AI Reshapes Hiring Practices at India's Offshore Centers
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 20 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Shift in Hiring Skills: Kimberly-Clark's global head of digital operations, Deena Dayalan, noted that companies are increasingly prioritizing domain and product skills over pure coding abilities, reflecting the growing importance of automation tools in handling routine programming tasks.
- Increased Experience Requirements: Firms are now focusing on hiring experienced workers, typically with over four years of experience, while entry-level positions may shrink, driving demand for more specialized talent, particularly in engineering, data, and product roles.
- Employee Retraining Initiatives: Kimberly-Clark is rolling out company-wide AI training programs to enhance employee skills, ensuring that existing staff can adapt to new technological requirements, thereby strengthening the company's overall competitiveness.
- Need for Industry Collaboration: Dayalan emphasized that while India produces about 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, closer collaboration with universities will be crucial to ensure graduates possess both domain and technical skills necessary for emerging roles.
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Analyst Views on KMB
Wall Street analysts forecast KMB stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
8 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 98.770
Low
95.00
Averages
127.71
High
162.00
Current: 98.770
Low
95.00
Averages
127.71
High
162.00
About KMB
Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a global company focused on delivering products and solutions that provide better care. The Company's segments include North America and International Personal Care. The North America segment consists of products encompassing each of its five global daily-need categories across consumer and professional channels including disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swim pants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear, facial and bathroom tissue, paper towels, napkins, wipers, tissue, towels, soaps and sanitizers and other related products. International Personal Care segment consists of three core categories: Baby & Child Care, Adult Care and Feminine Care, including disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swim pants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear and other related products. Its portfolio of brands includes Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Depend, and Pull-Ups.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Kimberly-Clark Reports Solid Q1 2026 Results with Growth in Sales and Profit
- Sales Growth: Kimberly-Clark reported Q1 2026 net sales of $4.2 billion, reflecting a 2.7% year-over-year increase, primarily driven by consumer-inspired innovation and volume-plus-mix growth, despite navigating macroeconomic uncertainties and ongoing portfolio transitions.
- Profitability Improvement: The company achieved an adjusted operating profit of $732 million, a 3.7% increase from the previous year, supported by significant productivity savings and lower overhead costs, demonstrating effective cost control measures.
- Earnings Per Share Changes: While adjusted EPS from continuing operations saw a slight decline of 1.2% due to tax factors, the overall adjusted EPS attributable to the total corporation rose by 2.1%, indicating an improvement in the company's overall financial health.
- Outlook Reaffirmation: Kimberly-Clark reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, expecting organic sales growth to remain consistent with or ahead of category averages, as management continues to focus on long-term value creation, including preparations for the upcoming Kenvue acquisition and ongoing investments in commercial activations and sustainable productivity.
See More
Transformation of India's Global Capability Centers
- Global Center Scale: India has emerged as the world's largest hub for Global Capability Centers (GCCs), with over 2,100 centers employing 2.36 million people and generating nearly $100 billion in revenue, highlighting its significant role and attractiveness in the global market.
- Functional Transformation: GCCs are evolving from mere back-office support units to integrated hubs closely aligned with their parent companies, managing a range of functions from technology to product support, reflecting a shift towards outcome-based evaluations.
- Intensified Talent Competition: Bengaluru faces dual pressures of talent shortages and rising costs as demand for AI and machine learning skills surges, with some tech roles experiencing annual salary increases of 40% to 50%, threatening India's cost advantage in the sector.
- AI Impact: AI is reshaping work dynamics, enabling increased output without additional headcount, although adoption lags; many firms are reallocating workers to higher-value roles, marking a pivotal moment for India's GCC sector as it adapts to rising costs and global competition.
See More
India's Tech Hubs Accelerate AI-Driven Innovation
- Enhanced Innovation Role: Global companies like Daimler Truck and Kimberly-Clark indicate that India's Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are accelerating the creation of intellectual property and patents through AI technology, highlighting India's growing significance as an innovation hub.
