First Quality Names New Absorbent Hygiene Division President

First Quality, a manufacturer of private label and branded absorbent hygiene, paper, and packaging products, has named Allen Bodford as president of its Absorbent Hygiene division, effective immediately.

The division produces adult incontinence products, baby diapers, training and youth pants, period pads and baby wipes for retail and healthcare channels. Its operations include four manufacturing locations across the U.S. and Canada.

“It’s a privilege to lead a team of people who are so deeply committed to providing the highest quality essential products to our customers and consumers,” said Bodford. “We’re all united in the same mission to improve their experience. It’s an exciting time to be part of First Quality as we continue to invest in the future of our people and our products.”

Bodford joined First Quality in 1998 as vice president of business development and went on to assume various leadership roles. In 2018, he briefly left the company as part of a divestiture to serve as chief executive officer of a nonwovens manufacturer in Europe. Bodford returned to First Quality in 2021 as general manager of the Absorbent Hygiene division.

“With more than 43 years of leadership across various sectors, including medical and industrial, Allen has amassed tremendous experience and knowledge in our industry,” said Jim Dodge, First Quality’s chief financial officer. “As a team-oriented leader and champion of our values, we are confident that Allen will continue to drive growth for First Quality and our customers.”

News of Bodford’s appointment follows the company’s announcement of an increase in its baby diaper and training pant manufacturing capacity by 50%. Company officials said the expansion will include an investment in a new manufacturing facility, new diaper manufacturing lines, new training pant lines and a new state-of-the-art automated warehouse facility. The expansion will be implemented in stages and is expected to be completed by June of 2025.

First Quality will also be increasing its bladder control pad, protective underwear and underpad capacity by more than 25%. This expansion will include an investment in manufacturing lines that will enable First Quality to satisfy the growing demands for its products. 

Additionally, the company will be launching new innovative products not currently found in North America and introducing cutting-edge innovations and enhanced features. This expansion will be completed by September of 2025.

 “These investments once again reaffirm First Quality’s ongoing commitment to the absorbent hygiene market as well our commitment to sustainability, supply chain optimization, product development and innovation,” said Bodford. “We look forward to completing these expansions and providing our customers with the innovative, high-quality products and services that they have come to expect from First Quality.”