Staff report

Paper producer Kimberly-Clark Corp. reported its 2025 first-quarter results Tuesday.

Among the highlights:

• Net sales of $4.8 billion were down 6%, driven primarily by impacts of currency and divestitures and business exits, with an organic sales decline of 1.6% versus the prior year.

• Reported gross margin was 35.8%; adjusted gross margin was 36.9%, down 20 basis points versus the prior year.

• Diluted earnings per share were $1.70; adjusted earnings per share were $1.93, down 4% versus the prior year.

“Despite the evolving external landscape, our first quarter was consistent with our full-year plan,” said Mike Hsu, Kimberly-Clark chairman and CEO.

“At the same time, the current environment will now mean greater costs across our global supply chain versus our expectations at the beginning of the year. However, we remain confident in our ability to offset these costs over time and unlock our long-term potential.”

The company is considering an $875 million project at the former RG Steel plant site on Pine Avenue SE, which straddles Warren and Howland townships. The 1,157,261-square-foot facility would include warehouse and office space for the manufacturing of consumer hygiene paper products.

A company representative has told Trumbull County commissioners that a decision will be made in six months.