PPG Industries, through a European subsidiary, has agreed to purchase the bodyshop distribution business of Unipart Automotive. The acquisition includes 34 distribution branches that supply refinish paint to bodyshops. The transaction is expected to close on or about Jan. 31, 2008.

The business will operate as a subsidiary of PPG under the name Brown Brothers Distribution UK Ltd. Financial terms were not disclosed.

John McGowan, PPG market director, United Kingdom and Ireland, said the acquisition offers PPG growth opportunities in adjacent markets, although third-party distributor relationships will still be a crucial part of its U.K. operations.

Unipart Automotive is the United Kingdom's largest independent supplier of car and truck parts, bodyshop parts and workshop consumables.

Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass.