Agreement with Healthcare Supply Chain Management Company Provides Growth Opportunities for Ansell

RED BANK, N.J. -- Ansell Professional Healthcare has been

awarded a three-year contract by Novation, the supply chain company of VHA,

Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC). The multi-source

award creates significant sales growth opportunities for Ansell, as well as

a streamlined, more cost-efficient method of purchasing quality surgical

gloves for VHA and UHC members.

"We look forward to working with Novation to provide the high-quality

surgical gloves that are required by members. The awarding of this contract

is a clear indication that our recently implemented quality and supply

initiatives have helped position Ansell as a premier supplier of surgical

gloves," said Bobbie Camp, director of national accounts.

Ansell was awarded the contract through Novation's public bid process. Among

the criteria was the ability to supply gloves that utilize innovative

technology to provide incremental benefits for patient care, and patient and

employee safety. Other criteria that were met by Ansell included glove fit,

ease of donning, service, product line depth/breadth, packaging, tactile

sensitivity, quality controls and durability.

All of Ansell's powder-free latex and synthetic surgical gloves can be

purchased under terms of the contract. This includes Ansell's new Allure latex-free, powder-free, and accelerator-free gloves, as well as the

popular Encore powder-free latex surgical gloves. In addition, Ansell

will work with Novation to promote product standardization and utilization,

as part of the agreement.

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.

Based in Irving, Texas, Novation was established in January 1998 through a

combination of the supply programs of VHA and UHC, two national healthcare

alliances. Novation serves the purchasing needs of more than 2,300 members

and affiliates of VHA and UHC. In 2002, VHA and UHC members purchased nearly

$20 billion in supplies through Novation contracts.