The ROGTEC Interview: Paul Gielen, Regional Manager, Caspian Sea area, PPG Protective & Marine Coatings
What is your position in the company and how long have you held this position?
My current position is regional manager, Caspian Sea area. As export manager I have been responsible for sales in Turkey, Libya and the Caspian region. Now I will focus fully on the Caspian region and the set up of PPG Protective & Marine Coatings’ regional office in Baku.
How long have you been in business in Russia and the Caspian?
Our company has a heritage of producing paint for 300 years and we have been in business with Russia and the Caspian for a long time. This year we have decided to strengthen our leading global position by setting up a regional office in Baku and expand our strategic stock points throughout Russia, the Caspian region and Turkey.
PPG have recently opened an office in Baku – how is that going? And how does that affect your regional strategies?
PPG Protective & Marine Coatings is a truly global organisation and recognized the need for a regional support organisation. Together with our authorized distributor network in the region, we are dedicated to provide our Caspian client base with a top-class service and tailored technical and supply solutions.
What companies have PPG worked with in the region?
Our international engineering team works together with all major international oil companies and engineering houses, and makes sure that we are approved by both international and national parties, and that our coating systems are in accordance with internationally recognized standards (like Norsok M-501 and ISO-12944). We have an extensive track record in the region, and have supplied projects of Tengizchevroil, Agip KCO, Azerbaijan International Oil Company (AIOC) and many others.
What is your most recent success in the market?
Besides supplying coatings to some of the most important onshore and offshore oil and gas projects, the current opening of our Baku office is a very important milestone for us.
Have you any recent product launches for the region?
We offer a range of innovative solutions for the oil and gas industry, which have already proved their value. Our solvent-free epoxies from the SigmaShield range are widely valued, as are our high-performance tank linings from the Novaguard range. The most recent and dramatic innovations have taken place in the field of passive fire protection. PPG Protective & Marine Coatings is one of the main players in this area and is introducing its world-leading flexible epoxy intumescent coating from the PITT-CHAR XP range for the Caspian oil and gas industry.
Having re-located to Azerbaijan, what do you like best about Baku?
Although I have been in Baku for a short time I am very impressed by the hospitality, and helpfulness of the people here. I have already made some good friends, so I feel it will not be a hard job to feel at home in Baku.
Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?
South Africa is on the top of my list. I am fascinated by its natural beauty. Besides that, I cannot wait to visit the old cities along the Silk Road and the phenomenal Caucasus mountains.
What is your favourite sport, and what team do you support?
I am a football fanatic and hardly miss any game. The team from my hometown Tilburg (Willem II) is still closest to my heart, but having lived in Amsterdam for several years I will definitely support Ajax Amsterdam this season in the Champions League.
Finally, what are your thoughts on the region’s oil and gas market through to the end of this year and beyond?
Our firm commitment, with establishing our regional office in Baku along with our Moscow and Istanbul operations, already confirms our high expectations from Russia and also the Caspian Region’s growing oil and gas output. We believe the region will become increasingly more important for the energy demands in both the East and West.
