Corporate name
Address
Founded
Established
Capital
Number of employees

Sales
Net earnings
 Kao Corporation
Tokyo, Japan
1887, Tokyo, Japan
1940, Tokyo, Japan
JPN Yen 85.4 billion
5,747 (employees in subsidiary companies are not included)
JPN Yen 839 billion (US$7.6 billion)
JPN Yen 60.2 billion (US$547 million) (2001/2002 fiscal year)		  
 
     
  Personal care products
Soaps, facial care/baby care products, shampoos, conditioners, other hair treatment products, hair styling agents, hair coloring products, toothpastes, toothbrushes, etc.


Facial cleansers, facial care, make-up products, etc.

Laundry and cleaning products
Laundry detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, laundry starch, fabric deodorizer, dishwashing detergents, car care products, pet care products, air freshener

Hygiene products
Sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, baby wipers, adult incontinence products, etc.

Food products
Healthy cooking oil, healthy dressing, etc.

  
         

     
  Kao establish a new Holding Company in China
  
  In July 2002, Kao announced to establish a new Holding Company in mainland China to manage the core businesses of consumer products and chemical products in the mainland China market.
Kao positions China business as their top priority in global strategy. Up to now Kao has established 6 companies in Great China region (3 in mainland China, two in Hongkong, and one in Taiwan). The newly established company will centralize service operations for the 3 existing mainland companies and manage business in China.
 
     
 

Kao (China) Holding Co., Ltd., a company established in June 2002

 
  Established:
Capital:
Headquarters:
Main business:
 Jun-02
US$30 million
Shanghai, China
Centralize service operations for other 3 existing Kao subsidiaries in China
  
       
  Kao Corporation Shanghai
 
  Established:
Capital:
Headquarters:
Main business:
 Aug-93
US$78 million
Shanghai, China
Manufacturing and marketing sanitary products, facial cleansers, shampoos, laundry detergents, etc.
  
         
  Kao Chemical Corporation Shanghai
 
  Established:
Capital:
Headquarters:
Main business:
 Nov-95
US$23.3 million
Shanghai, China
Manufacturing and marketing surfactants
  
         
  Zhongshang Kao Chemicals Limited
 
  Established:
Capital:
Headquarters:
Main business:
 Apr-98
US$7.7 million
Zhongshang, Guangdong
Manufacturing and marketing urethane products.
  
 
 
         
  Kao announced the launch of two new sanitary products starting from Sept.28, 2002
 
  Kao announced the launch of "Laurier Super Slim Guard, Super Comfort Mode", a light-day use sanitary pad, and "Laurier Super Guard MAX 400", a night-time use pad, starting from Sept.28, 2002.
Kao claims that "Laurier Super Slim Guard, Super Comfort Mode" is an ultra thin, 17cm long, with improved absorbency capacity, and with a "secure side pocket" to prevent side leakage, whereas "Laurier Super Guard MAX 400" has increased the length from their current longest 34cm Super Guard Series products to 40cm, to prevent leakage from back. Another feature of the "Laurier Super Guard MAX 400" is the T-shaped Gather to enhance the fitting to prevent side leakage.
 
 
 
         
  Absorbent zone at side (gather area) in a new taped adult incontinence diaper, Relief Leak-free, launched in April 2002.
 
  Feature of this Relief Leak-free: adding absorbent zones at side gather areas to prevent leakage around legs when lying on the side in nigh time use. This is the only product in the market which has such an absorbent material at leg areas.