Ansell Press Releases

Ansell Limited Half Year Results 31 December, 2009 Strong Broad-Based Performance

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Highlights:

Strong recovery after Global Financial Crisis (GFC)
Solid results, in US dollars, given the difficult environment

- Sales of $533.3m (flat)
- EBIT of $65.6m (up 7%)
- Profit attributable of $54.3m (flat)
- EPS of US40.3¢ (up 1.3%)

Australian Dollar results negatively impacted by FX translation

Free cash flow of US$67.2m (up 57%)

Interim dividend increased to A13.0¢ (up 8%)

Chairman’s Comments:

“Ansell has made a pleasing recovery from the GFC with the Occupational Division, which was hit hard last year, using its strong market position and customer relationships to recover quickly. This was assisted by decisive restructuring actions and the Company succeeded in delivering profits while still investing for future growth” said the Chairman, Peter Barnes.

He continued…. “These solid results and the strong balance sheet, once again enables your Board to increase the dividend by 8% to A13.0¢ a share”

Full Year Guidance:

EPS guidance has been upgraded to be in the range of US69¢ to US74¢. Unlike the previous guidance (of the top end of US56¢ to US62¢), the revised range also includes the H1 deferred tax adjustment of US6¢.

Full Press Release

Ansell Limited Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Ansell Limited Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

Ansell Limited today announced the appointment of Magnus Nicolin to succeed Doug Tough as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

Prior to joining Ansell, Magnus, a Swedish citizen, spent the last three years with Newell Rubbermaid Inc, most recently as President, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. In this capacity Magnus was co-located in France and the US. Prior to that Magnus spent seven years with Esselte Business Systems Inc. in a number of senior executive roles, the last three years as President and Chief Executive Officer.

With early career experience gained at McKinsey and Credit Lyonnais, Magnus also lived in Canada, serving as VP & General Manager of Bayer Diagnostics. Magnus has also served as a Lieutenant in the Swedish Marines attending the Swedish Naval Academy.

In making the announcement, Ansell Chairman Peter Barnes said "Magnus' appointment follows an extensive internal and external search that produced an exceptionally strong candidate pool. The Ansell Board believes that the strategic capabilities and leadership skills that Magnus has already demonstrated, in a global setting, are a great match for Ansell's international businesses and our future strategies for growth across all of those businesses.'

‘We are delighted that Magnus has accepted the position and the Board looks forward to supporting his leadership of the Ansell Group. Magnus will inherit a strong leadership team and a healthy and strong company, established during Doug's tenure over the past five years.'

Magnus will commence with Ansell on 15 February 2010 and will be formally appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer on 1 March 2010. He will be located at Ansell's operational head office in Red Bank, New Jersey, USA.

"I am looking forward to joining the Ansell organisation, I have been impressed with the vision of the Board and with the progress made by the organisation under Doug's leadership" says Magnus Nicolin.

Ansell joins global humanitarian effort with shipments of Medical and Occupational gloves to Haiti

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Hand protection products help keep relief workers safe

RED BANK, NJ January 27^th 2010 - As aid pours into Haiti for victims injured and displaced by the recent earthquakes, the massive cleanup is just beginning. Ansell is assisting with the relief effort by shipping gloves for medical workers and work crews involved in the search for victims and removal of debris.

Earlier this month, Ansell shipped exam gloves to Haiti, working with Direct Relief International (http://directrelief.org/), a nonprofit humanitarian medical relief organization with trusted partners on the ground in Haiti. The gloves are being used in hospitals and at other sites to examine and treat patients.

Based on specific needs expressed by workers in Haiti, Ansell has now donated additional disposable (both exam and non-exam grade) gloves as well as occupational work gloves. The medical gloves will help protect workers from bodily fluids and assist in the treatment of injured victims, while the occupational gloves will allow for protection against cuts and scrapes while moving rubble and other objects.

"Ansell is proud to help protect members of the medical teams and work crews involved in disaster relief efforts throughout Haiti," said Doug Tough, CEO Ansell Limited. "With so many people injured and countless buildings destroyed or severely damaged, the need for assistance is tremendous."

Ansell has responded to other major disasters in the past, including Hurricane Katrina, the fires in Australia and the tsunami in Southeast Asia. The company routinely provides Direct Relief with medical gloves for charitable use.

About Ansell

Ansell Limited is a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products and has been providing solutions for over 100 years. With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ansell employs more than 11,000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the natural latex and synthetic polymer glove and condom markets. Ansell operates three main business segments: Occupational Healthcare, supplying hand protection to the industrial market; Professional Healthcare, supplying surgical and examination gloves to healthcare professionals; and Consumer Healthcare, supplying sexual health products and consumer hand protection.

Information on Ansell and its products can be found at http://www.ansell.com/.

