October/November Update
Wednesday 1st November 2006This edition of Update has a number of interesting articles including:
- Kleenex Facial Tissue Goes Global
- Washroom Upgrades
- AIRFLEX* Technology earns rave reviews
- Estimating washroom paper usage
- Wiper Selection guide
After more than 5 successful years in the marketplace, KCP’s existing KLEENEX Facial Tissue packaging has been re-designed.
As the saying goes “all good things must come to an end”. The new Platinum Swirl design was chosen to reflect the décors found in today’s offices and washrooms and to coordinate with contemporary colour schemes.
These new pack graphics were developed in co-operation with our KCP counterparts across the globe; in all the countries KLEENEX® Facial Tissues are sold. Customers worldwide were surveyed and the Platinum Swirl was the best performer across all regions. It was particularly well received by Australian customers.
This customer preferred design will soon feature on all KLEENEX® Facial Tissue boxes. Its roll out to replace the KLEENEX® Executive Collection began in early October 2006.
The new pack presents a striking KLEENEX® brand image to customers across Australia and New Zealand and reflects the KLEENEX® brands commitment to quality and attention to detail, offering your customers the “Best Care Wherever You Are”.
There are a number of minor product changes taking place in the washroom area.
KLEENEX® Slimtowel
Until now, KLEENEX® Hand Towel was only available in Optimum Towel and Compact Towel formats, but from early November it will be available in the superior performance of AIRFLEX* Technology in a Slimtowel format as well.
KLEENEX® Slimtowel, code 4451 is made using the same grade of towel as KLEENEX® Compact and Optimum Towel. It provides a choice of performance levels and a stronger Slimtowel offering. It’s the same fold and sheet size as SCOTT® Slimtowel, code 4452, so it fits in the same dispensers.
SCOTT® Interfold Towel
From December 2006, COSTSAVER® Interfold Towel, code 4448, will be upgraded to SCOTT Interfold Towel, code 1742. SCOTT® Interfold Towels feature AIRFLEX* Technology which makes them softer, stronger and more absorbent than conventional towels.
New SCOTT® Interfold Towels offer superior performance, but will cost no more per towel. The new code contains 4000 towels per case compared to 2500 towels in existing products, whilst the case price will change, the price per sheet won’t.
SCOTT® Interfold Towels will fit all current interfold towel dispensers .
Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser
If you want the premium finish of stainless steel dispensers you no longer need to compromise safety and hygiene with bulk containers of hand soap. Kimberly-Clark Professional’s Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser, code 6341 is ideal for premium office buildings where you want to match other stainless steel fittings. The durability of 304 grade stainless steel also makes it suitable for tougher environments like manufacturing sites.
This attractive and durable dispenser offers the choice of key lockable or a snap-lock, is competitively priced and is the smart choice for both original fit outs and system upgrades. It suits the KIMCARE*AQUA Soap range.
AIRFLEX* TECHNOLOGY EARNS RAVE REVIEWS
It’s not often that washroom users actually take the time to compliment a business on the quality of its washroom consumables but the introduction of KLEENEX® and SCOTT® Towel with AIRFLEX* Technology has certainly proved the exception. Independent tests have shown that up to 80% of users prefer KLEENEX® and SCOTT® Towels with AIRFLEX* Technology over conventional towels.
Here are a couple of examples straight from the customers’ mouth:
‘I like the choice of new paper towels in the ladies (level 3 south). The paper is softer and even with the receptacle full, the leaves separate properly. This should avoid more wastage as the old type had the towels being pulled out in chunks and ending up in the bin or on the floor. Hope we can keep that brand.’ - Email received by the building manager of a major CBD office building
‘The new hand towel (KLEENEX® Compact Towel, code 4440) is lovely and soft and the children are now using hand towel properly instead of just throwing them out straight away. If this was a mistake, I don't want to go back to the old ones.’ - From a Sydney Child Care Centre.
There has also been an outstanding response from nursing staff in hospitals and aged care facilities where part of the job is washing your hands more than 20 times a day. The softer, more absorbent towels are gentler on hands and are actually helping to improve hand hygiene compliance.
ESTIMATING WASHROOM PAPER PRODUCT USAGE
Estimating washroom paper product usage is not an exact science. Many different variables can affect these calculations such as male/female ratios in a property, the type and quality of product being used, as well as the type of facility.
However, there are some guidelines that can help remove some of the guesswork and add more certainty to this process.
A good first step in estimating paper product usage is to evaluate the cost factors that go into outfitting and maintaining a washroom:
• Consumption costs. These take into account the function the product is going to perform, such as hand drying or “hygienic” wiping. But there are other consumption costs associated with washroom products other than function, including stub roll waste, excess consumption due to poor dispensing and disposal costs.
• Costs for checking and re-filling dispensers. Restocking, cleaning and rubbish pick-up, as well as repairing broken or malfunctioning dispensers and fixtures cost money. High-capacity dispensers can cost your customers less than standard ones because they don’t have to be checked and restocked as often. Similarly, dispensers that work properly and require less maintenance and repair can also reduce paper costs.
• “Hidden” costs. These include the environmental impact of a paper product system that results in excess waste from poor dispensing or poor product quality. An example of this is when users inadvertently pull out too many towels or take more towels than they need to dry their hands. Other hidden costs include complaints about product quality and user abuse and theft. There are also hidden costs for a product that detracts from the appearance of the washroom and makes a negative impression on washroom visitors. And, a washroom with excess paper waste or products that don’t dispense properly can result in poor hygiene and sanitation, particularly if people don’t get the product they need. Products that offer controlled dispensing and deliver a fresh tissue or towel every time help maximize hygiene as well as minimize hidden costs by reducing cost-in-use.
WIPER SELECTION GUIDE
This new guide compares the relative performance of Kimberly-Clark Professional wiper products.
The guide provides:
1. a description of each wiper,
2. their durability,
3. the dispensing and format options,
4. the areas of use
5. and the applications they are designed for
If you would like a guide please send an email to the Customer Care team kcp.au@kcc.com or call 1800 647 994 (AUS) or 0800 447 814 (NZ).