P&G Swiffer Wet Earns 2002 Visionary Award

Procter & Gamble’s Swiffer Wet cleaning product received the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry’s (INDA) 2002 Visionary Award recognizing innovative, “visionary” new products that utilize nonwoven fabrics or related technology in manufacturing. P&G Swiffer Wet was selected from five finalists.

The award was presented during the inaugural Vision Consumer Products Conference in New Orleans, LA in mid-January. Attendees of the conference voted on the five finalists.

Swiffer Wet, which was introduced in 2001 as an extension of P&G’s Swiffer cleaning line, is a hard floor cleaning system that replaces the traditional mop and bucket. Swiffer Wet’s uniquely designed pad cleans and then adsorbs the wash solution from the floor.

The product uses a combination of nonwovens technologies already found in diapers and feminine hygiene products, according to Karl Ronn, who accepted the award on behalf of P&G. “Recognition from our peers is very motivating,” he said

Other finalists for the Visionary Award were:

1. Destex Nomex fire blanket, produced by Destex SA, Switzerland

2. CIF Double Action Wet Wipes, produced by Unilever, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and PGI Nonwovens, North Charleston, SC

3. ComforTemp Nonwovens, produced by Frisby Technologies, Winston-Salem, NC and

4. Cottonelle Rollwipes, manufactured by Kimberly-Clark, Dallas, TX.