Kimberly-Clark vs Procter & Gamble: Founders, CEOs and History
Kimberly-Clark was founded in 1872 by John A. Kimberly, Frank C. Shattuck, Havilah Babcock and is led by Mike Hsu. Procter & Gamble was founded in 1837 by William Procter, James Gamble and is led by Shailesh Jejurikar.
Company facts
Kimberly-Clark
- Founded
- 1872
- Headquarters
- Dallas, Texas
- Current CEO
- Mike Hsu
- Employees
- 36,000
Procter & Gamble
- Founded
- 1837
- Headquarters
- Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Current CEO
- Shailesh Jejurikar
- Employees
- 109,000
Founders
Kimberly-Clark
John A. Kimberly
John A. Kimberly (1838-1928) co-founded Kimberly, Clark and Co. in 1872. Recognizing the massive timber resources of the Fox River Valley, he provided the initial $30,000 in capital alongside three partners to build a paper mill.
Frank C. Shattuck
Frank C. Shattuck (1839-1901) was one of the four original founders of Kimberly-Clark.
Havilah Babcock
Havilah Babcock (1837-1905) co-founded Kimberly-Clark in 1872. He oversaw the incredibly complex physical construction of the massive paper mills that allowed the company to dominate the Midwest newsprint market in the late 19th century. Babcock was born on S…
Charles B. Clark
Charles B. Clark (1844-1891) was the aggressive visionary behind the founding of Kimberly-Clark.
Procter & Gamble
William Procter
William Procter was an English-born candlemaker who settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and built a candle-making business there. In 1837, on the advice of his father-in-law, he went into partnership with his brother-in-law James Gamble to form Procter & Gamble.
James Gamble
James Gamble was an Irish-born soap maker in Cincinnati who joined William Procter in 1837 to form Procter & Gamble. He concentrated on soap formulation and efficient production, and the company later launched Ivory Soap, known for floating in water.
CEOs and their tenures
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 - Thomas J. Falk2002–2018
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
He spun off the healthcare business as Halyard Health in 2014. Mike Hsu succeeded him at the start of 2019.
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
Procter & Gamble
- A. G. Lafley2000–2015
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
P&G sales roughly doubled in his first term. He returned in 2013 to replace Bob McDonald and began the brand-reduction programme before handing over to David Taylor.
Source - Robert A. McDonald2009–2013
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
He began a $10 billion cost-cutting programme in 2012 under pressure from investors and retired in 2013, when A. G. Lafley returned.
Source - David S. Taylor2015–2021
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
P&G returned to faster organic sales growth and won a 2017 proxy contest that ended with Nelson Peltz joining the board. Jon Moeller succeeded him in November 2021.
Source - Jon Moeller2021–2026
Chief Executive Officer; later Executive Chairman
As CFO and later CEO, he successfully stabilized P&G's declining revenue by enforcing strict pricing power during severe global inflation.
Source - Andre Schulten2021–present
Chief Financial Officer
As CFO, he maintained the company's industry-leading gross margins and managed the complex financial exit from the Russian market in 2022.
Source - Shailesh Jejurikar2026–present
President and CEO
Mumbai-born P&G veteran of more than 37 years who previously led Fabric & Home Care and served as Chief Operating Officer.
Source
Timeline: Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble side by side
1837Procter & Gamble
Company Founded in Cincinnati
William Procter and James Gamble sign a partnership agreement on October 31, 1837, establishing Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio, with combined capital of approximately 7,192 dollars.
1862Procter & Gamble
Civil War Army Contracts Fuel Expansion
P&G wins contracts to supply the Union Army with soap and candles, generating significant revenue that enables manufacturing expansion and introduces millions of American soldiers to P&G products for the first time.
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.
1882Procter & Gamble
Ivory Soap Launches Nationally
Harley Procter and James Norris Gamble introduce Ivory soap, promoted as 99 and 44/100 percent pure and notable for its floating characteristic.
1890Procter & Gamble
Company Incorporates and Expands Nationally
Procter & Gamble incorporates in Ohio with capital of 4.5 million dollars and begins building manufacturing capacity outside Cincinnati, establishing the operational infrastructure for national distribution that the Ivory soap advertising campaign had created…
1911Procter & Gamble
Crisco Shortening Introduced
P&G launches Crisco vegetable shortening, the first hydrogenated vegetable oil product marketed to American consumers as an alternative to lard and butter.
