History of Ansell Condoms becoming Lifestyle Condom

Ansell is a global leader in protection solutions, specializing in the manufacture and sale of condoms, gloves, and other protective equipment. The company was founded in 1905 by Eric Ansell, who established a small rubber factory in Melbourne, Australia, which produced a range of household goods.

In the early years, Ansell focused on manufacturing rubber products for industrial and household use, such as hot water bottles and gloves. However, during the 1930s, the company began producing condoms as part of its product line. These condoms were initially marketed as a means of preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as the risks of STDs became better understood by the general public.

In the 1960s, Ansell began marketing its condoms as a means of contraception, as the sexual revolution took hold and attitudes towards sex began to change. The company started to manufacture different types of condoms, such as textured and flavored varieties, to appeal to a broader range of consumers.

Over time, Ansell's condoms became synonymous with quality and reliability, and the brand gained popularity around the world. In the 1990s, Ansell began to reposition its condoms as a lifestyle product, targeting a more youthful and fashion-conscious audience.

The company launched a range of new products, such as the "LifeStyle Condom" range, which included colored and flavored condoms. It also began to market its condoms as a fashion accessory, with packaging that featured bold and eye-catching designs. This rebranding helped Ansell to maintain its position as a leading condom manufacturer in a highly competitive market.

Today, Ansell's condoms are sold in over 100 countries, and the company continues to innovate and develop new products to meet the changing needs of consumers. Its condoms are known for their high quality, reliability, and safety, and Ansell remains committed to promoting sexual health and wellbeing around the world.

In 2017, Ansell announced that it would be selling its condom business to a Chinese consortium led by Humanwell Healthcare and CITIC Capital. The sale was completed in early 2018, with the consortium acquiring Ansell's condom brands and manufacturing facilities for a total of $600 million.

The decision to sell the condom business was part of Ansell's strategy to focus on its core businesses, such as industrial and medical gloves. The company had been considering the sale for some time, as the condom market had become increasingly competitive, with the entry of new players and the rise of online retailers.

The sale of the condom business allowed Ansell to streamline its operations and invest in new growth opportunities. It also enabled the company to reduce its exposure to the volatility of the consumer market and focus on its core strengths in the industrial and medical sectors.

Since the sale, the condom business has continued to operate under the LifeStyle brand name, and the new owners have committed to investing in research and development to improve the quality and range of their products. The sale of the business was seen as a positive move for both Ansell and the condom industry as a whole, as it allowed both companies to focus on their strengths and pursue new opportunities for growth.

It also assist in the the unification of its Lifestyle Condom Brand as it is known around the world, even prior to the sale