• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Applications
    • Technology
    • Market
    • Other
    • Top 40
    • Buyers Guide
    • Hygiene Directory
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Applications
  • Technology
  • Market
  • Other
  • Top 40
  • Buyers Guide
  • Hygiene Directory
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    Southeast Asia Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Fluff Pulp Market Faces Year of Transition

    Roofing & Construction Report

    Investment Continues for Needlepunch Nonwovens

    Sustainability Report

    Spunmelt Nonwovens Update
    Company Cameo
    Financial News
    Machinery Equipment
    New Products
    Nonwovens News
    Patent Review
    People in the News
    Supplier News
    Top News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Thorne Relaunches Gut Health Test with Microbiome Wipe

    Weekly Recap: Kimberly-Clark to Expand Diaper, Wipes Production in Brazil; The Honest Company to Sell Diapers, Wipes at Walmart & More

    Nicely Offers Nonwoven Slitters, Winders

    Freudenberg to Present Battery Pack and Liquid Absorbers at Battery Show

    The Honest Company to Sell Diapers, Wipes at Walmart
    Nonwovens Insights
    Online Exclusives
    Adult Incontinence
    Absorbent Core
    Antimicrobials
    Apparel
    Automotive and Transportation
    Face Masks
    Chemicals / Adhesives
    Construction
    Contract Services
    Diaper, Baby
    Electronics
    Feminine Hygiene
    Fibers
    Filtration
    Flame Retardance
    Geotextile / Agrotextile
    Home Products
    Hygiene Film/Components
    Industrial / Institutional
    Inspection / Quality Control
    Machinery and Equipment
    Medical
    Wipes

    Thorne Relaunches Gut Health Test with Microbiome Wipe

    Nicely Offers Nonwoven Slitters, Winders

    The Honest Company to Sell Diapers, Wipes at Walmart

    Thinx Launches Moist Panties Campaign

    Vegeto Turns Milkweed Fibers into Nonwovens
    Air Through Bonding
    Airlaid
    Carded/Carding
    Chemical Bonded
    Composite
    Meltblown
    Needlepunch
    Nanotechnology
    Spunbond
    Spunbond/Spunmelt
    Spunlace
    Thermal Bonded
    Wetlaid

    Executive Talks: 5K Fibres' President Doug Brown

    Borealis, Grabher Partner to Recycle Face Masks

    Glatfelter, Blue Ocean Closures Receives Sustainability Award at IDEA22

    Investment Continues for Needlepunch Nonwovens

    Murtra Nonwovens
    China
    Eastern Europe/Russia
    India
    Middle East/North Africa
    North America
    Pacific Rim
    South/Central America
    Turkey
    Western Europe

    Sub-Saharan Africa’s Specialist Nonwovens and Fibers Capability is Growing Steadily

    Southeast Asian 5 Nonwoven Capacity and Demand Development

    Chinese Baby Diaper Brands

    Retail Disposable Hygiene in Southeast Asia and China: Growth Outlook, Challenges, Opportunities

    Albarrie Installs Stenter
    Associations
    Contracts / Awards
    Education
    Facilities / Capacity
    Green / Sustainability
    Legal / Regulatory
    Market Data
    Flushability
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    Product Improvement / Innovation
    R&D/Basic Research
    Shows / Events

    Vegeto Turns Milkweed Fibers into Nonwovens

    Rif care Launches Hemp-Based Period Products

    Boots to Prohibit Sale of Plastic-Based Wipes

    Dyper Partners with rePurpose Global to Remove Nearly 100,000 KG of Plastic Waste from Environment

    Borealis, Grabher Partner to Recycle Face Masks
    Chart
    Companies
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    ELSNER

    Bast Fibre Technologies Inc.

    Alliance Machine and Engraving

    Robinson, Inc.