- Significant Revenue Growth: According to a report by Nasscom and Zinnov, Indian GCCs generated $98.4 billion in revenue last fiscal year, achieving industry projections four years ahead of schedule, demonstrating their increasing competitiveness in the global market.
- Patent Application Challenges: Although patent filings in India rose by 11.3% to over 90,000 in fiscal 2024, many companies still prefer to file through their U.S. parent entities due to slow approval processes and high legal costs, leading to an underestimation of India's contributions.
- Improved Policy Outlook: The Indian Patent Office is enhancing the application process through online functionalities and video hearings, and while facing manpower shortages and backlogs, these reforms are expected to facilitate future growth in intellectual property.
See More
AI Reshapes Hiring Practices at India's Offshore Centers
- Shift in Hiring Skills: Kimberly-Clark's global head of digital operations, Deena Dayalan, noted that companies are increasingly prioritizing domain and product skills over pure coding abilities, reflecting the growing importance of automation tools in handling routine programming tasks.
- Increased Experience Requirements: Firms are now focusing on hiring experienced workers, typically with over four years of experience, while entry-level positions may shrink, driving demand for more specialized talent, particularly in engineering, data, and product roles.
- Employee Retraining Initiatives: Kimberly-Clark is rolling out company-wide AI training programs to enhance employee skills, ensuring that existing staff can adapt to new technological requirements, thereby strengthening the company's overall competitiveness.
- Need for Industry Collaboration: Dayalan emphasized that while India produces about 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, closer collaboration with universities will be crucial to ensure graduates possess both domain and technical skills necessary for emerging roles.
See More
Kimberly-Clark Declares $1.28 Quarterly Dividend Amid Margin Expansion Plans
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Kimberly-Clark declares a quarterly dividend of $1.28 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy, which is likely to bolster investor confidence.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 5.3% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current economic environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable income.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on July 2, with a record date of June 5 and an ex-dividend date also on June 5, ensuring eligible shareholders receive their payouts promptly, thereby strengthening the shareholder base.
- Joint Venture Approval: The European Commission clears the proposed joint venture between Kimberly-Clark and Suzano, marking a strategic advancement in the company's global market expansion, expected to generate synergies and enhance competitive positioning.
See More
Kimberly-Clark Declares Quarterly Dividend of $1.28
- Dividend Declaration: Kimberly-Clark's board has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.28 per share, payable on July 2, 2026, to shareholders of record by June 5, 2026, indicating strong cash flow and profitability.
- Dividend History: The company has paid dividends for 92 consecutive years and increased them for 54 years, reflecting robust financial health and commitment to shareholders, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Global Brand Presence: Kimberly-Clark's portfolio, including brands like Huggies and Kleenex, holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market share in approximately 70 countries, showcasing its strong competitive position in the global market.
- Sustainability Commitment: The company is committed to sustainable practices aimed at supporting a healthy planet and strong communities, ensuring its prosperity for decades to come, which reflects its sense of social responsibility and long-term strategic vision.
See More
Kimberly-Clark Reports Solid Q1 2026 Results with Growth in Sales and Profit
- Sales Growth: Kimberly-Clark reported Q1 2026 net sales of $4.2 billion, reflecting a 2.7% year-over-year increase, primarily driven by consumer-inspired innovation and volume-plus-mix growth, despite navigating macroeconomic uncertainties and ongoing portfolio transitions.
- Profitability Improvement: The company achieved an adjusted operating profit of $732 million, a 3.7% increase from the previous year, supported by significant productivity savings and lower overhead costs, demonstrating effective cost control measures.
- Earnings Per Share Changes: While adjusted EPS from continuing operations saw a slight decline of 1.2% due to tax factors, the overall adjusted EPS attributable to the total corporation rose by 2.1%, indicating an improvement in the company's overall financial health.
- Outlook Reaffirmation: Kimberly-Clark reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, expecting organic sales growth to remain consistent with or ahead of category averages, as management continues to focus on long-term value creation, including preparations for the upcoming Kenvue acquisition and ongoing investments in commercial activations and sustainable productivity.
