‘Streamlined and targeted’: J&J to split out €13bn consumer health business
Personal care titan Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will split out its consumer health business to create a new publicly traded company, part of its wider plan to pursue more targeted growth strategies.
Announced last week, the move would see the major spin off its consumer health unit, made up of core brands like Neutrogena, Aveeno, Listerine and OGX, into a standalone business. Whilst far smaller than J&J’s pharmaceutical and medical device units, consumer health contained four billion-dollar megabrands and was expected to generate €13.2bn ($15bn) in the full-year 2021, the company said.
The split was expected to be completed by the end of 2022 following various legal requirements, including consultation with works councils and employee representatives and a final nod from J&J’s board of directors.
Pharmaceuticals and consumer health – ‘each financially strong and leaders’
J&J said the split would create “two global leaders” in consumer health and health care, enabling the company to invest in innovation that unlocked value for all its stakeholders in both fields.