    Schott & Meissner Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Brands
    Brand Owners
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • Southeast Asia Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Add Your Company
    • Applications
      • Absorbent Core
      • Adult Incontinence
      • Antimicrobials
      • Apparel
      • Automotive and Transportation
      • Chemicals / Adhesives
      • Construction
      • Contract Services
      • Diaper, Baby
      • Electronics
      • Feminine Hygiene
      • Fibers
      • Filtration
      • Flame Retardance
      • Geotextile / Agrotextile
      • Home Products
      • Hygiene Film/Components
      • Industrial / Institutional
      • Inspection / Quality Control
      • Machinery and Equipment
      • Medical
      • Wipes
      • Face Masks
    • Technology
      • Air Through Bonding
      • Airlaid
      • Carded/Carding
      • Chemical Bonded
      • Composite
      • Meltblown
      • Needlepunch
      • Nanotechnology
      • Spunbond
      • Spunlace
      • Thermal Bonded
      • Wetlaid
      • Spunbond/Spunmelt
    • Market
      • China
      • Eastern Europe/Russia
      • India
      • Middle East/North Africa
      • North America
      • Pacific Rim
      • South/Central America
      • Turkey
      • Western Europe
    • Other
      • Associations
      • Contracts / Awards
      • Education
      • Facilities / Capacity
      • Green / Sustainability
      • Legal / Regulatory
      • Market Data
      • Mergers and Acquisitions
      • Product Improvement / Innovation
      • R&D/Basic Research
      • Shows / Events
      • Flushability
    • Top 40 Companies
      • Chart
      • Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Hygiene Directory
      • Brands
      • Brand Owners
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
      • Live From Asian Connections
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Suppliers Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Web Showcase
      • Home Page Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Features

    UP CLOSE WITH Kleen Test Products

    ...

    Related CONTENT
    • World of Wipes Attendees
    • Household Wipes Report
    10.13.15
    In 1943, Kleen Test Products Corporation was founded in downtown Milwaukee to provide filtration products to Wisconsin’s dairy industry. Since then, the company has grown and greatly expanded its product and service offerings to include contract manufacturing and product development services in a number of product segments, such as wet wipe and dryer sheet manufacturing, die cutting nonwovens, coating and conversion of specialized nonwoven products, liquid filling and bulk blending.

    Today, Kleen Test Products Corporation has five locations in Wisconsin and two in Ohio.


    Kleen Test is still owned by its founding family. In the early 1980s, Meridian Industries was formed as the parent company for Kleen Test Products as well as several sister companies. Today, Meridian Industries remains privately held and consists of five operating companies—Kleen Test Products Corporation, Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, Majilite Corporation, Kent Elastomer Products and Meridian Specialty Yarn Group. Meridian Industries President, Chairman and CEO Bruce Eben Pindyck has led the company since 1984 and continues to set the tone for the innovative, customer-focused spirit that is embraced by all of the Meridian companies.

    Three of the Meridian companies—Kleen Test, Majilite and Aurora—are major players in the nonwovens marketplace with customer and supplier relationships spanning the globe.  

    Recently, Nonwovens Industry interviewed several senior leaders at Kleen Test Products, including: William Ahlborn, President, Doug Arnold, Senior Vice President, and Jeff Maxon, Vice President—Technical Services and Product Development, to gather their collective insight into the state of the nonwovens converting industry.

    Nonwovens Industry (NWI): What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the converting industry in the past decade?
    Kleen Test Products (KTP): The converting industry has experienced a significant evolution over the last 10 years. For example, in the early 2000s, there was a surge in new converters entering the industry, particularly in the wipes space. The expectation was that wipes usage was going to explode and many companies rushed to fill this perceived need. During the last 10 years, however, many of those upstarts have been acquired or exited the wipes segment.  
    From the standpoint of product evolution, we have seen a desire from our customers to manufacture and develop more complex products. The product complexity may be in the packaging, the nonwoven or the solution. This added complexity is intended to create a product that is higher performing, addresses a targeted need, and, most of all, gives our customers differentiation on the shelf.

    NWI: What are some of the major changes Kleen Test has made to its converting operation in terms of new investments or new technologies? What is driving your changes?
    KTP: We have made two significant investments in recent years to strengthen our product development capabilities. The first was the construction of a dedicated formulation lab. This lab is staffed with experienced chemists, who develop formulations for the wipes and liquid filling segments of our business. The second product development investment was the creation of our Nonwovens Innovation Center. This center houses a variety of coating and converting equipment from pilot scale to full production. This location has been the launch point for a number of unique nonwovens products, including two that have been the recipient of Edison Awards.

    Within the manufacturing environment, our investments have added new packaging and converting capabilities and expanded our blending and filling capabilities for complex solutions such as bleach, peroxide and alcohol. We have also become more automated to keep our prices competitive.

    It is also worth noting that Kleen Test is part of the Meridian Industries family of companies. Two of our sister companies, Majilite Corporation and Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, are both highly regarded for their nonwovens coating, laminating and converting expertise. Majilite and Aurora continue to invest to expand their capabilities and operate on the technological leading edge. Where possible, our three companies work together to leverage one another’s expertise and manufacturing capabilities.

