PPG (NYSE) has officially announced that Kevin Braun, the current senior vice president of the industrial coatings segment, will assume the role of senior vice president of operations starting October 1, 2024. He will succeed Ram Vadlamannati, who is set to retire after 25 years with the company, leaving at the end of the year. Braun will continue to report to Tim Knavish, PPG’s chairman and CEO, and will be a member of PPG’s operating committee.
In his new position, Braun will oversee the operations organization, which encompasses PPG’s supply chain, operational excellence, manufacturing, procurement, and environmental, health, and safety functions. He will also retain executive oversight of packaging coatings and specialty coatings and materials. The automotive OEM and industrial coatings divisions, which are part of the industrial coatings segment, will shift to report directly to Knavish.
“I want to congratulate Ram on a successful career with PPG and thank him for his many contributions,” stated Tim Knavish, PPG chairman and CEO. “Ram has been a trusted leader, friend, and advisor during the past 25 years, especially as we have intensified our focus on global operations. I also want to commend Kevin on his new leadership role as we strive to enhance our global operations and the vital functions within this team. This is a crucial aspect of our growth strategy, and I am confident in Kevin and his team’s ability to deliver results.”
Braun’s journey with PPG began in 1991 as a production engineer at the Delaware, Ohio coatings manufacturing facility. In 1994, he moved into the industrial coatings sector as a sales/service representative in the appliance division. By 1997, he had relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to serve as the market development manager for the former fiberglass business. His career progressed through various roles, including market manager for consumer electronics and regional sales manager for industrial coatings, leading to positions in architectural coatings and global raw materials purchasing. In 2023, he was named senior vice president of the industrial coatings segment.
Ram Vadlamannati joined PPG following the acquisition of ICI Autocolor in 1999 and has since held various leadership roles. He became the president and director of PPG Indonesia in 2000, later taking on positions such as manufacturing and supply chain director for the automotive refinish business, vice president for automotive refinish in EMEA, and ultimately senior vice president for protective and marine coatings in 2016. He has been leading operations since January 2023 and has been a member of PPG’s operating committee since September 2015.
