On Wed, Jan 17, 2001 at 01:27:03PM -0500, Doug Henwood wrote:
> [$100 million is nothing compared to the $1 billion that Gillette
> spent on deveoping the Mach3 (which I enthusiastically use, of
> course)]
>
> Kimberly-Clark Corporation Announces Cottonelle(R) Fresh Rollwipes,
> America's First Dispersible Pre-Moistened Wipe on a Roll
> First Major Toilet Paper Innovation in Over 100 Years
>
> Breakthrough Product Will Fuel Growth of Toilet Paper Category
>
>
> DALLAS, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB)
> today announced the launch of Cottonelle Fresh(TM) Rollwipes -- America's
> first and only dispersible, pre-moistened wipe on a roll. This breakthrough
> product delivers the cleaning and freshening of pre-moistened wipes with the
> convenience and disposability of toilet paper. It is the most significant
> category innovation since toilet paper first appeared in roll form in 1890.
>
> (Photo: <http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010116/DATU004-a>
>
> <http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010116/DATU004-b> )
>
> In its first 12 months, retail sales of Cottonelle Fresh Rollwipes are
> estimated to reach $150 million. Over the next six years, retail sales of
> this category could exceed $500 million and, because usage of the product is
> almost entirely incremental to dry toilet paper, it should result in a
> significant increase in the $4.8 billion U.S. toilet paper market.
>
> Research conducted by Kimberly-Clark shows that consumers agree that
> moist methods clean and freshen better than dry toilet paper alone.
> The results of a recent Kimberly-Clark survey showed that 63% of
> respondents have used a moist cleansing method after toileting and
> one out of four use a moist cleansing method on a daily basis.
>
> Wayne R. Sanders, chairman and chief executive officer of
> Kimberly-Clark, said, "Kimberly-Clark is bringing a new dimension to
> the toilet paper category through consumer-driven innovation and
> proprietary technology. Cottonelle Fresh Rollwipes are another
> example of the company's ability to create significant new business
> opportunities that deliver top-line growth and offer incremental
> revenue to retailers. This advancement in moist cleaning, combined
> with the company's growing Cottonelle and Scott dry toilet paper
> brands, positions us to capture a greater share of a larger market."
>
> Cottonelle Fresh Rollwipes will initially be available in early
> Summer 2001 to consumers in northeastern and southeastern states,
> representing approximately half of the U.S. population. The
> anticipated retail price of the Cottonelle Fresh Rollwipes starter
> pack (dispenser along with four rolls) will be $8.99, and a refill
> pack of four rolls will be $3.99.
>
> Cottonelle Fresh Rollwipes' proprietary dispenser offers consumers
> the choice of pre-moistened Rollwipes and dry toilet paper, as the
> dispenser neatly holds rolls of both products. The pre-moistened
> product is dispensed
> from a sealed unit at the top of the dispenser. Dry toilet paper is
> dispensed from a conventional spindle at the bottom of the dispenser.
> The dispenser is easily installed in a bathroom -- no tools are
> required and it fits most toilet paper holders.
>
> Cottonelle Fresh Rollwipes are fully dispersible. This patent-pending
> technology causes the product to break up in water like dry toilet tissue,
> making it safe for sewer and septic systems. (For a look at Cottonelle Fresh
> Rollwipes, please visit <http://www.rollwipes.com.> For downloadable
> images, please
> visit PR Newswire at
> <http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010116/DATU004-a> and
> <http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010116/DATU004-b> ).
>
> Kimberly-Clark invested more than $100 million in research, development
> and manufacturing to bring the product to market. The product and dispenser
> are expected to be covered by more than 30 patents that will lay the
> foundation for a global patent estate.
>
> "Consumers tell us that using Cottonelle Fresh Rollwipes as a complement
> to dry toilet paper is easy and convenient, with the added benefits of
> superior cleaning and freshness," said Linda Bartelt, president of the Wet
> Wipes sector for Kimberly-Clark. "Rollwipes add significant value to our
> strong product portfolio by solidifying Kimberly-Clark's leadership role in
> the toilet paper category and by building on the equity of the Cottonelle
> brand. For consumers, this brand stands for the very best in cleaning and
> freshening."
