Kimberly-Clark, maker of trusted brands including Huggies®, Kotex®, Kleenex®, and Depend®, has re-started its operations in the Ukrainian market and is working closely with its partners across the country to provide Ukrainian consumers with essential products including diapers, feminine care products, facial tissue and incontinence underwear.
“Despite the destruction of our warehouse in early March, I am proud of the resilience of the team to remain focused on the needs of Ukrainian consumers which are greater than ever. With our partners, we have begun to re-establish all operational and logistical processes to ensure that Ukrainians continue to have access to our products which are essential for daily health and hygiene,” said Oleksandr Garbarenko, GM of Kimberly-Clark Ukraine & Central Europe.
As part of its re-start plans, the Kimberly-Clark team in Ukraine has worked to remove all raw materials of Russian origin from its supply chain into the country. Further, the company will no longer import any finished product from Russia into Ukraine, instead leveraging the company’s extensive supply chain network in the EU and other countries to meet the needs of Ukrainian consumers. These actions are the latest from the company as it continues to condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
As a responsible company, Kimberly-Clark operates in accordance with all applicable laws and global sanctions applied to Russia. The company has implemented significant adjustments to its business in Russia. In addition to suspending all media, advertising, and promotional activity, the company has taken steps to suspend capital investments in its Stupino, Russia facility.
Garbarenko stresses: “Сaring for our consumers and employees has always been and remains the main focus of our activities. Therefore, in these difficult times, we pay particular attention and make every effort to support and help Ukrainians suffering from the effects of Russian aggression.”
To date, Kimberly-Clark has donated one million dollars to both international and local organizations to support internally displaced persons and Ukrainian refugees abroad. Half of the amount is allocated in the form of financial assistance, and the rest is donated as in-kind contributions of hygiene and health care goods.
During the Russian aggression, the company considers it especially important to continue the implementation of social projects in Ukraine as a part of its global purpose to provide "Better Care for a Better World." Therefore, the team will continue the program "Born for a hug," which helps implement the Kangaroo method for the care of premature babies in Ukrainian prenatal centers and provide advice on newborn care.
“We remain close to our team on the ground, working to ensure the safety of our employees and to monitor the needs of Ukrainians in order to be as helpful to them as possible during this difficult time,” concluded Garbarenko.
