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Kimberly-Clark Corporation operates in the consumer staples sector and is classified within the personal care and paper products industry. Founded in 1872 by John A. Kimberly, Charles B. Clark, Franklyn C. Shattuck and Havilah Babcock, the company is headquartered in Irving, Texas, and maintains global operations focused on the production and distribution of hygiene and personal care items.
The company develops and commercializes well-established brands such as Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle and Kotex. Its product portfolio includes disposable diapers, wipes, toilet paper, sanitary pads and facial tissues, which are widely used by consumers and institutional clients across multiple markets.
With operations in more than 175 countries, Kimberly-Clark maintains a strong presence in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Distribution occurs through retail and wholesale channels, as well as partnerships with healthcare and hygiene institutions. The company has also invested in innovation and sustainability, seeking solutions to reduce the environmental impact of its products and manufacturing processes.
Continuous investment is directed toward technologies that enhance productive efficiency, including industrial automation and advanced manufacturing systems. Capital allocation also supports operational improvements, regulatory compliance and the development of sustainable production models.
The hygiene and paper-products industry faces challenges related to volatility in raw-material costs, shifts in consumer preferences and increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Competitive dynamics include global multinational companies such as Procter & Gamble and Essity, as well as regional manufacturers.
Kimberly-Clark’s operational structure comprises manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and commercial offices in different regions worldwide. In Brazil, the company maintains a significant presence through production units and commercial operations supporting both local and Latin American markets.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker KMB and, in Brazil, through the BDR KMBB34.
History and Foundation
Kimberly-Clark Corporation was founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin, by John A. Kimberly, Charles B. Clark, Franklyn C. Shattuck and Havilah Babcock. Initially, the company operated in the paper industry, manufacturing products derived from cellulose.
During its early years, the company expanded production capacity and invested in innovation, launching new types of paper and improving industrial processes. During World War I, it developed disposable materials for medical use, which led to the creation of the Kotex feminine-care line.
In 1920, the company introduced Kleenex facial tissues, which quickly became one of its most recognized products. Global expansion accelerated in the following decades through entry into new markets and strategic acquisitions aimed at strengthening its consumer-goods footprint.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation completed its initial public offering (IPO) on May 9, 1929, a few months before the New York Stock Exchange crash. During World War II, the company adapted its manufacturing capacity to meet military demand, and throughout the 1950s and 1960s expanded internationally, broadening its product portfolio.
In the 1970s, the company expanded its line of child-care products with the acquisition of the Huggies brand, consolidating its position in the personal hygiene segment. Investments in research and development continued to support new solutions in personal-care innovation.
In the 2000s, the company diversified its portfolio and expanded its operations, strengthening its presence in emerging markets. Its strategy included increasing local production in Latin America and Asia, along with the development of products tailored to regional consumer preferences.
Between 2020 and 2024, Kimberly-Clark intensified sustainability initiatives focused on reducing single-use plastics and increasing the adoption of recyclable materials. The company also expanded its digital presence and optimized supply chains to improve operational efficiency and respond to changing consumer behavior.
Additional Information
The Company Kimberly-Clark Corporation (United States), is listed on NYSE with a market cap of $ 34.92 Billions, having an equity of $ 1.47 Billion.
With a total of 46.000 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Consumer/Non-Cyclical and categorized in industry of Personal & Household Prods.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 18.08 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 1.97 Billion.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 17.73, a P/BV ratio of 23.79 and in the last 12 months the dividend yield of KMB was at 4.75%.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker KMB.
