COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2676

Sanitary Paper Products

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

22companies1880–1997founding years22still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedKimberly-Clark CorporationFoundedKimberly-Clark CorporationFoundedKimberly-Clark CorporationFoundedKimberly-Clark Corporation
1880
FoundedKao Corporation
1887
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedAmcor LimitedFoundedAmcor Limited
1926
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedTambrands Inc.FoundedTambrands Inc.
1936
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
FoundedThe Tranzonic Cos.
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedGuest Supply, Inc.FoundedGuest Supply, Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
FoundedGrupo Carso, S.A. de C.V.FoundedGrupo Carso, S.A. de C.V.
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedDrypers Corporation
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedPlaytex Products, Inc.FoundedPlaytex Products, Inc.
1988
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedFort James Corporation
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Kimberly-Clark Corporation →
Active · founded 1880
With its 1995 merger with Scott Paper Co., Kimberly-Clark Corporation solidified its position as the number two player…
Kimberly-Clark Corporation →
Active · founded 1880
With its 1995 merger with Scott Paper Co., Kimberly-Clark Corporation solidified its position as the number two player…
Kimberly-Clark Corporation →
Active · founded 1880
With its 1995 merger with Scott Paper Co., Kimberly-Clark Corporation solidified its position as the number two player…
Kimberly-Clark Corporation →
Active · founded 1880
With its 1995 merger with Scott Paper Co., Kimberly-Clark Corporation solidified its position as the number two player…
Kao Corporation →
Active · founded 1887 · Japan
Kao Corporation, often called the Procter & Gamble of Japan, is one of Japan's leaders in personal care products,…
Kao Corporation →
Active · founded 1887 · Japan
Kao Corporation, often called the Procter & Gamble of Japan, is one of Japan's leaders in personal care products,…
Amcor Limited →
Active · founded 1926 · Australia
Headquartered in Australia, Amcor Limited manufactures and sells a diverse assortment of paper, plastic, and metal…
Amcor Limited →
Active · founded 1926 · Australia
Headquartered in Australia, Amcor Limited manufactures and sells a diverse assortment of paper, plastic, and metal…
Tambrands Inc. →
Active · founded 1936
Tambrands Inc.
Tambrands Inc. →
Active · founded 1936
Tambrands Inc.
The Tranzonic Cos. →
Active · founded 1946
The Tranzonic Cos.
The Tranzonic Cos. →
Active · founded 1946
The Tranzonic Cos.
Guest Supply, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Travellers may not recognize the name, but chances are Guest Supply, Inc.
Guest Supply, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Travellers may not recognize the name, but chances are Guest Supply, Inc.
Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1980 · Mexico
Grupo Carso, S.A.
Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1980 · Mexico
Grupo Carso, S.A.
Drypers Corporation →
Active · founded 1987
Drypers Corporation is the third-largest manufacturer of disposable diapers and related products in the United States.
Drypers Corporation →
Active · founded 1987
Drypers Corporation is the third-largest manufacturer of disposable diapers and related products in the United States.
Playtex Products, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Playtex Products, Inc.
Playtex Products, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Playtex Products, Inc.
Fort James Corporation →
Active · founded 1997
Fort James Corporation is one of the largest makers of tissues, napkins, and other paper products in the world.
Fort James Corporation →
Active · founded 1997
Fort James Corporation is one of the largest makers of tissues, napkins, and other paper products in the world.
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