Borrowing a page from the world of online retailing, Kimberly-Clark Professional has launched Symbiosis Man -- an interactive, virtual model that allows customers to "try on" personal protective equipment (PPE) products before purchase.  The new interactive tool demonstrates the full head-to-toe bundle of KleenGuard brand PPE and shows how simple product selection can be.

Symbiosis Man can be found at www.mykleenguard.com.  The site lets users, choosers and distributors select products based on a range of criteria such as:  the typical uses (electronics assembly, small parts handling, chemical handing) the type of PPE needed (general protection, chemical protection and specialty protection), and the level of protection required.  By clicking on a series of icons, the user can dress the model in head-to-toe protection that includes eye protection, respirators, gloves and coveralls from the Kimberly-Clark Professional KleenGuard brand line of products.  Both front and back views are available so people can get a clear picture of how the products actually look on someone.

"This tool provides what we like to call 'visual symbiosis,'" said Donna McPherson, senior category manager for the KleenGuard brand.  "People can make selections and see how these products look and work together.  At a time when comfort and style are increasingly important to industrial workers, Symbiosis Man visually demonstrates how PPE can protect and look good too."

Symbiosis Man can be used in conjunction with the Kimberly-Clark Professional product selector tool, which is also available at the site. Visitors first select the products that best meet their needs, via the product selector tool, and then try them on the Symbiosis Man model.  Fully "dressed" images of Symbiosis Man can be forwarded to a customer or printed out for future reference.

"We consider this concept out-of-the-box both literally and figuratively," adds McPherson.  "We've taken our garments and other PPE out of their boxes and placed them on a facsimile of a human being.  It truly makes the PPE come alive."

For more information about Symbiosis Man or KleenGuard brand products, visit www.kc-safety.com.

About Kimberly-Clark Professional

Kimberly-Clark Professional is an indispensable business partner, delivering leading-edge health, hygiene and productivity solutions that provide tangible value every day, everywhere.  Known for innovative, quality solutions for away-from-home washrooms, "clean" and "industrial" manufacturing environments, and DIY settings, the global brands of Kimberly-Clark Professional include Kleenex, Scott, Kimcare, WypAll, KleenGuard, and Kimtech. Kimberly-Clark Professional, located in Roswell, Ga., is one of Kimberly-Clark Corporation's four business segments and can be visited on the web at www.kcprofessional.com.

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people - almost a quarter of the world's population - trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly- Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries.