On The Call: Kimberly-Clark CEO Thomas J. Falk

The Associated Press

Kimberly-Clark Corp. said sales of health care products rose 16 percent in the third quarter, partly because of strong demand for exam gloves and face masks because of the H1N1 flu virus. The company purchased two health care companies this month to broaden its product portfolio and add higher-margin medical devices to its health care unit. Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Falk discussed the swine flu issue with analysts and reporters Thursday.

QUESTION: Do you have any idea whether your health care customers are stocking up on products because of swine flu?

RESPONSE: "I think everyone is sort of finding their way through this. I would guess they'd all say the swine flu has spread faster and farther than maybe it was anticipated. ... Our guess is it will carry into early 2010 at this point in time, but probably begin to wane as we get into the latter part of the first quarter. We'll just to have watch and see what happens."