Website: www.kao.com/jp
Kao Corporation is a long-established and renowned Japanese consumer goods and chemical group. Its history dates back to June 1887, when it was initially founded as the Western-style general store "Nagase Shoten" (Kao Soap). Today, headquartered at 1-14-10 Nihonbashi-Kayaba-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Kao Corporation is a globally recognized manufacturer of consumer goods and chemicals. Kao Corporation offers a wide range of products, including beauty and personal care products, health care products, laundry and household cleaning products, and industrial chemicals, committed to providing consumers with high-quality lifestyle solutions.
Kao Corporation's core mission is to provide high-quality products and services to consumers worldwide through innovation and sustainable development. Its brands cover multiple sectors, including cosmetics, skincare, shampoos, conditioners, laundry detergents, and cleaning products. Kao Corporation not only holds a significant position in the Japanese market but also boasts a broad business network globally. In August 2002, Kao Corporation officially entered the Chinese market, establishing Kao (China), further expanding its influence in Asia.
The History and Development of Kao Corporation
The origins of the Kao Group can be traced back to 1887 when Tomiro Nagase founded Nagase Shoten in Tokyo, primarily selling Western general merchandise. As market demands evolved, Nagase Shoten gradually shifted its focus to producing soaps and detergents, and in 1940 officially changed its name to Kao Soap Co., Ltd. Since then, the Kao Group has continuously expanded its business scope, gradually developing into a comprehensive enterprise encompassing multiple fields such as daily necessities and chemicals.
In the 1950s, the Kao Corporation entered the cosmetics market, launching a variety of skincare and makeup products. Thanks to its superior quality and innovative technology, the Kao Corporation quickly rose to prominence in the cosmetics industry. Subsequently, the Kao Corporation continued to increase its investment in research and development, launching a series of products that are beloved by consumers, such as the Bioré and Merries brands.
After entering the 21st century, the Kao Corporation further accelerated its globalization efforts. In 2002, the Kao Corporation established Kao (China) in China, marking its official entry into the Chinese market. Since then, the Kao Corporation has continuously expanded its influence in the international market through mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, and other means. Today, the Kao Corporation has become one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer goods and chemicals, with operations in many countries and regions around the world.
Kao Corporation's product line
Kao Corporation boasts a comprehensive product line, covering multiple areas including beauty and personal care, health care, laundry detergents, household cleaning products, and industrial chemicals. Below is a detailed introduction to Kao Corporation's main product lines:
Beauty and skincare products
Kao Corporation owns several well-known brands in the beauty and personal care industry, such as Bioré, Sofina, and Curél. These brands cover multiple categories including skincare, makeup, and sun protection, catering to the needs of diverse consumers.
- Bioré: Bioré is a well-known skincare brand under the Kao Corporation, renowned for its highly effective cleansing and skincare products. Bioré's cleansers, makeup removers, and face masks are among its most popular products.
- Sofina: Sofina is a high-end skincare brand under the Kao Corporation, focusing on anti-aging and whitening products. Its star products include the Primavista oil-control primer and whitening serum.
- Curél: Curél is a skincare brand launched by Kao Corporation for sensitive skin. Its products are gentle and non-irritating, suitable for all skin types. Curél's face creams, cleansers, and other products have an excellent reputation in the market.
Health care products
Kao Corporation also owns several well-known brands in the health and personal care sector, such as Merries and Laurier. These brands cover multiple categories, including baby care, feminine care, and oral care.
- Merries: Merries is a baby diaper brand under the Kao Corporation, favored by many parents for its softness, breathability and strong absorbency.
- Laurier: Laurier is a feminine hygiene brand of the Kao Corporation, known for its sanitary napkins, panty liners, and other products that are known for their comfort and high absorbency.
Laundry and household cleaning products
Kao Corporation also boasts a wide range of products in the laundry and household cleaning sectors, including laundry detergent, fabric softener, and cleaning agents. Its brands, such as Attack and Cucute, hold significant positions in the Japanese market.
- Attack: Attack is a laundry detergent brand of the Kao Corporation, known for its powerful stain removal and color protection functions. Attack laundry detergent is suitable for washing all kinds of clothes and is loved by housewives.
- Cucute: Cucute is a home cleaning brand of the Kao Corporation. Its products include kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, etc., which can effectively remove stains and odors and keep the home environment clean and hygienic.
Industrial Chemicals
Kao Corporation not only excels in the consumer goods sector but also boasts a comprehensive product line in industrial chemicals. Its products include surfactants, resins, and coatings, widely used in various industries such as automotive, electronics, and construction.
Kao Corporation's Innovation and Sustainable Development
Kao Corporation has always regarded innovation as the core driving force for its corporate development. Through continuous investment in research and development, Kao Corporation has launched many groundbreaking products. For example, Kao Corporation's "concentrated laundry detergent," launched in the 1980s, completely changed the market landscape of laundry detergent and became an industry benchmark.
Furthermore, the Kao Corporation actively promotes sustainable development and is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products. The Kao Corporation has formulated the "Kirei Lifestyle Plan" sustainability strategy, aiming to provide consumers with more environmentally friendly products and services through innovation and environmentally friendly measures. For example, the Kao Corporation has launched biodegradable packaging materials and actively promotes water-saving and energy-efficient laundry products.
Kao Corporation's Development in the Chinese Market
In August 2002, the Kao Corporation officially entered the Chinese market, establishing Kao (China). Since entering the Chinese market, the Kao Corporation has quickly established a foothold by continuously launching products that meet the needs of Chinese consumers. Kao Corporation's product line in the Chinese market covers multiple areas including beauty care, health care, and laundry detergent, and its brands such as Biore, Merries, and Laurier enjoy high brand recognition in China.
To better serve Chinese consumers, Kao Corporation has established multiple production bases and R&D centers in China. Through localized production and R&D, Kao Corporation is able to respond more quickly to the needs of Chinese consumers and launch products that are better suited to the characteristics of the Chinese market. Furthermore, Kao Corporation actively participates in public welfare undertakings in China, giving back to Chinese society through donations and volunteer activities.
Kao Corporation's Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Kao Corporation will continue to uphold its principles of "innovation" and "sustainable development," continuously launching high-quality products and services to meet the needs of consumers worldwide. Kao Corporation plans to further increase its investment in the Asian market, particularly in China and Southeast Asia, enhancing its influence in the region through localized production and R&D.
Furthermore, the Kao Corporation will continue to promote sustainable development and is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products. In the coming years, the Kao Corporation plans to gradually achieve environmentally friendly practices throughout the entire product lifecycle, from raw material procurement, production, and packaging to sales and use, comprehensively reducing carbon emissions and resource consumption.
In conclusion, as a leading global manufacturer of consumer goods and chemicals, Kao Corporation will continue to provide consumers worldwide with higher-quality products and services through innovation and sustainable development, and contribute to the sustainable development of society.
