PPG Industries, Inc. : Robert Bender named PPG/ASE Master Refinish Technician of the Year

From left: Tim Zilke, ASE president; Paul Evans, PPG zone manager, refinish training; Rob Bender; and John Pfennig, ASE board chairman

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio, Jan. 11, 2012 - Robert Bender was honored with the 2011 PPG/ASE Master Refinish Technician of the Year Award during the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) annual Board of Directors Industry Awards Dinner, Nov. 16, 2011, at the Marriott City Center in Charlotte, N.C. PPG Industries' (NYSE:PPG) automotive refinish business sponsors the annual award, which recognizes the PPG collision center technician receiving the highest score on the ASE Painting and Refinish test.

"It's an honor to give this award to Mr. Bender," Paul Evans, PPG zone manager, refinish training, who presented the award, said. "Thousands of people across the country take the ASE examination every year. It's extremely competitive and very few technicians are recognized with an award as prestigious as this one. PPG is extremely pleased to congratulate Mr. Bender for being the best in our industry."

Bender has been an automotive refinish technician for 18 years. He works at Bender Auto Repair, a family-owned business in Saltsburg, Pa. He earned an associate's degree in automotive techniques and management from Vale Technical Institute in Blairsville, Pa. Bender has accumulated credentials including certified PPG Master Technician, ASE Master Collision Repair Refinish Technician, ASE Automobile Technician, and certification through I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair.

A longtime auto enthusiast, Bender said he values his ASE association. "I believe ASE certification allows the customer, and the public, to know that you are well educated and know your craft and that the repair on their vehicles will be performed properly," he said.

When not working at Bender Auto Repair with his father and mother, Bender may be found fishing with his children. He also is active in his community as a firefighter and secretary for the Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department.

PPG and ASE both offer technician certification as well as a range of training options for collision center personnel. For more on PPG training and business development courses, call 800-647-6050 or visit the PPG Automotive Refinish website at .

About ASE
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence was established in 1972 as a nonprofit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts specialists. Today, there are more than 360,000 ASE-certified professionals at work in dealerships, independent shops, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit .

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.(TM)
PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the world's leading coatings and specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 60 countries around the world. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit .

Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

# # # Contact:
Cindy Piazza
PPG Automotive Refinish
440-572-2800
[e-mail]