K-C expanding wipes production in U.S

Nonwovens Industry, Sept, 1991

K-C Expanding Wipes Production In U.S.

Kimberly-Clark, the second leading producer of baby diapers in the U.S., revealed plans last month to quadruple the size of its "Huggies" baby wipes plant in Maumelle, AR. The move is an apparent justification of K-C's decision to expand its highly recognizable Huggies brand into ancillary markets such as baby wipes.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal (July 23), Wayne Sanders, president and chief operating officer at K-C, said baby wipe sales have "exceeded expectations," but the company would not elaborate, even to the WSJ. K-C, Dallas, TX, said it will spend $50 million at the Maumelle plant to expand the production facilities for the wipes. It claims the U.S. market for baby wipes is currently estimated at $350 million in retail sales and is growing 5-10% a year.