Self-Care Can Ease Healthcare System Strain: Kenvue

Q: How does Kenvue ensure its iconic brands remain relevant in an ever-evolving healthcare and consumer landscape?

A: We take a multifaceted approach to maintain the relevance of our iconic brands. First and foremost, innovation is at the core of our strategy and that innovation is guided by active listening. We actively listen to our consumers to ensure that the products we develop address real needs. Second, we do not work in isolation. We collaborate closely with scientific experts and healthcare professionals to guarantee that our solutions enhance both efficacy and the user experience. Third, and equally important, we innovate in the way we reach the market to ensure that our brands are top of mind when consumers think about self-care products. To achieve this, we focus on creating relevant content and securing professional endorsement through robust professional marketing strategies.

We also ensure that once a consumer decides to purchase our products, they can easily find them. We employ omnichannel strategies to ensure that our products are displayed prominently and look appealing in both online and physical stores, making the shopping experience exceptional.

Q: Since becoming an independent company in 2023, how has Kenvue’s transformation impacted its operations and strategic direction in Latin America?

A: Our listing on the stock exchange in May 2023 marked a historic milestone. It signaled our emergence as an independent company, one that is incredibly proud of its 135-year legacy but also deeply committed to the future. Our purpose is to transform the extraordinary power of everyday care into improved health and well-being for the people and communities we serve.

We began this new chapter by building on our historic strengths: scientific rigor, ethics, transparency, our iconic brands, and, most importantly, our talent. From that foundation, we established our company identity, defined our purpose and values, laid out our strategy, and implemented a new way of working.

This shift led to a significant transformation. We sought operational synergies to maximize efficiency and reinvest those gains into brand development. At the same time, we focused on executional excellence to elevate our global brands. In Latin America, and particularly in Mexico, this new operational model has allowed us to reallocate resources to strengthen our brands, accelerate innovation, and deepen our engagement with healthcare professionals. As a result, we are seeing successful growth and increased market share across much of our portfolio.

Q: What key consumer health trends are shaping the Latin American market, and how is Kenvue responding to them?

A: We are observing a notable shift in consumer behavior. Consumers are becoming more informed, more conscious, and increasingly interested in comprehensive care. They place high value on products that are backed by science, demonstrate transparency, and uphold ethical and sustainable standards. Omnichannel access has also become a central factor in their purchasing decisions.

We believe in empowering people to take charge of their own self-care. In Mexico, a country of 129 million individuals, we are making our iconic, scientifically validated brands available to all. These brands promote self-care, which should be a foundational life practice, though it is not yet deeply established in everyday routines. Our purpose is to elevate these daily habits into a more holistic approach to care, and we believe we have a strong proposition for transforming the health and well-being of Mexicans in the years to come.

Q: How has the focus on preventive health evolved in the region, and what opportunities has it created for Kenvue?

A: Preventive care and self-care are two of the most prominent trends in the region.Nonetheless, there is still considerable progress to be made. For example, the Latin American Association of Responsible Self-care (ILAR) estimates that Latin America could generate about US$7.2 billion in healthcare savings through a more intentional and structured approach to self-care. These are resources that could then be redirected toward more specialized healthcare needs.

Mexico has made promising legislative developments. On April 10, 2024, the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill to reform the General Health Law with the objective of promoting self-care. This legislation invites collaboration among government, industry, academia, and civil society to integrate self-care into public health policy. By doing so, it can be possible to reduce the strain on the healthcare system by encouraging individuals to manage essential needs independently, allowing the system to focus on more complex care.

At Kenvue, this is precisely our purpose. We aim to empower people to make informed decisions about their well-being. Through our iconic brands, which are scientifically sound and professionally endorsed, we are working to raise self-care standards and improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

Q: What sustainability initiatives is Kenvue launching in Latin America?

A: Our Healthy Lives Mission is rooted in the belief that healthy people require a healthy planet. Sustainability is embedded in everything we do, from product development to our operations and throughout our value chain. We released our second sustainability report in June and we are proud of the progress it highlights. All the electricity used in our operations at our manufacturing plants in São Jose, Brazil, and Cali, Colombia, comes from renewable sources.

We have also launched a refillable Johnson’s product line using recyclable packaging and are increasing our use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. For example, the Listerine line now incorporates 50% PCR material in its packaging.

Our sustainability strategy also focuses on people. Our Kenvue Cares platform supports both volunteer work and humanitarian aid. In May, through Kenvue Cares, over 300 volunteers gave more than 20 hours of their volunteer service, assembled 2,000 food baskets for the Food Bank, and created 1,500 hygiene kits for Save the Children. This integrated approach to sustainability ensures that we care for the planet, for people, and for ethical practices. Sustainability is deeply embedded in our decision-making process and operations.

Q: How is Kenvue leveraging technology to better engage with consumers and support organizational growth?

A: Digital transformation is not only a technological advancement but also a core organizational capability. It is essential that we embed this transformation across our teams and processes to unlock our full potential. To that end, we have established a five-year partnership with Microsoft. This collaboration focuses on AI, predictive analytics, and intelligent agents, all aimed at advancing product development and improving outcomes for our consumers and healthcare partners.

We recently launched an AI-powered recruitment platform. This tool helps us find the best-fit talent for each role and improves the overall candidate experience, making the process more effective and more human-centered. Our digital journey is driven by purpose. Every technological decision is aligned with our mission to transform everyday care and improve health outcomes.

Q: How does Kenvue envision its growth in response to evolving consumer expectations and industry dynamics?

A: Self-care has never been more relevant than it is today. As such, we see a large opportunity to further position ourselves as a leader in the consumer health segment.

Mexico, as our second-largest market in Latin America, plays a pivotal role in our strategy. With a stable regulatory environment, low inflation, and a highly skilled workforce, we are well-positioned to impact the lives of 129 million Mexicans meaningfully. This means remaining highly responsive to market needs and continuously adapting to evolving consumer behaviors. It also entails deepening our collaboration with public health systems. We see ourselves as key stakeholders in shaping the future of self-care and contributing to a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable healthcare system.

Q: As a female leader in the healthcare sector, what legacy would you like to leave?

A: This leadership role carries a profound responsibility. First, there is the responsibility to improve people’s lives through better health and well-being, needs that are both essential and universal. Second, I feel a strong commitment to inspire current and future generations to believe in their potential. It is important that people know it is possible to aspire to and achieve leadership positions.

Kenvue promotes an inclusive and trusting workplace that allows each employee to maximize their contributions to our work and culture. Finally, I believe in fostering human-centered, progressive, and inclusive leadership, creating environments where individuals feel psychologically safe to bring their best selves forward. It is through that authenticity that we can collectively build the company we envision and live out our purpose of transforming consumer health and self-care across the region.

Kenvue is the world’s largest pure-play consumer health company by revenue. It develops and markets a portfolio of well-known health and personal care brands, including Aveeno®, BAND-AID®, Listerine®, Johnson’s® and Neutrogena®, among others.