Kao Brands is the maker of personal and beauty products, including Ban antiperspirants and deodorants, Jergens and Cuerl hand and body lotions, Biore facial care and John Frieda hair care products. Kao already employ 449 employees in Cincinnati who work in the company’s manufacturing, research and development and corporate branches.
In October 2008, Kao announced it was investing $7.9 million into its facilities in Camp Washington and bringing 30 marketing positions to the City.

To secure this investment in the City, the City of Cincinnati’s Economic Development office worked hand in hand with Kao. The City assisted Kao with a Job Creation Tax Credit (JCTC). The net return to the City is estimated to be almost $16 million.

Since being elected to Council in 2005, Chris Bortz has been working to ensure that the City has a strong economic development operation. Chris is the Chair of the Economic Development Committee on Council and was the Chair of the GO Cincinnati study.