Essity, which listed on Nasdaq Stockholm recently, is providing customers and consumers with an insight into its vision and strategy. The listing of Essity follows the decision to split the SCA Group into two independent listed companies - the forest products company SCA, and the global health and hygiene company Essity.
Hygiene and health are firm features in Essity’s vision and strategy which highlights the evolving make-up of the organisation. SCA’s hygiene business had been known historically for its hygiene products and brands including TENA, Tork, Bodyform, Velvet, Cushelle, and Plenty. The Essity name is set to be built on a foundation of both hygiene and health products. With an already strong presence in FMCG including incontinence care, feminine care, toilet tissue, and household towel categories, Essity’s vision is to be dedicated to improving wellbeing through hygiene and health solutions.
“We presented our new vision last autumn when the proposed split of the company was first announced,” said Kevin Starr, UK VP sales an marketing away from home. “This vision identifies hygiene as a means for improving people’s health and wellbeing and that gives us an increased focus and the chance to diversify.”
The opportunity to diversify into new product groups has already been kick-started following the recent acquisition of BSN medical, a leading medical solutions company. In bringing together the company’s existing stable of strong hygiene brands in the UK with its recently acquired BSN medical brands, such as Actimove, JOBST and Leukoplast, Essity is now in a better position to deliver on its vision and mission.
Starr continued: “Being a more focused business with a clear vision and strategy that puts hygiene, health and wellbeing at its heart can only help us become even stronger market leaders. This is great news for our brands and our ability to innovate and lead the way in sustainability.”
Essity’s commitment to hygiene and health will be supported through Hygiene Matters, an initiative which aims to drive a global dialogue around the importance of hygiene and its link to health and wellbeing. Hygiene Matters is a global initiative designed to help break taboos, and highlight the economic impact of hygiene.
“Hygiene Matters is central to our strategy and will become a core part of our communications moving forward,” said Starr. “As a hygiene and health company, we have a vital role to play in helping build a more sustainable and circular society by raising these standards all over the world with our products and brands.”