Kimberly-Clark Expanding
Investments in India
BENGALURU, India, Dec. 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark, a global
leader in essential personal and family care products, continues to
increase its commitment to India
through its Global Digital Technology Center (GDTC) in
Bengaluru.
Established in 2018 with an initial investment of $2.5 million, the Bengaluru GDTC has seen
remarkable growth, expanding its size by eight times in just five
years. The center focuses on key areas and digital capabilities
such as Data and Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) including
Generative AI, Machine Learning (ML), Cloud Transformation, Global
Digital Operations & Automation, Digital Sales and Marketing,
and Digital Supply Chain – all of which help drive efficiencies and
improve customer experiences. Over the next three years, the GDTC
plans to continue its expansion, focusing on advancing AI/ML
capabilities and developing innovative digital solutions to boost
operational efficiency and customer engagement. These capabilities
further enhance Kimberly-Clark's ability to deliver on its global
Powering Care strategy – shared earlier this year – and, in turn,
strengthen its longstanding commitment to consumer-centricity.
While the Bengaluru GDTC is driving Kimberly-Clark's
technological advancements, it's also contributing to India's broader tech and innovation ecosystem.
By collaborating with local startups, academic institutions, and
industry partners, the center aims to foster cutting-edge
solutions.
"Our Bengaluru GDTC is a testament to Kimberly-Clark's
deep-rooted commitment to innovation and the immense breadth of
Indian talent," said Zack
Hicks, Chief Digital and Technology Officer,
Kimberly-Clark. "In just five years, the center has evolved
into a key growth engine for our digital strategies, delivering
AI-powered commercial and supply chain solutions, and pioneering
advancements in modern manufacturing. Looking ahead, we remain
focused on further investing in India, leveraging the country's outstanding
talent and technological expertise to shape the future of
Kimberly-Clark and pioneer industry-leading innovation in our core
categories."
The integration of data and advanced analytics is at the core of
the Bengaluru GDTC's success. By leveraging AI/ML algorithms built
on their enterprise data lake, the team is also optimizing sales
predictions, refining pricing strategies for e-commerce, and
automating routine tasks such as order entry and invoice
processing. In 2024, efforts in Gen AI platforms originating from
the GDTC improved the employee productivity by up to 25%, and the
development of AI-powered sales and revenue analytics drove a 10%
improvement in sales execution across regions like Europe, the Middle
East, and Africa. These
innovations not only streamline operations and reduce costs but
also boost accuracy and efficiency.
One of the center's major achievements is the development of
Maestro, an AI-powered supply chain orchestration platform
that has delivered more than $20
million in global savings for Kimberly-Clark. Another
transformative innovation is the Warehouse Automation
Platform, which seamlessly integrates warehouse robotics with
supply chain systems, reducing new solution deployment timelines
from 18 months to 4 months, and generating savings exceeding
$50 million. The GDTC's collaborative
efforts have also resulted in the creation of Procuree 3.0, an
inhouse Source-to-Pay chatbot powered by Generative AI that
enhances Kimberly-Clark's procurement processes across 42 countries
and 14 languages.
Recently, the GDTC held its third Digital Hackathon under the
theme 'UNLOKC 2024,' bringing together Kimberly-Clark employees and
technology partners to develop digital solutions that contribute to
business opportunities in areas such as supply chain, marketing,
and finance. Over 130 innovative ideas were submitted within four
weeks, and the 7 project finalists were awarded by the Digital
Technology global leadership team during the Hackathon's final
event in Bangalore. These
finalists will receive support to develop their projects in the
near future.
As Kimberly-Clark's largest technology hub, the Bengaluru GDTC
is positioned to remain a critical driver of growth and innovation
on a global scale. With plans to continue attracting top-tier
talent and expanding its technological capabilities, the center is
set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the company and
its global tech ecosystem.
About Kimberly-Clark:
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its trusted brands are an
indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries.
Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's
most essential needs, we create products that help individuals
experience more of what's important to them. Our portfolio of
brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle,
Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Plenitud,
Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share
positions in approximately 70 countries. We use sustainable
practices that support a healthy planet, build strong communities,
and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. We are proud
to be recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies(R) by
Ethisphere for the sixth year in a row and one of Fortune's Most
Innovative Companies in America in 2024. To keep up with the latest
news and to learn more about the company's 150-year history of
innovation, visit the Kimberly-Clark website.
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