Paintmaker PPG’s Digital Transformation Ripples Around The World

PPG has seen many changes over its 135-year history. Originally a glass manufacturer, PPG transitioned the core of its business to paints and specialty coatings that are used on everything from driverless cars to the posts on NHL goals. But the latest change may be the most drastic. PPG has undergone a digital transformation in tandem with Pittsburgh, which has become a leading research and innovation hub. By digitizing its polymer making processes, the company has seen up to 30 percent productivity gains along with increased efficiency and worker satisfaction.

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RDH Building Science

RDH Building Science Inc. provide building science and related consulting services. Our focus is on services that integrate building science, engineering, architecture, and construction management expertise for a variety of new construction projects and existing buildings. We are industry leaders in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Ontario, and Boston.

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Engineering Tech

Where Are You in Your Additive Manufacturing Automation Journey?

Article | July 20, 2022

Somewhat ironically, many processes in additive manufacturing – which is often defined as a digital manufacturing technology – remain manual and siloed. Automation is still not widely deployed in additive manufacturing. The vast majority of companies adopting 3D printing remain dependent on human labour and access to physical inventories. Below we’ll be exploring the stages of maturity in additive manufacturing IT automation; areas companies should consider automating and software solutions available to help you digitise and streamline your additive manufacturing operations.

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Market, Engineering Tech

COVID-19: Construction Companies and Others Help with PPE

Article | July 11, 2022

As nations the world over continue working through the uncertainty of COVID-19, personal protective equipment is more important than ever. Under these circumstances, however, PPE doesn’t relate to the hard hats, eye protection and steel toe boots our concrete blog typically covers. It’s the protective items healthcare professionals need to perform their work safely. Medical PPE has been in short supply, with consumers looking to protect themselves against the COVID-19 coronavirus snapping up face masks, gloves and the like. As medical facilities’ need for these important tools grows, however, many have turned to unlikely sources: Construction companies.

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Market

What ‘on the ground’ infrastructure delivery can expect in the year ahead

Article | September 27, 2021

While an important milestone, the remainder of Phase 2B connecting Birmingham to Leeds awaits similar backing. Delivery programmes can often become constrained by timescales associated with land acquisition, procurement and site mobilisation at the start of a project. As this legislation makes its way through Parliament, continuous and prompt delivery of the integrated route must be supported. This will enable efficiencies and benefits to be realised during both delivery and operation phases of the complete HS2 route, as well as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). HS2 will provide 50% of the infrastructure for NPR; a project designed to transform the rail network in the north of England. Encouragingly, the Queen’s Speech recognised that improving existing processes can be equally conductive to positive transformation. The Planning Bill will modernise our current systems with simpler frameworks, enabling those on the ground to deliver environmental and commercial opportunities more promptly. This will also support delivery of the UK’s ambitious net zero target. While efficiencies are encouraging, the importance of public consultation, as many major infrastructure projects currently undertake from conception to completion, should not be forgotten.

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Construction

15 sites in the frame to become home to the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant

Article | May 15, 2021

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has revealed the long list of sites under consideration for development of the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant.An open call for sites to host the Spherical Tokomak for Energy Production (Step) facility was opened last year and compliance check of those nominated has led to publication of the long list. According to the UKAEA, moving fusion from research and development to design and delivery is an important part of the UK’s ambition to be a world leader in sustainable, low-carbon energy. Fusion has the potential to provide an abundant source of low-carbon energy by copying the processes that power the sun and stars. UKAEA has said that this new technology will play an important role alongside established renewable technologies such as wind and solar.Step programme director Paul Methven said: “STEP is about building on the amazing science done over decades in fusion and translating that into a real prototype power plant that paves the way for this fantastic new energy source.

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Spotlight

RDH Building Science

RDH Building Science Inc. provide building science and related consulting services. Our focus is on services that integrate building science, engineering, architecture, and construction management expertise for a variety of new construction projects and existing buildings. We are industry leaders in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Ontario, and Boston.

Related News

PPG Completes COLORFUL COMMUNITIES Project at INFINITY Science Center in Mississippi

PPG Industries | June 17, 2019

PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® project that helped revitalize the Saturn V first-stage booster, referred to as S-IC-15, on display at INFINITY Science Center in Pearlington, Mississippi. The project brought together nearly 50 employee volunteers from PPG, INFINITY Science Center and NASA, who spent a half-day painting the center’s largest space attraction. The Colorful Communities program provides PPG volunteers and paint products along with financial contributions to bring color and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world, such as in Mississippi, where PPG operates 3 PPG PAINTS™ stores and sells PPG products through 48 local independent retailers. PPG provided approximately 105 gallons (400 liters) of specialized PPG paint products to assist with the project.Originally constructed for the Apollo 19 mission, the S-IC-15 and its five F-1 engines would have provided the immense power required to thrust the booster from the launch pad and into space during liftoff. The mission was canceled due to budgetary constraints in September 1970, which is why the 138-foot-long (42-meter-long), 360-ton (327-metric-ton) relic can be seen from Interstate 10.

