Kimberly-Clark, Suzano Launch Global Tissue Company Arbex
Kimberly-Clark and Suzano have launched their joint venture, which they first announced last June.
The $3.4 billion deal creates Arbex, an independent global tissue and hygiene company that will manufacture, market and distribute consumer and professional products across more than 70 markets and five continents.
This is part of Kimberly-Clark’s business overhaul, which includes purchasing global consumer health company Kenvue, reorganizing into three main business areas, and shoring up its supply chain to support efforts and cut costs.
More About Arbex
Arbex now owns several assets previously held by Kimberly-Clark’s international family care and professional (IFP) business unit: 22 manufacturing sites across 14 countries and a portfolio of more than 40 regional brands such as Andrex, Hakle and Scottex.
The new company also has long-term license use of Kimberly-Clark’s global brands, including Kleenex, Cottonelle, Scott, WypAll, Viva and Kimberly-Clark Professional.
According to the initial announcement, Kimberly-Clark will retain a 49% stake of the new company, while Suzano takes majority ownership at 51%, paying $1.734 billion for its part. Kimberly-Clark's interests in Mexico and its joint venture in South Korea are outside the scope of this partnership.
Ehab Abou-Oaf leads Arbex from a London headquarters alongside the majority of the global leadership team. He previously served as president of Kimberly-Clark’s IFP business.
Luís Bueno, previously EVP of Suzano’s consumer goods business, is now COO of Arbex, and Pablo Cadaval, who was formerly R&D director, head of R&D, for Suzano, transitions to chief technology officer, supply chain and R&D.
The senior leadership team also includes:
- Andrew Behles: chief of strategy and transformation officer (formerly senior director, FP&A and strategy, chief of staff, IFP, Kimberly-Clark)
- Fiona Emmett: chief growth officer (formerly VP, IFP growth, Kimberly-Clark)
- Oscar Mousinho: chief financial officer (previously global CFO of the pet nutrition business at Mars)
- Caroline Carpenedo: chief people, sustainability, communications and corporate brand officer (formerly EVP, people and management, safety, Suzano)
- Chris Burniston: chief legal counsel (formerly VP and general counsel, IFP, Kimberly-Clark)
- Dan Howell: president, Europe (formerly managing director and VP, UK & Ireland, IFP, Kimberly-Clark)
- Rez Hassan: president, Asia (previously managing director and VP Asia, IFP, Kimberly-Clark)
- Marina Negrisoli: president, Latin America (formerly joint venture integration office director, Suzano)
- Mark Taylor: president, UK and Ireland (previously commercial director UK and Ireland, IFP, Kimberly-Clark)
Bueno said the joint venture combines Suzano's industrial and operational expertise with Kimberly-Clark’s international marketing and brand capabilities.
“With a pure-play focus on tissue and hygiene products, we believe Arbex has commercial, technical and innovation capabilities that can deliver top-line and bottom-line improvements, helping make us the undisputed global leader in our sector,” he said in a statement.
