251亿，舒洁要被卖了

Core Viewpoint - Kimberly-Clark is nearing the completion of a strategic sale of its non-North American tissue business, including the Kleenex brand, to Brazilian pulp supplier Suzano for approximately $3.5 billion (about 25.1 billion RMB) [1][15][21] Group 1: Company Background - Kimberly-Clark was founded in 1872 with an initial capital of $30,000 and has evolved from a paper mill to a leading consumer goods company [3] - The company launched its first disposable sanitary product, Kotex, during World War I, which significantly changed women's hygiene care [6] - Kimberly-Clark's flagship brand, Huggies, captured 50% of the North American premium diaper market shortly after its launch in 1978 [7][8] Group 2: Business Performance - In 2024, Kimberly-Clark reported annual revenue of $20.1 billion, with an organic sales growth of 3.2% and an adjusted operating profit of $3.2 billion, resulting in a gross margin of 36.5% [8][19] - The company holds a 21% share of the global tissue market, ranking second after Procter & Gamble, which has a 26% share [8][22] Group 3: Market Position and Strategy - The sale includes brands such as Kleenex, Scottex, and Andrex, which collectively generated annual net sales of less than $3.5 billion, making it the smallest and least profitable segment of Kimberly-Clark's core businesses [15][19] - The new joint venture will be registered in the Netherlands, employing 9,000 staff and operating 22 manufacturing plants globally [17][19] - Kimberly-Clark plans to use the proceeds from the sale for stock buybacks and shareholder returns, while also committing to invest $2 billion in its North American manufacturing network over the next five years [20][21] Group 4: Industry Trends - The transaction reflects a broader trend in the consumer goods industry towards vertical integration, as upstream pulp and paper companies acquire downstream brands to enhance their market position [22] - Rising tariffs have increased Kimberly-Clark's costs by $300 million annually, prompting the company to diversify its sourcing strategies and focus on core business areas [21][22]