Colgate-Palmolive vs Kimberly-Clark: Founders, CEOs and History
Colgate-Palmolive was founded in 1806 by William Colgate and is led by Noel Wallace. Kimberly-Clark was founded in 1872 by John A. Kimberly, Frank C. Shattuck, Havilah Babcock and is led by Mike Hsu.
Company facts
Colgate-Palmolive
- Founded
- 1806
- Headquarters
- New York, New York
- Current CEO
- Noel Wallace
- Employees
- 33,600
Kimberly-Clark
- Founded
- 1872
- Headquarters
- Dallas, Texas
- Current CEO
- Mike Hsu
- Employees
- 36,000
Founders
Colgate-Palmolive
William Colgate
William Colgate founded the business in 1806 in New York City, making starch, soap and candles.
Kimberly-Clark
John A. Kimberly
John A. Kimberly was a highly astute American industrialist, brilliant manufacturing executive, and the profoundly influential founding patriarch fundamentally responsible for architecting the massive Kimberly-Clark paper empire.
Frank C. Shattuck
Frank A. Shattuck was a fiercely brilliant American commercial strategist, highly powerful corporate executive, and the profoundly influential co-founder fundamentally responsible for driving the aggressive early sales dominance of the massive Kimberly-Clark e…
Havilah Babcock
Havilah Babcock was a highly skilled American industrial pioneer, fiercely astute corporate investor, and the profoundly influential co-founder fundamentally responsible for providing the massive structural and financial backing for the Kimberly-Clark corporat…
Charles B. Clark
Charles B. Clark was a fiercely dynamic American entrepreneur, incredibly brilliant political leader, and the profoundly influential co-founder fundamentally responsible for the incredible operational drive behind the early Kimberly-Clark empire.
CEOs and their tenures
Colgate-Palmolive
- Reuben Mark1984–2007
Former Chairman and CEO
Refocused Colgate on its core consumer categories, expanded in emerging markets and led deals including Softsoap (1987) and Mennen (1992) during a 23-year tenure as CEO.
Source - Ian Cook2007–2019
Former Chairman and CEO
Led Colgate through the 2008 financial crisis and commodity swings, expanded the Funding the Growth productivity program and served as executive chairman until 2020.
Source - Noel Wallace2019–present
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
A Colgate employee since 1987, Wallace became CEO in April 2019 and chairman in 2020. He led the Filorga acquisition, added hello and capacity at Hill's, and pushed premium innovation and higher advertising funded by productivity.
Source
Kimberly-Clark
- Darwin Smith1971–1991
Former Chief Executive Officer
His move from commodity paper to consumer products is widely cited, including in Jim Collins's Good to Great, as the turning point in the company's history.
Source - Mike Hsu2019–present
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Shifted Kimberly-Clark toward premium innovation and productivity savings and is repositioning it as a broader health and wellness company.
Source
Timeline: Colgate-Palmolive and Kimberly-Clark side by side
1806Colgate-Palmolive
William Colgate Opens His Business
William Colgate opens a starch, soap and candle business on Dutch Street in New York City.
1872Kimberly-Clark
Founding of Kimberly-Clark
John A. Kimberly, Havilah Babcock, Charles B. Clark, and Frank A. Shattuck found the company in Neenah, Wisconsin, establishing the foundation for the paper manufacturing operation that would eventually become a global leader in disposable hygiene products.
1873Colgate-Palmolive
First Colgate Toothpaste
Colgate & Company sells its first toothpaste, an aromatic paste in glass jars.
1896Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate Ribbon Dental Cream
Colgate introduces toothpaste in a collapsible tube, a format that shaped the modern oral care aisle.
1914Kimberly-Clark
Invention of Cellucotton
A team of company researchers, including Frank A. Shattuck, invents Cellucotton, an absorbent wood pulp fiber that was five times more absorbent than traditional surgical cotton, transforming the hygiene industry.
1920Kimberly-Clark
Launch of Kotex Sanitary Napkins
Kimberly-Clark adapts Cellucotton to create Kotex sanitary napkins, creating an entirely new product category that generated billions in lifetime revenue and established the company as a pioneer in disposable feminine care.
1924Kimberly-Clark
Launch of Kleenex Facial Tissues
Kimberly-Clark introduces Kleenex facial tissues, initially marketed as a cold cream remover, which subsequently evolved into the dominant facial tissue brand globally, achieving genericized trademark status in many regions.
1928Colgate-Palmolive
Merger With Palmolive-Peet
Colgate & Company merges with Palmolive-Peet to form Colgate-Palmolive-Peet; the name is shortened to Colgate-Palmolive in 1953.
