Ansell Kicks Off Global Roll Out of its SANDEL Healthcare Safety Portfolio with European Launch

REDBANK, California, MELBOURNE, Australia and BRUSSELS, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Ansell, a global leader in protection solutions today announced it will introduce SANDEL healthcare safety devices in EMEA this year, with Australia, New Zealand and South America to follow thereafter. SANDEL will be first introduced during the 6^th Annual EORNA (European Operating Room Nurses Association) Congress held from April 26 to 29 in Lisbon, Portugal.

The launch of the SANDEL line supports Ansell's medical division growth strategy into the Safety and Infection-Prevention arena. It is a first step in building a global position in healthcare safety devices and complements Ansell's leading portfolio of hand-protection solutions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 234 million surgeries take place worldwide each year. SANDEL sharps-safety and ergonomics products minimise injury-risk for healthcare workers, while SANDEL TIME OUT® products support the WHO Surgical Checklist, which if correctly implemented, could prevent approximately 500,000 patient fatalities from surgical errors annually. *

The introduction of SANDEL to EMEA will also allow hospitals and surgery-centres to proactively implement the stringent European Sharps Safety Directive, aimed at preventing sharps injuries, of which the European Commission estimates one million occur annually. **  

"This is an important step forward for Ansell", said Anthony Lopez, President and General Manager, Ansell Medical Global Business Unit.   "The SANDEL brand provides a platform for Ansell to expand into healthcare safety devices and increase our customer base within a key growth sector. The availability of the product range in EMEA is a significant next step in Ansell's path towards  becoming a global leader in Safety and Infection Prevention." Commenting on Ansell's commitment and focus on customers, he went on to say "Ansell will continue to work closely with our customers, soliciting their feedback, and working to deliver innovative products tailored their needs. We look forward to leveraging our global presence to introduce SANDEL to new markets worldwide."  

See SANDEL products at: http://www.sandelmedical.com/ and Conferences:

AORN Congress: Booth #3919 (Ansell), booth #4855 (SANDEL)

EORNA Congress: Booth S29 (SANDEL)

* http://www.who.int/patientsafety/safesurgery/checklist_saves_lives/en/index.html

** http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=329&langId=en&newsId=558&furtherNews=yes

About Ansell

Ansell is a world leader in providing superior health and safety protection solutions that enhance human wellbeing. With operations in North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia, Ansell employs more than 10,000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the industrial and medical gloves market, as well as in the sexual health and wellbeing category worldwide. Ansell operates in four main business segments: Medical Solutions, Industrial Solutions, Specialty Markets and Sexual Wellness. Information on Ansell and its products can be found at http://www.ansell.com.