    NWI: How has consolidation among both nonwovens producers and customers in the wipes market changed your business?
    KTP: The consolidation of nonwovens producers has not had a major impact on our business. These producers have generally done a good job of managing merger integrations in a way that is not disruptive to the supply chain. With respect to the consolidation of customers, we are impacted most when a brand shifts from a company that outsources manufacturing to a company that self-manufactures. In those cases, the customer may bring outsourced products in-house. Since many brand owners have outsourced the manufacturing of their nonwovens products, that fortunately does not happen very often.

    NWI: How has this trend impacted pricing?
    KTP: Changes in raw material costs and overall inflation seem to have a more significant impact on product prices than M&A activity by nonwovens suppliers.

    NWI: Do you think we will see more consolidation among converters as a byproduct of the nonwovens consolidation?
    KTP: We do not believe those two situations are connected. We expect that the consolidation of nonwovens converters will continue but at a slower rate than has been experienced over the last decade.

    NWI: Have you had issues with sourcing nonwovens domestically? What other issues are impacting sourcing?
    KTP: We source our nonwoven substrates from a variety of providers. While these companies are located all over the world, the majority of our product volume is purchased from U.S. suppliers. For the most part, it is possible to get the majority of the substrates we use from domestic suppliers. However, sometimes the domestic source comes at a higher delivered cost. Our biggest issue with nonwovens sourcing, both domestic and international, is with supply and demand imbalances that result in shortages of certain grades of material. This is more apparent during world events when demand is high (e.g. the flu crisis), but it also occurs at times when there is no apparent driving force in the market.

    NWI: How have converters dealt with the movement of many industries customers and suppliers to China and other offshore areas?
    KTP: Ten years ago, there was a big concern about production moving to China. That has not been an issue in our business. Most wipes products that are commonly regarded as having “good” to “premium” quality are produced in the U.S. The strong quality and customer service that U.S. manufacturers deliver, coupled with shorter lead times, far outweighs any cost savings associated with moving a product to China. We have a strong Lean Manufacturing program, which helps us remain very competitive in the global marketplace.

    NWI: What are some of the other main challenges facing converters?
    KTP: Nonwovens converting is a tough business. Margins are tight, capital costs are high and expectations from customers are ever increasing, but these are the same challenges facing all U.S. manufacturers. Additionally, products that were once considered specialized are now seen as a commodity good, which means that the prices for them are falling, not increasing, while the costs to produce those products are still increasing.
    We also continue to see customer requests to lower order quantities and extend payment terms. At the same time, nonwovens suppliers have long lead times, want to ship in truckload quantities and be paid in 30 days. This is forcing converters to be the inventory buffer and working capital provider with no added compensation for the change.  


     
    NWI: What do you see as the biggest challenge your customers have when trying to develop a new product and bring it to market?
    KTP: The complexity of nonwovens products is often misunderstood. We have both liquid filling and nonwovens converting segments in our business. Based on our years of experience in developing both types of products, it is much more difficult to create a wipe version of a product than a liquid version. The interaction of the nonwoven substrate, solution and packaging creates development challenges with wipes that are not present with traditional liquid products.
    Our customers turn to us when they have difficult challenges that they can’t solve in house. Helping customers overcome these challenges is the fun part of our jobs. The challenges take many forms such as a need for speed to market, a search for a special purpose formula, desire for a novel product construction, or unique packaging needs to serve a certain purpose. Our two Edison award winning products are examples of how we partnered with our customers to develop highly innovative nonwovens products.

    NWI: Is there still room for innovation in nonwovens?
    KTP: Yes, there is still more room for innovation. There will always be new nonwoven substrates, new ingredients for wipes solutions, changing regulatory requirements and evolving customer needs. Companies that stay abreast of those changes and react quickly to them will be able to operate at the forefront of the industry. That’s where we expect to continue to play.

    NWI: How has Kleen Test been able to grow yearly despite supply issues, slower market growth recession and other economic challenges?
    KTP: Kleen Test has been able to grow due to continued investment in people and technology and a constant focus on our core values.
    We pride ourselves on providing superior customer service which has led to strong partnerships with our customers. Our tagline is “Your Brands, In Trusted Hands.” Our team knows that we have to work hard every day to earn that trust.

    NWI: What is new in Kleen Test’s wet wipes business? What are some of the biggest trends impacting this business today?
    KTP: There is a strong demand for new packaging formats for wipes, especially in personal care. The current package designs have remained largely unchanged for years. Many products look alike on the shelf. Customers are also looking for converting companies to provide ready-to-go options for them in order to launch products quicker and easier. Our formulation lab has a line of products that are available for customers on a significantly reduced lead time.  
    E-commerce is another major trend.  We are working with several customers to develop packaging that is both manufacturing and e-commerce friendly. This will be a large part of our business in the years ahead. We know that our manufacturing processes and overall business model will need to evolve to adapt to the changing retail landscape.

