Business Asia Pacific

With growth in China, GlamSmile targets expansion

BEIJING, China: Cosmetic dentistry provider GlamSmile continues to grow in China. According to the Beijing company, it generated more than 4.5 million in revenue in local currency from its four veneer studios last month. It has also announced that it is currently in the process of hiring new staff for the three new studios it intends to open later this year in several cities in south central China.

Japanese corp close to market entry in the Philippines

PASAY CITY, the Philippines: The Lion Corporation has announced that the launch of its Philippines Peerless Lion joint venture is in its final stages. The first products, ranging from toothbrushes to mouthwash, are anticipated to be distributed from the middle of this year, representatives of both companies disclosed during a convention held by the Philippine Dental Association in Pasay City last week.

Indian dental business receives large-scale investment

NEW DELHI, India: Indian private equity firm Asian Healthcare Fund (AHF) has confirmed that it will be investing significantly in one of the country’s largest dental chains. According to CEO Ajay Kumar Vij, his company intends to pump INR400 million (US$7 million) into Western Indian-based Total Dental Care, which runs dental clinics in Mumbai and Pune under the mydentist brand.

Heraeus sells dental business to Japanese chemical firm

TOKYO, Japan/HANAU, Germany: Last week, the precious metal and technology group Heraeus announced that it has parted with its dental division. Once the transaction has been approved by the competition authority, the whole business unit, including 20 facilities worldwide, will be acquired by Mitsui Chemicals, a Tokyo-based manufacturer and supplier of chemicals, plastics and similar materials for various markets.

Kuraray Noritake expands production in Japan

TOKYO, Japan: The Japanese dental market leader Kuraray Noritake has announced a third production site. The new plant in Tainai City in the Niigata Prefecture was recently put into operation in the presence of president Sadaaki Matsuyama and executive officer Osamu Yamada.

German dental industry announces special show at Sino-Dental

BEIJING, China: In addition to supplier presentations, the German dental industry will be staging a special show at this year’s Sino-Dental exhibition and scientific conference. The organisers said that the latest innovations and research results in dental medicine and technology in Germany will be presented at the German pavilion, which will be transformed into a research station for the show.

APDN, LADN no longer published

SINGAPORE: Owing to difficult market conditions, UBM Medica, a subsidiary of B2B communications provider UBM in the UK, has announced the closure of its dental publications for Asia and Latin America with immediate effect.

Sing dental provider Q & M makes takeover bid for SMG

SINGAPORE: In an effort to extend its health care offering, Singapore’s largest provider of private dental services, Q & M, has announced its intentions to buy a majority stake in Singapore Medical Group (SMG), a specialist medical provider operating 15 health centres throughout the city state.

Australia’s largest dentistry chain changes owner

GURGAON, India: After only 22 months, health care group Fortis is divesting its investment in the Australian dental office network Dental Corporation Holdings. The majority stake of 64 per cent, valued at an estimated AUS$270 million (US$284.6 million), has been offered to the Australian arm of the British United Provident Association (Bupa) in an effort to cut debt, the Indian company said in a statement on Sunday.

Sing corp. starts distribution of Syneron laser tech

SINGAPORE: Healthcare Solutions & Services (HSSC) in Singapore has taken over the distribution of laser technology for both hard- and soft-tissue dental treatment by Syneron Dental Lasers in Israel. The LiteTouch Er:YAG laser, featuring a fibre-free laser delivery system, will be officially launched in the city-state in February next year.

Handpiece manufacturer aims for global leadership

TOKYO, Japan: It is no secret that the years since the global financial crisis have not been very kind to companies in Japan. First, the recession slowed business investments significantly down, then the negative effects of last year’s tsunami and the massive destruction it wrought almost brought the world’s third largest economy to a halt.

Interview: “Australian dental product suppliers face considerable compliance costs”.

Sales of dental equipment in Australia have fallen again this year, according to a report by the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA). Dental Tribune Asia Pacific had the opportunity to speak with the organisation’s newly elected national president and Gunz Dental managing director, Trevor Martin, about the reasons for the decline and the prospects for the industry Down Under.