ZURICH, Switzerland, July 30, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Nobel Biocare appoints Domenico Scala (42) as CEO effective 1 September 2007. Domenico Scala succeeds Heliane Canepa in the course of the company's regular succession process. Heliane Canepa will leave Nobel Biocare after six years of successful activity in growing the company. The company again expects above market sales growth for the first half-year 2007.
The change at the executive top of the company is the result of a planned succession process. The Board of Directors has taken the decision in coordination with the CEO one year ago. In order to guarantee a sustainable and successful development of the company in an increasingly complex and competitive environment, the succession planning should be executed in time and in a position of strength. With Domenico Scala the Board of Directors appoints a leader with proven experience in a science based multinational company. Heliane Canepa will coordinate the handover together with Domenico Scala until the end of August. Domenico Scala assumes the function of Deputy CEO with immediate effect. He will retire from the Board of Directors with immediate effect in accordance with the principles of Good Corporate Governance.
Under the leadership of Heliane Canepa Nobel Biocare has developed from a pure manufacturer of dental implants into a comprehensive provider of dental solutions. Under her leadership the turnover of the company has more than doubled, the operating margin was increased from 14% to 34% and market capitalization was multiplied by six. The Board of Directors thanks Heliane Canepa for her extraordinary achievements for the company. Due to corporate governance considerations Heliane Canepa abstains from a position on the Board of Directors.
Domenico Scala was Chief Financial Officer of Syngenta International AG from 2003 to July 2007 and member of the Executive Committee of Syngenta. There he significantly contributed to the development of the company and its positioning in the capital markets. In 2004 the World Economic Forum elected him a "Young Global Leader," as one of very few Chief Financial Officers.
Before joining Syngenta, Domenico Scala held various executive positions in finance with Roche (1995-2003). He joined Roche Corporate Finance as a division controller and was promoted in 1999 to Head of Company Financing and Controlling. In 2001 he became Group Treasurer of Roche. Before this he assumed executive positions in finance with Panalpina and Nestle.
"With Domenico Scala the Board of Directors is pleased to appoint a CEO who brings the required international experience as well as the social and professional competence to lead the company. Thanks to his membership to the Board of Directors he is already well acquainted with the company," said Rolf Soiron, President of the Board of Directors of Nobel Biocare AG and adds, "we will continue to focus on offensive growth."
"I am glad to hand over Nobel Biocare to my successor in a strong shape and well equipped for the future," Heliane Canepa comments.
As announced, Nobel Biocare will publish its half-year results 2007 on 9 August 2007.
A media conference will be held today, Monday 30 July, at 10:30 AM CET. Location: Hotel Park Hyatt, Beethovenstrasse 21, 8002 Zurich.
You may listen to the conference by dialing
Phone +41 44 448 16 16
Code: 5496#
The conference will be held in German and is in the listen only mode. You may not ask questions by phone.
Nobel Biocare is a medical devices group and the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions with its brands Branemark System(r), NobelReplace(tm), NobelSpeedy(tm), NobelPerfect(r), NobelDirect(r), Replace Select, (dental implants), Procera(r) (individualized dental prosthetics), NobelGuide(tm) (complete patient rehabilitation program) and NobelSmile(tm) (patient education website). Nobel Biocare is a one-stop shop for restorative esthetic dentistry, offering a wide range of innovative Crown & Bridge & Implant products, as well as training and education, patient information and clinically documented treatment concepts. Nobel Biocare has over 2,100 employees and recorded revenue of EUR 601 million in 2006. The Company is domiciled in Zurich, Switzerland with headquarters in Zurich and in Gothenburg, Sweden. Production takes place at four production sites located in Sweden and the USA. Nobel Biocare has direct sales organizations in 34 countries. The shares of the parent company Nobel Biocare Holding AG are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange and on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, Sweden.