Ansell completes acquisition of Kimberly-Clark PPE business

ISELIN, N.J.—Ansell Ltd. recently finalized its acquisition of Kimberly-Clark's Personal Protective Equipment (KCPPE) business.

Ansell said in a July 2 news release that the "strategic acquisition," valued at $640 million, strengthens its position in PPE solution, expands it product portfolio and enhances its ability to meet customer needs.

As part of the deal, Ansell will acquire the Kimtech (scientific PPE for labs and cleanrooms) and KleenGuard (safety PPE for industrial environments) brands. These brands will form the new Kimtech and KleenGuard Business Unit (KBU) under Ansell.

Ansell also will add two new capabilities to its Ansell Services portfolio: the RightCycle Program, which handles the disposal of non-hazardous PPE waste, and APEX, an approach to cleanroom customer change management and contamination control.

"This acquisition represents a significant milestone for Ansell, and we are excited to welcome the KCPPE team to our organization," Ansell CEO Neil Salmon said in a statement. "The KCPPE business is renowned for its high-quality brands, innovative portfolio and strong customer relationships. Integrating their expertise and product knowledge enhances our ability to provide customers with comprehensive, world-class safety solutions."

Rob Hughes, formerly vice president and general manager of KCPPE, will serve as senior vice president and general manager of the newly created KPU. Prior to the acquisition, he worked with Kimberly-Clark for 24 years.

"I am incredibly excited about the future that exists as we bring together the power of both organizations' talented people, leading brands, advantaged products and industry-leading services like Right Cycle, APEX and Guardian," he said in a recent LinkedIn post.

"The next year will certainly be filled with considerable opportunity for our teams and our customers as we work to integrate these great organizations and create a platform for sustained and expanded growth."

Joining KCPPE with Ansell, he said in the press release "is a tremendous opportunity" for the business and employees.

"Ansell's commitment to safety and innovation aligns perfectly with our values," Hughes said. "Together, we will continue to deliver exceptional protection solutions for workers across different industries—worldwide."

As part of a transition services agreement, Kimberly-Clark Corp. will support the KCPPE business over the next year to allow sufficient time for a successful integration into Ansell, according to the news release. Customers can continue requesting Kimtech, KleenGuard, RightCycle and APEX products and services from Kimberly-Clark Professional. Customers will be notified when Ansell can begin taking orders.