TOKYO, Aug. 30, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Nobel Biocare, the world leader in innovative esthetic and restorative dental solutions, inaugurates its first manufacturing facility in Tokyo, Japan, on 1 September. The state-of-the-art plant features a Procera(r) production facility and training center.
The Nobel Biocare plant in Tokyo was developed to meet the evolving needs of the company's rapidly growing customer base in Japan and Asia. The plant also features training facilities to strengthen Nobel Biocare's commitment to product and training support in Japan. The new plant enhances Nobel Biocare's global manufacturing network. Together with the company's ceramic centers in Stockholm (Sweden) and Mahwah (USA), and the two implant manufacturing sites in Karlskoga (Sweden) and Yorba Linda (USA), Nobel Biocare now maintains manufacturing sites which serve all key regions of the world. The company builds upon 20 years of direct presence in Japan -- Nobel Biocare's third largest market. The plant is another milestone of the company's expansion in Asia.
Satisfying growing customer demand with custom-made prosthetics
The Tokyo plant has a fully computerized manufacturing process from order to delivery. It will produce Nobel Biocare's Procera(r) family of crowns, bridges, abutments and laminates. With this plant, Nobel Biocare is in an ideal position to serve the growing customer demand in Japan and throughout Asia. Recently, the plant successfully passed the ISO 13485 quality audit with zero non-conformities.
"Our new plant in Japan is the perfect example of how we deliver our best-in-class solutions to our customers around the world. We are now closer to our Japanese customers to support them even better. We will be able provide beautiful smiles to patients in a quicker and easier way," states Heliane Canepa, President and CEO of Nobel Biocare.
The opening ceremony on 1 September will be hosted by Heliane Canepa and her successor, Domenico Scala. The ceremony will be accompanied by a comprehensive scientific program featuring Procera(r) solutions in seminars, panels, live treatments, and presentations by distinguished dental experts.
Procera(r) -- The perfect fit for Japan and Asia
The products manufactured in Japan are based on the unique Procera(r) process. Procera(r) is a high-tech process for industrial production of individually designed crowns, bridges, laminates, and abutments. The Procera(r) process allows dental professionals to outsource their production: Procera(r) products can be ordered online, around-the-clock via digital files containing design specifications for individual treatment solutions. The fully automated production process begins immediately upon receipt of the file, and after a few hours the custom-made product is sent to the dental lab. Every piece is unique and individually produced for each patient.
Developed in Sweden by Nobel Biocare, Procera(r) is a breakthrough process that substantially increases dental laboratory efficiency. The Alumina and Zirconia ceramic materials used in the Procera(r) process result in solutions that closely mimic real teeth, giving restorations a beautiful, natural appearance. Utilizing the latest scanning technologies, CAD/CAM and manufacturing processes, high accuracy and perfect precision fit is ensured.
Alumina and zirconia are all-ceramic biocompatible materials with excellent mechanical properties. The combination of these ceramics and the Procera(r) process enable Nobel Biocare to provide the best individualized, esthetic dental solutions available today. To date, Nobel Biocare has produced more than 7 million Procera(r) products worldwide and is the undisputed leader in this field. Procera(r) products are supported by over 15 years of clinical documentation and extensive scientific evidence.
The dental esthetics/cosmetics market -- Long-term growth ahead
In Japan, as well as in many other Asian countries, the demand for individualized dental esthetics is rapidly increasing. The advances in all-ceramic restoration technologies support the increasing demand with natural-looking and durable solutions. According to the MRG report CAD/CAM supported solutions grew by 70% in 2006. The Japanese implant market is, according to the same report, growing by approximately 18% per year. Due to its market-leading position, product offer and focus on customer service, Nobel Biocare in Japan grew by 45% in the first six months of 2007.
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.
www.nobelbiocare.com
www.nobelsmile.com