Form 6-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 6-K

 


Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of July 2006 (July 5, 2006)

Commission File Number: 0-15850

 


ANSELL LIMITED

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 


Level 3, 678 Victoria Street, Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F      X            Form 40-F              

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulations S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes                      No      X    

 



This Form 6-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, and information that is based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in this Form 6-K, the words “anticipate,” “approach,” “begin,” believe,” “continue,” “expect,” “forecast,” “going forward,” “improved,” “likely,” “look forward,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plans,” “potential,” “proposal,” “should” and “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements necessarily make assumptions, some of which are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies that are beyond the Company’s control. Should one or more of these uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, expected, estimated or projected. Specifically, the ability of the Company to realize its ongoing commitment to increasing shareholder value through its ongoing restructuring, asset dispositions, strategic review and implementation, and cost cutting initiatives, may be affected by many factors including: uncertainties and contingencies such as economic conditions both in the world and in those areas where the Company has or will have substantial operations; foreign currency exchange rates; pricing pressures on products produced by its subsidiaries; growth prospects; positioning of its business segments; future productions output capacity; and the success of the Company’s business strategies, including further structural and operational changes, business dispositions, internal reorganizations, cost cutting, and consolidations.


NEWS RELEASE

 

LOGO       Ansell Limited   
      A.B.N. 89 004 085 330   
      Level 3, 678 Victoria Street   
      Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia   
      GPO Box 772H Melbourne   
      Victoria 3001, Australia   
      Telephone (+613) 9270 7270   
      Facsimile (+613) 9270 7300   
      www.ansell.com   

4 July, 2006

ANSELL MAKES A BID FOR UNIMIL OF POLAND

Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) today announced that it had made a tender offer of up to PLN109 million (approximately US$34 million) for all of the shares of the Polish listed Company Unimil S.A, subject to receiving 80% acceptance. Unimil is a condom manufacturer and marketer with the leading retail condom market share in Poland and a presence in Germany through its Condomi subsidiary.

Ansell sees Unimil as an opportunity to expand its geographic market reach, production and packaging capacity in countries where the Company does not currently have a significant presence. Ansell is already one of the three largest condom players worldwide and this acquisition will strengthen its global position.

Ansell’s CEO, Doug Tough, commented “this acquisition is in accordance with Ansell’s previously announced strategy of making bolt-on acquisitions that broaden our geographic reach. Unimil offers leading brands, strong leadership, and good people and gives us additional operational flexibility in Eastern Europe. It also follows our acquisition earlier this year of 75% of Jissbon - a leading Chinese branded condom company.”

Ansell anticipates that the Unimil acquisition can be completed in August 2006. It will be paid for from available cash and importantly, is expected to be EPS accretive in F’07.

For further information:

 

Media

   Investors & Analysts   
Australia    USA    Australia

Peter Brookes

Cannings

Tel: (+61) 0407 911 389

Email: pbrookes@cannings.net.au

  

Rustom Jilla

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: (+1 732) 345 5359

Email: rjilla@ansell.com

  

David Graham

General Manager – Finance & Treasury

Tel: (+61 3) 9270 7215 or (+61) 0401 140 749

Email: dgraham@ap.ansell.com

Ansell Ltd is a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products and in 2005 celebrated 100 years in its field. With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ansell employs more than 11,000 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 http://www.ansell.com.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

ANSELL LIMITED

(Registrant)

By:  

/s/ DAVID M. GRAHAM

Name:   DAVID M. GRAHAM
Title:   GENERAL MANAGER – FINANCE & TREASURY

Date: July 5, 2006