PITTSBURGH -- PPG Industries, through a European subsidiary, has agreed to purchase the bodyshop distribution business of Unipart Automotive. The business will operate as a subsidiary of PPG under the name Brown Brothers Distribution UK Ltd.

Unipart Automotive is among the United Kingdom’s largest independent suppliers of car and truck parts, bodyshop parts and workshop consumables. It is part of the Unipart Group, one of the largest independent logistics companies in Europe. Unipart Automotive has more than 400 branches trading under the Brown Brothers, Partco, Unipart Autoparts, Express Factors, TTC and Serck Intertruck brands.

The acquisition includes 34 distribution branches that supply refinish paint to bodyshops. In addition, acquired assets are to include inventory, selected equipment, brand names and customer lists. Approximately 475 Unipart Automotive bodyshop employees will transfer with the business under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) regulations.

The transaction is expected to close on or about Jan. 31, 2008. Financial terms were not disclosed.

For more information about Unipart, visit: www.unipart.co.uk.

For more information about PPG, visit: www.ppg.com.