>
> Comprehensive marketing programs totaling over $40 million in 2001 will
> support the introduction of Cottonelle Fresh Rollwipes, making it one of the
> most significant launches in the company's history. Broadcast, print and
> Internet campaigns featuring Cottonelle Fresh Rollwipes will break in early
> summer.
>
> Despite this incremental marketing expense and additional startup costs,
> Mr. Sanders said the company expects to achieve its target of double-digit
> growth in earnings per share from operations in 2001.
>
> Separately, the company announced a significant improvement to its super
> premium Cottonelle dry toilet paper, a product based on the company's
> proprietary uncreped through-air dried (UCTAD) tissue technology. Cottonelle
> toilet paper with aloe and vitamin E will be launched nationally in the second
> quarter, replacing the company's Cottonelle UltraSoft product.
>
> Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a leading consumer products company. Its
> global tissue, personal care and health care brands include Huggies, Pull-Ups,
> Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, Cottonelle, Scott, Kimberly-Clark, Safeskin, Tecnol,
> Kimwipes and WypAll. Other brands well known outside the U.S. include Andrex,
> Scottex, Page, Popee and Kimbies. Kimberly-Clark also is a major producer of
> premium business, correspondence and technical papers. The company has
> manufacturing operations in 40 countries and sells its products in more than
> 150 countries.
>
>
> Certain matters contained in this news release concerning the business
> outlook, including new product introductions, cost savings and acquisitions,
> anticipated financial and operating results, strategies, contingencies and
> transactions of the company constitute forward-looking statements and are
> based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events
> impacting the company. There can be no assurance that these future events
> will occur as anticipated or that the company's results will be as estimated.
> For a description of certain factors that could cause the company's future
> results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking
> statements, see the section of Part I, Item 1 of the company's Annual Report
> on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 entitled "Factors That May
> Affect Future Results."
>
> SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation
>
>
>
>
>
> Web site: <http://www.rollwipes.com> <http://www.kimberly-clark.com>
>
>
>
> Photo: NewsCom:
> <http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991117/KMBLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010116/DATU004-ahttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010116/DATU004-b>
> APPhotoExpress Network: PRN2, PRN3 PressLink Online:
> 800-888-6195PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467
>
>
> Company News On-Call: <http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/118088.htmlor>
> fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 118088
>
>
> CONTACT: media, Tina Barry, 972-281-1484, or <tbarry at kcc.com>,
> orinvestor relations, Mike Masseth, 972-281-1478,
> <ormmasseth at kcc.com>, both of Kimberly- Clark Corporation; or
> media,Linda Kwong of Brouillard Communications, 212-210-8233,
> <orlinda.kwong at brouillard.com>, for Kimberly-Clark Corporation
>
>
> CAPTION: DATU004-a
> COTTONELLE FRESH ROLLWIPES
> CottonelleFresh(TM) Rollwipes fit in a handy dispenser, giving
> consumersthe choice of moist wipes on a roll and dry toilet paper, as
> thedispenser holds rolls of both products. The
> patent-pendingdispenser is easily installed in a bathroom without
> tools and wasdesigned to blend with consumers' décor. (PRNewsFoto)[TC]
> DALLAS, TX USA
> 01/16/2001
>
>
> CAPTION: DATU004-b
> COTTONELLE FRESH ROLLWIPES STARTER PACK
> Cottonelle Fresh(TM) Rollwipes, America's first and onlydispersible,
> pre-moistened toilet paper on a roll, will beavailable in early
> Summer 2001 to consumers in northeastern andsoutheastern states. The
> anticipated retail price for a starterpack (dispenser along with four
> rolls) will be $8.99 and a refillpack of four rolls will be $3.99.
> (PRNewsFoto)[TC]
> DALLAS, TXUSA
> 01/16/2001
>
>
> CAPTION: KMBLOGO
> KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION
> Kimberly-ClarkCorporation corporate logo. (PRNewsFoto)[DM]
> DALLAS, TX USA
> 11/17/1999
-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu