An Australian producer of personal protective equipment has put a hub in metro Atlanta designed to foster joint innovation with customers while giving them a chance to experience its products.
Ansell, based in a Melbourne suburb in the southeastern state of Victoria, unveiled AXIS — Ansell Xperience & Innovation Studio — in Alpharetta in a ceremony attended by Mayor Jim Gilvin and members of the city council.
Outside the entrance sits a gloved hand holding a globe, emblematic of the company’s main product: medical and industrial gloves protecting more than 10 million workers in 100 countries. Face masks, gowns, sleeves and protective clothing for clean rooms and work with chemicals round out its portfolio.
Publicly traded on the Australia Securities Exchange, the more-than-130-year-old company is spending $2 million on the Alpharetta space, which it says will welcome partners from around the world. Plans calls for the hiring of 40 local staff.
“The launch of AXIS marks an important step in advancing our mission to lead the world to a safer future,” said Neil Salmon, chief executive officer at Ansell, said in a news release. “By creating spaces where our partners can collaborate with us, we’re not only addressing immediate safety challenges but also driving the insights and innovations that will define protection for years to come.”
Atlanta is the first AXIS site, with the second set to open in Portugal next year. The centers offer education on best practices, live demonstrations with tests mirroring real-world conditions, and joint development with customers.
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