Hand towel, tissue and dispensing system manufacturer Kimberly-Clark Professional is expanding its manufacturing capacity in South Africa, through an investment in a new production line at the Enstra Mill, in Springs, Gauteng.

The company installed a new converting line, which introduces new capabilities such as on-sheet branding to the local market.

“It adds a new dimension to a local product that can rival and exceed expectations of imports,” explains GM Ahmad Abublan.

Kimberly-Clark assembled the new converting line in April and has since been ramping up production to optimised levels. Considering feedback from the market and their needs within the company’s product designs, the company will move to full-scale commercial production before the end of the year.

Abublan says the expansion, as well as upgrades to prior assets, enabled the company to produce more products locally, which were previously imported.

These products include Scott control centrefeed toilet paper and Wypall reach paper wipers, which are part of dispensing systems that control toilet paper consumption and wiping paper in high-traffic areas.

Abublan says the company deems it critical to serve its market quicker and more consistently, as well as to reduce reliance on imports.

He says the company will continue to consider feedback from key customers and market insights to ensure it supplies fit-for-purpose products.

Kimberly-Clark entered the South African market in 1936 and has transformed from importing and selling a single brand of napkins from the US, to manufacturing toilet tissue locally in 1948 and manufacturing feminine care products in 1950.

The company is a trusted supplier in the commercial space and partners with businesses to create solutions for workplaces, including hand towels, bath tissue and surface wipers.

Kimberly-Clark South Africa deems it fit to increase speed to market and improve stock availability in South Africa, while maintaining world-class quality through investment in advanced technology.

“Since 1936, we have constantly been innovating our products and practices to serve and care for the ever-changing needs of the people in South Africa. This foresight is developed by bringing together and combining the passion of our people with the insights of our local partners, end-users, and global best practices,” says production manager Viren Sandpersad.

GM Ahmad Abublan adds that expansion of the South African manufacturing capabilities will ensure the company continues to invest in the latest equipment, meet the highest modern safety standards and build the local team’s technical capability.

The company’s management team is confident in South Africa as a growing market and believes Kimberly-Clark can deliver real business benefit by combining local insights with global best practice.

In addition to expanded manufacturing capability, Kimberly-Clark aims to address social and environmental challenges, including by making sure the new local portfolio will, on average, consist of 96% recycled fibre and packing material, explains customer marketing manager Kristel Dreyer.

She believes consumers will be loyal to companies that are transparent in their practices and which weave supplier stewardship into the fabric of its business.

The Enstra Mill has already switched from coal-fired boilers to gas-fired boilers in 2020, which reduced its greenhouse-gas emissions by 27% compared with the 2015 baseline, and by 29% compared with the prior year.

The facility also has an effluent treatment plant to treat process water for re-use. In 2021, Kimberly-Clark in South Africa reused 116 882 kilolitres.