Ansell Limited

Public Documents

30 April 2003

AnselI Healthcare - Operating Update

The Chairman of Ansell Limited, Dr. Ed Tweddell announced on 16 April 2003 that the Company would undertake an on-market buy-back of up to 10 million shares over the coming year.

Prior to commencing the buy-back, the CEO, Mr. Harry Boon, said: "Ansell Healthcare, the Company's core operating business, has recorded a strong third quarter performance, with segment EBITA, in US dollars, up more than 10% from the same quarter last year".

Some highlights:

Strong results in the Occupational Division, which accounts for more than half of Ansell's total sales, with continued growth in both sales and operating margins. The Company's focus on new generation ergonomic gloves and lower cost production has led to a consistent improvement in the Occupational Division's performance.
As previously advised, supply to the US surgical glove market, which accounts for less than 10% of Ansell's total revenue, was disrupted in the first half. Supply increased from early January, and back orders, which stood at over US$7million, have been reduced by almost 60%; the remainder should be cleared during the fourth quarter.
Improved surgical gloves supply in the US market has resulted in higher Professional Division third quarter sales than in each of the two previous quarters. EBITA also improved from the previous quarter, despite increased latex raw material prices. There has been no unusual pricing pressure in the surgical glove segment, and an ongoing program has been implemented to recover the loss of US surgical glove customers.
Based on a strong third quarter, April's sales trend, and anticipated further improvements in plant operations, Ansell expects the core Healthcare business segment to record double-digit US dollar EBITA growth in the second half when compared with both the corresponding prior period and the recent first half.

Mr. Boon commented: "Although trading results over the remaining months will determine the final outcome, the core Healthcare segment continues to track towards the previously published target of double-digit US dollar EBITA growth for the full year".

Ansell Ltd is a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products. With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ansell employs more than 12,000 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.

For further information:
Media	Investors & Analysts
Peter Brookes	Rustom Jilla	David Graham
Cannings	Chief Financial Officer	General Manager-Finance & Treasury
Tel: (+61) 0407 911 389	Tel: USA (+1) 732 345 5359	Tel:(+61) 3 9270 7215
Email: pbrookes@cannings.net.au	Email: rjilla@ansell.com	Email: dgraham@ap.ansell.com