Kimberly Clark
Kimberly Clark was founded by John A. Kimberly, who lived from 1880-1928. He and his three partners built their first paper mill in 1872.
Entire product categories have been invented by Kimberly Clark since its inception in 1872. They invented the product categories of facial tissue, feminine pads, paper towels, toilet paper on a roll and disposable training pants.
Innovative products continue with this company with the most recent product to be launched in October 2004. Their new facial tissue reportedly kills 99.9% of Cold and Flu Viruses. The tissue uses a patented super premium 3-ply tissue design. There is a moisture-activate middle layer that is treated with an anti-viral formula. When someone sneezes or coughs into this tissue the viruses hit the middle layer killing within 15 minutes cold and flu viruses. This is the only facial tissue that offers this benefit.
Kleenex is brand that is the first and best selling facial tissue. It was first marketed as a sanitary way to remove cold cream and makeup. When the advertising shifted to the use as a disposable handkerchief sale surged.
Their diaper business under the brand name of Huggies alone is 3.5 billion dollars.
Sales of $14.3 billion comes from products sold in more than 150 countries. Diaper sales of their brand name Huggies alone contribute 3.5 billion dollars.