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.
1931Procter & Gamble
Brand Management System Invented
P&G executive Neil McElroy writes a famous internal memo proposing that each brand have its own dedicated management team responsible for competing against all rivals including other P&G brands.
1946Procter & Gamble
Tide Detergent Launches
P&G introduces Tide synthetic detergent, which rapidly becomes the best-selling laundry product in the United States and establishes the template for all future P&G brand development: superior product performance, heavy consumer advertising, and sustained mark…
1961Procter & Gamble
Pampers Diapers Introduced
P&G introduces Pampers disposable diapers, transforming the infant care category and creating what will become one of the company's most globally significant brands.
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.
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.
1999Kimberly-Clark
Acquired Ballard Medical Products
Kimberly-Clark acquired Ballard Medical Products.
2005Procter & Gamble
Gillette Acquired for 57 Billion Dollars
P&G completes the acquisition of Gillette Company for approximately 57 billion dollars in an all-stock transaction, adding Gillette razors, Braun appliances, Oral-B dental products, and Duracell batteries to the P&G portfolio.
2014Kimberly-Clark
Halyard Health Spin-Off
Kimberly-Clark spun off its healthcare business as Halyard Health in October 2014.
2014Procter & Gamble
Portfolio Transformation Announced
CEO A.G. Lafley announces P&G's plan to divest more than 100 brands and focus the company on approximately 80 core brands in ten product categories.
2019Kimberly-Clark
Mike Hsu becomes CEO
Mike Hsu became CEO of Kimberly-Clark in 2019. Shifted Kimberly-Clark toward premium innovation and productivity savings and is repositioning it as a broader health and wellness company.
2019Procter & Gamble
Portfolio Simplification Completed
P&G completes the brand portfolio simplification, having divested more than 100 brands and consolidated around approximately 65 core brands.
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…
2024Procter & Gamble
Fiscal Year 2024 Net Sales Reach Approximately 84 Billion Dollars
P&G reports fiscal year 2024 net sales of $84.0 billion and net earnings attributable to P&G of about $14.9 billion, and raises its quarterly dividend 7% to $1.0065 per share, its 68th consecutive annual increase.
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
Kimberly-Clark
- Kenvue (pending)2026$48.7B
- Softex Indonesia2020Undisclosed
- Ballard Medical Products1999Undisclosed
- Scott Paper Company1995$9.4B
Procter & Gamble
- Gillette2005$57B
- Gillette2005Undisclosed
- Richardson-Vicks1985$1.2B
Questions about Kimberly-Clark vs Procter & Gamble
Who is the CEO of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and The Procter & Gamble Company?
Kimberly-Clark Corporation is led by Mike Hsu and The Procter & Gamble Company is led by Shailesh Jejurikar. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Kimberly-Clark Corporation founded vs The Procter & Gamble Company?
The Procter & Gamble Company was founded in 1837 — 35 years before Kimberly-Clark Corporation, which was founded in 1872. The Procter & Gamble 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 Kimberly-Clark Corporation have compared to The Procter & Gamble Company?
Kimberly-Clark Corporation employs approximately 36,000 people, while The Procter & Gamble Company employs approximately 109,000. The Procter & Gamble Company has the larger workforce at 109,000 employees, compared to Kimberly-Clark Corporation's 36,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Kimberly-Clark Corporation and The Procter & Gamble Company headquartered?
Both Kimberly-Clark Corporation and The Procter & Gamble Company are headquartered in United States. Their local rules and tax obligations may still differ.
Who founded Kimberly-Clark Corporation and The Procter & Gamble Company?
Kimberly-Clark Corporation was founded by John A. Kimberly, Frank C. Shattuck, Havilah Babcock, Charles B. Clark. The Procter & Gamble Company was founded by William Procter, James Gamble.
Which company has a longer operating history — Kimberly-Clark Corporation or The Procter & Gamble Company?
The Procter & Gamble Company has been operating for approximately 189 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 Kimberly-Clark vs Procter & Gamble overview