Newell Brands (NWL) 23rd annual dbAccess Global Consumer Conference summary

Strategic progress and operational transformation

• Achieved significant capability improvements, including a 500 basis point increase in gross margins and a reduction in net debt to EBITDA ratio by nearly two turns over three years.

• Transitioned from independent business units to an integrated operating company, consolidating 23 supply chains into one and streamlining operations globally.

• SKU count reduced from 100,000 to 20,000 and brand count from 80 to 50, focusing on 25 priority brands representing over 90% of sales and profit.

• Automated production facilities, investing $2 billion and eliminating over 5,000 roles, resulting in higher productivity and cost efficiency.

• Integrated ERP systems, with 95% of sales to be managed on a single SAP instance by year-end, reducing complexity and freeing resources.

Innovation and growth initiatives

• Launched 25 Tier 1 and Tier 2 innovations in 2024, up from just one three years ago, with strong retailer commitments and consumer response.

• Innovations such as Graco EasyTurn 360 and Snap 'N Go cooler drove significant market share gains and exceeded sales expectations.

• Six of the top 10 brands are now growing market share, with innovation pipeline expected to drive continued growth.

• Strategic shift toward premiumization, targeting middle and higher income consumers, resulting in stronger growth in these segments.

• Focus on fewer, bigger innovations supported longer, managed by innovation portfolio leaders to avoid SKU and brand complexity.

AI and digital transformation

• Quantum Leap AI program rolled out, focusing on personal productivity, functional AI roadmaps, and multifunctional process automation.

• Over 100 AI use cases implemented, with major impact in product development, marketing, consumer service, and supply chain.

• Digital personas and AI-driven focus groups accelerate consumer insights and product development cycles from months to days.

• Digital content creation increased 500% without additional headcount, supporting global marketing efforts.

• AI investments deliver rapid ROI, often within months, and are internally developed to align with strategic goals.