughout his career, Justin has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to customers and a deep understanding of their needs," said Hefel. "His ability to listen, connect and deliver has been a hallmark of everything he does. In this role, Justin will focus on deepening customer partnerships, driving continued growth across the region, and ensuring that our high level of service and technical expertise remains at the forefront of everything we do."

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<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD&#xAE;</b>

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At PPG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PPG">PPG</a>), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we market and sell in more than 50 countries and reported net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ppg.com%2Fen-US&amp;esheet=54580997&amp;newsitemid=20260803950386&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.ppg.com&amp;index=1&amp;md5=855e34b94524ebd21451d0adf9dfff42" shape="rect">www.ppg.com</a>.

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The <i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">PPG Logo</i> and <i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">We protect and beautify the world</i> are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" alt="" src="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20260803950386r1&amp;sid=benz2&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en" style="width:0;height:0"></img><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwct31415"></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink"><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-phrase">View source version on businesswire.com: </span><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-link"><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260803950386/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260803950386/en/</a></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Media Contact: 
</b><br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Greta Edgar Borza
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Corporate Communications
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>+1 724 316 7552
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:edgar@ppg.com" shape="rect">edgar@ppg.com</a>

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<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Investor Contact: 
</b><br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Alex Lopez
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>Investor Relations
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>+1 412 434 3466
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:alejandrolopez@ppg.com" shape="rect">alejandrolopez@ppg.com 
</a><br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Finvestor.ppg.com&amp;esheet=54580997&amp;newsitemid=20260803950386&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=investor.ppg.com&amp;index=2&amp;md5=ca1bdf6c3e11db4b0c25151dcf3f6ec1" shape="rect">investor.ppg.com</a>

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PPG announces Industrial Coatings leadership changes

PPG names Justin Epler as IC Americas VP, signaling leadership continuity

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
  <section data-block="information">
    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
PPG (NYSE:&lt;a class=&quot;ticker&quot; href=&quot;https://www.benzinga.com/...</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>PPG appointed Justin Epler as vice president of Industrial Coatings Americas, effective Aug. 1, 2026, replacing Hendekea Azene who is leaving. Epler brings more than 15 years of IC experience, including leadership in IC EMEA with strong commercial focus. The leadership transition could support continued growth and service strength in the Americas segment, a key profitability driver for PPG.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>Justin Epler named VP, IC Americas, effective Aug 1, 2026. Azene departs.</li><li>Epler brings 15+ years in IC; previously led IC EMEA with improvements.</li><li>Hefel highlights customer partnerships and growth focus under Epler.</li><li>PPG 2025 net sales were $15.9 billion.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG)</strong>: Leadership appointment in IC Americas may support growth trajectory.</li><li><strong>Hendekea Azene (N/A)</strong>: Outgoing IC Americas executive; leadership transition implications unknown.</li><li><strong>Juliane Hefel (N/A)</strong>: Senior VP; comments highlight strategy and customer focus.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>Category: Corporate Developments. Leadership change is a routine governance event; could influence IC Americas execution and margins if strategy shifts align with growth targets.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Leadership change in IC Americas could influence regional growth strategy.</li><li>No immediate revenue impact disclosed; implications depend on execution.</li><li>PPG&#039;s scale and 2025 net sales provide resilience amid transition.</li><li>Investors will watch for Epler&#039;s impact on partnerships and service levels.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Appointment effective date: August 1, 2026.</li><li>Predecessor: Hendekea Azene; leaving for outside opportunity.</li><li>Epler previously GM of IC EMEA; tenure three years.</li><li>PPG 2025 net sales: $15.9 billion.</li><li>Headquartered in Pittsburgh; operations in 50+ countries.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Neutral to modestly bullish over 6–12 months as IC Americas execution improves.</p>
  </section>
</section>


<article>
  <p>PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced that Justin Epler has been appointed vice president, Industrial Coatings (IC) Americas, effective <strong><em>Aug. 1, 2026</em></strong>. He will report directly to Juliane Hefel, senior vice president, Industrial Coatings and Specialty Products. Epler will succeed Hendekea Azene, who has decided to leave PPG for an outside opportunity.</p>

  <section aria-labelledby="appointment-details">
    <h2 id="appointment-details">Leadership appointment overview</h2>
    <ul>
      <li><strong>Appointment:</strong> Justin Epler named vice president, Industrial Coatings Americas, effective <strong><em>Aug. 1, 2026</em></strong>.</li>
      <li><strong>Reporting line:</strong> He will report directly to Juliane Hefel, senior vice president, Industrial Coatings and Specialty Products.</li>
      <li><strong>Succession:</strong> Epler will succeed Hendekea Azene, who has decided to leave PPG for an outside opportunity.</li>
    </ul>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="experience-background">
    <h2 id="experience-background">Experience and background of the new IC Americas leader</h2>
    <p>Epler brings deep knowledge of the region and IC business over 15 years, most recently serving as general manager of the IC EMEA region. While in this role, he delivered measurable performance improvements across the region over a three-year tenure, including a stronger focus on commercial excellence and disciplined planning. Prior to leading the IC EMEA region, Justin served as director of coil and building products in IC Americas for nearly five years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business Management from Saint Vincent College.</p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="leadership-quotes">
    <h2 id="leadership-quotes">Leadership statements from PPG</h2>
    <p>"Throughout her eight years in leadership positions at PPG, Hende made valuable contributions and provided strong leadership, dedication and passion for the business," said Hefel. "We wish her every success in her next chapter."</p>
    <p>"Throughout his career, Justin has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to customers and a deep understanding of their needs," said Hefel. "His ability to listen, connect and deliver has been a hallmark of everything he does. In this role, Justin will focus on deepening customer partnerships, driving continued growth across the region, and ensuring that our high level of service and technical expertise remains at the forefront of everything we do."</p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="brand-profile">
    <h2 id="brand-profile">PPG brand and corporate profile</h2>
    <p><strong>PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®</strong></p>
    <p>At PPG (NYSE: PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products that our customers have trusted for more than <strong>140</strong> years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we market and sell in more than <strong>50</strong> countries and reported net sales of <strong>$15.9 billion</strong> in <strong>2025</strong>. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit <a href="https://www.ppg.com" rel="nofollow">www.ppg.com</a>.</p>
  </section>

  <section aria-labelledby="contacts">
    <h2 id="contacts">Contacts</h2>
    <ul>
      <li><strong>Media Contact:</strong> Greta Edgar Borza, Corporate Communications, +1 724 316 7552, <a href="mailto:edgar@ppg.com">edgar@ppg.com</a></li>
      <li><strong>Investor Contact:</strong> Alex Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 412 434 3466, <a href="mailto:alejandrolopez@ppg.com">alejandrolopez@ppg.com</a></li>
    </ul>
  </section>
</article>

PPG appointed Justin Epler as vice president of Industrial Coatings Americas, effective Aug. 1, 2026, replacing Hendekea Azene who is leaving. Epler brings more than 15 years of IC experience, including leadership in IC EMEA with strong commercial focus. The leadership transition could support continued growth and service strength in the Americas segment, a key profitability driver for PPG.

News insight

PPG announces Industrial Coatings leadership changes

AI summary

Sentiment rationale

Key facts

Corporate Developments