Kimberly-Clark reports ‘rapid progress’

Health and hygiene product provider Kimberley-Clark (K-C) has achieved rapid progress towards its global business goals, company bosses claimed as net sales for the fourth quarter topped $4.3 billion (2.1 billion pounds).

The latest figures relate to the last three months of 2006 and demonstrate that the firm, whose brands include Huggies and Kleenex, has increased its overall sales revenues by as much as 7.4 per cent.

K-C’s markets termed as developing and emerging enjoyed double-digit growth rates for the ninth month in succession. The company’s health care sector is reported to have seen sales gains of 11 per cent in the most recent quarter, while personal care sales overall gained nine per cent.

Chairman and chief executive officer at K-C Thomas J Falk welcomed the latest figures and paid tribute to the efforts of his staff worldwide, who he said had put the company in a more competitive position within the industry.

“Throughout 2006, K-C teams around the world executed our global business plan well and made rapid progress implementing our strategic cost reduction program,” Mr Falk commented.

“With solid organic sales growth in the fourth quarter and sequentially improved margins, we are entering the new year with good momentum,” he added.

K-C recently revealed that after four years of continuous business growth, its Scott brand had archived sales in excess of $1 billion in the US during 2006.