PPG's Harshberger, Solcz earn STEP Ahead Awards from the Manufacturing Institute
MWN-AI** Summary
PPG (NYSE: PPG) proudly announces that employees Laura Harshberger and Jennifer Solcz have been honored with the 2026 STEP Ahead Awards from the Manufacturing Institute for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the manufacturing sector. The STEP Ahead Awards recognize individuals who drive manufacturing success through their dedication and expertise, fostering stronger workplaces and communities, particularly in an era where attracting and retaining talent is critical.
Jennifer Solcz, who joined PPG in 2018, has held various leadership roles, including the current vice president of Americas for Protective and Marine Coatings. Her leadership has led to record sales, operational excellence, and a strong customer focus. With a background in biochemistry and business, along with an MBA, she has made significant strides in developing effective strategies to drive customer value and organizational growth.
Laura Harshberger, PPG’s global IT director, has two decades of experience in IT, managing systems that optimize the entire manufacturing process. Her leadership extends beyond technology; she champions initiatives through the Women’s Leadership Network and has created a robust internship program to foster new talent. Harshberger holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and an MBA, and she is recognized for her commitment to employee empowerment and community engagement.
Both leaders exemplify the qualities necessary for manufacturing's future, which relies on developing talent, fostering strong workplace cultures, and driving results. The Manufacturing Institute, which administers the STEP Ahead Awards, aims to build and strengthen the manufacturing workforce for the 21st century, promoting the impact of leaders like Harshberger and Solcz who inspire the next generation in the industry.
MWN-AI** Analysis
PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) recently celebrated significant leadership achievements with Laura Harshberger and Jennifer Solcz receiving the prestigious STEP Ahead Awards from the Manufacturing Institute. These accolades highlight PPG's commitment to fostering exceptional leadership within the manufacturing sector, a crucial element as the industry navigates talent retention and advancement.
Solcz’s progression from Global Segments Director to her current role as Vice President showcases a clear strategy for growth and operational excellence. Her impactful leadership in driving record sales in the automotive parts sector demonstrates her proficiency in aligning business strategies with customer needs. Investors should note that such executive talent may bode well for PPG's future profitability and market position.
On the digital front, Harshberger's role as Global IT Director reflects PPG’s investment in technology, vital for maintaining competitiveness in an evolving landscape. Her successful implementation of comprehensive IT systems suggests a commitment to operational efficiency that can lead to enhanced margins. Supporting her initiatives in diversity and inclusion bolsters PPG's reputation, potentially attracting new talent and improving employee retention—two factors critical to long-term corporate stability.
From a financial perspective, PPG’s diverse product lines across construction, consumer products, and industrial markets provide a robust revenue stream. In 2025, the company reported net sales of $15.9 billion, indicating a solid foundation for future growth. Investors should watch PPG’s ability to leverage the expertise of recognized leaders like Harshberger and Solcz to drive innovation and operational improvements.
In conclusion, as PPG continues to cultivate leadership and focus on technological advancement, this creates a positive outlook for the company's stock. Potential investors may find PPG's proactive approach to leadership and operational excellence an attractive opportunity for long-term growth in the manufacturing sector.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that employees Laura Harshberger and Jennifer Solcz have been recognized with 2026 STEP Ahead Awards from the Manufacturing Institute for their exemplary leadership and industry achievements.
The STEP Ahead Awards shine a spotlight on the people powering manufacturing success, and whose leadership, expertise and commitment to others are building stronger workplaces and communities. As manufacturers work to attract, retain and advance talent in a rapidly evolving industry, programs like STEP Ahead play a critical role in elevating role models and demonstrating what leadership in manufacturing looks like today.
Solcz joined PPG in 2018 as global segments director, wheel coatings, developing a global strategy and delivering strong results. In 2020, she was promoted to Americas general manager, auto parts, achieving record sales and profitability while driving operational excellence and customer satisfaction. In her current role as vice president, Americas, Protective and Marine Coatings, Solcz aligns efforts to foster growth and sustainable value for PPG customers and partners. She studied biochemistry and business at Goucher College and the University of Windsor, received a CPA license in Ontario, Canada, and achieved an MBA from Lawrence Technological University.
“Jennifer has demonstrated a rare combination of strategic clarity, operational discipline and relentless customer focus throughout her career at PPG,” said Amy Ericson, PPG senior vice president, Protective and Marine Coatings. “She has consistently elevated every business she led. In her current role, Jennifer has helped transform the PMC organization, aligning teams and capabilities to drive value for our customers. Her scientific and financial acumen, paired with her deep commitment to excellence, make her an exceptional leader.”
Harshberger, a 20-year IT veteran and PPG’s global IT director, has driven impactful change by combining advocacy with action across the company and broader community. She has managed or implemented systems in the entire manufacturing value chain, including enterprise resource planning, customer facing inventory management, manufacturing execution, quality management, demand planning, customer relationship management and capital portfolio management. In addition to leading IT for the Operations and EHS functions, and the Industrial, Automotive and Packaging businesses globally, Harshberger leads PPG’s global IT internship program, which is the primary early talent pipeline for IT at PPG. As the first global sponsor of the Women’s Leadership Network and co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Council, she has championed initiatives that support employee well-being, and is active in several external organizations committed to empowering women and expanding access to opportunity. Harshberger earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Robert Morris University.
“Laura embodies modern manufacturing leadership through her deep information technology expertise and a passion for empowering others,” said Bhaskar Ramachandran, PPG vice president and chief information officer. “Her impact at PPG stretches far beyond the systems she improves; it lives in the hundreds of interns she has guided, the thousands of women she has helped mobilize through our Women’s Leadership Network, and the countless colleagues who feel more supported, included and seen because of her advocacy.”
“Manufacturing’s future depends on leaders who develop talent, strengthen teams and drive results by building strong workplace cultures,” said Lexi Champion, National Director of STEP Ahead. “The STEP Ahead Awards recognize and celebrate those making that impact every day in their workplaces and communities, and whose leadership helps the next generation see a place for themselves in manufacturing.”
About the Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute works to build and strengthen the manufacturing workforce for today and tomorrow to create a workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. This is done through implementing groundbreaking initiatives, convening industry leaders, conducting innovative research and promoting public policy that supports the sector as it meets the opportunity of modern manufacturing. Through this work, the MI furthers individual opportunity, community prosperity and a more competitive manufacturing industry. For more information, please visit themanufacturinginstitute.org .
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD ®
At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 50 countries and reported net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com .
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PPG Media Contact:
Greta Edgar Borza
Corporate Communications
+1 724 316 7552
edgar@ppg.com
www.ppg.com
FAQ**
How might the recognition of employees Laura Harshberger and Jennifer Solcz with the STEP Ahead Awards influence PPG's overall corporate culture and employee retention compared to competitors like WeWork Inc. Class A WE?
What strategic initiatives is PPG planning to undertake to further enhance leadership development within the company following the recognition of their employees, and how does this compare to programs at WeWork Inc. Class A WE?
Given the growing emphasis on talent development in manufacturing, how can PPG leverage the achievements of Solcz and Harshberger to attract talent in a competitive landscape that includes firms like WeWork Inc. Class A WE?
In what ways do you believe the leadership qualities showcased by Harshberger and Solcz could influence PPG's competitive standing in the manufacturing sector as compared to agile companies such as WeWork Inc. Class A WE?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG).
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