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PPG Introduces PPG SOLARON BLUE PROTECTION UV+ Blocking Technology for Aircraft Windows

PPG Industries | May 02, 2019

PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that it has developed breakthrough technology for aircraft windows that significantly blocks harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and high-energy visible (HEV) light to help protect aircrews, passengers and aircraft interiors from solar radiation. PPG windows with PPG SOLARON BLUE PROTECTION™ UV+ blocking technology block 99% of UVA and UVB radiation and more than 50% of HEV (blue) light.“UV radiation exposure increases about 11% for every 3,300-foot (1,006-meter) increase in altitude,” said Brent Wright, PPG global director, aerospace transparencies. “At flight altitudes for jet aircraft, the radiation threat is approximately three times the exposure at sea level. PPG windows with PPG Solaron Blue Protection UV+ blocking technology help protect people and interior aircraft components from harmful radiation without the optical, structural and other window properties being affected.”While today’s aircraft windows already block some solar radiation, windows incorporating PPG Solaron Blue Protection UV+ blocking technology will offer a higher level of protection across a broader range of threats. The new technology is incorporated into PPG’s windows at the time of manufacture and can be applied to cockpit and cabin windows.

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PPG names VP architectural coatings for U.S., Canada

PPG Industries | May 02, 2019

PPG has named Jaime Irick as vice president, architectural coatings for the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Irick will succeed Dave Cole who will retire effective July 31, the company said. PPG’s architectural coatings include consumer paint brands such as Glidden, Olympic and PPG Paints. Mr. Irick was formerly president of the Life Fitness Division of Brunswick Corp., which makes commercial fitness equipment, and previously worked at General Electric Co. in several executive roles. Mr. Cole has spent 38 years with PPG in various jobs including president of Transitions Optical, a joint venture that made Transitions eye lenses and which PPG sold in 2014. Mr. Irick will be based at PPG’s Cranberry operations — the headquarters for its architectural coatings business in the U.S. and Canada.

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PPG Completes COLORFUL COMMUNITIES Project at INFINITY Science Center in Mississippi

PPG Industries | June 17, 2019

PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® project that helped revitalize the Saturn V first-stage booster, referred to as S-IC-15, on display at INFINITY Science Center in Pearlington, Mississippi. The project brought together nearly 50 employee volunteers from PPG, INFINITY Science Center and NASA, who spent a half-day painting the center’s largest space attraction. The Colorful Communities program provides PPG volunteers and paint products along with financial contributions to bring color and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world, such as in Mississippi, where PPG operates 3 PPG PAINTS™ stores and sells PPG products through 48 local independent retailers. PPG provided approximately 105 gallons (400 liters) of specialized PPG paint products to assist with the project.Originally constructed for the Apollo 19 mission, the S-IC-15 and its five F-1 engines would have provided the immense power required to thrust the booster from the launch pad and into space during liftoff. The mission was canceled due to budgetary constraints in September 1970, which is why the 138-foot-long (42-meter-long), 360-ton (327-metric-ton) relic can be seen from Interstate 10.

Read More

PPG Introduces PPG SOLARON BLUE PROTECTION UV+ Blocking Technology for Aircraft Windows

PPG Industries | May 02, 2019

PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that it has developed breakthrough technology for aircraft windows that significantly blocks harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and high-energy visible (HEV) light to help protect aircrews, passengers and aircraft interiors from solar radiation. PPG windows with PPG SOLARON BLUE PROTECTION™ UV+ blocking technology block 99% of UVA and UVB radiation and more than 50% of HEV (blue) light.“UV radiation exposure increases about 11% for every 3,300-foot (1,006-meter) increase in altitude,” said Brent Wright, PPG global director, aerospace transparencies. “At flight altitudes for jet aircraft, the radiation threat is approximately three times the exposure at sea level. PPG windows with PPG Solaron Blue Protection UV+ blocking technology help protect people and interior aircraft components from harmful radiation without the optical, structural and other window properties being affected.”While today’s aircraft windows already block some solar radiation, windows incorporating PPG Solaron Blue Protection UV+ blocking technology will offer a higher level of protection across a broader range of threats. The new technology is incorporated into PPG’s windows at the time of manufacture and can be applied to cockpit and cabin windows.

Read More

PPG names VP architectural coatings for U.S., Canada

PPG Industries | May 02, 2019

PPG has named Jaime Irick as vice president, architectural coatings for the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Irick will succeed Dave Cole who will retire effective July 31, the company said. PPG’s architectural coatings include consumer paint brands such as Glidden, Olympic and PPG Paints. Mr. Irick was formerly president of the Life Fitness Division of Brunswick Corp., which makes commercial fitness equipment, and previously worked at General Electric Co. in several executive roles. Mr. Cole has spent 38 years with PPG in various jobs including president of Transitions Optical, a joint venture that made Transitions eye lenses and which PPG sold in 2014. Mr. Irick will be based at PPG’s Cranberry operations — the headquarters for its architectural coatings business in the U.S. and Canada.

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