ROSWELL, Ga, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark today announced that it has been awarded a single-source, three-year purchasing agreement with Novation for its KIMGUARD Sterilization Wrap products. Under the terms of this agreement with Novation, the highest quality sterilization wrap with demonstrated clinical advantages and favorable cost benefits will be available to more than 65,000 members and affiliates of VHA Inc., UHC, Children's Hospital Association and Provista, LLC.

The agreement begins December 1, 2013 and includes all KIMGUARD Smart-Fold, One-Step, Quick-Check and Sequential Sterilization Wrap. Kimberly-Clark is the global leader in sterilization packaging innovation as evidenced by the recent introduction of Smart-Fold Sterilization Wrap, a revolutionary product designed to protect sterilized surgical instruments in the most challenging applications.

"This new agreement is a testament to our long-standing relationship with Novation and our commitment to provide world class products and services to hospital organizations," said Chris Lowery, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Kimberly-Clark Health Care.  "We are excited about the opportunity to continue to provide the members served by Novation with our full line of Kimguard Sterilization Wrap products as well as access to our clinical education offerings."

Earlier this year, Kimberly-Clark was honored by Novation as Med-Surg supplier of the year and named the recipient of the second annual Mark McKenna award as overall supplier of the year in recognition of the company's outstanding service to Novation's Alliance members in 2012.   

About Novation, Winner of the Ethics Inside® Certification
Founded in 1998, Novation is the leading health care supply chain expertise, analytics and contracting company for the more than 65,000 members and affiliates of VHA Inc. and UHC, two national health care alliances, Children's Hospital Association, an alliance of the nation's leading pediatric facilities, and Provista, LLC. Novation provides alliance members with sourcing services, as well as information and data services. Based in Irving, Texas, Novation develops and manages competitive contracts with more than 600 suppliers. VHA, UHC, and Provista members used Novation contracts to purchase approximately $43 billion in 2012. Novation has earned the coveted Ethics Inside® Certification from Ethisphere Institute, a leading international think tank dedicated to the research and promotion of best practices in corporate ethics and compliance. Novation also was named on Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies list, and is the only company in the health care industry to earn both distinctions for two consecutive years.

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark Corp. (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust K-C's brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the Company's 141-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Kimberly-Clark in the Healthcare Environment
Around the world, medical professionals turn to Kimberly-Clark for a wide portfolio of solutions that improve the health, hygiene and well-being of their patients and staff. As part of their healing mission, caregivers rely on Kimberly-Clark to deliver clinical solutions, hygiene & cleaning offerings, and educational resources that they can depend on to prevent, diagnose and manage a wide variety of healthcare-associated infections. A global enterprise of more than $1 billion, Kimberly-Clark Health Care holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market share position in several categories, including infection control solutions, surgical solutions, pain management, hygiene solutions, digestive health and respiratory health. And throughout the care continuum, patients and staff alike trust Kimberly-Clark medical supplies and devices, KLEENEX tissues, KLEENEX & SCOTT skin care products and SCOTT towels for day-to-day needs. For more information, visit http://www.kchealthcare.com and http://www.kcprofessional.com .

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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corp.