JOHNSON & JOHNSON
feature
The Best Ingredients TM for a R A U R S K T
Erica Wark speaks with Laura Nel, Head of Corporate Communications for Johnson & Johnson (Pty) Ltd, about both the legacy and future of this trusted household trademark.
Johnson & Johnson FEATURE
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midst the finance-focused era of the industrial revolution one company published a credo which, strangely, did not place the bottom line as the first consideration, but instead; firstly care for their customers, secondly care of their employees, and thirdly care of the community. It was said that if these three areas were attended to, then it was founder General Robert Wood Johnsons belief that the bottom line, and therefore the shareholders, would be well taken care of too. For Johnson & Johnson (Pty) Ltd this credo has not just been a wall hanging, but a business management system, and certainly it appears this is a blueprint for success; having experienced annual double digit growth for the last number of years, and nearing their 80th anniversary of business in South Africa this September. So, my question to Laura Nel was; what ingredients are needed to make a successful trademark like Johnson & Johnson? Having begun manufacturing in South Africa in 1930, Johnson & Johnson has a world class manufacturing plant in East London, as well as a pharmaceutical plant in Cape Town. Both manufacturing sites have capacity enough to supply the entire Sub-Saharan Africa region, and, with the investment in facilities, so too comes an investment in people and the community. In the economically depressed area of East London, Buffalo City, Johnson & Johnson are creating opportunities for employment in their manufacturing facility. With over 240 people already employed there, and a further 300 nationwide, Johnson & Johnson have been steadily recruiting over the past few months at
the East London location, with more jobs set to be made available, going right into 2011. The J&J Consumer business in South Africa comprises four key business units JOHNSON’S® Baby (including all the well known, loved and trusted Baby toiletry products) BEAUTY – (includes the brands RoC®, NEUTROGENA®, CLEAN & CLEAR®, AMBI® and JOHNSON’S®) CONSUMER HEALTHCARE – (brands like SAVLON*, STAYFREE®, o.b® Tampons and LISTERINE®) OTC – (Over-the-Counter) (including trusted brands BENYLIN®, REHIDRAT®, SINUTAB®, TYLENOL® IMMODIUM®, REGAINE®, ANUSOL®) As Johnson & Johnson bring more product lines into operation at the East London facility they are also looking at their distribution model and how they can reach further to untouched markets and communities. One way in which Johnson & Johnson are already going about this is through education. As a company they are strong supporters of training and education; this is for staff, healthcare professionals and consumers. Johnson & Johnson are mindful of the needs of the emerging market developing through economic empowerment in South Africa. As a way of reaching this new market, the Company have been providing educational sessions out in communities. A pilot programme has been launched in townships in South Africa with a particular focus on the subject of infant skin care. The feedback is extremely positive, with people being able
Johnson & Johnson are mindful of the needs of the emerging market developing through economic empowerment in South Africa
Johnson & Johnson FEATURE
to experience the quality of the products for the first time, and also understand why it is important that they use products specially formulated to meet the needs of infant skin. Obviously this new market has its challenges, price being a big factor, and in an effort to reduce prices this is obviously an area where we might expect to see quality ingredients go down in quantity. Then again, perhaps unsurprisingly for a company with the proud reputation of Johnson & Johnson, this is one company who is not prepared to compromise on quality. Instead time and money have been spent internally to repackage existing product lines into trial sizes and more affordable formats so that more people can benefit from access to them. Johnson & Johnson (Pty) Ltd also have a legacy of innovation with many products also developed specifically for the South African market, such as the SHOWER TO SHOWER® brand, JOHNSON’S® Baby Aqueous Cream and JOHNSON’S® Healthy Skin Tissue Oil a skin conditioning product which promotes healing of skin scaring. Do look out for new innovations coming to the shelves from this trusted brand, as Johnson & Johnson are proud to boast a very dynamic new product development pipeline – aimed at delivering quality products to their diverse consumer base. I, for one, know that I would feel confident trying any new innovations that come out of Johnson & Johnson, it feels almost an instinctual reaction, but it’s based on decades of quality brand reputation. As Nel proposed, Johnson & Johnson is more than just a trade mark, they hold a Trust Mark and the ingredients for this are years of dedication to quality, listening to the consumer to meet their needs, teams of passionate people employed to make the products, and also the best quality suppliers. Johnson & Johnson are quick to recognize the significance of these contributing areas, and therefore I know we can come to expect nothing but continued high standards in future.
For more information on Johnson & Johnson products please visit: www.jnj.com /www.jnjsouthafrica.co.za Moreover, if you would like to see an example of the Johnson & Johnson philosophy of care for the community in action, then also please visit www.barefootball.com and show your support for this fantastic endeavor. Johnson & Johnson (Pty) Ltd are founding partners of the Barefootball initiative which resonates well with the Company’s Credo philosophy. Your support will mean two areas close to the heart of Johnson & Johnson will be addressed; 1. You will tackle the issue of post-consumer waste 2. You will provide a way of creating sustainable income for the unemployed And to achieve all this, all you need to do is buy a football or badge! END
Bowler Plastics (Pty) Ltd is incredibly proud of its 25 year association with Johnson & Johnson (Pty) Ltd South Africa For more than 25 years Bowler Plastics has supplied innovative, attractive and functional packaging solutions with quality standards that are essential for this market. we look forward to our continued partnership into the future.
Bowler Plastics manufactures and decorates quality plastic extruded and laminate tubes, jars, bottles and closures for the toiletries, household, beverage, food and pharmaceutical markets.
Bowler Plastics (Pty) ltd
Partners in Packaging solutions
For more information call +27 217042223 or visit: www.bowler.co.za
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