J&J’s 2018: what did the personal care giant get up to?

A multinational packaging and manufacturing company active in health and personal care markets, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has hit headlines this year. Here’s a round-up of some key events.

J&J creates new design lab in Singapore​

The first half of 2018 saw the company launch its latest design facility in Science Park, Singapore, marking its first innovation unit outside New York.

The facility is located in Singapore’s Science Park, and aims to collate all of the pharmaceutical name’s Singapore-based offices into one single area.

"For us to succeed in the fut​ure, knowing that the Asia-Pacific is going to continue to blossom, we need to have that design and insights capability here in the region​,"​ Ernesto Quinteros, Chief Design Officer, Johnson & Johnson stated. Discover our full report on this story here​.

'We unequivocally believe' our baby powder does not contain asbestos​

Not the words many beauty and personal care CEO’s want to have to say, but words that came from Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky late last year.

He made the comments while addressing reports of his company knowing that its talc-based baby powder contained traces of asbestos in an interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer​.

The company cites studies from independent bodies that Gorsky says found "no causation between talc, baby powder and ovarian cancer or any type of asbestos-related disease."​

Johnson & Johnson's stock shed billions in market value following a report from Reuters in December about the issue​. It is facing thousands of lawsuits​ into the allegation that its talcum powder causes cancer.

J&J advances fragrance transparency​

In a bid, perhaps, to assert its credentials as a safe and trustworthy manufacturer in the face of the talc-related publicity last year, the company is making proactive efforts with transparency

As of August last year, the multinational is npw disclosing more ingredients—including fragrance ingredients. J&J attributes the new policy to consumers' expectation to “know 100% of the ingredients.” Read our full report here​.

Acquisition: Japanese skin care holding company​

In November, the company announced an offer to acquire Ci:z Holdings Co., Ltd., which owns the Dr.Ci:Labo, Labo Labo, and Genomer skin care brands as well as some salon businesses and a valuable ecommerce management database.

The deal is being positioned as a move to improve J&J’s standing in Japan, in Japanese beauty, and in dermocosmetics, more broadly.

Along with its facility launch in Singapore, 2018 signalled a year in which J&J made strides to strengthen its presence in Asia.

Keep checking Cosmetics Design in 2019 to follow the company’s progress in the region, and discover how it responds to the ongoing legal and public focus on the safety or otherwise of its talc.