The world’s biggest industrial glove maker, Ansell, plans to expand into high-growth sectors like semiconductors, technology, defence, and electric vehicles under CEO Nathalie Ahlström, who took over in February. The Australian company, founded in 1905 and now valued at A$5.8bn (US$4.2bn), aims to slim its 20,000-item product range while developing better gloves for corrosive chemicals and more comfortable clean-room bodysuits. Ansell, the last remnant of the Pacific Dunlop conglomerate, sells about 10bn gloves yearly for mines and industrial sites and has 15,000 employees across over 50 countries without a fixed headquarters.

It supplies surgeons, farmers, miners, and hazardous chemical workers. Ahlström joined from Fiskars and navigated a supply chain threat from the Strait of Hormuz closure by using Ansell’s strong balance sheet to secure materials. The company reported a 5% rise in organic sales to $2.1bn and a 17% jump in net profit to $212mn, boosting Sydney-listed shares by 20%.

New gloves with improved knuckle protection and grip are being tested in Amazon warehouses and may be used by Coles supermarkets for trolley collectors.