Kimberly-Clark Unveils $2 Billion Investment to Expand U.S. Manufacturing, Drive Innovation, and Accelerate Growth
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB), a global leader in essential consumer health and hygiene products, has unveiled a sweeping investment initiative that will inject over $2 billion into its North America operations over the next five years. Representing the company’s largest domestic investment in more than three decades, the ambitious plan underscores Kimberly-Clark’s long-term commitment to bolstering U.S. manufacturing capabilities, accelerating innovation pipelines, and building a stronger, more agile supply chain in response to growing consumer demand.
This transformative investment will be centered around two major projects: the development of a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Warren, Ohio, and a substantial expansion of the company’s existing site in Beech Island, South Carolina, which will include a high-tech automated distribution center. Additional funding will also support system-wide upgrades across Kimberly-Clark’s North American supply chain, including advanced automation technologies and innovation-driven capital expenditures designed to support long-term growth objectives.
With over 900 new skilled jobs expected to be created—many of them focused on industrial automation and advanced manufacturing—the initiative marks a pivotal moment for Kimberly-Clark as it deepens its roots in the U.S. and reinforces its position as a leading manufacturer of trusted household brands like Huggies®, Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®, and Depend®.
A Strategic Commitment to U.S. Manufacturing and Innovation
“This landmark investment represents a strategic bet on the American consumer and our ability to drive innovation-led sustainable growth for Kimberly-Clark,” said Russ Torres, Group President of Kimberly-Clark North America. “It reflects the confidence we have in our long-term growth plans and complements a broad range of commercial and R&D investments we have been making throughout the business as part of our Powering Care transformation journey.”
Torres’ statement highlights Kimberly-Clark’s belief in the enduring strength of its North American market and signals a long-term vision rooted in local manufacturing excellence, digital transformation, and environmental responsibility. The $2 billion investment will enhance operational capacity, optimize logistics, and help the company bring product innovations to consumers more rapidly and efficiently than ever before.
The plan comes at a time when manufacturers across the globe are rethinking their supply chains and investing in regional capabilities to mitigate global disruptions, improve delivery speed, and align more closely with sustainability and regulatory requirements. For Kimberly-Clark, which serves customers in more than 175 countries, doubling down on U.S. production capabilities aligns with both market trends and its broader strategy to accelerate global growth through localized innovation and responsiveness.
New Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Warren, Ohio
A centerpiece of Kimberly-Clark’s investment initiative is the construction of a new advanced manufacturing plant in Warren, Ohio. Spanning over one million square feet, the facility will be strategically located in Trumbull County, close to key population centers across the Midwest and Northeast. In fact, the company estimates that approximately 117 million consumers live within a day’s drive of the site, making it a highly strategic location for production and distribution.
The Warren facility will be focused on Kimberly-Clark’s fast-growing personal care product categories. It is expected to feature proprietary manufacturing technologies, highly automated production lines, and smart factory systems that leverage real-time data and advanced analytics. These innovations will allow Kimberly-Clark to manufacture the next generation of consumer health and hygiene products with unprecedented efficiency, customization, and responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences.
“We welcome Kimberly-Clark’s first investment in Ohio,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Kimberly-Clark has advanced-production facilities all over the world, and the fact that they are now coming to Trumbull County says a great deal about the area’s workforce and Ohio’s leadership in rebuilding the domestic manufacturing supply.”
In addition to state-level support, local organizations also played a key role in attracting Kimberly-Clark to the region. “Kimberly-Clark’s decision to make its first Ohio investment in Trumbull County would not have happened without close collaboration from our partners at Lake to River as well as at the state and local level,” added J.P. Nauseef, President and CEO of JobsOhio. “We look forward to working alongside Kimberly-Clark as it launches its new cutting-edge manufacturing facility.”
The Warren project is expected to significantly enhance Kimberly-Clark’s ability to scale production, launch new products faster, and support its ambitious goal of leading the personal care market with sustainable, science-driven innovations.
