Kao Brands Company Changes Company Name to Kao USA, Inc.

CINCINNATI, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kao Brands Company announced effective January 1, 2012, it will change its name to Kao USA, Inc.  This is part of a larger repositioning effort by Kao Brands' parent company, Kao Corporation, a leading manufacturer of beauty and household products with headquarters in Tokyo.

As announced earlier today by Motoki Ozaki, Kao's President and CEO, beginning in January 2012, Kao's beauty care subsidiaries in North America and Europe will operate as unified organizations in the major countries in which they operate.

Mr. Ozaki stated that the global management approach will give Kao more leverage in key markets, and enable Kao to better utilize its combined experience and resources to accelerate the growth of the Kao group in the U.S. and worldwide.

Bill Gentner, Kao Brands President and CEO explains, "The alignment with Kao's beauty care business will provide us with an opportunity to better harness Kao's global scale and resources for the benefit of consumers and customers in the North American and European markets. It will also provide more career opportunities for people both locally and internationally."

Kao Brands Company is a leading manufacturer of premium beauty care brands that are recognized around the world for their innovation and quality. Kao Brands Company's portfolio includes Ban® antiperspirants; Jergens® and Curel® hand and body lotions; Biore® facial care; John Frieda®, Frizz-Ease®, Root Awakening®, Luxurious Volume, Sheer Blonde®, Brilliant Brunette®, Radiant Red®, Full Repair™, Precision Foam Colour and Luminous Color Glaze® professional hair care. Founded in 1882, Kao Brands Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kao Corporation.

SOURCE Kao Brands Company