Kimberly-Clark Softex Appoints Kadir Gunduz as President Director

JAKARTA, Indonesia, February 8, 2022 - Kimberly-Clark Softex today announced the appointment of Kadir Gunduz as President Director of its business in Indonesia. Kadir will report to Kimberly-Clark President for Asia Pacific, Tristram Wilkinson, and become a member of Kimberly-Clark’s Asia Pacific Leadership Team. He succeeds Hendra Setiawan, who has served in this role since 2004, and is leaving on account of personal reasons.

Kadir is a global business leader and a seasoned senior executive of the Coca Cola System, where he spent over 30 years, in their various bottling operations. He has lived and worked in Turkey, Russia, Tanzania, the UAE, Thailand, and, for the past 8 years, in Indonesia, serving as President Director of Coca Cola Amatil Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Commenting on the appointment, Tristram Wilkinson said, “Kimberly-Clark Softex is one of our most important growth pillars in the Asia Pacific region, and I am delighted to welcome an experienced leader like Kadir to steer the business to its next phase. Kadir brings with him a proven track record of successfully managing large operations in Indonesia and around the world, and I am confident that he will continue to build on the iconic legacy of Softex that Hendra has helped to shape over the past two decades. Our purpose as an organization is to provide better care for a better world, and I look forward to bringing that commitment fully to life in Indonesia through our brands, our social impact, and our investments in sustainability. We thank Hendra for his dedication and many contributions to Kimberly-Clark Softex and wish Kadir the very best in his new role.”

Kadir reacted to his appointment saying, “I have long admired both Kimberly-Clark and Softex Indonesia for their common commitment to serve consumers better with trusted brands that are an essential part of daily life. I am looking forward to joining the team and to continue the growth momentum of Kimberly-Clark Softex in Indonesia.”

Kimberly-Clark Corporation acquired Softex Indonesia in 2020. Since then, Hendra has been responsible for ensuring the successful integration of the two companies. Softex is now one of the 5 fastest growing personal hygiene companies in Indonesia, with a portfolio of fast-growing brands in baby and childcare (Sweety, Happy Nappy, Huggies), adult care (Confidence), and feminine care (Softex, Kotex). During the pandemic, the company further expanded its portfolio by launching Softies and Kleenex brand of face masks, which has become the preferred choice of Indonesians for personal protection.

Expressing his good wishes for Kimberly-Clark Softex and Kadir, Hendra said, “It has been a joy and a privilege to lead Softex Indonesia, and I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey. The acquisition by Kimberly-Clark in 2020 marked a major milestone on this journey and is a testament to the strength of the homegrown business we built over many decades. Our core strength remains our focus on Indonesian consumers, whom we seek to serve better every day. I am confident that Kadir will continue to sharpen this focus and further accelerate growth for Kimberly-Clark Softex in Indonesia.”

The appointment will be effective by the end of March 2022.