PPG Press Release
12/15/98

PPG PROSTARS BRAND SET FOR AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS
PITTSBURGH, DECEMBER 15, 1998


Contact:
Paul Rice 1-412-434-3687
Dan Giovannitti 1-412-263-2979

PITTSBURGH, Pa., December 15 -- PPG Industries, the nation’s largest manufacturer of automotive replacement windshields, sidelites, and backlites, is introducing a national brand for automotive replacement glass retailers.

"This is a commitment by PPG and participating retailers throughout the United States to co-brand the name PPG PROSTARS for auto replacement glass," said Garry A. Goudy, vice president of automotive replacement glass. "It is a voluntary alliance in which participants will maintain their local identity while being part of a national brand."

"The PPG PROSTARS alliance will increase the visibility of each participant in local markets by promoting a single brand that will be communicated to consumers throughout the country," Goudy continued.

"The goal of the alliance is to establish strong brand identity by being represented in every market area. Research clearly shows that consumers have confidence in national brands, and we will establish PPG PROSTARS as the preferred brand among consumers," he said.

Recruitment for PPG PROSTARS is underway and will extend until mid-March 1999.

The PPG PROSTARS brand will be supported by distinctive marketing, advertising, and signage," said Goudy. The co-brand reputation will be built upon installation quality and customer satisfaction standards that every participant will adhere to."

To establish and promote the PPG PROSTARS brand, national media advertising will be placed. This will support local marketing and advertising placed by participants.

In addition, as part of co-branding activities, "we will implement standards for displaying PPG PROSTARS signage along with the retailers company signage to create a consistent image for each location," Goudy said.

PPG PROSTARS participants will contribute to advertising and marketing, and implement uniform quality and customer satisfaction standards. Participants will also be expected to use PPG automotive glass products in a portion of their work.

"PPG’s experience, leadership, and infrastructure will assure the success of PPG PROSTARS," he said.

"Market research supports the fact that consumers have confidence in, and prefer, brand names. This fact, and changes in the way consumers buy all products and services, calls for an innovative response by all industries, including ours," Goudy said.

"We believe the PPG PROSTARS brand name and other offerings we will co-develop in the future will improve the ability of participants to grow their business."

G631-1298