#India #Digital Transformation #Bengaluru #Kimberly-Clark

India's Dynamic Tech Hub Fuels Kimberly-Clark's Digital Transformation

In recent years, Kimberly-Clark, the global leader in essential personal and family care products, has made significant strides in enhancing its digital capabilities through its Global Digital Technology Center (GDTC) located in Bengaluru, India. Founded in 2018 with an initial investment of $2.5 million, this center has grown dramatically—expanding its size eightfold within five years.

The GDTC focuses on critical areas of digital capability including big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI, machine learning (ML), cloud transformation, digital operations, and more. These efforts are designed to improve operational efficiency and enhance customer experiences. Over the next three years, the center is expected to further its growth, concentrating on advancing AI/ML features and innovating digital solutions to boost operational efficacy and customer engagement.

Zack Hicks, Kimberly-Clark's Chief Digital and Technology Officer, stated, "Our GDTC in Bengaluru showcases Kimberly-Clark's deep commitment to innovation and the vast talent pool available in India. In just five years, the center has evolved into a crucial growth engine for our digital strategies, delivering AI-driven business solutions and pioneering advancements in modern manufacturing. We are committed to further investing in India, leveraging the country's exceptional talent and technological expertise to shape Kimberly-Clark's future and lead industry innovation in our key categories."

At the heart of the GDTC's success is the integration of advanced data analytics. By utilizing AI/ML algorithms developed from their enterprise data lake, the team is enhancing sales predictions, refining e-commerce pricing strategies, and automating routine tasks, such as order entry and invoice processing. In fact, in 2024, initiatives based on Gen AI originating from the GDTC boosted employee productivity by up to 25%. Furthermore, AI-driven sales and revenue analytics improved sales execution by 10% across regions including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The GDTC has also achieved remarkable milestones, such as developing Maestro, an AI-powered supply chain orchestration platform that has generated over $20 million in global savings for Kimberly-Clark. Another crucial innovation is the Warehouse Automation Platform, which seamlessly integrates warehouse robotics with supply chain systems, reducing new solutions' implementation timeline from 18 months to just 4 months, resulting in savings exceeding $50 million. Additionally, collaborative efforts led to the creation of Procuree 3.0, an internal generative AI sourcing chatbot enhancing procurement processes across 42 countries and 14 languages.

Recently, the GDTC hosted its third Digital Hackathon themed "UNLOKC 2024," bringing together Kimberly-Clark employees and tech partners to devise digital solutions aimed at unlocking business opportunities in supply chain management, marketing, and finance. The event showcased over 130 innovative ideas in just four weeks, with seven finalist projects receiving acknowledgment and support from the global digital technology leadership team during the final event in Bangalore.

Positioned as Kimberly-Clark's largest technology hub, the GDTC in Bengaluru stands ready to continue driving global growth and innovation. With ongoing plans to attract top-tier talents and expand technological capabilities, the center is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the company's future and its global tech ecosystem.

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of everyday life for people in over 175 countries. Driven by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people’s essential needs, we create products that enable individuals to experience the moments that matter most to them. Our portfolio includes well-known brands like Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, and more, holding 1st or 2nd market share positions in approximately 70 countries. We practice sustainability that supports a healthy planet and build strong communities to ensure our business thrives for decades to come. Recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere for six consecutive years, and among America's most innovative companies according to Fortune in 2024, Kimberly-Clark is committed to long-term success. For the latest news and to learn about our 150 years of innovation, visit Kimberly-Clark's website.