Kimberly-Clark maintains operations in Huntsville, Canada

Although Kimberly-Clark announced last week that it would exit the consumer Kleenex business in Canada – meaning the brand will no longer be found in supermarkets or local retail stores – its professional line will continue to be produced and marketed.

As a result, according to the company’s media relations branch, the products that the manufacturer sells directly to businesses such as hospitals, hotels, etc. will not be affected.

In an emailed statement, the department said, “We will also reconfirm the Huntsville facility will remain open and fully operational as-is today.”

Active in the Canadian market for over 50 years, the Kimberly-Clark facility in Huntsville is the company’s only one in the country. Even with the exit of the consumer facial tissue business in Canada, other brands of the multinational, including Kleenex branded hand towels, Cottonelle, Viva, U by Kotex, Poise, Depend, Huggies, Pull-Ups and Goodnites, will remain unchanged.

“The decision was incredibly difficult for us to make, and we appreciate consumers allowing us into their homes over the decades, and to our retail partners for their support,” said Todd Fisher, Kimberly-Clark Canadian Vice President and General Manager last week.

“We have been operating in a highly constrained supply environment, and despite our best efforts we have been faced with some unique complexities on the Kleenex business. This decision is one that will allow us to shift our resources to better focus on other brands in Canada and meet the needs of our consumers with continued innovation and value,” he added.