PPG Industries’ fiber glass business announced that August A. “Gus” Astroth has been appointed general manager and Asia Pacific leader for the business effective January 1, 2014. Astroth will replace Terry Fry, who is retiring after 41 years of PPG service.

“Gus has extensive experience in the fiber glass industry and has held a variety of key positions in manufacturing and engineering for PPG’s business,” said Thomas Kerr, PPG vice president, fiber glass. “He has worked very closely with our partners in Asia and is ideally suited to take on this important and critical role.” Astroth will relocate to Shanghai in early 2014.

As a global supplier to the composite industry, PPG Fiber Glass has been in the Asia Pacific region since the 1980s. Today, its Asia Pacific operations include three manufacturing facilities and an application and testing laboratory.

“We continue to see high growth potential in Asia,” Kerr said. “The operational excellence, knowledge and understanding that Gus delivers will enable us to continue providing high-quality products and services to our customers.”

PPG Fiber Glass is a global manufacturer of reinforcement materials for thermoset and thermoplastic composite applications with manufacturing and research facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia. It serves the transportation, energy, infrastructure and consumer markets, as well as electronic circuit board and specialty yarn markets.

About PPG Industries

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 nearly 70 countries around the world.