International Business

How outsourcing helps consumer goods firms focus on core competencies

Outsourcing lets Kimberly-Clark
focus on customers/consumers

As part of a broad initiative to change the way it develops new products, Electrolux selects Sopheon Accolade as its innovation process and product portfolio management solution.

Canon Europe NV, based in The Netherlands, completes its pilot and signs a longer-term subscription to deploy Descartes Systems Group Inc.'s Visibility & Event Management solution for its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) operations.

L'Oreal, the world's largest cosmetics maker, agrees to pay $1.14 billion for Body Shop International, the U.K. retailer of natural beauty products.

Procter & Gamble (P&G) is licensing the BizRights platform and Enterprise Controls Suite from Approva Corporation, an enterprise controls management software provider.

Pfizer Inc. reported last month that it will be exploring strategic alternatives for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare (PCH), including retaining, spinning off or selling the business. PCH's well-balanced product portfolio, anchored by key brands Listerine, Benadryl and Visine, contributes to more than $100 million in annual sales.

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