SYLMAR, Calif., Dec. 1, 2010 – PPG Industries’ (NYSE:PPG) aerospace business has been honored for its ALTEOS(TM) Interactive Window Systems in the Suppliers’ Innovation Challenge of Aviation Week & Space Technology and Defense Technology International magazines. The challenge recognizes and promotes groundbreaking work by tiered suppliers in aerospace and defense.
Alteos Interactive Window Systems by PPG Aerospace provide controllable dimmable shading for aircraft passenger-cabin windows with electrochromic technology developed and manufactured by Gentex Corp. The first electrochromic window shading systems for commercial aircraft, they are used on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft.
“The aviation and defense industries are by their nature technologically advanced, so for PPG Aerospace to be recognized as doing groundbreaking and innovative work within these markets is indeed an honor,” said Mark Cancilla, PPG Aerospace global platform director for transparencies. “We thank Aviation Week, Defense Technology International and the judges for this tribute. We are grateful to everyone involved in the development and commercialization of Alteos Interactive Window Systems, from the people at Gentex Corp. who supply the electrochromic technology, to the many PPG people who worked long and hard bringing these systems to market, to our customers for believing in our capabilities.”
Eight winners in 11 categories were selected from among more than 80 entries by a panel of judges of Aviation Week and Defense Technology International editors and supplier and technology executives at leading aerospace and defense organizations. The judges were Robert Murray, vice president, supply chain management, Hamilton Sundstrand; John Borghese, vice president, advanced technology programs, Rockwell Collins; Joe Jackson, director, Strategic Sourcing, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems; William Sweetman, editor-in-chief, and Pat Toensmeier, contributing editor, Defense Technology International; Anthony L. Velocci Jr., editor-in-chief, and Graham Warwick, senior technology editor, Aviation Week & Space Technology; Brian McDermott, vice president, supplier management, Aerospace Industries Association; and Paul Kling, deputy vice president of operations and supplier management, BAE Systems Electronics, Intelligence & Support.
PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries. PPG Aerospace – Transparencies is the world’s largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies. PPG Aerospace – PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer and distributor of aerospace coatings, sealants, and packaging and application systems.
About Gentex
Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select Market: GNTX) is the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and camera-based active safety systems to the global automotive industry. The Company also provides smoke alarms and signaling devices to the North American fire protection market, and electrochromic technology for dimmable aircraft window systems for the commercial, business and general aviation markets. Based in Zeeland, Michigan, the international Company develops, manufactures and markets interior and exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors that utilize proprietary electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. More than half of the Company’s interior mirrors are sold with advanced electronic features, and more than 97 percent of the Company’s revenues are derived from the sale of auto-dimming mirrors to nearly every major automaker in the world. Gentex is an AS9100 certified supplier. For more information, visit www.gentex.com or contact Connie Hamblin at [email protected].About PPG
PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com
