P&G Expands COVID-19 Aid

Procter & Gamble was already doing a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it's doing a lot more. In an open letter, CEO David Taylor noted that P&G products are key to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 around the world, particularly those that are used daily for cleaning and sanitizing homes, businesses and places like healthcare and assisted-living facilities. Other P&G products are critical for helping consumers maintain proper hygiene, personal health and healthy home environments.

According to Taylor, trusted brands are more important than ever given the needs generated by the current crisis, the increased awareness on health and hygiene, and because people are spending more time in their homes. Personal cleansing and proper hygiene have become as fundamental to daily life as eating and sleeping. He noted that everyone at P&G is working diligently to maintain the production, distribution and availability of all our brands, not only for consumers but also for the comfort and confidence of the medical professionals and first responders who are on the front line of the battle against COVID-19.

“Beyond our brands, we have a long history of supporting communities in times of need — and we are answering the call to do even more,” he asserted. “We’re stepping up to provide much needed product donations and financial support. Our contributions of product and in-kind support now exceed $15 million and will continue to increase as we work with communities around the world to understand how we can best serve them.”

Taylor noted that millions of P&G products are being donated from 30 brands in more than 20 countries, with more on the way. These donations ensure that families who do not have basic access to the everyday essentials many of us take for granted, can have the cleaning, health and hygiene benefits P&G brands can provide.

“Our contributions are broad-based with cash support to ensure disaster relief organizations can meet immediate needs, including hygiene education and medical equipment and supplies,” he explained.”We’re partnering with some of the world’s leading relief organizations, including the International Federation of the Red Cross, Americares and Direct Relief, and key regional organizations such as Feeding America, Matthew 25: Ministries, the China Youth Development Foundation, One Foundation, the Korea Disaster Relief Association, the United Way, and more.”

P&G has installed new lines to start production of hand sanitizer in five manufacturing sites around the world, using it to ensure our people can continue operating safely and sharing it with hospitals, health authorities and relief organizations. The company is expanding manufacturing capacity further in additional facilities in the coming weeks and will have a capacity of at least 45,000 liters per week when fully operational, according to Taylor.

Work is under way to produce critically needed face masks at nearly a dozen P&G manufacturing sites around the world. P&G has already started production in China.

“We have teams working to install capacity in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and will quickly begin production in the coming weeks,” he said.

According to Taylor, this is important for several reasons:

• It will increase the supply of masks for hospitals, first responders and other organizations by reducing market demand for production and industrial use;

• It helps us create a safe working environment for P&G people;

• Long term, it will allow us to directly help many communities across the globe where there is unprecedented need for protective supplies. 


“And we’re not stopping there. Around the world, P&G people are evaluating how we can be of service to the communities who desperately need help. We’re in this together and working side-by-side with retail customers, suppliers, agency partners and government officials to do our part,” said Taylor. “We’re using areas of P&G capability and know-how to develop and deliver solutions to protect those who are most vulnerable. We’re funding startups with innovative ideas and partnering with established companies who have complementary capabilities. We’re also using our marketing and communications expertise to encourage consumers to support public health measures to help flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus.