A groundbreaking last week in Summit marked an important milestone and next chapter for Kenvue – after its spinoff from Johnson & Johnson last year.

In the wake of that separation, Kenvue became the largest pure-play consumer health company by revenue and the newest member of New Jersey’s Fortune 100 roster – serving some 1.2 billion consumers in 165 countries through its iconic products, such as Listerine, Band-Aid, Tylenol and Neutrogena. The business is separated into three segments: Self-Care; Skin Health & Beauty; and Essential Heath.

The new company, which has those deep New Jersey roots from its J&J lineage, ultimately decided to establish its global headquarters in Summit. Kenvue plans to have some 3,000 employees at the new base — a 290,000-square-foot campus including a 100,000-square-foot extension for a state-of-the-art Science and Innovation Lab. Kenvue plans to open the new global headquarters in 2025.

The company’s CEO, Thibaut Mongon, said the global headquarters will serve as a collaborative innovation hub and sustainable, digital-first workplace inspired by the company’s commitment to everyday care. He pointed to more than 135 years of history in New Jersey as well as Kenvue’s combination of the power of science with meaningful human insights and a digital approach. That puts Kenvue at the forefront of shaping a new era for consumer health with science-driven innovations for its iconic brands.

“With our world-class brands and scientists under one roof, we are poised to unleash the full potential of Kenvue and lead the way in shaping a new era of consumer health through consumer-led and science-driven innovation,” Mongon said. “New Jersey has played an integral role in the success of our iconic brands for more than 135 years, and we are thrilled to strengthen our connection with the state through our new, cutting-edge, world headquarters in Summit.”

Mongon reflected on the decision a year earlier to open the global headquarters in Summit. “As you can imagine, it was quite a process – and a very intentional process – to select the location for our global headquarters,” said Mongon. “We needed a home base that allowed us to plant deep roots in a vibrant community – while offering us broader access to the global community, at large. And, ultimately, we chose Summit.”

He cited several factors that led to the decision. “First, we have a long heritage in New Jersey – that’s very unique to us. This state has played an integral role in the success of our iconic brands for more than 135 years,” Mongon said. “And we see tremendous value in strengthening those connections. The second reason is that we wanted to be closer to our consumers, our customers, our partners, our investors. We strongly believe in the power of collaboration, inclusion – and we believe that this will foster the next chapter of growth for us. And finally – talent. We are a people-first company. So, it gives us proximity to a strong pool of highly skilled talent in the scientific and non-scientific fields. We are very excited about that.”

“Ensuring that New Jersey is a place where the world’s leading companies want to lay a foundation, expand operations and succeed has been a priority of my administration since I took office,” said Gov. Phil Murphy, who was on hand for the groundbreaking. “Given our robust health sector ecosystem, unparalleled scientific workforce, and long history of life-changing innovation, we are thrilled that Kenvue and its iconic brands are calling New Jersey home.”

Murphy said that the state is committed to remaining and standing as a partner with Kenvue for decades to come. “You are the unique category killer in consumer health products,” Murphy said. “There’s no company like you in the world – and we wear your presence here in New Jersey forever and always – in this case, it’s Summit – as a badge of honor.”

“We are delighted to welcome Kenvue, a global leader in consumer health, to our vibrant Summit community,” said Mayor Dr. Elizabeth Fagan. “Summit’s reputation as a hub for innovation and business excellence, combined with our access to top-tier talent, makes it the perfect location for Kenvue to call home. We are excited to collaborate closely with Kenvue and support the development of their state-of-the-art facilities.”

Building on a legacy

Following the ceremonial groundbreaking, several officials on hand spoke with reporters about this exciting next chapter for Kenvue and Summit.

Mongon discussed the decision to select Summit for this global headquarters, reiterating the company’s long legacy in and its commitment to New Jersey. “We wanted to continue on this foundation and build on this heritage – but find a place where we could grow in our next chapter as Kenvue,” Mongon told reporters.

He praised officials for their help with the process and for welcoming Kenvue to Summit. “From day one, it has been an incredible journey. We feel really welcome – an incredible level of support from the governor and his team to the City of Summit,” said Mongon. “Everybody has been very supportive in creating the right environment for us to be successful.”

Despite its rich and storied J&J history, Mongon stressed that this move marks an exciting moment for Kenvue to create a new company with a new name. “It means knowledge and insight,” Mongon explained. “So, it’s a good combination of what we do. But it’s all in service to our brands. And we have an iconic portfolio of brands.”

Mongon added that he expects to move into the first part of the headquarters in the first quarter of 2025 and to be fully moved in by 2026.

The work ahead

Caroline Tillett, Kenvue’s chief scientific officer, told reporters about some of the innovative work that will derive from the headquarters. “It’s about all of us working together – all of us collaborating; to be able to bring the scientists and our top talent together with our marketers, our tech teams with the AI technologies we’ve got,” she explained.

Tillett said housing all of those capabilities together will result in an innovative hub with the ability to advance science. “At the end of the day, Kenvue is about science. It’s at the heart of what we do,” said Tillett.

She also discussed the central role of artificial intelligence in the national conversations – and, particularly, in the Garden State with plans for an AI Hub and on the heels of the recent AI Summit. “There’s lots of opportunities with AI. And I think the journey with AI is only just starting,” Tillett said. “And we’re on that journey with everybody else. It’s exciting to hear Gov. Murphy talking about how he’s engaging with the AI community – because it’s going to change the way we do things. And I think it’s a journey that we’re all seeking to understand – and seeking to learn. Imagine a world where we find new uses for molecules that have been on the market for such a long time; a world where we have much earlier access to consumer trends.

“We’re all looking to live a longer life, a healthier life,” Tillett continued. “How do we predict that in a way that’s very different? If you think about the evolution of science over your entire lifetime – that’s where the journey of AI is going to take us: that next evolution of science.”

Bernardo Tavares, chief technology & data officer, offered further insights on the current and potential uses of the technology. “AI is so essential in the sense of helping us enable our purpose – and it’s all really about learning how to shift to a more predictive world,” Tavares told reporters.

He said that the uses can range from better understanding consumer needs to using it in labs toward better product outcomes to use for employees toward better efficiency to the supply chain.

Tavares stressed that last point, with a focus on creating a frictionless flow to make sure Kenvue’s products are available on shelves when customers need them. “That’s very hard – just to make sure the right store – on the right shelf has the right product for the right consumer,” he explained. “And AI has really been helping us unlock that power to make sure that the products are available.”

Fagan told reporters the move is an opportunity for Summit, noting the boon it will bring to the downtown and local businesses because of the people the campus will bring into town.

“I think it’s a connection with the world – and puts Summit on the map, which is really exciting,” said Fagan, a Republican who took office earlier this year after winning her election in November 2023. “We’re a small town of 23,000 people. It’s an opportunity for our kids to see what’s possible – which is really exciting.”

During his remarks, Murphy noted Kenvue’s recommitment following the spinoff.

“You could have gone anywhere – and we’re incredibly honored that you picked Summit and stayed in the great State of New Jersey,” said Murphy. “And we think it’s a decision that will pay off for decades to come.”

“From this campus, you will see coming – new products and solutions that will shape the future of the approximately 1.2 billion consumers we serve from around the world,” said Mongon. “As Kenvue – all born right here in Summit, New Jersey.”