The Innovation in Pampers Diapers: #BabyBoard in Cincinnati #PGmom

Pampers Baby Board

It has been over two months (wow that flew) since I was in Cincinnati, OH with a group of US Pamper’s Baby Board bloggers and Stacey from “Did You Know Canada” talking diapers.

Catch up by reading my Pampers Baby Board opening post here and read all about my tour of the P&G Archives here.

The Pampers Baby Board Team, photo: Mom Spotted.

Wearing different eyes.

Since I have left Pampers HQ in Cincinnati I have changed over 200 diapers on my busy boy (full gear potty training starts in January with Easy-Ups). My thought process has been more intensive with each diaper change. I no longer see a diaper as I once did. I see Science. I see technology. I see the faces behind it all. I see the time, energy and hearts that go into each layer. I see a story. I see History. I see the step by step process. I see nothing compared to “just” a diaper, it is SO much more. 

Family First

Before being divided into groups to make the tour of Pampers HQ more personal. We spent time in the Pamper HQ Board room where we got to listen and meet key players behind the brand who work hands on and behind the scenes.

During this time we got to hear from the heart of the company. Many of Pampers “A” team players have or are working part-time and juggling family life. This I found very interesting because it is not often you hear of a company as successful as Pampers is, agreeing to such terms. I was impressed. This told me Pampers cares, really cares about their employees, moms, dads and the children. As you walk through Pampers HQ, you can see the truth in my words because the walls are lined with children, babies of all their employees. Pampers employees are Pampers family.

Pampers Listens to Moms.

During the tour Swaddlers had just been launched up to size 5, this was news I was ecstatic over. I remember clearly when all four of my children moved out of Swaddlers, in all honestly I was sad. I love the pure white look, the cloth like feel, the prefect stretch and Swaddlers have more of a baby look and feel to them, without all the fuss of Disney friends. 

Pampers asked over 9000 moms, which brought this big change in Swaddlers to take place. Moms said “Don’t take what I love away, like the blanket like softness!” Pampers Listened. In my opinion that was a great step to getting the attention of moms. 

Handmade the right way.

The part of the trip that leaves me looking at diaper from a new set of eyes was when we got to watch a proto type handmade. (We were not allowed to take pictures in this department.) When we first walked in this quote caught my attention on an easel in the doorway “THINK POSITIVE. BE POSITIVE. LIVE POSITIVE”. 

Each piece of the proto type was laid on the table ready to hand assemble. Seeing a diaper ‘unfold’ in this type of way really gives me a new set of eyes when I stretch open a diaper now.

The layering plant has its hands on each proto type before they go into production. With 10 full-time employees on staff they have their work cut out for them. During their busy times they contract between 40- 120 workers who assist them in handmade proto types till they find a fit. I was really intrigued by this department and the staff. The head Scientist (sorry cannot remember his name) was really proud to share his knowledge with our team. He has had his hand in each diaper, Easy-Up in the market today. As a father himself he is hands on when it comes to diapers at work and home. Quick fact; a proto type can take anywhere from a few minutes to piece together to a whole day.

3 D Development

When I returned I could wait to tell everyone about meeting Dave. Dave has worked with P&G for 27 years and is also a father. Dave has a pretty neat job. This Pampers Scientist uses a MIR and CT machine to discover the function and fit of Pampers on a mannequin child. Yep, I said it –MIR and CT machine dedicated to Pampers and Luvs products. Dave showed us an incredible image as you can see above of how the fluid enters the diaper and where the absorbency goes. Absolutely incredible Science behind the diaper! 

Pampers Wipes

Here is my confession. I do not use Pampers wipes. I admitted it right to the folks at Pampers. I explained my case how the competitors wipes are thicker and grab up the #2 much cleaner. The competitors wipes have ridges on the surface the help me wipe with fewer strokes. Pampers sees this because they have been hard at work taking our comments to heart. The new Pampers wipes have more ridges. It is true I compared them hands on.

Taking my confession above to heart. I felt their was no way I would walk out of this room with a change in heart. I have been a big supporter of (competitor’s name here) for as long as I can remember in the wipe category.

What happened next shocked me!

Comparing Pampers wipes (see picture below) with competitor’s wipes in a strength test. The results were unbelievable. So much so we (Baby Board) compared the balls being used for the test and scratched our heads.

One teal ball and one red ball were released into each beaker at the same time. The bottom of each beaker had one Pampers wipe and one competitor’s wipe, pulled tight. The competitor’s wipe didn’t hold a single red ball, well the Pampers wipe held a whole beaker full. 

Meaning when you use a Pampers wipes moms. Your finger will never go through!

I could write a novel on my experience spending a day at Pampers HQ in Cincinnati, Ohio. The experience was incredible, far too short in my opinion I could have sat and listened to each member into far more detail. I leave with a greater love in Pampers, a greater love for P&G, a greater knowledge, a desire to learn more and a I am even more proud to be a Pampers Mom.

Spill it what is your Pampers memory?

Thanks for reading In R Dream!

( Thank you Pampers for flying me to Cincinnati and giving me the chance to experience this incredible learning opportunity. I am a #PGmom and as always the opinions are my own.)