Multi-Million Dollar Investment Signifies K-C's Long-Term Commitment to the
Region
DALLAS and MOSCOW, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kimberly-Clark
Corporation (NYSE: KMB), a leading global health and hygiene company, today
announced plans to construct its first manufacturing facility in Russia to
support its growing consumer business there and in Eastern Europe. The
multi-million dollar facility will be built in phases and will produce
personal care and tissue products under the well-known Huggies and Kleenex
brands.
Accelerating growth in Developing and Emerging markets is one of
Kimberly-Clark's targeted growth initiatives. The company has placed
particular emphasis on Russia and five other key countries that it refers
to as BRICIT -- Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, China, India and Turkey.
"Russia is a strategically important market for K-C due to its rapid
economic growth and the long-term potential of its health and hygiene
categories," said Tom Davis, President of Kimberly-Clark's Middle East,
Eastern Europe and Africa group. "Local manufacturing is a key element of
our strategy."
Construction at the site will begin this month with start-up of the
facility scheduled for early 2009. The first phase of development will
provide for site preparation, construction of manufacturing buildings,
offices, warehousing and roads. The facility will be located in Stupino,
approximately 60 miles (100 km) southeast from Moscow, and will occupy an
area of about 100 acres (40 hectares).
The project will create approximately 150 new jobs in Stupino by the
middle of 2009, with additional jobs being added as increased manufacturing
capacity comes on line over the next few years. Construction on the site
and the need for local support services are also expected to boost
employment in the Stupino area.
"We are excited to announce the building of this manufacturing
facility," said Jonathan Tarr, Kimberly-Clark Managing Director for Eastern
Europe. "This significant investment demonstrates Kimberly-Clark's
long-term commitment to the Russian market.
"This facility will allow us to increase speed of delivery and service
to our rapidly-growing consumer base and maintain a leadership position in
this market. We chose Stupino for its developed infrastructure, highly
qualified work force and excellent location for accessing the major cities
of Russia and Eastern Europe."
Consumer spending and retail sales in both Russia and Eastern Europe
have been growing at double-digit rates for the past several years and are
projected to grow at high single-digit rates for the next decade. The
region has a burgeoning middle class that shows strong appreciation for
high-quality branded products.
Kimberly-Clark entered the diaper category in the region in 1996 with
its Huggies brand and followed with a major launch of Kleenex branded
tissue products in 2005. Today, K-C's brands are among the market leaders
in the countries of Eastern Europe.
About Kimberly-Clark:
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable
part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion
people-nearly a quarter of the world's population-trust K-C's brands and
the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well being.
With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend,
Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80
countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the
company's 135-year history of innovation, visit
http://www.kimberly-clark.com.
SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.kimberly-clark.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991117/KMBLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Media, Dave Dickson of Kimberly-Clark,
+1-972-281-1481, ddickson@kcc.com; or Alena Los, Mmd Russia,
7-495-788-67-84, alena.los@mmd.ru, for Kimberly-Clark; or
Investors, Mike Masseth of Kimberly-Clark Corporation,
+1-972-281-1478, mmasseth@kcc.com
|
