(Yicai) Nov. 28 -- A deep understanding of the Chinese market coupled with an optimistic outlook on the future reinforces Kenvue’s belief in the potential to contribute to the health and well-being of individuals and families in the country, according to Chief Executive Officer Thibaut Mongon.

In his first trip to China since Kenvue, the world-leading consumer health company separated from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, Mongon had intensive talks with people in the government, industry bodies, and at business partners and visited research and development centers, manufacturing facilities, and end channels. 

Thibaut Mongon, Chief Executive Officer of Kenvue

Impressed by “very professional, very committed, and very energized” Chinese employees, Mongon has further confirmed Kenvue’s commitment to China, he told Yicai in a recent interview.

Consumers want to take control of their health, and the trend was more evident after the Covid-19 pandemic as people are seeking effective, science-based ways to take care of themselves, Mongon said.

“That’s a powerful trend that creates opportunities for companies like Kenvue to really innovate,” he said. “There are no limits when it comes to taking care of your own health. Likewise, there are no limits for us to innovate to assist in this process.”

“The growing interest in health and advancing innovation capabilities fuels our ability to meet these demands effectively, making the future of consumer health promising.” Mongon said.

From Heritage to Innovation

At Kenvue’s factory in Shanghai’s Minhang district, where the interview was held, the firm’s green logos on the building’s walls catches the attention of all the people passing by, and the firm, which got its new name a year ago, aims to have the iconic logo capture the public’s attention. 

Kenvue is a new name and yet its brands such as Motrin, Tylenol, Rhinocort, Dabao, Listerine, and Aveeno have been in Chinese people's homes for years, for decades, and even generations. “It’s magic,” Mongon said. 

The US-based Kenvue has a 135-year heritage and the magic is to build on this great foundation in terms of trust with consumers and healthcare professionals, a trust grounded in science not only in China but around the world.

So Kenvue will leverage its heritage to shape a new future, and will continue innovating not only in terms of products but also in empowering individuals to step up their health literacy, thereby empowering them to take charge of their own well-being.

Taking the child fever medicine Motrin as an example, Kenvue this year launched the cooling patches and straws, a rehydration solution that replenishes minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients, thereby offering a more holistic solution to complement the over-the-counter medicine and meeting the diverse needs of children with fevers.

Kenvue also granted Dabao the vitamin B5 ingredient at an affordable price. “Our mission is clear: to make everyday care accessible to more people, reinforcing our commitment to improving lives through thoughtful and innovative healthcare solutions,” Mongon said.

Kenvue also plans to invest CNY110 million (USD16.3 million) in China,  to upgrade its supply chain with four plants already in the country. Meanwhile, Kenvue will continue to foster innovation. Its R&D Center in Shanghai has more than 100 scientists, working on new product development for the Chinese and Asia-Pacific markets. Kenvue plans to continue to introduce global innovations to China and develop customized health solutions for Chinese consumers.

Kenvue’s Role in China’s Future

Kenvue’s mission is to deliver care to individuals at every age and stage of life, to communities around the world, and to the planet, Mongon noted, as he elaborated the Healthy Lives Mission in China during his week-long trip. 

“Kenvue’s purpose is to ‘realize the extraordinary power of everyday care,’” he said. “Our expectation is for people to understand that little moments of care, repeated over time, will have an extraordinary impact on health.”

This is aligned with the vision of the government’s Healthy China 2030 blueprint, which emphasizes that people should be responsible for their own health and sets a goal of enabling everyone to be involved in health, share health, and be responsible for health.

“We will accelerate product innovation, elevate people’s health literacy, help re-shape health behaviors, and make health products more accessible,” Mongon added. “All these efforts will empower Chinese citizens to become the first person responsible for their own health.”

During his visit to China, Mongon took part in the launch ceremony for Family Support Action - Healthy Family Management Initiatives, which was initiated by the China Women’s Development Foundation and aims to guide families by raising awareness of how to prevent common diseases and manage medicines at home, hence improving their health management capabilities. 

At the launch ceremony for the Sustainable Supply Chain Action, Kenvue China’s progress in the initiative was shared, including carbon emissions reduction, energy savings, and waste reduction. For example, Aveeno and Dabao have increased the use of recycled plastics and reduced package weights and plastic usage. Kenvue China also has introduced an innovative tubular daylight system in warehouses. Furthermore, the company works with overseas teams to cut carbon emissions, such as using rail transport to bring Rhinocort nasal sprays from Sweden to Shanghai. 

“The Healthy Family Initiative focuses on healthy people, and the Sustainable Supply Chain Action is for the healthy planet,” Mongon pointed out. “The conjunction of healthy people and healthy planet makes Kenvue successful in a more sustainable way.”

“The whole society is expecting to foster development in both health and sustainability sectors. So the timing is great for Kenvue, our partners and all the stakeholders to create stronger coalition and make real impacts,” he said.

Looking back on his business trip to China, Mongon concluded: “This trip once again demonstrates to me the vibrant environment as well as our strong legacy in China. What we have accomplished over the past three decades gives me a lot of energy for the next 30 years.”

“When I see how our manufacturing sites use advanced technologies to improve efficiency and produce better products, our R&D teams are passionate to bring innovation to the market, and more science-based, trust-based products will come in the future, all of these are very exciting,” he said.

Editor: Tom Litting