Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> November 2, 1998
WILLIAM ATKINSON is CEO and Co-Founder of Caring Products International,
Inc., a company born from the search for a more comfortable, convenient
and cost-effective product for the millions of people who suffer from
incontinence. While Mr. Atkinson's company has helped many people, he
began with the motivation to help just one person-his uncle. After
surgery for prostate cancer, Mr. Atkinson's uncle developed a bladder
control problem. Like many suffering from incontinence, he chose to
retreat from his normal lifestyle and remain at home in seclusion rather
than endure the embarrassment of adult diapers. Mr. Atkinson located a
partner, CPI Co-Founder Susan Schreter, who had a similar encounter in
her own family. From those family experiences came Caring Products
International, Inc., which was created in 1992 to find a viable,
consumer-acceptable incontinence product for active adults. The
company's product, called Rejoice', is a two-part system, featuring a
cotton pant and super-absorbent liner. According to Mr. Atkinson,
studies show that 89 percent of Rejoice' customers have returned to
activities-such as visiting family and friends, traveling and eating
out-that they has given up previously. Now patented, Rejoice' is
available in nearly 10,000 chain drug stores, catalogs and independent
pharmacies in the United States and Canada. Prior to founding CPI, Mr.
Atkinson was vice chairman of Mercer International with headquarter
offices in Vancouver, B.C. Mercer is a NASDAQ traded company with
investments in pulp and paper recycling businesses in eastern Europe, as
well as interests in insurance and natural resources. Profile
so our readers understand your business and a little bit of the history
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Mr. Atkinson: Caring Products
