Kimberly-Clark names Russ Torres as President and COO

USA – Kimberly-Clark, an American multinational consumer goods and personal care corporation, has announced the promotion of Russ Torres to the role of President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. 

In his expanded role, Torres will oversee the company’s day-to-day operations across all business segments, as well as lead the Global Supply Chain, Research & Development, Global Growth, and Digital Technology Solutions teams. 

He will continue to report directly to Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu.

Hsu stated, “As we embark on the next phase of our Powering Care strategy focused on bringing our global expertise and best-in-K-C proprietary technologies to every market, I’m excited to partner with Russ as we accelerate progress on our enterprise transformation.”

Russ Torres has held leadership roles at Kimberly-Clark since 2020, most recently serving as President of its North America business, overseeing personal care, family care, and professional segments. 

With over 25 years of experience in the consumer goods industry, his background includes senior roles at Newell Brands, Bain & Company, and Mondelez International.

Meanwhile, Kurt Laufer, currently President of U.S. Consumer Sales, has been appointed Interim President of North America as the company begins the search for a permanent replacement.

Laufer, who previously served as President of U.S. Consumer Sales, will oversee the company’s North American operations while Kimberly-Clark searches for a permanent successor

Kimberly-Clark, known for brands like Huggies, Kleenex, and Scott, operates in more than 175 countries and has been recognized for its ethical practices and innovation, including being named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for seven consecutive years.

Recently, the company unveiled a USD 2 billion investment plan to expand U.S. manufacturing, marking its largest domestic expansion in over three decades.

This initiative aims to enhance manufacturing capacity, modernise supply chain infrastructure, and accelerate innovation, reinforcing the company’s commitment to long-term growth and operational resilience.

A significant portion of the investment, USD 800 million, will be allocated to the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Warren, Ohio, strategically positioned to serve the Northeast and Midwest regions. 

In addition, Kimberly-Clark will invest USD 200 million in expanding its Beech Island, South Carolina site, where a high-tech automated distribution centre will be established. 

This expansion aligns with Kimberly-Clark’s Powering Care transformation strategy, which focuses on sustainable growth, innovation, and operational excellence. 

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