Ansell Limited Full Year Results 30 June, 2009 - Guidance Achieved and Dividend Increased

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Highlights:

• Sales of US$1B declined 10.1% year on year, due to the global downturn and
stronger US dollar.
• Reported EPS was US66.3¢ against F’08’s US66.1¢, achieving EPS within the
guidance range in a very challenging economic environment.
• Free cash flow (FCF) of US$121.5M up 52.3% year on year. This was Ansell’s
highest FCF ever as a result of operational focus and financial discipline.
• The Board declared a final unfranked dividend of A16¢, up 3.2% year on year.
Total dividend for F’09 was A28¢ up 5.7% year on year.

Chairman’s Comments:

"Ansell has not escaped the global economic crisis, which has been felt strongly in
our Occupational business. However, our product diversity and strong balance sheet
stood us in good stead and it is particularly encouraging to see the EBIT
improvement in our Professional business. Ansell expects a subdued global
economic outlook in fiscal year 2010 and is continuing to reduce costs, while
ensuring it is positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities”.
“The Board is pleased to have been able to continue with Ansell’s practice of steady
dividend growth” Mr. Peter Barnes said.

F’10 Guidance:

The Company currently expects EPS to be in the range of US56¢ to US62¢.
In the current environment of greater uncertainty, Ansell has widened the guidance
range, and will provide a further update at the AGM in October.

Full Press Release

AnsellCares accepted as a global standard for continued education for OR nursing staff

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Red Bank (NJ, US) - Brussels (BE) - After receiving earlier confirmation of acceptance by its US counterpart (AORN), the AnsellCares educational courses have now also received confirmation of acceptance by the European Operating Room Nurses Association. (EORNA)

The announcement was made at last week's International EORNA Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. EORNA received attendees from all over the world, including representatives from all major Operating Room Nurses Associations globally.

AnsellCares educational courses were announced as the first courses offered under the newly launched EORNA Accreditation Council for Education (ACE). Nurses can access the offering thru the EORNA Academy (online via www.eorna.eu). Courses and tests can be taken online, delivering final results and accreditation points through an EORNA ACE certificate.

EORNA wholeheartedly backs the high quality and thoroughness of the AnsellCares programs. They effectively package best practice for nursing professionals", says Irini Antoniadou, President of EORNA. Following the example of Ansell Healthcare, we are happy to see that other leading industry partners have announced their commitment to equally support the EORNA Academy offering".

In 2002, AnsellCares educational programs were approved by the American Association of periOperative Registered Nurses-AORN. Ansell Healthcare clinical consultants, (many Registered Nurses) regularly contribute to both EORNA and the American Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) through publications and conferences.

"Our presentations last week at the International OR Nurses Congress in Denmark have demonstrated our ongoing commitment to support the healthcare community across the globe, says Werner Heintz, Regional Director of Ansell Healthcare Europe N.V. "In today's volatile and challenging times, it is even more important for the industry to provide the healthcare community with ‘easy to access' educational resources, so that the available resources can secure the quality standards of protection. Our partnership with the OR Nurses globally aims at establishing exactly that".

About Ansell

Ansell Limited is a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products and is over 114 years old. With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ansell employs more than 11,000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the natural latex and synthetic polymer glove and condom markets. Ansell operates in three main business segments: Occupational Healthcare, supplying hand protection to the industrial market; Professional Healthcare, supplying surgical and examination gloves to healthcare professionals; and Consumer Healthcare, supplying sexual health products and consumer hand protection. Information on Ansell and its products can be found at http://www.ansell.com/ or at http://www.ansell.eu/.

About AnsellCares

The AnsellCares international educational programme was established by Ansell Healthcare in 1992, in a bid to provide a safer working and living environment while promoting good health and well being. The programme consists of a series of on-line and off-line research and educational resources on infection control, hand hygiene and the prevention and treatment of latex allergies. AnsellCares has adopted an advisory role on skin and personal protection issues for the healthcare professionals and at-risk populations, and comes endorsed by reputable independent allergy and medical experts from around the globe, including leading scientists, physicians, educators and researchers.

On-line AnsellCares resources, delivered via courses, lectures, seminars, white papers and other multimedia content, are continuously updated, catering healthcare professionals with free-of-charge educational resources at http://www.anselleurope.com/medical/index.cfm?lang=EN at http://www.ansellhealthcare.com/temps/university/ansellcares/index.cfm

About EORNA

A non-for-profit association, the European Operating Room Nurses Association (EORNA) was founded in 1980, and today consists of 24 member associations, representing 50,000 Healthcare professionals. EORNA exists to enhance and develop perioperative patient care across Europe. It does so by promoting and maintaining a high standard of perioperative patient care; by being the influential voice of perioperative nurses in Europe; and by linking and collaborating with relevant European and international organizations. One of the EORNA's most important educational activities is EORNA ACE, the Accreditation Council for Education. An overview of EORNA ACE is available from the website http://www.eorna.eu/ .

