(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Every day families around the world depend on personal care products and cosmetics to enhance their quality of life. From soap and toothpaste to lipstick and sunscreen, personal care products are so commonplace that little thought is given to the impact on other aspects of our every day lives. Aside from the tangible benefits these products provide, the companies who make them are directly responsible for American jobs and creating opportunities for economic and social empowerment. They help keep the wheels of the U.S. economy churning, even during periods of recession.
To gain a better understanding of the real impact this dynamic, innovative industry has on our nation, the Personal Care Products Council recently commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to measure the industry’s economic and social contributions using the most recent available government data. Our member companies play an important role in our society. Of particular note, our industry supports a diverse workforce and creates jobs, opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and empowers women of all backgrounds to help them achieve economic independence.
Many may not know that small, local businesses comprise the majority of the personal care products industry. These businesses are the backbone of the economy, creating jobs and paying wages for residents in local communities. In 2013, 67.1 percent of our manufacturers, retailers, and beauty services companies had fewer than 50 employees, more than double the national average. More than 34 percent of our industry is made up of businesses with fewer than 10 employees, more than triple the national average. And, from 2011-2012, small businesses with fewer than 100 employees created more than 20,000 new jobs; nearly 87 percent of which were in companies with fewer than 10 employees, helping grow the economies in communities across the nation.
We are proud that our workforce is primarily comprised of and run by women, exceeding national averages in other sectors. In fact, women make up 62 percent of our total workforce and hold nearly 53 percent of management positions. Our diverse workforce includes women of all backgrounds-16 percent of our workforce is comprised of women of color. These women are industry leaders, accounting for 11 percent of all management positions, compared to the national average of 8 percent.
We are also an industry that gives back. Our companies make a significant and positive social impact that goes far beyond the benefits of our products. Our manufacturers give more than the national average in charitable contributions annually. Many of our member companies have their own charitable foundations partnering with community organizations and national charities to improve the lives of families around the world. In addition to financial and product support, personal care products companies encourage their employees to volunteer in their communities, donating thousands of hours each year. Our industry made $134 million in charitable contributions, more than double the national average. Our companies supported a variety of programs that help those most in need, including education advancement, cancer research and awareness, and environmental protection.
Each year, the personal care products industry donates more than one million pieces of cosmetics and skin care products valued at $10 million to support Look Good…Feel Better, a free public service program that teaches beauty techniques to people with cancer to deal with the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment, helping improve their self esteem, appearance and confidence. Since its inception, the program has helped nearly one million women in the U.S. alone.
Our industry represents the best of American ingenuity and success. With companies of every size, products to meet the needs of a diverse population, and a commitment to innovation, health and well-being, we have become a leader in supporting opportunities to help small businesses and women succeed.
Lezlee Westine is the president & chief executive officer of the Personal Care Products Council, the leading national trade association representing the global cosmetic and personal care products industry.
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