Rudy Lai
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rudyl.aiAI market researchALPHA

AI @ Kimberly-Clark

Personal care (Kleenex, Huggies)
Industry
Last updated
July 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM

Summary

  • Kimberly-Clark's AI adoption shows a consistent and growing integration starting from big data and IoT initiatives in 2018, evolving into a comprehensive AI strategy by 2023-2024 that emphasizes operational efficiency, supply chain optimization, and customer experience enhancements.
  • Key figures such as Zack Hicks and Josh Blacksmith have championed AI-driven innovation and collaborative AI, with investments in advanced robotics, AI-powered logistics, and generative AI capabilities, supporting Kimberly-Clark's $2 billion five-year growth plan announced by mid-2025.
  • The company leverages AI across diverse domains including transportation, manufacturing, dynamic content optimization for brands like Kleenex and Cottonelle, and facilities management, driving measurable outcomes in cost reduction, improved customer experience, and risk mitigation.

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4 AI Use Cases at Kimberly-Clark

Collaborative AI Integration
2025
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Revenue
Through leadership initiatives and collaborative AI technologies, Kimberly-Clark fosters autonomous decision-making and AI-assisted operations across sales, marketing, and manufacturing to boost innovation and agility. [1][2]
Facilities Management
2025
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
Kimberly-Clark employs AI and machine learning to optimize building operations, utilizing smart sensors and predictive analytics via systems like Onvation SmartFit to reduce energy use and maintenance costs. [1]
Dynamic Content Optimization
2024
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
The company deploys AI-driven systems to dynamically deliver personalized, moment-based messaging across its brands like Kleenex and Cottonelle, enhancing customer engagement and marketing effectiveness. [1]
Supply Chain Optimization
2024
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
Kimberly-Clark uses AI and machine learning to enhance supply chain efficiency by predicting demand, optimizing logistics routes, and automating inventory management, reducing costs and improving service levels. [1][2][3]

Timeline

2025 Q3

2 updates

Public discussion on Kimberly-Clark benefiting from AI trends included academic case studies focusing on AI and machine learning applications solving company problems.

2025 Q2

2 updates

Leadership such as Josh Blacksmith advanced collaborative AI discussions; manufacturing capabilities expanded with AI-powered robotics and logistics as part of a $2 billion plan.

2025 Q1

2 updates

Zack Hicks led innovation efforts integrating advanced AI making Kimberly-Clark future-ready; Onvation SmartFit enhanced facilities management with AI and ML.

2024 Q4

1 updates

The India tech hub became central to Kimberly-Clark's digital transformation focusing on Data and Analytics, AI, and Generative AI capabilities.

2024 Q3

2 updates

Adoption of dynamic content optimization and hiring AI/ML development engineers underscored commitment to AI-driven marketing and R&D.

2024 Q2

1 updates

Company focused on AI to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer service using machine learning.

2024 Q1: no updates

2023 Q4

1 updates

Implementation of AI-enabled transportation transformation showcased Kimberly-Clark's utilization of AI to optimize logistics.

2023 Q3

2 updates

Kimberly-Clark formalized an AI strategy focused on improving operations and decision-making. Key leadership emphasized modernization and continuous progress.

2023 Q2: no updates

2023 Q1: no updates

2022 Q4: no updates

2022 Q3: no updates

2022 Q2: no updates

2022 Q1: no updates

2021 Q4: no updates

2021 Q3: no updates

2021 Q2: no updates

2021 Q1: no updates

2020 Q4: no updates

2020 Q3: no updates

2020 Q2: no updates

2020 Q1: no updates

2019 Q4: no updates

2019 Q3: no updates

2019 Q2: no updates

2019 Q1: no updates

2018 Q4: no updates

2018 Q3

1 updates

Kimberly-Clark used big data, IoT, and AI to boost performance in operations, marking early adoption of advanced technologies.