PPG on Wednesday said it will host events and tours at PPG facilities across the U.S. to mark National Manufacturing Day and the contribution that manufacturing makes in communities where PPG operates.
 
National Manufacturing Day is organized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) to address the skilled labor shortage, connect with future generations of manufacturers and ensure ongoing success of the manufacturing industry. More than 2,000 events are being held by various manufacturers nationwide on and around this year’s designated day of Oct. 6.

PPG is hosting events at its facilities in Oak Creek, Wis.; Oakwood, Ga.; Huntsville, Ala.; Barberton, Ohio; Delaware, Ohio; Reno, Nev.; East Point, Ga.; Mt Vernon, Ill.; and Dover, Del.; as well as its Houston, Temple and Carrollton plants in Texas. Events included plant tours and manufacturing demonstrations, panel discussions and lunchtime speakers for local students and community members.
 
“For PPG, National Manufacturing Day is about sharing what we do and who we are with the community to inspire the next generation of manufacturers,” said Bryan Iams, PPG VP, Corporate and Government Affairs. “PPG’s paint and coatings products protect and beautify many aspects of people’s everyday lives, including their homes, cell phones, cars and the airplanes in which they fly. And this innovation and attention to quality begins with our strong manufacturing capability and our innovative employees.” 
 
In honor of National Manufacturing Day, the PPG Foundation also donated $90,000+ in grants, which will support various science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs across the U.S. The PPG Foundation grants include:

• $21,000 to Women in Engineering, Corrosion Engineering and Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academic Scholarships (IDEAS) programs, located near PPG’s Barberton, Ohio, facility;
• $15,000 to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, $5,000 to the University of Alabama at Huntsville and $5,000 to Greenpower USA, located near PPG’s Huntsville, Ala., facility;
• $10,000 to Discovery World near PPG’s Oak Creek, Wis., facility;
• $25,000 to Twin Cities Public Television in support of the programming of “SciGirls,” a national PBS television show that showcases girls using science and engineering in their daily lives;
• $10,000 to Science Buddies, a national program with the mission to help students from all walks of life to build their literacy in science and technology so they can become productive and engaged citizens in the 21st century.