New 2.5 million On-Market Share Buy-Back Program

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Melbourne - Ansell's (ANN:ASX) 5 million share on-market buy-back program, which commenced on 24 April 2008, is being closed as its 12 month term expires on 23 April 2009.

During its life, 800,124 shares were bought back on the ASX, the Company having indicated in August 2008, that it had a preference for accumulating cash for acquisitions over further share buy-backs.

This view has not changed. Ansell continues to believe that attractive acquisition opportunities could become available and that having a strong balance sheet to take advantage of these would be preferable.

However, Ansell also believes that, especially in today's volatile environment, it would be appropriate for the Company to have the capital management flexibility of having an approved on-market share buy-back program in place.

Ansell is today announcing a new 2.5 million share on-market buy-back program, but is also re-iterating that the first priority will be to continue to accumulate cash.

Ansell Limited Half Year Results 31 December, 2008 - EPS Growth 13%, Higher Dividend

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Highlights:

Sales equivalent to a year ago in an increasingly difficult environment.
Solid profit growth in US dollars.
- Reported Earnings Before Interest and Taxes of $61.5million (up 27%).
- Reported Profit Attributable of $54.1million (up 9%)
- Reported Earnings Per Share of US39.8¢ (up 13%)
Australian dollar results much stronger as the weaker AUD translated into Reported
Sales, EBIT, PA, and EPS growth of 12%, 44%, 27% and 31% respectively.
Interim dividend increased to A12¢, up from last year’s A11¢ interim dividend.

Chairman’s Comments:

The Company’s Chairman, Mr Peter Barnes, said “The first half results were good given
the stalling global economy. However, the second half outlook, with lower Occupational
sales and actions taken to reduce excess Occupational inventories, requires a more
cautious view.

Ansell’s solid balance sheet and trading performance has enabled our Board to
continue with the history of steady dividend growth and declare a 9% increase in the
interim dividend to A12¢ a share.”

Full Year Guidance:

Previous annual EPS guidance of US70¢ to US74¢ has, in the current economic
environment, been revised to US65¢ to US70¢.

Full Press Release

Ansell Limited Victorian Bushfire Response

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Melbourne - Earlier today, Ansell Limited announced it will be donating $100,000 to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund to support communities impacted by the devastating bushfires, including the matching of donations from employees on a dollar for dollar basis.

In addition Ansell Limited will provide in-kind support in the form of its hand protection products and technical assistance to the various agencies and bodies who will be responsible for implementing the recovery programs being coordinated through the Victorian Government.

Peter Carroll – Regional Director Asia Pacific said today, “This tragedy has hit so close to home and the Ansell team want to do all they can to help. We have contacted the Victorian Government departments who will be coordinating the recovery effort and registered our offer to assist as soon as requirements have been defined”.

Doug Tough, CEO of Ansell, added, “It is impossible to understand what the victims of these bushfires have endured over the last few days, rest assured we will do our part to assist”.

END

Ansell Ltd is a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products and is over 114 years old. With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ansell employs more than 11,000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the natural latex and synthetic polymer glove and condom markets. Ansell operates in three main business segments: Occupational Healthcare, supplying hand protection to the industrial market; Professional Healthcare, supplying surgical and examination gloves to healthcare professionals; and Consumer Healthcare, supplying sexual health products and consumer hand protection. Information on Ansell and its products can be found at www.ansell.com

Ansell Limited launching a new global website

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Red Bank - Brussels - Melbourne, January 30, 2009 - Earlier today, Ansell Limited launched a new global corporate website. With over a century of expertise, the global leader in healthcare barrier protective solutions is now rethinking its presence on the web. The new www.ansell.comwebsite is now officially online with fully updated company information and a brand new Investor Centre.

The site includes corporate information with online video presentation and news, an overview of the various Ansell businesses and its core brands, and a gateway to the Ansell shareholder information.

Visitors to the renewed Ansell global website will find a single, global communication platform, accommodating all existing regional, divisional and topical sites. For visitors interested in Ansell and its products, the new website offers a significantly better experience. Alongside a fresh new design and user friendly features including a stock ticker and the integration of Google maps, users will find information and content more relevant and accessible, and never more than a few mouse clicks away. Consulting the annual report interactively, easily accessing the new and separate investor relations information area, well -organized listing of core brands per division, are only a few examples of the possibilities the platform offers. While getting a more consistent and enhanced experience with the Ansell brand, users are offered more relevant and to-the-point information at the same time.

"A global market leader in barrier protective solutions, we value the importance of quality communication with all our stakeholders", says Doug Tough, CEO of Ansell limited. "The new Ansell website provides a modern view on Ansell businesses and value-added brands globally. We created a user-friendly and advanced interface and we will build on that towards the future. The new global platform provides a gateway to the complete Ansell value-added products and services offering. At the same time, we offer all our global stakeholders a new way to better connect with Ansell", he concludes.