Whether we're designing a new product, service or dispenser line, or are looking for ways to improve our supply chain or revenue management, innovation is at the heart of everything we do here at SCA. Our employees are encouraged to work cross-divisionally to share best practices and to think seamlessly.
Innovations are not just a matter of enhancing the offering to existing customers and markets. A global group such as SCA must generate new demand and create new markets, while also attracting new customers at minimum cost.
SCA employs a combination of locally developed innovations and global category developments, both starting with customer and consumer insight. This allows SCA to create product nuances that work in specific geographies and at the same time share concepts globally. It acknowledges that a good idea can start anywhere and captures and promotes the best.
For more about SCA's global innovations, click here.
Not your average pad
You might think incontinence care products are all fairly similar, but there are features that can make a significant difference to the physical comfort, confidence, discretion and well-being of those affected by incontinence. SCA takes a progressive approach to adult absorbent products by introducing new innovations that have a direct and positive impact on consumers, customers and caregivers and have helped to evolve the category to where it is today.
From a product perspective, SCA was the first to introduce overnight pads, which have become a top seller in many consumer markets. It was also among the first to bring gender-specific adult protective underwear to the North American market. And, most recently, we were the first to introduce Ultra Thins pads for moderate and heavy absorbency bladder protection.
SCA is taking a pivotal role in addressing the needs of the more than 34 million family caregivers in the U.S. whose loved ones suffer from incontinence. Utilizing the company’s proven track record for incontinence management both in support of professional caregivers and consumers, SCA has launched an innovative online program to provide support and guidance to millions of family caregivers through its website, partners’ website and social media.
Innovation Center to create innovative dispensers
SCA is leading the way in the industry with state-of-the-art dispensers, beginning with in-depth engineering and project development at its Global Hygiene Category Innovation Center in Philadelphia. The Center, which is certified in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Commercial Interior (LEED®-CI), facilitates the creation and testing of dispenser prototypes and the ongoing evaluation of products in realistic conditions that simulate washroom and foodservice prep environments.
SCA recently rolled out its latest innovation with the Tork Elevation system, the company’s largest washroom dispenser launch in 10 years. The Elevation family features “Functional Design,” modern and seamless design that drives a more hygienic, cost-effective solution for washrooms, decreasing consumption at the source and positively impacting both the environment and businesses’ bottom lines. Less consumption translates into smaller quantities of product to be purchased and refilled, along with less unsightly trash accumulating in washrooms for disposal. Additionally, the smooth product surface is less susceptible to contamination and dirt build-up in cracks, simplifying cleaning, while no-touch functionality allows customers and employees to avoid touching anything but the paper towel after washing their hands.
The Elevation dispensers have received global recognition from top design critics, including the iF Design Award for a combination of efficiency, convenience, aesthetics and innovation, as well as the Red Dot Design Award—the largest and most renowned design competition in the world.