High-Tech Distribution Expansion in Beech Island, South Carolina
Complementing the Ohio facility is an equally transformative expansion at Kimberly-Clark’s Beech Island manufacturing site in South Carolina—already the largest facility in the company’s global network. This site will be home to a new regional distribution center (DC) that incorporates state-of-the-art automation, high-density storage, robotics, and AI-powered logistics systems.
Located adjacent to the existing manufacturing plant, the DC will create a fully integrated logistics hub that minimizes handling times, reduces shipping distances, and streamlines Kimberly-Clark’s entire U.S. distribution footprint. By combining manufacturing and distribution under one roof, the company expects to achieve significant efficiency gains while enhancing its ability to fulfill orders directly and more rapidly.
“Thanks to South Carolina’s exceptional business climate, global leaders like Kimberly-Clark Corporation are finding lasting success in our state,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “The company’s commitment to investing in South Carolina is truly something worth celebrating.”
Tamera Fenske, Kimberly-Clark’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, emphasized the importance of this expansion in the context of the company’s broader transformation efforts. “These investments in North America represent the strong progress we are making on our end-to-end supply chain transformation, specifically in terms of network optimization,” she said. “By bringing together manufacturing and distribution under one automated roof, we are building a more agile, responsive, and resilient manufacturing network that will enhance service levels for our retail partners and contribute to our gross productivity plan.”
The Beech Island expansion reflects Kimberly-Clark’s long-term approach to logistics modernization, one that leverages cutting-edge technologies to build a future-ready distribution model capable of supporting both e-commerce growth and large-scale retail fulfillment.
Creating Jobs and Building Skills for the Future
In total, the investment plan is expected to create more than 900 new jobs in the U.S., with a strong focus on roles in industrial automation, digital manufacturing, and supply chain operations. These positions will not only help strengthen regional economies but also provide long-term career opportunities in high-demand, high-skill industries.
Kimberly-Clark’s workforce development strategy is closely aligned with its automation and innovation goals. The company plans to collaborate with technical schools, community colleges, and training centers near both sites to develop a strong talent pipeline and offer continuing education programs that prepare workers for the evolving demands of 21st-century manufacturing.
As Torres noted, “Our investments in people, processes, and products are central to our mission of delivering Better Care for a Better World. We are excited to help grow the advanced manufacturing talent base in the U.S. and build a team capable of shaping the future of essential care.”
A Bold Next Step in Kimberly-Clark’s 150-Year Legacy
The $2 billion investment announcement comes just one year after Kimberly-Clark launched its most comprehensive business transformation in company history. Known as the “Powering Care” initiative, the transformation program includes everything from operational streamlining and R&D acceleration to sustainability investments and customer experience enhancements.
For Kimberly-Clark, this latest move is more than just a capacity expansion—it is a declaration of confidence in the resilience of its business model, the strength of its brand portfolio, and the power of American manufacturing to deliver for consumers.
Construction on the Warren and Beech Island facilities is slated to begin in May 2025, with completion expected within two to three years. Once operational, the facilities will represent a new benchmark for sustainable, responsive, and innovation-driven manufacturing and logistics in the consumer products sector.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark is a global manufacturer of essential consumer products used by more than a billion people every day across more than 175 countries. The company’s portfolio includes market-leading brands such as Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, and Viva, which hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries.
Fueled by a culture of innovation and a commitment to sustainability, Kimberly-Clark integrates responsible manufacturing practices with deep consumer insights to develop products that support personal dignity, health, and well-being. The company has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere for seven consecutive years and was recognized as one of Fortune’s Most Innovative Companies in America in 2024.
Kimberly-Clark continues to invest in technologies, partnerships, and people that will help it meet the evolving needs of consumers while protecting the planet and strengthening communities. For more information about Kimberly-Clark’s history of innovation and its latest developments, visit www.kimberly-clark.com.