See More
Transformation of India's Global Capability Centers
- Global Center Scale: India has emerged as the world's largest hub for Global Capability Centers (GCCs), with over 2,100 centers employing 2.36 million people and generating nearly $100 billion in revenue, highlighting its significant role and attractiveness in the global market.
- Functional Transformation: GCCs are evolving from mere back-office support units to integrated hubs closely aligned with their parent companies, managing a range of functions from technology to product support, reflecting a shift towards outcome-based evaluations.
- Intensified Talent Competition: Bengaluru faces dual pressures of talent shortages and rising costs as demand for AI and machine learning skills surges, with some tech roles experiencing annual salary increases of 40% to 50%, threatening India's cost advantage in the sector.
- AI Impact: AI is reshaping work dynamics, enabling increased output without additional headcount, although adoption lags; many firms are reallocating workers to higher-value roles, marking a pivotal moment for India's GCC sector as it adapts to rising costs and global competition.
See More
India's Tech Hubs Accelerate AI-Driven Innovation
- Enhanced Innovation Role: Global companies like Daimler Truck and Kimberly-Clark indicate that India's Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are accelerating the creation of intellectual property and patents through AI technology, highlighting India's growing significance as an innovation hub.
- Significant Revenue Growth: According to a report by Nasscom and Zinnov, Indian GCCs generated $98.4 billion in revenue last fiscal year, achieving industry projections four years ahead of schedule, demonstrating their increasing competitiveness in the global market.
- Patent Application Challenges: Although patent filings in India rose by 11.3% to over 90,000 in fiscal 2024, many companies still prefer to file through their U.S. parent entities due to slow approval processes and high legal costs, leading to an underestimation of India's contributions.
- Improved Policy Outlook: The Indian Patent Office is enhancing the application process through online functionalities and video hearings, and while facing manpower shortages and backlogs, these reforms are expected to facilitate future growth in intellectual property.
See More
AI Reshapes Hiring Practices at India's Offshore Centers
- Shift in Hiring Skills: Kimberly-Clark's global head of digital operations, Deena Dayalan, noted that companies are increasingly prioritizing domain and product skills over pure coding abilities, reflecting the growing importance of automation tools in handling routine programming tasks.
- Increased Experience Requirements: Firms are now focusing on hiring experienced workers, typically with over four years of experience, while entry-level positions may shrink, driving demand for more specialized talent, particularly in engineering, data, and product roles.
- Employee Retraining Initiatives: Kimberly-Clark is rolling out company-wide AI training programs to enhance employee skills, ensuring that existing staff can adapt to new technological requirements, thereby strengthening the company's overall competitiveness.
- Need for Industry Collaboration: Dayalan emphasized that while India produces about 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, closer collaboration with universities will be crucial to ensure graduates possess both domain and technical skills necessary for emerging roles.
See More
Kimberly-Clark Declares $1.28 Quarterly Dividend Amid Margin Expansion Plans
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Kimberly-Clark declares a quarterly dividend of $1.28 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy, which is likely to bolster investor confidence.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 5.3% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current economic environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable income.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on July 2, with a record date of June 5 and an ex-dividend date also on June 5, ensuring eligible shareholders receive their payouts promptly, thereby strengthening the shareholder base.
- Joint Venture Approval: The European Commission clears the proposed joint venture between Kimberly-Clark and Suzano, marking a strategic advancement in the company's global market expansion, expected to generate synergies and enhance competitive positioning.
See More
Kimberly-Clark Declares Quarterly Dividend of $1.28
- Dividend Declaration: Kimberly-Clark's board has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.28 per share, payable on July 2, 2026, to shareholders of record by June 5, 2026, indicating strong cash flow and profitability.
- Dividend History: The company has paid dividends for 92 consecutive years and increased them for 54 years, reflecting robust financial health and commitment to shareholders, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Global Brand Presence: Kimberly-Clark's portfolio, including brands like Huggies and Kleenex, holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market share in approximately 70 countries, showcasing its strong competitive position in the global market.
- Sustainability Commitment: The company is committed to sustainable practices aimed at supporting a healthy planet and strong communities, ensuring its prosperity for decades to come, which reflects its sense of social responsibility and long-term strategic vision.
See More