    NWI: Tell us about what is going on in your customer converting operation? Do you continue to see innovative new ideas from your partners?
    KTP: Yes, we continue to see innovative new concepts from our partners. We call our strategy in this area “Connect to Grow.”  Kleen Test Products has developed a strong reputation for being the company that brings together those who have unique technologies with those who have a use for the technology.
    For example, a small company with a unique chemistry that could benefit a wide variety of consumer products can connect with Kleen Test. We will use that technology to develop samples to present the technology to our customers.  It is an approach that benefits the technology owners, our customers and Kleen Test —a win all around.
    Related Searches
    • filtration
    • contract manufacturing
    • Insight
    • nonwovens
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Wipes
    • Filtration
    • Contract Services
    Suggested For You
    World of Wipes Attendees World of Wipes Attendees
    Household Wipes Report Household Wipes Report

    Related Content

    • World of Wipes Attendees

      ...
      06.21.21

    • Wipes
      Household Wipes Report

      Household Wipes Report

      Manufacturers meet demand for disinfectant wipes following an exceptional year for the category
      Tara Olivo, Associate Editor 06.03.21

      Trending
      • Ontex Conducts Pilot Program Of Digital Incontinence Care Solution | Nonwovens Industry
      • H&V Appoints New CFO | Nonwovens Industry
      • Ahlstrom-Munksjö Announces Reorganization Of Decor Business Ownership | Nonwovens Industry
      • Kimberly-Clark Reportedly Examining Sale Of Latin American Tissue | Nonwovens Industry
      • Kimberly-Clark To Expand Diaper, Wipes Production In Suzano, Brazil | Nonwovens Industry
      Breaking News
      • Thorne Relaunches Gut Health Test with Microbiome Wipe
      • Thinx Names Meghan Davis as CEO
      • Kimberly-Clark Reportedly Examining Sale of Latin American Tissue
      • Ahlstrom-Munksjö Announces Reorganization of Decor Business Ownership
      • Jones Names COO
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      May 2022

      • Fluff Pulp Market Faces Year of Transition



      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe
      Nutraceuticals World

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Thorne Relaunches Gut Health Test with Microbiome Wipe
      Alkemist Labs Announces Alkemist Assured Seal and Next Generation Transparency Reports
      GC Rieber Foundations Expand Philanthropic Efforts
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      PPG Sets Goals to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Unveils 2021 ESG Report
      Birla Carbon to Present Sustainable Carbon-based Solutions at PaintIndia 2022
      BTC Europe, NXTLEVVEL Biochem to Distribute Biobased & Biodegradable Solvents in Europe
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      Anumana's ECG Pulmonary Hypertension AI Algorithm Gains Breakthrough Status
      inHEART's 3D Cardiac Modeling Tool Earns FDA Nod
      FDA OKs RapidAI's Pulmonary Embolism Triage, Notification Tool
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Corealis CDMO Completes Deal with ArchiMed
      Piramal Pharma Solutions Upgrades Oral Solid Dose Capabilities
      Steriline Robotic Applications to Improve Quality in Drug Primary Packaging
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      L'Oreal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus On Sustainability Initiatives
      Glossier Announces New CEO
      Men’s Skincare Market to Hit $13 Billion by End of 2022
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Zocdoc’s Appointment Analysis Shows Consumers Are Seeking Skin Health Care in Person Again
      Four Seasons Resort Maui To Offer Project Reef Sunscreen Beginning on World Oceans Day
      IFSCC Extends 2022 Early Bird Registration
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      HP Indigo Reaches 2,000th Active Install
      Siegwerk Introduces New NC-Based Flexible Packaging Ink
      Sun Chemical Expands SunColorBox with SunConnect
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      AWA to host 22nd Global Release Liner Industry Conference & Exhibition
      Domino assists Grace Label with supply chain disruptions
      Rotocon wins AI Business Excellence Award
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      Thorne Relaunches Gut Health Test with Microbiome Wipe
      Thinx Names Meghan Davis as CEO
      Kimberly-Clark Reportedly Examining Sale of Latin American Tissue
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Extremity Medical Rolls Out OMNI Stable Ankle Fracture System
      James W. Stone Named AANA President
      Tom Hedman Named Senior Principal Scientist at Spinal Simplicity
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      Canatu Receives IATF 16949:2016 Certification
      Applied Materials Announces 2Q 2022 Results
      ams OSRAM Supervisory Board to Elect Dr. Margarete Haase as Chairwoman

      Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login