Company News - October 2000

Volume 35, Number 10, October 2000

CompanyNews

PPG Acquires GTS; Continues with Starphire Glass Production

Pittsburgh’s PPG Industries Inc. recently announced that it plans to acquire GlasPac Total Solutions (GTS) of Portland, Ore., in an effort to increase its aftermarket service. GTS, which will be renamed GTS Services LLC by PPG, has already installed its business management software in more than 3,200 glass installation and replacement shops in the United States and Canada, according to PPG.

Utilizing GTS expertise, PPG hopes to increase its own customers’ satisfaction by giving them access to the business management tool. “Offering e-business services will help installers capitalize on new technology without making huge capital investments,” said Dan Czekalski, newly appointed vice president of sales and marketing for GTS Services.

Jim Latch, general manager of LYNX Services at PPG, agreed. “GTS Services will build upon and expand the most successful business management system in this industry,” he said.

According to PPG, GTS Services will operate as a separate company, providing computer software, hardware, support and electronic exchange services.

In addition to its recent acquisition of GTS, PPG also has transferred the manufacture of its Starphire glass. The company has scheduled the next production of its ultra-clear Starphire glass to begin in January at its flat glass plant in Carlisle, Pa. According to the company, the move to the new plant will allow it to make Starphire glass more quickly than before and therefore to meet increasing demand levels.

“Producing more Starphire glass in January will allow us to maintain adequate supplies,” said Kris Curry, Starphire glass product manager. “We have ordered the unique raw materials and Carlisle plant personnel are planning the production run. We are excited about this upcoming run at Carlisle.”

The company says Starphire glass has higher visual clarity and light transmittance than float glass due to its composition. It is often used for architectural applications, furniture, mirrors and glass partitions.

Along with these major developments, PPG has opened its first Kaleidoscope Workcell for the commercial production of batches of MEGAFLON MC and MEGAFLON EX. The high-gloss coatings are manufactured at PPG’s plant in Watertown, Conn.

Glasslam NGI and Flame Seal Products Reach Agreement

Glasslam NGI Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., has embarked upon a new venture. The company recently became the exclusive distributor/marketer in the United States fire-resistant door industry for Flame Seal Products Inc.. In addition, the company has agreed to serve as the exclusive distributor/ marketer of fire-resistant laminated glass using Flame Seal’s fire barrier coating technologies.

Brunswick Technologies Inc. Gains New Name and New President

Brunswick Technologies Inc. of Valley Forge, Pa., has a new name. Recently acquired by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain of Paris, the company will now be known as Saint Gobain-BTI Inc. It will be part of Saint Gobain’s technical fabrics business unit and led by David E. Sharpe, president of the newly named company. Tom Wallace will serve as vice president, and Malcolm Lee, as general manager.

Norton Company Acquires Chemfab Corporation
The Norton Co., a subsidiary of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, recently announced that one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries has merged with the Chemfab Corp. Under the new agreement, Chemfab is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Norton Co. and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp. In July, Norton announced that it would purchase all of Chemfab’s outstanding shares at $18.25 per share, net to the seller in cash (excluding any tax effect).

According to Saint-Gobain, the value of the transaction is approximately $136 million to purchase Chemfab’s shares and approximately $5 million to extinguish outstanding options, plus the assumption of approximately $30 million in net financial debt.