Ansell sells shares of ventures

RED BANK, N.J (Dec. 3)—Ansell Ltd. has sold its holdings in two non-core investments to focus on its barrier protection products businesses. The company sold its 50-percent interest in Pacific Marine Batteries Pty. Ltd. to a group of private investors and its half interest in BT Equipment Pty. Ltd. to Tat Hong Holdings Ltd. of Singapore, a spokesman said. Purchase prices were not disclosed. Varta A.G. owns the other half of Pacific Marine, the sole supplier of batteries for the Royal Australian Navy's Collins Class submarines. BT Equipment operates a number of franchises for earth-moving and construction equipment. Both companies are based in Australia. Proceeds from the sale of Pacific Marine have been received in full, the spokesman said, while Ansell received a deposit on signing the BT Equipment sale agreement and the balance will be paid by Jan. 31.