1976Colgate-Palmolive
Hill's Pet Nutrition Acquired
Colgate-Palmolive acquires Hill's, maker of Science Diet and Prescription Diet pet foods.
1985Kimberly-Clark
Relocation of Headquarters to Irving, Texas
Kimberly-Clark moves its global headquarters from Neenah, Wisconsin, to Irving, Texas, a strategic move designed to optimize its global supply chain, access a broader talent pool, and reduce operational costs.
1987Colgate-Palmolive
Softsoap Acquired
Colgate buys the Softsoap liquid soap business from Minnetonka Corporation.
1992Colgate-Palmolive
Mennen Acquired
Colgate acquires The Mennen Company, adding Speed Stick and Lady Speed Stick deodorants.
1995Kimberly-Clark
Acquisition of Scott Paper
Under the leadership of then-CEO Darwin Smith, Kimberly-Clark acquires the Scott Paper company in a $9.4 billion transaction, instantly doubling its tissue capacity and adding well-known brands like Scott and Cottonelle to its portfolio.
1997Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate Total Launches in the U.S.
After FDA approval, Colgate Total launches in the United States, helping Colgate overtake Crest as the No. 1 U.S. toothpaste.
2006Colgate-Palmolive
Tom's of Maine Acquired
Colgate acquires an 84% stake in natural personal care brand Tom's of Maine for about $100 million.
2019Colgate-Palmolive
Filorga Acquired and Noel Wallace Becomes CEO
Noel Wallace becomes CEO in April, and Colgate completes the roughly $1.69 billion acquisition of French skincare brand Filorga.
2020Colgate-Palmolive
hello Products Acquired
Colgate acquires hello, a natural oral care brand popular with younger shoppers.
2022Colgate-Palmolive
Red Collar Pet Foods Plants Acquired
Hill's buys three U.S. dry pet food plants from Red Collar Pet Foods for $700 million to expand capacity.
2024Kimberly-Clark
FY2024 Net Sales Reach $19.5 Billion
Kimberly-Clark generates $19.5 billion in net sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting a strong stabilization of revenue following the post-pandemic normalization of consumer purchasing patterns and the successful implementation of aggress…
2025Colgate-Palmolive
Skin Health Impairment and Record Cash Flow
Net sales reach $20.382 billion; GAAP EPS falls 25% on skin health impairment charges while operating cash flow hits a record $4.2 billion.
2025Kimberly-Clark
FY2025 Net Sales Reach $16.447 Billion
Kimberly-Clark reported $16.447 billion in FY2025 net sales from continuing operations, $2.351 billion in operating profit, $2.021 billion in net income attributable to the company, and about 36,000 employees while reshaping the portfolio through the IFP trans…
Acquisitions
Colgate-Palmolive
- Red Collar Pet Foods (three plants)2022$700M
- hello Products2020Undisclosed
- Filorga2019$1.7B
- Tom's of Maine2006$100M
- The Mennen Company1992$670M
- Hill's Pet Nutrition1976Undisclosed
Kimberly-Clark
- Kenvue (pending)2026$48.7B
- Softex Indonesia2020Undisclosed
- Ballard Medical Products1999Undisclosed
- Scott Paper Company1995$9.4B
Questions about Colgate-Palmolive vs Kimberly-Clark
Who is the CEO of Colgate-Palmolive Company and Kimberly-Clark Corporation?
Colgate-Palmolive Company is led by Noel Wallace and Kimberly-Clark Corporation is led by Mike Hsu. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Colgate-Palmolive Company founded vs Kimberly-Clark Corporation?
Colgate-Palmolive Company was founded in 1806 — 66 years before Kimberly-Clark Corporation, which was founded in 1872. Colgate-Palmolive Company's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Kimberly-Clark Corporation.
How many employees does Colgate-Palmolive Company have compared to Kimberly-Clark Corporation?
Colgate-Palmolive Company employs approximately 33,600 people, while Kimberly-Clark Corporation employs approximately 36,000. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has the larger workforce at 36,000 employees, compared to Colgate-Palmolive Company's 33,600. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Colgate-Palmolive Company and Kimberly-Clark Corporation headquartered?
Both Colgate-Palmolive Company and Kimberly-Clark Corporation are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Colgate-Palmolive Company and Kimberly-Clark Corporation?
Colgate-Palmolive Company was founded by William Colgate. Kimberly-Clark Corporation was founded by John A. Kimberly, Frank C. Shattuck, Havilah Babcock, Charles B. Clark.
Which company has a longer operating history — Colgate-Palmolive Company or Kimberly-Clark Corporation?
Colgate-Palmolive Company has been operating for approximately 220 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has been in operation for around 154 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Colgate-Palmolive vs Kimberly-Clark overview