Kimberly-Clark Key Stats
- Founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin with $42,000 initial capital
- 2024 net sales reached $20.1 billion across global markets
- Operates in approximately 175 countries worldwide
- Employs 38,000 workers across manufacturing and distribution operations
- Headquarters located in Irving, Texas since 1985
Kimberly-Clark Corporation ranks among the largest consumer goods companies in the world. The company manufactures personal care products, consumer tissue, and professional cleaning solutions. You can find its products in homes across more than 175 countries.
The company owns several household names that dominate their categories. Huggies leads the diaper market, Kleenex defines facial tissue, and Kotex serves the feminine care segment. Professional products under the Wypall and Kimtech brands supply businesses and healthcare facilities.
Kimberly-Clark trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker KMB. The company continues to expand through strategic acquisitions while maintaining its focus on essential consumer products that people use daily.
Kimberly-Clark History
Kimberly-Clark Co-founders
John A. Kimberly
Led the founding partnership as a Wisconsin businessman who recognized the potential of paper manufacturing in the region. He provided the business vision and secured initial capital for the venture.
Charles B. Clark
Contributed manufacturing expertise and operational knowledge to the partnership. His name became part of the company identity that has endured for over 150 years.
Havilah Babcock
Brought financial backing and business connections to the founding group. He helped establish the company’s early commercial relationships and market presence.
Franklyn C. Shattuck
Completed the founding partnership with his investment and industry knowledge. The four partners combined their resources to launch what became a global enterprise.
Kimberly-Clark Competitors
Kimberly-Clark competes against major consumer goods manufacturers across personal care, tissue, and hygiene categories. Procter and Gamble represents the primary rival with competing products in diapers, feminine care, and paper products. European competitors include Unilever and Essity.
| Competitor | Headquarters | Key Competing Products |
|---|---|---|
| Procter and Gamble | Cincinnati, Ohio | Pampers, Charmin, Bounty, Always |
| Unilever | London, United Kingdom | Dove, Vaseline, personal care products |
| Johnson and Johnson | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Baby care, wound care, skin care |
| Colgate-Palmolive | New York City, New York | Personal care, household products |
| Clorox Company | Oakland, California | Cleaning products, wipes, household goods |
| Essity | Stockholm, Sweden | Tork, TENA, Tempo tissue products |
| Georgia-Pacific | Atlanta, Georgia | Quilted Northern, Angel Soft, Dixie |
| Henkel | Dusseldorf, Germany | Persil, personal care brands |
| Reckitt Benckiser | Slough, United Kingdom | Lysol, Dettol, hygiene products |
| Church and Dwight | Ewing, New Jersey | Arm and Hammer, OxiClean, personal care |
Kimberly-Clark Revenue
Kimberly-Clark generated $20.1 billion in net sales during fiscal year 2024. This represented a 1.8 percent decline from 2023 due to currency impacts and divestitures. The company operates through three segments covering North America, International Personal Care, and International Family Care.
Kimberly-Clark Marketcap
Kimberly-Clark maintains a market capitalization of approximately $34 billion as of late 2025. The stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange and has delivered consistent dividends for over 50 consecutive years. Share price movements reflect both consumer staples sector trends and company performance.
Kimberly-Clark Acquisitions
Kimberly-Clark built its global footprint through strategic acquisitions over several decades. The company transformed from a regional paper mill into a consumer products powerhouse through carefully timed purchases of complementary businesses.
The defining moment came in 1995 when Kimberly-Clark merged with Scott Paper Company for $9.4 billion. This deal doubled company revenues and established global tissue leadership. The merger brought iconic brands including Scott toilet paper and paper towels into the portfolio.
During the late 1990s, the company expanded into healthcare products. The 1999 acquisition of Ballard Medical Products for $774 million added respiratory and surgical devices. One year later, Kimberly-Clark purchased Safeskin Corporation for $800 million to become the leading examination glove manufacturer.
International expansion continued through targeted purchases in key markets. The company acquired S-K Corporation and Taiwan Scott Paper to establish dominance in Asian markets. European tissue operations grew through the Attisholz Holding purchase in Switzerland for $365 million.
The company announced its largest acquisition in November 2025. Kimberly-Clark agreed to purchase Kenvue from Johnson and Johnson for $48.7 billion. This deal brings consumer health brands including Tylenol, Band-Aid, Neutrogena, and Listerine into the portfolio. The combined company will generate approximately $32 billion in annual revenue upon closing.
Recent moves have streamlined operations while building scale. The company divested underperforming markets and exited private-label manufacturing to focus on premium branded products. Management continues pursuing acquisitions that strengthen category positions and expand geographic reach.
FAQs
Who founded Kimberly-Clark Corporation?
John A. Kimberly, Charles B. Clark, Havilah Babcock, and Franklyn C. Shattuck founded the company in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin. They started with $42,000 capital to operate paper mills.
What brands does Kimberly-Clark own?
Kimberly-Clark owns Huggies diapers, Kleenex tissues, Kotex feminine products, Scott paper products, Cottonelle, Depend incontinence products, Pull-Ups, and professional brands Wypall and Kimtech.
Where is Kimberly-Clark headquartered?
Kimberly-Clark headquarters moved to Irving, Texas in 1985. The company originally operated from Neenah, Wisconsin where manufacturing continues today.
How many employees work at Kimberly-Clark?
Kimberly-Clark employs approximately 38,000 workers globally as of 2024. About 35 percent work in North America with operations spanning approximately 60 countries.
What is Kimberly-Clark annual revenue?
Kimberly-Clark reported $20.1 billion in net sales for fiscal year 2024. Revenue grew steadily over the past decade from $18.6 billion in 2015.
