Beauty Industry

Henkel Named to Fast Company’s List of Best Workplaces for Innovators

Henkel proved its excellence in innovation with programs and investments that cultivate breakthrough ideas from any corner of the organization.

September 9, 2025

By: Rachel Klemovitch

Assistant Editor

Henkel has been named to Fast Company’s seventh annual Best Workplaces for Innovators list.

The 2025 Best Workplaces for Innovators list ranks 100 winners across industries such as entertainment, biotech, consumer packaged goods, marketing, education, and healthcare.

This ranking recognizes businesses that foster a culture of innovation across all levels and around the world.

To earn recognition, Henkel proved its excellence in innovation by citing programs and investments that demonstrate an infrastructure and workplace culture that cultivates breakthrough ideas arising from any corner of the organization.

Phil Schaffer, Corporate Senior Vice President, Henkel Consumer Brands, North America, said,

“Being recognized as a Best Workplace for Innovators is a tribute to the outstanding people at Henkel that ideate, collaborate, and innovate to drive excellence across the entire business. Our approach to innovation isn’t just about extraordinary ideas — it’s about exciting our customers, enriching consumers’ lives, and advancing progress in local communities. Henkel’s purpose as pioneers at heart fosters a culture that nurtures creativity, values experimentation, and dreams big alongside our partners to deliver solutions that can shape tomorrow.”

Henkel earned a spot for its approach to accessibility in product packaging, cultural transformation programs, and global innovation centers.

Key achievements include:

In January 2025, the all free clear brand became the first laundry detergent in the U.S. to feature smart codes on its packaging for individuals with low vision and blindness. Henkel partnered with NaviLens, a navigation and scanning tool, to audibly notify users of the product name, type, dosing instructions, and precise in-store location.
To foster a culture of innovative collaboration, Henkel created the Accelerate Cultural Transformations (ACT) program, inviting employees to openly engage in evaluating and building culture via small group meetings with dedicated topics. ACT helps working teams elevate everyday innovations by reserving this dedicated time to build connections, provide meaningful insights to peers, and enhance output and development.
Henkel’s 61 innovation centers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia are state-of-the-art facilities, stocked with advanced laboratory equipment and technologies to advance research and development efforts. At these centers, Henkel employees develop customized solutions that accelerate development and enhance Henkel’s product portfolio while honoring the company’s commitment to sustainability.