Charles E. Bunch, Chairman and Executive Officer-PPG Industries Says "Leading Business Change Can Be Very Challenging" as a Guest Speaker for Chester Engineers CEO Leadership Series.

Charles E. Bunch, Chairman and Executive Officer, PPG Industries understands leading business change can be very challenging, especially at PPG Industries where the company has gone through a tremendous amount of transformation over the years. "Leading change, all of us are dealing with change, this has been one of the most challenging environments over the last 5 years, on any institution, whether you are a public company or working in government, or not for profits, it is truly challenging. I felt that I was prepared even after the first few years of being the CEO and then you come through a recession like we had in 08' and 09' and I think all of us would say we were learning new things and unfortunately we will say we may be going through another period of very violate times and we have a lot of experience to deal with it, but it's going to require us as leaders to really demonstrate all the things that we learned in terms of leading our organizations and institutions," said Bunch while participating in Chester Engineers CEO Leadership Series on August 21, 2011.

PPG Industries is a leader in its markets; is a streamlined, efficient manufacturer; and operates on the leading edge of new technologies and solutions. It is our vision to continue being the world's leading coatings and specialty products and services company, serving customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. PPG has manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 60 countries around the globe.

Bunch says in an effort to enhance the operational excellence at PPG the company has had to transform in many ways but through innovation and developing some breakthrough technology the company has managed to stay competitive globally. "We are focused more on some of our best businesses, and we have made the transformation from a US company to a multi- national company to what I would now describe us as a truly global company and we are an industry leader and a technical leader, that is one of the ways in which we try to differentiate our strategies and I think in that way it is probably pretty similar to some of the things you are doing here at Chester."

To become a successful leader Bunch says you need to build an understanding of the market and the new realities when leading change and it's not always easy especially in a company like PPG that has so much history and success. "If you talk to anyone in our company they will tell you it starts with science and technology, and expand our global presence although it's not always easy we felt it was critical in in terms of really manifesting our destiny and opportunities that are out there, and we have to do that on a foundation of operational excellence.  It's one thing to say we want to be in these markets and these are the customers you want to serve, when you don't have the right technologies, the right costs positions, the right supply chain you are not going to be able to be successful and deliver the values that your customers are looking for," said Bunch.

While some of the old ways of doing things as managers was efficient in the past, Bunch believes leaders today need to adapt and transform their management styles for the new generation of employees who he feels require more communication from their leaders. "I try to reinforce the message and strategies, the new generation of employees they expect and want and need more of an understanding of what they are doing. I'm considered old school, leadership told you what to do, today's generation X and generation Y it's not good enough for them, people around the world really want to understand." To connect better with his employees, Bunch says he tries to build a sense of urgency around change in his organization, and he makes a concerted effort to be more visible and is focused on communicating and reinforcing his message more efficiently with his employees.

At PPG Inc. there is a long standing blueprint for a set of values, goals and strategies that the company embraced as its vision and as the company expands globally there is an unwavering commitment to high ethical standards and integrity that is implemented across all levels of the organization in an uncompromising, ethical manner. "This is one of the toughest things to do is to carry your value system around the world. How we changed this global footprint five thousand employees in China, 90 plus percent of whom are relatively new to the company in the last five to ten years and getting these new employees to understand our company our values and also driven by our U.S. legal and justice system, this is a tough challenge and is one of the most difficult challenges that we take on as leaders," said Bunch.

BIO-Charles E. Bunch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - PPG Industries

After joining PPG in 1979, he held positions in finance and planning, marketing, and general management in the United States and Europe during his first 12 years with the company. He was named general manager of architectural coatings in 1992, vice president of that unit in1994, and vice president, fiber glass, in 1995. Bunch was elected senior vice president of strategic planning and corporate services in 1997, and executive vice president, coatings, in early 2000. He was named president, chief operating officer and board member in July 2002; CEO in March 2005; and to his current post in July 2005. A native of Philadelphia, Bunch received a degree in international affairs from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. He is a former director and chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Paint and Coatings Association. Currently, Bunch is a member of the board of directors of the H.J. Heinz Company and the PNC Financial Services Group, as well as a member of the University of Pittsburgh's board of trustees.

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