ROSWELL, Ga., April 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark Professional announced today that the Jackson Safety Airmax Elite Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) and the Truesight II Auto-Darkening Filter (ADF) Welding Helmet have been named among the most innovative new products of the year in their respective categories by Plant Engineering's Product of the Year Awards program.

The 28th annual Plant Engineering Product of the Year competition is a celebration of all that is new and innovative in product development. The 2015 program consisted of 15 categories with 48 winners voted on by Plant Engineering readers. The awards were presented to the winners at the 2016 Engineering Awards in Manufacturing dinner hosted by Plant Engineering in Chicago on March 21.

"We are delighted to receive dual Plant Engineering Product of the Year Awards for these products from the Jackson Safety brand that provide best-in-class safety and productivity to meet our customers' needs," said Matthew Trute, Associate Marketing Director, Safety Products for Kimberly-Clark Professional. "These products are developed using the latest in technology and ergonomic design and exemplify Kimberly-Clark Professional's commitment to enabling an efficient workplace through innovative solutions."

The Jackson Safety Airmax Elite PAPR received Plant Engineering's Product of the Year award in the safety category. This innovative product protects workers from heat stress and the respiratory dangers of welding fumes – without sacrificing visibility. Welders can experience occupational exposure to welding fumes with potential neurological side effects, but air purification systems, like the Airmax Elite, provide safe and effective fume extraction from the work environment. This welding helmet also delivers the best optical clarity available in a PAPR, coupled with an enlarged viewing area with Balder technology to reduce eye fatigue and enhance welding accuracy. The flame-retardant face seal protects against sparks while audible and vibrating signals indicate when the battery or filter needs to be changed.

The Jackson Safety TrueSight II ADF Welding Helmet earned Plant Engineering's Product of the Year award in the productivity and training category. Kimberly-Clark Professional developed this product to deliver enhanced visibility and advanced color recognition for the ultimate in productivity and operation. Research shows that auto-darkening helmets offer productivity gains and are more comfortable to wear because they eliminate the lifting and nodding motion that is necessary with passive helmets. The Balder technology of the Truesight II Welding Helmet provides a uniform shade level over the entire viewing area, without noticeable brightening at the edges of the filter. The helmet provides a clear view from various angles to reduce eye fatigue and minimize the need to move, adjust and refocus.

Plant Engineering also recognized Kimberly-Clark Professional's Jackson Safety G29 solvent glove as a finalist in the safety category of this year's awards. The 2015 industry recognition reaffirms Kimberly-Clark Professional's commitment to providing solutions that enable efficient, safe and productive workplaces.

About the Plant Engineering Product of the Year Awards
Plant Engineering's Product of the Year (POY) program is the premier award for new products in the manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries. The annual reader-choice program provides Plant Engineering's audience with information about the top new product in their fields. 2015 will mark 28 years of the POY program. For more information about Plant Engineering's Product of the Year program and a list of past winners, visit http://www.plantengineering.com/events-and-awards/product-of-the-year.html.

About Kimberly-Clark Professional*
Kimberly-Clark Professional* partners with businesses to create Exceptional Workplaces helping to make them safer, healthier, and more productive. Key brands in this segment include: Kleenex, Scott, Wypall, Kimtech, Kleenguard, and Jackson Safety. Kimberly-Clark Professional*, located in Roswell, GA, is one of Kimberly-Clark Corporation's four business sectors. To see how we are helping people the world over, work better, please visit www.kcprofessional.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter .

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries.  Every day, nearly 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 No.1 or No. 2 share positions in 80 countries.  To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the Company's 144-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Professional