Kimberly-Clark 2015 Annual Report Download - page 5
Download and view the complete annual report
Please find page 5 of the 2015 Kimberly-Clark annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.usearesoldthroughdistributorsanddirectlytomanufacturing,lodging,officebuilding,foodservice,andhighvolumepublicfacilities.
NetsalestoWal-MartStores,Inc.wereapproximately14percentin2015,andapproximately13percentin2014and2013,ofourtotalnetsales.
Patents and Trademarks
We own various patents and trademarks registered domestically and in many foreign countries. We consider the patents and trademarks that we own and the
trademarksunder whichwesell certainofour productstobe materialtoour business.Consequently,we seekpatentand trademarkprotectionbyallavailable
means,includingregistration.
Raw Materials
Cellulosefiber,intheformofkraftpulporfiberrecycledfromrecoveredwastepaper,istheprimaryrawmaterialforourtissueproductsandintheformoffluff
pulpisacomponentofdisposablediapers,trainingandyouthpants,femininepadsandincontinencecareproducts.
Polypropylene and other synthetics and chemicals are the primary raw materials for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics, which are used in disposable diapers,
training and youth pants, wet wipes, feminine pads, incontinence products, and away-from-home wipers and apparel. Superabsorbent materials are important
componentsofdisposablediapers,trainingandyouthpantsandincontinencecareproducts.
Rawmaterialsarepurchasedfromthirdparties,andweconsiderthesupplytobeadequatetomeettheneedsofourbusinesses.SeeItem1A,"RiskFactors."
Competition
We have several major competitors in most of our markets, some of which are larger and more diversified than us. The principal methods and elements of
competitionincludebrandrecognitionandloyalty,productinnovation,qualityandperformance,price,andmarketinganddistributioncapabilities.Foradditional
discussionofthecompetitiveenvironmentinwhichweconductourbusiness,seeItem1A,"RiskFactors."
Research and Development
Researchanddevelopmentexpendituresaredirectedtowardneworimprovedpersonalcare,tissue,wiping,safetyandnonwovenmaterials.Consolidatedresearch
anddevelopmentexpensewas$324in2015,$368in2014and$333in2013.
Foreign Market Risks
Weoperateandmarket ourproductsglobally,and ourbusinessstrategyincludestargeted growthinAsia,LatinAmerica, EasternEurope,theMiddle Eastand
Africa,witha particularemphasisinChina, EasternEuropeandLatinAmerica.SeeItem 1A,"RiskFactors"fora discussionofforeignmarketrisksthatmay
affectourfinancialresults.
Environmental Matters
Totalworldwidecapitalexpendituresforvoluntaryenvironmentalcontrolsorcontrolsnecessarytocomplywithlegalrequirementsrelatingtotheprotectionofthe
environmentatourfacilitiesareexpectedtobeasfollows:
2016
2017
FacilitiesinU.S. $ 6
$ 4
FacilitiesoutsideU.S. 45
27
Total $ 51
$ 31
2 KIMBERLY-CLARKCORPORATION - 2015 Annual Report