Ansell celebrates 50 years manufacturing Gammex surgical gloves
ISELIN, N.J. – Ansell last week announced its 50th year designing and manufacturing Gammex surgical gloves.
“2015 undoubtedly marks a year of achievement for Ansell and Gammex, but it also reminds us of the work we have ahead of us,” stated Tony Lopez, president and general manager of the Medical Global Business Unit at Ansell. “We must continue creating and innovating in order to provide OR nurses, surgeons and other healthcare workers with equipment that not only allows them to do their best work, but keeps them and their patients safe.”
Two years ago, Ansell celebrated the introduction of its proprietary Sensoprene formulation in its Gammex non-latex product offerings. The formulation offers a solution for Type 1 (latex) and Type IV (chemical) allergies while providing a level of sensitivity and comfort. Among healthcare providers, the incidence of latex allergies has been reported to be as high as 17% and glove-related chemical allergies as high as 33%.
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary, Gammex is launching its newest glove with Sensoprene formulation – the Non-Latex Underglove. This unique surgical underglove sets a new standard for allergy management, and when used in combination with Gammex Non-Latex Sensitive surgical gloves, offers easy identification of a glove breach with its contrasting green color. Ansell also provides Gammex products with Antimicrobial Technology, which are designed to help address the problem of surgical site infections and help reduce the risk of microbial transmission. Though the products are only available for sale in select countries, Ansell is working with regulatory bodies across the globe to bring this technology to market.
Gammex surgical gloves were first introduced in 1965 by Harvey Ansell, the son of Ansell founder Eric Norman Ansell, who had the vision of creating and packaging disposable gloves already sterilized for use via gamma radiation. His dream became reality when Gammex gloves flooded the Australian market in 1966. By 1967, the Company was ready to penetrate offshore markets. Over the course of the next 50 years, new technologies, packaging and products launched under the Gammex brand would keep healthcare workers protected around the world.
To culminate the 50th Anniversary global campaign, Ansell has partnered with Direct Relief to set a goal of donating 50,000 pairs of gloves this year. Every message captured to its global eCard, will equate to a donation of 50 pairs of gloves. To join Ansell in celebrating this milestone and to sign the Anniversary eCard, visit: www.gammex50.com.